Former Phils’ GM Ed Wade certainly has an affinity for Phillies’ players. The Phillies welcome back J.A. Happ, Brett Myers, Nelson Figueroa, Michael Bourn and Jason Michaels when the Astros come into town this week. If Pedro Feliz was not just traded, he would be coming back as well. Wilson Valdez must be looking forward to his 5 year, $25 million deal with Houston next year.
I’m on vacation so I’m just going to quickly preview the Astros’ series…
Probables
Monday: Blanton vs. RHP Brett Myers
Tuesday: Hamels vs. RHP Bud Norris
Wednesday: Halladay vs. LHP J.A. Happ
Thursday: Kendrick vs. LHP Wandy Rodriguez
Note: I will finish this post later – but feel free to talk about the Astros series here until I do
I’d really like to get a couple runs next inning with the top of the order up. Can’t help but be wary of Charlie staying with Blanton long enough to give the Stros another run or so.
sure hope we don’t regret that.
Davey Lopes must like Jayson Werth quite a bit.
Joe Savery just lined a 2-out, RBI-1B to LF on a 2-strike pitch vs. a LHP. He’s 1-2 (F-7, 1B) in first DH start
Hey, when was this put up?
I’ve been commenting on the wrong thread all game (D’oh)! Now I’m up to speed.
OK, one more shot at it. Need Lidge to keep it right where it is (the non-save situation concerns me).
I guess we see Chooch, Plac and Sweeney here.
what do you think b.ski? I say 55-45 we at least tie.
That’s step one. Now let’s take step two.
Don’t know, Ken. Lyon has been tough lately. Chooch is our best shot.
I know you play for a tie at home, but I’m very surprised by WV batting.
I was thinking the same thing, Ken (as Valdez pops out on the bunt attempt).
I hope Wilson’s 5 year 25 mil is a no cut deal for his sake.
All right, Ben Fran! C’mon Jimmy!
You can either blame Madson for failure to keep Houston down, or excuse him for 1 failed outing of late. The bottom line is the percentages sure seemed better by piing around Carlos Lee. Pitchers win in part because they are set up to succeed, or fail. That is one tough, tough loss.
Ah, nuts!
In honor of my gaffe tonight, I’ll leave you with the age old riddle:
If a tree falls in the forest (If an idiot makes comments about a baseball game), but no one is there to hear it (but he makes them on the wrong thread), does it make a sound (will anybody read them)?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but RyHo probably wasn’t going to read the letter to him no matter what thread it was under.
Early yet, T5, but Rox 3-0. Might not hurt Doc’s cause either.
can’t get the link to open, but apparently csn has a story that Sutter’s role will be to teach Mathieson the splitter.
Sutter just killed hitters on that pitch.
Todd Helton is now 9-13 lifetime against T Hudson, including 3 hits tonight.
Rox on top 4-2. B5
Rino rumbled, fell to knees, felt breeze, not Bourne. Didn’t know what to do with Brett’s Blyleven curveball either. Other than that, magnificent game.
Werth. Spaceman. Or is he trying to model stupid this year?
Utley Air Mail-to-Ruiz Retaining Wall. Beaut.
A clean chin might reverse Blanton’s fortunes. That thing is ridiculous; oughta drop it off at the SPCA. Good chuckin’ tonight though, following typical start.
I’m not gonna crucify a guy for popping up a bunt whose 28 ribbies in fill-in role is more than the rest (27) of his 5 yr career (w/6 teams). Valdez has done some nice work this year. Can’t win ‘em all.
Next 3 are big, as the following 7 are away (3 SD, 3 LA, 1 CO).
tough loss from what I can read.
thought at first I jinxed Madson. (post #135 – Strasburg & Co.)
failure to gain a game again. try again tomorrow. skies may be bluer.
What are the odds of them turning around their offensive funk with Hamels pitching? Stranger things have happened……
What are the odds of them turning around their offensive funk with Hamels pitching? Stranger things have happened……>>
pretty good against Bud Norris. I don’t know that stranger things have happened than that. I’d expect a decisive win tonight, but that Thursday matchup isn’t real favorable, so the chances of gaining on the Braves before the road trip don’t look so great.
I don’t follow Norris closely enough to know if he’s a developing pitcher, or a Kyle Kendrick. It’d be a crummy night for him to all of a sudden develop.
ON THIS DATE Aug 24 in 1932 the late Hal Woodeshick was born.
Hal, a free agent signing of Phillies in 1950, a Wilkes-Barre native,
tossing 8 “goose eggs” with a just-ducky left arm, combined with former Phil Turk Farrell for the first shutout in Houston Colt .45s history on April 11, 1962 in game 2 of opening series with Cubs, whom they swept to begin their first season 3-0. (On opening night
Pottstown native/cunning, diminutive lefty Bobby Shantz had pitched the .45s to victory.) The team then flew northeast to Phila. and experienced its initial losses in 2 consecutive well-pitched games by hard-tossers Jack Hamilton and Art Mahaffey (shutout).
Hal finished 5-16 for the 64-96 original Houston Colt 45s. Pitched 2 shutout innings in All-Star game the next year, striking out Joe Pepitone, Bob Allison and Harmon Killebrew. Appeared in 36 games for the ’67 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals in final season.
On 12/18/66, Hal’s second cousin, former WV Mountaineer standout
Tom Woodeshick (also of Wilkes-Barre) ran the football 27 times for 105 yards and 2 TDs for Eagles vs. Redskins in 37-28 win at Wash.,
helping to counter Sonny’s 4 TD passes – 2 to Charley Taylor, 2 to Jerry Smith. (Win was capped by LB Harold Wells’ 60-yard TD fumble return.)
Tom, #37, was one tough-nosed, widely-respected fullback (4.28 yds. per rushing attempt, 21 TDs; 947 yds in ’68) for 10 NFL seasons (1st 9 with Eagles, last with Cards). Had a small acting part in 1970 classic Robert Altman movie M*A*S*H.
2010 No hitter ventures
completed 5
broken up in 9th 5
brolen up in 8th 7
broken up in 7th 13
broken up in 6th 30
includes combined bids
Looks like Norris faced Hamels last September when the Phils dropped 4 straight at the Bank to the Houston club. Here’s the game story.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=290906118
All I can say is at the beginning of the year, eeryone had an opinion on whether Cole Hamels would bounce back. If you told me he more or less would, but most certainly pitch significantly better than last year, but he’d be 7-11, I’d have never, ever believed it. And yet, he’s staring that in the face as we begin the 6th.
- Carlos Gonzalez one-out, two-run Home Run (26) to right scored Eric Young Jr.. Troy Tulowitzki due up.
2-0 Rox
Webgem! Let’s follow it with clutch hitting
Doc could pull fairly close to even in the CY tomorrow. AW gave up 4 earned through 7, losing 4-2. Doc will enter the game leading league in ERA (I think).
JIMMMIEE!
1 run, 1 hit, 1 miracle, 0 errors, and nobody left on.
Brad Lidge has gone 10 straight appearances without walking a batter, which ties a career-high, last set in 2008.
Brad Lidge is off probation.
Raul and Chooch now, the heart of a beleaguered order.
Luck be a Rockie tonight. Check out how this inning started, bringin Infante, who has hit in 25 of 26 to the plate.
Atlanta Top 6th
- Derek Lowe walked. Runner on first with none out and Omar Infante due up.
- Omar Infante grounded into a double play, third to second to first. None on with two outs and Jason Heyward due up.
Maybe Lidge should still be on probation. 12 of his 14 pitches were sliders per Gelb.
Oh boy……. here we go……..
The Dodgers apparently waived Hiroki Kuroda today. He’s a free agent, but you wouldn’t think he’d get past the Cardinals on the waiver claim. Speaking of which, the Dodgers didn’t waive Manny yet, but the Cards started Allen Craig in RF tonight. An outfield of Manny, Jay and Holliday in RF might be fun to contest defensively, but the Cards could be very aggressive in the next few days.
Dodgers waived Kuroda…… That is surprising considering all the moves they made at the deadline.
We’re like so out of bench players.
That is surprising considering all the moves they made at the deadline.>>
well, you know, it’s to guage interest. They could do the same thing with Lilly too pretty soon. At least they tried to straighten a sinking ship.
Colorado Bottom 7th
- Troy Tulowitzki intentionally walked. Runners on first and second with two outs and Todd Helton due up.
3-2 Rox
That is surprising considering all the moves they made at the deadline.>>
Lets not forget records do change between the deadline and August 24. The Dodgers have lost ground since then and Russell Martin is out for the year.
Todd Helton flied out to left to end the inning.
Bettencourt is out tonight for the Rox. Tough to match up with the Braves in late innings even with a full pen in a close game. Once Dela Rosa gets pulled, I’d think it will be tough.
That’s one of a number of reasons this game is so important.
I guess Madson gets the 13th, if need be, but we better win this thing soon. Not that the Stros are in much better shape.
Charlie really wants to win this game. proceeding with a full head of steam.
burned Madson unnecessarily. wont be available for tomorrow and maybe even finale.
we’d better win this.
Colorado Bottom 8th
- Clint Barmes advances to first on a dropped 3rd strike. Bases loaded with two outs and Dexter Fowler due up.
DA ROX! 5-2
I wonder if Kendrick knows he’s pitching the 19th inning
everyone is swinging for the fences.
I wonder if we will see Oswalt pinch hit.
I wonder if Kendrick knows he’s pitching the 19th inning
Lol. its funny cos its true.
I like Cole better with the bat but Oswalt isn’t bad at all.
If Oswalt pinch hits, he’s probably playing the field in the next inning. All we have left is Schneider, I believe.
please end this game. someone.
the next time some idiot wants to knock Phillie fans; check out the heads still present in CBP at 11:35, 65 degrees with wind and still cheering the double play.
I’m pretty sure that if we win, its the first time in over 2 weeks that there will be a full game xhange in the NL East standings in a day. Highest change was a half game 2-3 times when we played, and the Braves didn’t, or vice versa.
Potential danger using Schneider there. I guess Werth could catch, since he can’t get picked off, that might be okay. Course Chooch is not hurt, but still could lead to trouble.
Schneider gone.
well, Werth has catching experience.
this is endless.
this should end it right here.
David Herndon fantasy owners; any?
nadda jkay
last pith of the game, right here
wtf ryan. are you kidding me.
oh brother
keep calling it KB.
keep warming up crazy K.
keep going loco Howard; suspension if you dont chill.
should of just walked away.
Blanton?
0 for 7, 5 Ks
every astro is gunna bunt over to first.
Roy O will not pinch hit
new first baseman; Oswalt or Blanton
i prefer Oz, better glove,
Blanton bigger target for Utley.
hahaha
now we’re defensively weak at 2 positions I would think
Geez…I had a feeling Ryan might go off if that happened again after his reaction to the first check swing strike considering how he is struggling…hopefully he isn’t suspended…Oswalt in left
ohhh Oz is gonna net his first outfield assist.
i’m calling it.
kodak moment!
i want this game but all im asking now, is that oswalt doesnt get hurt.
the Phanatic going to the mound is about the only thing missing from this debacle.
YEAH!!!!
Roy O!
yeeeaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3rd base ump is a fucking douche bag. With his fake tough guy glare. Baseball umps are worthless, they just feel insecure because people are calling for more replay. Howard checked too.
theyre purposely trying to go away?? to LF?
unreal!
I agree with you Phil D, but in this situation, Howard should of just kept his cool.
so much for weaker defensively
RAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL!!!!
getting good entertainment now.
yeah he prob should have, but i dont mind it. think it actually fired the team up. Howard will be fined for sure, maybe suspended. he really went off.
frag!
I thought I heard Wheels say Gload got kicked out of the game too. I wonder what he did to get ejected?
defense really taking a toll in an odd way.
uh oh.
lol whaddyu think was gonna happen?
Phils brought this on themselves.
credit goes to ‘Stros reliever trio that shut down Phils activity.
not as tremendous a task as it sounds actually.
good night!
Unbelievable how this team can’t hit amymore! 42 times this year that the phils have scored 2 or fewer runs, they all need to get back to basics of hitting the ball up the middle!!
The only thing that can save this series is Doc pitching a complete game shut out tonight.
The only thing that can save this series is Doc pitching a complete game shut out tonight.>>
Wish I could agree. I’d say the only thing that can save it is revisionist history. Brutal stuff.
The only thing that can save this series (for me) is the Phils winning the next two (don’t care how, just do it) and the Braves, Giants and Cardinals all losing their next two.
Possible, but not likely.
That above scenario, based on seasonal and recent activities: ~ 1,000 to 1.
An amped Happ and now loose-as-a-goose ‘Stros raise questions for outcome of tonight’s game versus Roy “I Aim To Destroy” Halladay. Not a foregone conclusion, though probably a CBP ‘smiley face’ of an outcome.
The big intrigue: Will tonight’s 2nd base umpire Scott Barry acquire a restraining order on 1st baseman Ryan Howard by 7:05? And will 45,000 untrained counselors offer the proper environment for
reconciliation?
What’s the biggest miracle you’ve ever seen in sports? The Braves lead the Rockies 10-1 in the 3rd. Still batting in the top no less.
The Rockies have already done more than their share to help us by winning the first 2. This afternoon’s early Brave offensive onslaught will drastically reduce their anemic offensive road numbers of late.
I don’t imagine Ryan Howard is too happy about sitting tonight. Sweeney and Fransisco are in the lineup. It’s not to prompt a discussion on whether he should sit against Happ, just a comment on how a sompetitor like Howard probably wants to forget the schneid and get off it as soon as possible. The chances of Happ going the distance are not so good, so we’ll have some lefty depth on the bench.
I mentioned last night that I thought Doc now has the ERA lead, and he does. In fact, across the board, you could now do well flipping a coin between Doc and AW, and Doc has a chance to do some spacing tonight. AW has a better hits against, but the WHIPS are at 1.0, and 1.03 because of Doc’s virtual refusal to allow walks.
Manny was waived today. Because of deferred money, anyone picking him up for the rest of the year faces about a 1.25 mil obligation.
In addition to the Braves onslaught today, first inning rallies are common. Detroit, Cincy and the Angels all scored at least 3 in their firast at bats.
In reply to the question about where Hiroki Kuroda winds up now that he’s been placed on waivers, mlbtraderumors.com editor Tim Dierkes offered this opinion this afternoon.
Wednesday August 25, 2010 2:31 Kuroda
2:32
Wonder if Cards or Phils would hazard a claim. But Dodgers might want something in return.
Rosenthal on Manny, The Artist Formerly Known As A Superstar :
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-teams-would-be-crazy-to-trade-for-Manny-Ramirez
Rockies have made it an interesting 10-8 ballgame with 2 at bats left.
Rockies have made it an interesting 10-8 ballgame with 2 at bats left.>>
nicely adhering to your script of what would “save this series we’re in. Potential backbreaking loss for Los Bravos psyche? I doubt it, but its a potential game to gain at the Bank. Potential, potential, potential. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIE GAME!
And now the Rockies are leading by one. 1000-1 is still alive!
up 2, and as Joe Simpson just mentioned on Braves TV, Rox closer Houston Street has pitched 3 straight days so they will try not to use him. By the way, Madosn has pitched for us 8 of 11 days, including games where he had leads of 4, 5, and 6 runs. Course Charlie’s hand was forced last night, but those are good leads for a guy you use in close games. Figure on Madson being rested tonight.
2 back. sweetness.
Braves are pff tomorrow. They return home to host the Fish.
Friday, Volstad against Hanson
Saturday, TBD against Hudson
Sunday, Josh against Lowe
So we have a shot at seeing the Fish take 2 of 3 with that Sunday matchup if the Fish can somehow win another one.
Rox were fighting for their playoff lives against the Braves. The way the standings are now, when they play us, they will be fightling as directly as they can in a 3-4 team wildcard race against a main competitor. You never really know if the Rox are good are bad. But bet the neighborhood on them being interesting. A simply marvelous job against Atlanta.
Revised odds: 875-1.
Rosenthal on Manny>>
I read the article. I also read Buster Olney’s tweet that said you’re lnvesting 4 mil in a guy that has like 4 hits in 57 days.
On paper, it’s easy to paint a bleak picture of Manny.
All, or primarily, what I’m more interested in is how’s his bat speed look since the Dodgers reactivated him. The teams that scouted him, based on that are the opinions I’ll look forward to factoring into whatever deal is discussed, and probably consumated before this little story plays out. If he looks like he’s ready to go, you can rationalize all the negativity away. And as Stark wrote a short time ago….
<<Teams that have felt out #Dodgers aren’t convinced they’d just dump Manny’s contract on team claiming him. They’d try to work out a deal 1st>>
So he most likely still has fuel in the tank.
‘Billy the Kid’ with 415 career saves, 25 more than HOF-er Dennis Eckersly, had been gearing up to finish another duel.
Still another unbelievable comeback in pogresss…
Cincy led SF 8-1 in the 3rd.
8th inning, SF 11-10, Cincy 10 off a 6 run Giant 8th.
Some fuel in the tank maybe, but the vehicle only rides one way down Ramirez Blvd. to the corner of Disenchantment & Regret.
IN the GCL, Juary Gomez earns his 9th save of the seasons for GCL Phils. 0.34 ERA in 19 games for the 20 yr old Venezuelan.
I agree with you Stacy. Hopefully we split this series but with Kendrick going tomorrow, we never know. A real Jeckle and Hyde.
Astros are annoying as any thing.
WHIP leaders NL
start of today
Latos 13-5 0.98
AW 17-8 1.00
Doc 16-8 1.03
Ted Lilly 8-8 1.04
So Do could go below 1 tonight, maybe catch Latos. But the big story on action news is Ted Lilly at 8-8 with a 1.04. That is freaking incredible.
That’s about as typical an inning as describes so many of our games this year. A JW k and a double play.
Sooooooooooo frustrating.
I mean is this a pitching clinic so far or what?
Real nice work by JA so far, good for him.
But on the other side, hell, they did this when Sandy and Nolan pitched, so lets do it. 24 hours off spending 150k on “we did this together” on 60 watches for all sorts of peeps commemorating his perfecto, and a day before Senator Bunning arrives in Philly to celebrate the accomplishment, I wonder if Doc could crank out another. That’d be one way to keep Scott Butcher, er, Barry, sorry, out of the game. At least at that end.
3 innings, about 37 minutes. change your dinner reservations to match Lefty Carlton standard time.
over or under on 2 runs today?
#Cardinals first in NL in August in runs per game – w/o Ludwick.>>
No surprise, the Phillies are in that same league.
over or under on 2 runs today?>>
clearly, we’re gonna get 2-3 chances at rallies. Houston’s pen is pretty good, though. But to be honest, as the pressure builds, it gets harder to relax. So it’s pretty iffy. What do you think?
We can’t lose when Doc pitches. or at least we shouldn’t lose, so I will say over. haha.
hallelujah. his 17th
add our 1 hit through the first 5 innings tonight.15 runs in 75 innings is just unreal, and the team average is prolly at or below .200 now. Just amazing.
The #Phillies are 2-4 with a .204 avg and 2.95 ERA in their past 6 gms, and scored 14 runs in 70 inng in that span
oh man. We cannot catch a break.
now you know why Polly didn’t bunt there
kinda be nice to see Happ get pulled mid inning for a couple reasons. Would be a likely rally, and get a real nice hand from the crowd. Good having him on our side for the 2-3 years he was here.
who can pitch tonight, especially since tomorrow is a day game, 36 hours after last night….
tonight would be 3 straiht for Lidge…doable, but rules out tomorrow
Madson, forget it, 8 appearances in 11 dyas
Herndon…too long last night
Romero, I assume he could
Contreras, he could too, but if he and JC pitch tonight, tomorrow’s tough since they pitched last night
Baez, same as Contreras and JC
good thing Doc’s pc is low, and we gotta get 2 runs and hold them to worry about it.
wow, great bench depth, but with this bullpen situation? interesting, but I guess you gota do it.
Zoelecki with this inspiring tweet…
Jayson Werth is hitting .157 (17-for-108) with RISP this season. That ranks 228th out of 228 players in the Majors.
Um…there’s only 228 players in the majors?
Gee, that inning showed great character
13×30=390
discounts pitchers. that does seem wrong
must be based on plate appearances or some qualifier
anyone optimistic going into this last of the 9th? I’m groping for optimism.
Howard PH for Sweeney?
need a Lyon mistake here
where’s the dude who was super pissed at me for saying the Astros were better than the Dodgers?
I’m sorry I went on vacation Phillies – didn’t you know you were so sensitive.
These teams have been the pricks to the Phillies the last couple of years: Pirates and the Astros (and count the Nationals for this year). Other than that, the Phillies seem to have no problem with everyone else. This team needs to wake up and take every team seriously. Every team wants to play their “A” game against the Phillies. Therefore, the Phils must put their “A” game instead of their “B- to C+” plus game. The offense needs to get going. Players have to get their heads out of their ——- and start playing! This team has missed numerous opportunities to catch the Braves. Now, they are starting to come to a point where it will come down to those 6 games against the Braves!
TAKE EVERY GAME SERIOUSLY!! FOLLOW THIS SONG FOR ADVICE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk&ob=av3e
AND SCREW THE REFS!!
So…..Crazy K to the rescue??? It would make my day if he could somehow pull out a win today.
I don’t know what to think about the hitting – they just don’t seem interested right now.
The raging Rino’s power abated after he dated Jenny Craig this winter. Or did it coincide with his picking up a $125,000,000.00 gift pack from genuflecting CBP businessmen? Or is it related to Mick’s dropping of the bullpen binoculars in late May? Somewhere along the line the Big Piece Of Controversy transformed from Babe Ruth to Babe the Blue Ox. That bat of his does a lot more postured pointing than launching. It’s time to trade those Subway sandwiches for a late summer/early Fall spree at Jim’s Steaks, extra Provolone please.
Ryan Howard from July 15th through July 30th……
Games: 16
AB: 63
Runs: 10
Hits: 18
2B: 2
3B: 1
HR: 6
RBI: 16
BB: 8
K: 21
HBP: 2
BA: 0.286
OBP: 0.378
SLG: 0.635
OPS: 1.013
……so it’s not like he wasn’t hitting before the sprained ankle.
Can’t see that his recent troubles are attributable to anything other than the 3 weeks he missed. The layoff messed up his timing, and one rehab game was not enough to get it back (nor have the five he’s played since rejoining the team).
Wow, I didn’t realize this last night but Doc only threw 73 pitches last night.
So why did he come back if he wasn’t ready and needs “Spring Training” again? It doesn’t do his team justice. He’s had two spans in which he’s been in a decent groove this year; otherwise, has been ineffective for a clean-up hitter as his 1.6 WAR attests (lowest since 42 AB ’04 intro to ML pitching).
Quick! Someone fire Greg Gross so they can a reason to hit again. Houston has 4 runs in 4 innings and the Phils haven’t managed a hit yet – again.
I didn’t think that one rehab game could possibly be enough to get Howard ready, but the answer has to be that all involved thought bringing Howard back that quickly was the right way to go. I’m sure an adjustment period was expected, but I’m also sure that they were not expecting a week of flailing.
I didn’t think that the few rehab games Utley played would be enough to get him ready either (Ken started a grass roots movement that was directed at electing me as the person to tell him so at the time), and it looks like it hasn’t worked out for him either. So much for the theory (put forth by more than one Phillies scribe) that the time off would allow Utley to come back rested, ready, and at full strength, and that we could expect to see him perform like he does coming out of spring training (and like he did in 2007 when he came back from a broken hand). His numbers since coming back————games: 8, AB: 31, runs: 3, hits: 7 (12B), RBI: 2, BB: 5, BA: 0.226, OBP: 0.351, SLG: 0.258, OPS: 0.609————say otherwise.
Is it any wonder we are struggling to score runs? Until these two come around I’d say we can expect it to continue.
Kendrick finally broke the picket fence in the 5th by keeping the Astros off the board.
I’ve been thinking the same thing the last couple days, Stacy. If we’re not hitting it must be Gross’ fault, right?
BTW, Stacy, I saw that you were resting your hopes on Halladay yesterday and on Kendrick today. Don’t give up, though. Hopefully Oswalt will be there for you tomorrow.
I’m trying anything I can at this point, lol. They’re not giving me much to work with.
Kendrick is done – actually not that bad a day for him. If they were capable of scoring, he might’ve had a chance.
Man this is bad, but the Astros do it to us every year at CBP, where their record is now 16-7 (which is almost in the same territory as the Red Sox 11-4 record at CBP).
We’re not having to deal with the likes of Clemens, Pettitte, Oswalt, Biggio, Berkman, or Lidge anymore either(back when they were going to the WS while we were still building), but it doesn’t matter. Whoever they have in uniform when they come to town plays well enough to beat us.
Pissed away a gift-wrapped opportunity to draw closer to the Braves (if not take over first place) presented to us by the Rockies on a silver platter. How will we respond after suffering the first 4-game sweep at CBP?
Well, they play the Padres next so I fear that we’ll see more of the same. Unless the magical cross country ride fixes them.
It’s not an apples to apples comprison, except for a lot of similar players involved, but last year, when we lost 4 straight to Houston in early September, versus this year, presents these backdrops. You know who we play next and what a year they’ve had. Last year, the next 10 were 2 3 game sets against the Nats, sandwiched with a 4 gamer against the Mets. Or maybe it was 9 games.
There may be other comparisons that score favorably, but from the schedule standpoint, the Phils will collect no favors.
I’m not thrilled with the lack of offense. It may wind up the cause of a non playoff season. I suppose like a lot of people, I keep expecting it to turn on like a switch, although I know better. Lack of hitting is one thing. Popups especially piss me off. The RISP I dunno. It’s not overrated but its not like we’re tearing the cover off the ball with or without. But the one thing that really burns me up is being taken out of innings by stupidity, i.e., Fransisco and Werth’s pickoffs. I’d have put Utley and Howard back in he lineup in a heartbeat, and I’d keep them there. I’ll say that no matter if they hit poorly in September. If the hitting has been reduced to the biggest worry, I’ll take my chances. Blanton and Kendrick are still iffy propositions, and the bullpen has questions, but on the whole, both pitching categories seem half decent. Given a chance to go into September maybe 5 games out with this offesnive personnel, if the pitching holds at what it is, you take it, and live with it.
Where did I read discussion of the Phils MVP for the year in the last couple days. It’s not about who it is, it’s about who will be. The one guy who can make a difference is the guy oft chastised last year, and charge free this year.
JRoll might still be hurt. He’s gotten his share of clutch hits though. But if he starts cranking out hits, a lot of good stuff will follow.
Werth did the Feline Fandango on tag play at plate, adding more
cringing footage to his baserunning reel of this season. Manuel should have benched his skinny ass right there, sent a message to him and rest of team – play all out or watch. I hope Phillies don’t touch him with their ten foot pole this free agency winter. A “five-tool” tool.
Meanwhile, Michael Bourn played like Warner Bros.’ Roadrunner, with a purpose. Fun to watch.
Myers set the tone. Good breaking stuff, good resolve.
Michaels chipped in. Look competitively involved in the dugout.
Happ was strong. Did enough. Mr. Two-thirds.
And Brad Mills outmanaged Cholly, whose line-up shuffle is coming up empty. (It’s time to forget ’08 and jump on present sad sacks and limp bats with feeling.)
Hunter Pence is a winner. Plays game as it should be played.
Manuel should have benched his skinny ass right there, sent a message to him and rest of team – play all out or watch.>>
It’s not the same as benching a guy immediately after a play, but Werth wasn’t in the lineup the day after he got picked off on an intentional walk, and Fransisco would probably have played today against Rodriguez if he was concentrating last night. Course it’s not the first time Werth has gotten picked off, although that one was glaring, but I don’t know Charlie’s reaction to the other times.
Credit to Charlie for that Werth benching.
With Raul regaining his stroke, tend to doubt Ben would’ve been
written in today, even without 3rd base blunder. May have, on the basis of convention, but Charlie leans hard on his perceived hitters/
vet members of his regiment.
Didn’t know Wandy had been tearing it up in August.
hardly unique sentiment on this tweet
<I have sooo had enough of Kendrick. and while I am at it. Werth.>>
and this one’s pretty good.
<< Cue the Denny Green chant about letting the Braves off the hook. Should be in first place tonight. >>
Ex-Phil Cal McLish died today at 84.
<<Note: I will finish this post later – but feel free to talk about the Astros series here until I do>>
We really should have let your shot at the Dodgers better than the Astros comment served as a finish to the post, but since you said feel free to talk about the Astros series until you do, I’m just chirping away. I mean, it was so much fun to follow. But alas, I am quite through, thank you. Hope vaca was good, or is if applicable.
a 3 game sweep of the Braves by the Rockies,
a 4 game home stand with 2 of the hottest pitchers in August on your side,
finally healthy line up regaining its initial look,
traditional Phils urgency atmosphere (rally towels et al)
= 0 wins, 3GB.
leaves a really bad taste in your mouth.
a win this weekend would help cure the Phils battered pride that the Stros continually stomped on with their cleats,
but right off the bat we get the Pads at Petco Park; Latos is going the first game!
no time to dwell. gotta keep playing.
Well, I’ve been wondering all week what Strasburg’s situation is (and expecting the worst). Here is the news:
Stephen Strasburg has a torn elbow ligament and will likely have Tommy John surgery, bringing the pitcher’s promising rookie season to an abrupt end.
Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Friday an MRI on the right elbow revealed a “significant tear.” Strasburg will travel to the West Coast for a second opinion, but Rizzo anticipates the 22-year-old right-hander will need the operation that requires 12 to 18 months of rehabilitation.
In case you were wondering whether or not the Nats organization is blaming itself:
“The player was developed and cared for in the correct way, and things like this happen,” Rizzo said. “Pitchers break down, pitchers get hurt and we certainly are not second-guessing ourselves. … Frustrated? Yes. But second-guessing ourselves? No.”
Rizzo said doctors believe Strasburg hurt himself on a particular pitch, as opposed to a gradual buildup. When Strasburg grimaced in the game at Philadelphia, he told the team he had felt something similar at San Diego State and had continued to pitch through it. Doctors have decided that what happened in college was unrelated to the ligament tear.
luckily Tommy John surgery is now as common is baseball as torn ACLs are in football; high probability that he will come back as strong (or as history dictates, maybe even stronger).