Philadelphia Phillies – Moyer Hung Out To Dry

 

    The Philadelphia Phillies lost again tonight against the Oakland Athletics in a 5-2 final.  Jamie Moyer pitched an exceptional 1 hit game up to the 6th inning.  He then proceeded to drop another 4 hits in the 6th inning with 1 of those hits being a 3 run homerun.  So, you ask yourself why would would Charlie Manuel allow a 45 year starter who probably pitched some of the best 5 innings of his career to continue?  The Phillies Bullpen is well rested and they also rank # 1 in the Majors for ERA.  The Phillies need a win bad to break through this slump and though Moyer pitched well he is no Cole Hamels with longevity.  Tonight’s DH was Geoff Jenkins since Charlie had another one of his mystical feelings that he was going to do well with his .244 batting average.  Hey Charlie, Here’s a news flash – Jenkins went o-4 tonight . . .

     In addition to the need for starting pitching and a lefty in the bullpen, I hope the Phils are looking to improve upon their catching and right field position.  Carlos Ruiz and Geoff Jenkins are just not playing to the level needed to move us into World Series contention.  I will not reiterate my thoughts on So Taguchi, but I do feel that they are under utilizing Eric Bruntlett.  The Phightins have dropped 6 games in a row and somehow they remain in 1st place in the N.L. Eastern Division.  That says a lot about our competition this year.  Non-Existent . . . . .

Tonight Kyle Kendrick (5.06) takes the mound against Oakland’s Greg Smith (3.51) in hopes of accrueing his 7th win and the Phillies 1st win in 6 games.

Starting pitching on the market

Relief pitching on the market

Catchers on the market

Philadelphia Phillies – Subway Series Philly Style

Shibe Park/ Connie Mack Stadium
Capacity: 33,000
Dimensions: L-334, C-410, R-329
Early Major League baseball park opened in 1909. Renamed, 1953. Home to Athletics, 1909-1954; Phillies, 1938-1970. Site of three Negro League World Series; five A’s World Series victories. Among first to host night games. Razed, 1976. (Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission)

 

The struggling Philadelphia Phillies brush themselves off for a renewed series against the Oakland Athletics.  The Phillies will clash with the Athletics whom they kicked out of Shibe Park / Connie Mack Stadium and sent to Kansas City in 1955.  The Phillies have persevered some offensive issues as of late as well as their number one starter finding himself unable to perform.  However, it is inevitable that the Phillies woes will be silenced with the sound of the boomsticks filling the air.  All teams go through slumps during the coarse of a season.  The Phightins should consider themselves fortunate that their slump should come sooner than later unlike last year’s flailing Mets and their historic end of the year collapse.  Even though it is hard to swallow right now Charlie Manuel is right in saying that “We are just too good of a team for this to continue much longer”.  The Phillies are currently sitting on a 20-17 road record which is better than it’s homestand.  Maybe with the day off and them being back on the road the Phightins can kick it into high gear when they match up with their days of ole’ crosstown A.L. competitor the “Philadelphia” Athletics.  The Athletics are currently in 2nd place in the A.L. West with a winning Pct of .547 which is almost equivalent to the Phils .545 Pct.  The Phillies heavily out weigh the competition in the following stats: RBI, OBP, AVG, SLG, HR, SB.  However, the Athletics dwarf the Phillies in pitching in the following categories: SO, ERA and the FPCT.  It will be a test to see if the Phillies bats are able to match-up with A.L. big guns of pitching.  If the Phillies are able to make through this road trip and remain in 1st place in the N.L. East then I will be looking forward to watching them in the post season with my rally towel ready . . . . Go Phightins !

Philadelphia Phillies – Offensive Woes Continue

The Mighty Philadelphia Phillies were once again silenced by the Angels of the American League.  The bats of the Phils have been struggling over the past several series.  This was the case last night against the Los Angeles Angels who they fell to with a score of 7-1.  The Angels racked up 17 hits compared to Phillies meager 2 from Coste and Victorino.  Adam Eaton gave up 6 runs and 12 hits in his 5 inning outing in which he tried to prove that he was worse than Brett Myers.  Impossible !!  Anyway the Phils are losing ground in the N.L. East and the series are only going to get tougher.  David Montgomery says that he is going to improve on a current postion(s) as long as everyone stays healthy and he does not have to fill a need like last year’s Tadihito Iguchi.  Hey, Dave keep an eye on your starting pitching staff – Sorry Cole, hold your ears . . . .   Tonight the marvelous Brett Myers (5.58 ERA) will take the mound in search of his 4th win this year against the Angels southpaw Joe Saunders (3.06 ERA).

Philadelphia Phillies – Moyer Chummed The Marlins

Tonight the ageless Jamie Moyer pitched 8 innings allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk while bedazzling the Marlins into a Phillies victory.  Moyer was able to clinch his 7th win of the season improving his record to 7-3 which ties him for 8th place with the likes of Johan Santana and Kyle Lohse in the N.L. for wins in 2008.  The Phillies offense tonight started to show signs of life once again with 11 hits, but they left 10 runners on base (L.O.B.).  The Phils were able to capitalize 2 runs on a pitch thrown in the dirt in the 6th inning by the Marlin’s starter Scott Olsen with the final score being a shutout 3-0.  Brad Lidge was able to record his 18th save with a scoreless 9th inning while improving his ERA to 0.93.  I would also like to thank the Marlin’s fans on brightorangeseats.com , waxheaven.com , and fortheloveofbaseball.com for dealing with my banter over the past several days.  The Phillies are now headed off to St. Louis to play the Cardinals in a 3 game series with Kyle Kendrick (4.87 ERA) taking the mound against Todd Wellemeyer (2.93 ERA).

Don’t forget to vote for Pat “The Bat” Burrell at MLB.com or Phillies.com.  Let’s not forget to also talk up Jamie Moyer for the All Star game remember he is 45 yrs old with a lot of heart . . . . . .

 

Philadelphia Phillies – Could This Be Our Year ?

The Philadelphia Phillies have the day off today to prepare for their 3 game series at Dolphin Stadium in which they intend to fillet the Marlins.  The Phillies currently have a 3.5 game lead in the N.L. East with the nearest opponent being the Florida Marlins.  They are 18-13 with their road games for 2008 which puts them in 1st place in the National League and 2nd overall in the Majors for road wins.  The Phillies have accrued 344 runs in 2008 which places them at 5.29 earned runs per game which is 2nd only to the Chicago Cubs in the National League.  The Phils also have 93 homeruns this year which puts them in 2nd in the Majors only surpassed by the Florida Marlins who have slugged 94.  All of this explosive offense is backed up by an incredible bullpen with an improving and solid starting rotation.  So, after waiting 15 years from our last World Series appearance and 28 years since the last World Series win you ask yourself, is this the year?  Is this the year that makes all of those stagnant years worth waiting and watching the Phightins worth while?  Despite the outcome and criticisms I am still a Phillies Phan and will be until the day I am buried in my red and white pinstripes . . . . . . . Go Phightins !!

Philadelphia Phillies – Last Stand Series

The Philadelphia Phillies have already plundered 2 games from the Atlanta Braves solidifying their dominance in the N.L. East.  The first game came to fruition due a fielding error by Braves 2nd baseman Kelly Johnson and yesterday’s game was won with the longball by Ruiz, Burrell and Rollins.  The Phillies have been more effective at manufacturing runs and reducing the runners (LOB) left on base.  Along with their already potent offense, Jimmy Rollins has shown signs of producing run support with his 9th inning 2 run homerun off of the Braves righty Jeff Bennett.  Kyle Kendrick pitched well despite J.C. Romero recording yesterday’s win.  Today Adam Eaton (4.63) will take the mound in search of his 3rd win against against the right handed Atlanta Braves hurler Jorge Campillo (1.79 ERA).