Roy vs. Boy
Might I suggest a nap after work today?
The Phillies are out in San Francisco and play tonight at 10:15. I hate these games out west, but this one I’m kinda excited about because of the pitching matchup.
Tim Lincecum is 4-1, with a 2.61 ERA and 65 K’s in his last 10 starts against the Phillies, but has been hammered in his first two outings this season (0-1, 12.91 ERA). Here’s hoping that the Phillies can tag him as well.
Lincecum has not looked good this season at all, with his last outing being the shortest start of his career. (2 1/3 innings, allowing six runs). I’m not sure if it’s a physical thing, or a mental thing because his fastball is topping out at 89-91 where it used to be in the 93-97 range, and he can’t be too pleased that the Giants have locked up Matt Cain to a long-term extension, and have not had discussions with his agent in regards to one.
Roy Halladay hasn’t faired very well against the Giants in the past, going 0-2 with a 7.23 ERA, but as you know is 2-0 this season with a 0.60 ERA.
This will be the first time that the two pitchers have faced each other in the regular season. They did face each other in the 2010 NL Championship Series, where Lincecum bested Halladay in Game 1, but Roy defeated him in game 5.
This should be a good one.
Extra innings…
I’m pretty glad we won’t have to see that bearded idiot at all this season. I feel bad that he’s injured, but just the sight of him…
Also, keep an eye on Pablo Sandoval who has a hit in all 9 games the Giants have played this season.
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Cliff, Vance, Fontenot, and Contreras.
Just a round-up from the last few days…
Last night…
Cliff wasn’t Cliff. It’s as easy as that.
At least not the whole night. He missed his spots a couple of times in the game last night, especially in the first inning, and that was all it was going to take for the Mets. Cliff Lee is a strikeout pitcher, and when you throw a lot of strikes, you’re gonna get hit sometimes.
The Phillies as we know are pretty darn bad when they face knuckleball pitchers. Last night was no exception.
Today…
Vance Worley gets the start today against the Mets. Vance is 3-1 (3.00) against the Mets in his career, and pitched nicely last Sunday against the Pirates at PNC Park, allowing just one run in six innings. Jon Niese is 4-3 (4.07) against the Phillies, but is a better pitcher then that. Should be a pretty good matchup. Here’s the lineup
Victorino, CF
Polanco, 3B
Rollins, SS
Pence, RF
Mayberry, LF
Wigginton, 1B
Galvis, 2B
Schneider, C
Worley, P
Other news…
As you know by now, the Phillies have signed Mike Fontenot to a minor league deal. They had looked at him a bit when he was a FA last season, but the Phillies have been a bit of a revolving door of infielders given all the injuries over the last few seasons, so that’s not much of a surprise.
I wouldn’t say that the signing of Fontenot is telling of what’s going on with Chase Utley, but it may just be that they thing they see a small upgrade over a guy like Pete Orr. In 2011 Fontenot batted .227/.304/.377 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 252 plate appearances. The Phillies will have him report to extended Spring Training in Clearwater, and from there he’s most likely headed to AAA Lehigh Valley.
Galvis will stay put.
Jose Contreras is likely to return to the Phillies some time in the next day or two. He’s pitched in two consecutive games, and last night retired the side in order, with a strikeout. Likely David Herndon, or Joe Savery will be sent down. It just depends on how many left-handers the Phillies decide to keep.
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Way to Go Joe!
Everyone of the stupid trade ideas I saw this Winter involved Joe Blanton in some regard. I just don’t get it, what do people have against him?
As for Thursday night? Joe was fantastic. Blanton pitched seven strong innings (and probably could have gone more) while allowing just one run. He was the beneficiary of great defense, and had command of all his pitches.
Given what the Phillies may face this year, it will be nice to see this as a regular thing for Blanton.
Chad Qualls and Jonathan Papelbon both threw scoreless innings notching a hold, and a save respectively.
I’m really enjoying the emergence of Freddy Galvis. I had a friend text me on Wednesday night right before Galvis stroked that double telling me that he couldn’t stand him… I said “You’ll grow to love him.”
Freddy may not hit for power like Utley, but his defense is spectacular. Truthfully, I don’t care if Michael Martinez ever comes back.
Maybe we have our own Jeremy Lin.
The Phillies may have eased the minds of fans for the time being, registering eight more hits.
Shane Victorino, and Ty Wigginton both went deep for the Phillies with solo homers. Wigginton’s homer was a blast. It marked the 7th different team he has homered for.
Anyways… Just nice to see the Phillies get a series win from a division rival, and get to .500.
The Phillies are at home this weekend to take on the Mets. Friday will see Cliff Lee facing R.A. Dickey. We all know how well the Phillies do against knuckleballers, so let’s hope that Lee can do his thing, and keep the Phils in the game. Dickey is 2-3 with a 2.61 ERA vs the Phillies.
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Now That Feels Better
I said yesterday that it would be great to see the Phillies break out against Josh Johnson, but that that was pretty unlikely.
I was wrong, and I’m very happy about that.
After going down 1-0 in the second I again began to wonder “Can they come back from this?” And come back they did.
The Phillies tagged Josh Johnson for six runs over 3 2/3 innings. They managed to rattle off 11 hits from the Marlins ace who is now 0-2 on the season.
That’s right 11 hits, and 14 total in the game.
Roy Halladay was again masterful. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first, and allowed just one run over seven innings. He had a few battles early that got his pitch count up over 6o in the first three innings, but Roy did his thing and made great work of the Marlins over the next four. Once the Phillies put up the 5 spot in the third, you could tell that Halladay was able to pitch a little more freely.
“I think I looked up in the third and I had thrown 60 pitches,” Halladay said. ”At that point, you’d be happy with six. After it’s over, you’re never happy with six. I think it’s satisfying when you go through a game where you’re scuffling to get through four or five innings because of the pitch count and you’re able to get through six or seven innings.
Halladay has the Phillies only two wins, and he’s allowed just one run and seven hits through his first 15 innings of work. That’s an impressive 0.60 ERA and 0.53 WHIP.
The feel good moment of the night came in the when Freddy Galvis came to the plate with chants of ”Freddy, Freddy, Freddy,” echoing throughout the park, and Galvis answered the call with a double to right field giving the Phillies a 5-1 lead.
Pretty cool moment for a rookie.
Galvis was a bit of a scape goat for the first four games of the Phillies season, but let’s remember that this kid is a rookie, and if you look up and down the lineup, nobody was really hitting much more then him. He’s now got two big hits, and leads the team in RBI. He’s really got a great glove, probably better then Utley a this point, and if you can get him to hit .235 or higher until Utley comes back, you’re getting much more then you ever could have asked for.
Back to those hits.
It should be noted that the Phillies 14 hits came from all over the lineup. In fact, every player in the starting lineup, with the exception Halladay had a hit. Ruiz and Galvis both had extra base hits, and six different players registered an RBI.
I really like this lineup. Good balance of power and speed. I’m still not sold on Jimmy batting 3rd, but it worked tonight. Mayberry still is struggling a bit, but I like him at first more then any of the other options that we have at this point.
All in all, a good clean game for the Phils, and a good game for Galvis who again looked sharp at second base.
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Roadtrip to Pittsburgh for Opening Day
Our trip out to Pittsburgh was a complete success.
Whenever I go somewhere I love to dive on local fair. Sure, I look for a tourist trap or two, but I also like to find out where the locals chow down. So I asked a few friends of mine who are Pitt Alum to give me a few reccomendations, and I ended up with this delicious sandwich in front of me.
Beautiful weather, a Phillies win, glorious food, and a good time with one of my best buddies.
Roy Halladay was great, and I got to see Papelbon get his first save as a Phillie.
The rest of the series sucked in Pittsburgh, but all in all it was a good time.
Here are a few pictures from the trip.
It’s Tough Getting Started
Boy, it’s been tough getting things going this season. Like the Phillies, I’ve been dragging my feet on the start of the season, but here I am in front of the computer once again with some motivation, so let’s get to it.
Alright, the 6-2 loss was a litte difficult to watch on Monday. I was at the game, and I’ll have to say when you factor the weather, and play of the Phillies it may have been one of the worst games I’ve been to. Considering the last (Home) game I was at was Game 2 of the 2011 NLDS, I think that may be saying something.
Wednesday won’t be any easier with Josh Johnson on the hill for the Marlins. Sure the Phillies are countering with Roy Halladay, but Johnson is no slouch, and he wasn’t so great on Opening Night for the Marlins, so I’m certain he’s looking to rebound in a big way.
There is plenty of doom and gloom surrounding this season. I don’t know if it’s necessarily panic time yet, but I’m a little worried. This team looks like it still needs time to gel. We have a collection of guys that are not used to doing what they normally do, and they are hitting in spots they don’t normally hit. That being said these new roles will take a bit of adjustment. Also, this lineup is weaker then it ever has been. Without the power threats of Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley interjected in the lineup opposing pitchers are able to choose their battles, and don’t have to pitch to Jimmy, Shane, and Hunter like they normally would. These guys are not going to get nearly as many good pitches to hit as they would with Howard, and Utley in the lineup.
Makes me wish we had gotten Michael Cuddyer…
One thing is for sure, we’re not going to be able to count on the starters to throw a shutout each game. I know that I was immediately concerned after the Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Monday, because I didn’t know if the Phillies would be able to bounce back. They didn’t, and really never had any good chances.
I think we know why the 2010 Giants called their season “Torture.”
2011 was probably the year for the Phillies. They were able to basically cruise to the finish line (I mean they basically mailed it in the last two weeks) and they still managed to set a franchise record for wins in the regular season. Right now I still think Charlie is trying to find out what works. So far in the four games we have had, he’s had four different guys play first base.
Look, I think that the Phillies should have left Pittsburgh with a sweep, but a few errors cost them on Saturday, and Sunday and that’s something that needs to be addressed. If you play clean baseball, without errors, you’re going to significantly increase your chances of winning ball games. Is that possible when guys are playing different postions each game, I really don’t know. If you’re reading this for answers, then I have to tell you, you’re in the wrong place.
I think that this team just needs more time, and one good breakout game to loosen things up a bit. Jumping on top of a pitcher like Johnson tonight would be a pretty good time to start, but I’m not so sure that’s in the cards.
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Opening Day Roster Announced!
Well folks, here it is! The Phillies have announced their Opening Day roster.
Much of this was decided, but the final bullpen spot went to Joe Savery, who I hope to see get some at-bats!
Without further adieu…
STARTERS (5): Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley, Joe Blanton
RELIEVERS (7): Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Stutes, Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls, David Herndon, Joe Savery, Kyle Kendrick
OUTFIELDERS (5): Juan Pierre, Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence, John Mayberry Jr., Laynce Nix
INFIELDERS (6): Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Ty Wigginton, Jim Thome, Freddy Galvis, Pete Orr
CATCHERS (2): Carlos Ruiz, Brian Schneider
Outfielder Scott Podsednik and lefty reliever Raul Valdes were assigned to Minor League Camp.
Jose Contreras, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Michael Martinez will all start the season on the Disabled List.
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Source David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News.
Theriot – A Fit the Phils?
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark The Giants are said to be shopping utility Ryan Theriot.
I know my interest is peaked. Theriot plays both 2B and has seen time at SS, starting more than 100 times at each position in the last two seasons. Defensively he’s more fit for second.
Theriot is a lifetime .282 batter, going .271/.321/.342 last season. He’s going to earn $1.25MM this season which makes him an affordable fit for the Phillies, and with Chase Utley, Michael Martinez, and Ryan Howard starting the season on what I think will be the 60 day DL (Not sure about Utley), we’re going to have plenty of space on the roster to carry an extra infielder, and we could use a veteran.
Theriot spent five seasons with the Cubs but became expendable with the emergence of Starlin Castro, and played well for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, but was not part of the plan for the future there either.
The Phillies have some questions to answer in the infield, and Theriot may just be what they are looking for. Galvis will get a shot at second base to start the season, but he has only played in 33 games above AA, so I’m not totally convinced he’s ready to play second everyday.
A fit for Philadelphia? Maybe.
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Oh Great, Now What?
David M Warren/Staff Photographer Philly.com
So now that Michael Martinez will be starting the season on the Disabled List, where do the Phillies turn? Martinez was figuring to get plenty of playing time filling in for Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley, but when Utley left camp on Monday because of the continual problems with his knees, Martinez became much more valuable to the Phils.
The Phillies healthy infielders are Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Freddy Galvis, Ty Wigginton, Jim Thome, Pete Orr and Hector Luna. Orr and Luna are not locks to make the team out of camp unless the Phillies don’t find another infielder outside of camp. Orr has had time with the Phillies in the past, and Luna has had a productive Spring with the Phillies in belting two homers, and is among the team leaders with 8 RBI.
Outside the organization the Phillies have been linked to Mike Aviles of the Red Sox, Maicer Izturis from the Los Angeles Angels, but both would need to be acquired via a trade as the Phillies have very little money to work with at this point. The team says that they feel comfortable with their internal options, but we’ve heard that before. I just wouldn’t expect them to jump the gun. They have some time, and have some time before they need to make a move. I would not be surprised if they start the season with what they have, and see how Galvis performs before the decide weither to add another utility player.
Martinez isn’t exactly irraplaceable, but with the current woes in the infield, it’s just one more thing to have to deal with.
(Makes you wonder why the Phillies traded Wilson Valdez)
Phils Option Two More to Minors
Photo: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
The Phillies made two more moves this morning sending Michael Schwimer, and Phillippe Aumont to Minor League camp. Schwimmer and Aumont were vying for spots in the Phillies shrinking bullpen, but for now will have a place with the Iron Pigs.
Schwimer has seen time with the big league club, but struggled a bit in Spring Training, so likely the Phillies would like to see him get more time in Triple-A where he can pitch regularly, but would most likely be one of the first names called should an injury occur.
Aumont has a really big arm, but right now just seems to lack a bit of control and consistency. A little polishing of his stuff and he could be back with the Phils before the season is over. He has made great progress however from where he was a year ago.
Tell me what you think