Just looking up and down these standings, you have to see that it’s still anyone’s game in the NL East.

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He told Todd Zolecki that he was sore, and that he “Doesn’t know if he can play tomorrow.”

After his grand-slam in Wednesday’s win over the Cubs, could we see Hector Luna at third, or is it going to be the first start for Mike Fontenot, with a righty on the mound?

Either way, I’m excited to see Roy Halladay get back on the mound.  Especially with the Phillies riding a four game win streak.

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Hector Luna in the dugout after hitting a Grand Slam in the Phillies 9-2 win in Chicago on Wednesday.

The Phillies are starting to look more like the Phillies we remember from the last few years.

After a walk-off win on Tuesday, the Phillies looked more motivated.  I honestly think that they haven’t really been challenged in the last few years, and this is something that they have never really faced before, and I like their chances.

However, there is still plenty of work to be done.  The Phillies are still having trouble with runners in scoring position, ranking towards the bottom of the Majors, and are 2nd to last in the league in BB.  But it’s getting better.

You have to love the contributions that are coming in from the guys on the bench like Ty Wigginton, and Hector Luna.  (See above)  Also, the debut of Jake Diekman yesterday was awesome to see in person.  It won’t be long before Jake is a household name.

Wednesday’s bullpen performance was pretty good to see, too.

Thanks for hanging in a checking back here at the blog.  If you don’t already…

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MLBTraderumors.com had this up on their site last night…

Phillies Not Prioritizing Roy Oswalt

The placement of Vance Worley on the disabled list got some talking about the Phillies’ lack of depth and Roy Oswalt potentially returning.  However, General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. isn’t looking to sign the veteran anytime soon, writes Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

“We think he’s throwing,” Amaro Jr. said. “I guess he is. But right now what I’m worried about is our team playing better. That’s my focus right now. I feel comfortable with the starters we have. If we get to the point where we’re not comfortable with him then that might be something we explore. But I will tell you that right now I’m happy with our guys the way we are right now, unless something changes. I think we’ve got other fish to fry right now.”

The money that could be spent on the 34-year-old could also be allocated towards acquisitions via trade, but the Phillies have yet to determine whether they will be buyers or sellers.  Fellow pitcher Jake Peavy recently gave Oswalt his endorsement, telling Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he’ll be ready to contribute this year.

The Phillies had a strange weekend in D.C. where they really won two games, but only came away with one, thanks to Joe West and his upset tummy.  I’m sorry, but Major League Baseball needs to have some alternates available at a moments notice, because three obviously can’t get it done.  However, there is nothing we can do about that but forget it, and move on.

Then we have this whole hullabaloo with Cole Hamels hitting Bryce Harper in the back.   I’m a huge fan of Hamels, but how are you dumb enough to go and say that you did it on purpose?  Avoid the question, or lie.  Just keep it to yourself.  As for Mike Rizzo, and all the stuff he said about Hamels, whatever… Let the players work it out on the field.  Nobody cares what the GM thinks.  Surprisingly this is the topic to which I have the least to say.  I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as people say.  If anything Hamels helped the Nats efforts to sell some more tickets, and create a rivalry.  I can’t wait for the next series with the Nats (May 21-23).  Mark your calendar, because this rivalry is just getting started.

I don’t know who the fans were that taunted Jayson Werth when he broke his wrist, but thanks for being so classless.  Let other cities hate us because our team is good, we don’t need them to hate us because we cheer for a guy getting injured.  Especially one that helped our city win its first championship in 28 years.  I don’t get how some people can be so stupid.  It’s totally cool to go and cheer your team in someone else’s house, but have some respect for the other people there, and the team.  I couldn’t believe how some of the people around me were acting.  Yes, I’m talking about you, Guy sitting next to me, who was throwing his trash in the flower boxes in left field.  You and your drunk friend that had to go to the bathroom every half inning are the reason that people thing Philly fans are jerks.  Nobody appreciated you, and your foul mouths.  Especially the guy with his kids sitting right next to you.  This was the first time that I think that I was actually embarrassed to be a Phillies fan.  It made me really sad.  I thought all the Nationals fans I encountered were really great, and I had a fun time, despite the loss.

Anyways…

I’m not writing as much these days because things in life are hectic, and I’m trying to enjoy some time being a fan (although the Phils are making it tough).  Not to mention that I’m spending a lot more time at the park, and I’ve gone on the road with the team twice already which is fun, but tiresome.  Thanks as always for checking in, and continuing to read my blog.  I’ll be trying harder over the next week or so to get back in gear.

Tomorrow let’s get back to talking about actual games, and hopefully a “W.”   Enough with the antics.

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Additionally, Hunter Pence will undergo a precautionary MRI on his left shoulder (non-throwing) here in Phoenix. We hope to have the results later this afternoon.”

Pence seemed pretty upbeat to me, so I don’t think this looks very serious, but with regard to Howard, another week just means another week without him.  That’s no good.

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The game was nice and tight all the way through, and again the Phillies pitching was brilliant.  Vance Worley threw 7 scoreless innings, and a career high 11 strikeouts.  Vance, like Lee the night before had to pitch at the top of his game when runs are coming at a minimum.

Again the Phillies offense was bleak.  After loading the bases in the first and only walking away with one run, it wasn’t until the 9th that they would score again on a passed ball.

But alas, A win is a win.

It’s pretty nice to be at Petco Park. The Phillies have won 12 straight games here, dating to 2008, so it’s nice to have a 4 game series here when the offense is struggling so much.

Side Notes -

John Mayberry Jr.  - Oh my.  This kid needs a few days off, or to be sent down to AAA to figure it out.

Jonathan Papelbon - Pap is now a perfect 4 for 4 in save opportunities. He’s likely going to be a discussion point all season as he was the Phillies biggest offseason move, when offense really needed to be addressed.

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Cliff Lee was absolutely outstanding, but the Phillies offense just couldn’t back him up.

Lee went 10 strong innings for the Phils (Yes, I said 10) with 7K’s and 0BB.  This was the first time in more then 30 years that a Phillies pitcher went more then 9 innings.  I’m sure you can guess who the other Lefty was that did it before him.

Matt Cain also pitched tremendously for the Giants, going 9, and surrendering just two hits.

But afterwards the most talked about move of the game was in the top of the 11th.  Carlos Ruiz lead off the inning with a double, and advanced to third after Juan Pierre laid down a sacrifice bunt. Charlie sent out left-hander Jim Thome to pinch-hit and Giants’ Manager Bruce Bochy countered with lefty Javier Lopez, a left handed specialist.

Manuel stuck with the veteran Thome, instead of opting to send out John Mayberry, or Placido Polanco.   Mayberry made the most sense given his power, and ability to hit one deep enough to score a run.

Jim Thome struck out.

Then Manuel decided to have Mayberry hit for Juan Pierre, despite Pierre’s succes against left-handers.

Mayberry chopped out.

“I thought about sending Mayberry up,”  Manuel said. “Thome is 2 for 11 off the guy with three strikeouts. That means he put the ball in play eight times. If he hits a ball, as big and strong as he is, we have a chance to score a run. Also, I figured he was definitely going to walk Mayberry. Juan Pierre hits .300 off lefties, but he still has to face a sidearm lefty. I thought Mayberry was a stronger guy who could move the ball better. That was the best chance for us to get the run.”

Not that Mayberry or Polanco is hitting very well either, but they gave us the better chance, at least that’s what I think.

It all ended in the bottom of the 11th when Ty Wigginton made a costly mistake, and booted a ball that came right to him.

They went and abismal 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position despite getting their lead-off hitter on base in six of nine innings.

John Mayberry Jr., and Placido Polanco both went hitless in the game, and Jim Thome, who came in as a pinch hitter, is an .091 hitter so far in his return to Philadelphia.

Polanco is the player that I think I worry about the most after he went 0-4 again last night, and he’s batting an embarrassing .179.  His bat is most definitely slowed, and his strikeout numbers are climbing.

He hasn’t seemed to have lost anything in the field (despite a missed tag last night) and still looks like the Gold Glove fielder that we thought we were getting when he signed.

I’m just not sure how much longer the Phillies can have this many players batting sub .230.

For tonight…

Cliff Lee will face off against San Francisco’s Matt Cain.

Cain is 1-4, 4.17 ERA vs Philadelphia, but is coming off the best pitching performance of his life where he was one single shy of a perfect game. This is Cain’s first start at At&t Park since signing his new  $127.5 million, six-year contract.

Lee is searching for his first win of the season, and hopefully he can continue his magic at At&t Park where he is undefeated as a Phillie, with two complete games.

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Photo: MLB.com

There was a little bit of chatter on the old internet last night about the velocity of Roy Halladay, and after the Phillies 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants, Halladay addressed it.

“I’ll go back and check the gun readings later,” Halladay said. “As long as I can focus on mechanics and repeating, that’s more important for me right now. Being able to repeat consistently, if I can do that, I’m going to be fine. I don’t necessarily need the extra one or two miles per hour if I’m doing the other things right.”

Halladay is still pitching great. His ERA is lower (1.17 vs  last year’s 1.23 ERA), but he has far few punch outs (22 vs 14 this year).  But to answer the question of whether his velocity is down… Yes.  It is, but not by much. 1 MPH.

Let’s face a few facts here though.  Roy is a year older, and at 34 he’s still pitching remarkably well, but likely it’s just taking him a bit longer to get his arm strength back.  But the success of Roy Halladay appears to have little to do with velocity.  It’s more about locating his pitches, and knowing the hitters he’s facing.  Something that he does far better then anyone else.

You can’t really argue with 3-0, and a 1.17 ERA.

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