So What Do We Have Here?

Ho hum. Just another 5-1 start to a season, nothing to see here. After worrying about the offense all off-season, the Phillies have now scored 5+ runs in every game (of course losing the only one in which they didn't). Halladay, Lee and Oswalt have looked good. Hamels and Blanton? Eh, not so much. Overall though, this is exactly the start the team needed.

Notoriously slow starter Ryan Howard has come out of the gates hot and almost every regular is hitting over .300 so far. Is it early? Absolutely. But this team has gotten off to some very shitty starts before, so starting like this helps everyone take a deep breath and relax. Sure, the Astros and the Mess aren't expected to sniff 80 wins this year, but April is unpredictable (as you can see with the Orioles and Royals both being in first place). To win games you're supposed, especially early, is a good sign. (Just look at the Red Sox.)

So now our Phightin's head off to Atlanta to face what is likely their biggest competition in the NL (yes, I really think the Braves are the second best team in the NL). While the Braves are off to an underwhelming 3-4 start, they're still a really, really tough matchup for us. The pitching duels:

Friday: Cliff Lee (1-0) v. Tim Hudson (1-0)

Saturday: Roy Oswalt (1-0) v. Brandon Beachy (1-0)

Sunday: Cole Hamels (0-1) v. Lowe (1-1)

Like most series they'll play this year, the Phillies go into every game with the pitching advantage (regardless of Cole's first game, he's better than Lowe). I. Love. It.

Here's to 161-1.

Cliff Lee.

NLCS Preview: Phillies vs. Giants

So here we are, about to watch the Phillies partake in their THIRD STRAIGHT NLCS. After 10,000 losses, Joe Carter, the 1964 collapse and Celine Dion (she has nothing to do with the Phillies, but she’s awful), who would have a thought our local baseball team would ever see this much success? The best record in baseball? Three aces? Puke monster? It’s still hard to believe this is all real. But guess what folks, it’s real. Very real. And the Phillies have a chance to do something over the next week no NL team has done since 1944, go to three straight World Series.

Standing in their way of history, yet again, is a team from California. This time around though, it’s not those Manny-led Dodgers, but the Pat the Bat-led San Francisco Giants. The Phillies are overwhelming favorites to be sure, but the Giants are a very good (although flawed) team and shouldn’t (and won’t) be taken lightly by our Fightins’.

(Quick side note, the word “Giant” comes from greek “Gigas” which is root for the word Gigantism. Gigantism, also known as giantism, is caused by an overproduction of human growth hormone, otherwise known as HGH. HGH, of course, was used quite frequently by everyone’s favorite Giant, Barry Bonds. Just thought that whole Giant, HGH, cheater, Giants suck thing was interesting.)

Anyway, to defeat our next opponent we must first understand them, so here is a quick rundown of who the San Francisco Giants are:

Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner. Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez, Brian Wilson. Buster Posey.

See what I did there? Yea, it’s pretty obvious what the Giants are all about, and that is why they are so dangerous in this series. The Giants boast an amazing pitching staff, full of both dominating starters and shut-down relievers. They led the majors is ERA, strikeouts and opponent’s batting average. Tim Lincecum has rebounded from a shaking July/August and the bullpen gave up something like 1 run in September. It’s safe to say, when combined with the Phillies awesome pitching (which we all know about), that runs will be at premium. Not surprisingly, I expect the Phillies offense to struggle in this series, so I think you can’t expect much more than two to four runs from our bats in any game. So, to that end, I figure we should focus on what will likely be the deciding factor in this series…can the Giants score enough to beat the Phillies?

If you look strictly at statistics, the Giants offense is pretty underwhelming. The finished 17th in MLB in runs scored and 17th in OPS. They also were awful on the basepaths, with only a 63% steal success rate, worst in the league (both leagues, like 30 out of 30 bad).

However, they thrived on timely home runs, and actually only hit 4 less than our “powerful” Phillies did (166 to 162). Now that doesn’t take into consideration the vast amount of time that Rollins, Utley, Victorino and Howard missed, but the Giants didn’t have Burrell, Posey and Cody Ross all year either (not that they are equals to our guys, just saying). After calling up Posey and adding Burrell, the Giants lineup became a whole lot more imposing. The late season addition of Ross was brilliant to, he's a good hitter who has seven career homers at CBP, the most of any visiting ballpark. Throw in a resurgent Aubrey Huff and a career-year-having Andres Torres and the Giants offense doesn't quite have as much suck in it as it did in April and May.

My ultimate point is, the Giants have enough power on the roster to be scary, and with their pitching a 3 run homer might be enough to win any game. It will be important that the Phillies keep base runners to a minimum (which they do better than any team in baseball, by the way, just look it up) so that those homers (if they happen) are only solo shots. Of course if the Phils pitch like they did in round 1, the Giants might score four runs all series.

The matchups:

Game 1: Roy Halladay (21-10, 2.44 ERA, 219 SO) vs. Tim Lincecum (16-10, 3.43 ERA, 231 SO)

I don't need to tell you that this is an awesome matchup, but...well...it's an awesome matchup. Lincecum was the best pitcher in the NL the past two years, Halladay was the best pitcher in the NL this year. Since changing his grip on his slider in September, Lincecum has been lights out and absolutely dominated the Braves in the first round. The Phillies will offer him a little tougher competition, but if this game is anything else than a 2-1 or 3-2 ballgame, I'll be surprised. Oh, and Halladay threw a no-hitter in the NLDS. Just remembered.

Game 2: Roy Oswalt (13-13, 2.76 ERA, 193 SO) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (13-9, 3.07 ERA, 205 SO)

Giants manager Bruce Bochy shuffled his rotation so that Sanchez will start Game 2. Pretty smart idea, cause Sanchez owns the Phillies. He has a career 2.86 ERA against our Phils and has struck out 40 in 34.2 innings. That's pretty dominate stuff and I suspect more of the same. I have a really strong feeling this series is going back to San Francisco 1-1. Unless Oswalt throws a shutout, since...ya know...it's his turn now.

Game 3: Cole Hamels (12-11, 3.06 ERA, 211 SO) vs. Matt Cain (13-11, 3.14 ERA, 177 SO)

These pitching matchup are ridiculous, aren't they? I mean, the highest starter ERA is Lincecum's at 3.43 and we all know how good he is. The more I think about it, the more I'm positive that the winning team in this series might not score more than 15 runs the whole series.

Game 4 and on is up for debate, obviously depending on where the series stands. Just know this, if Roy Halladay is starting, it means the Phillies are behind in the series. In the end though, I truly expect the good guys to win. The Phillies offense is due for a breakout and I'm hoping facing great pitching forces them to step up to the challenge and bring it. I expect H2O to do their thing too. Plus, we have Carlos. It is Choochtober afterall.

Oh, and I expect to meet the Yankees in the World Series after they dispatch the Rangers in 6. And you can take my predictions to the bank, just see for yourself.

Go Phils.

What Ever Happened to Predictability?

The milkman, the paperboy, evening TV...

Yes, those are the opening lyrics to the Full House theme song. No, I'm not a creepy stay-at-home pedophile. It's common knowledge that Full House is awesome, so if you have a problem with that you can just git out. Anyway, I figured it was appropriate as the Phillies get set to face the Giants in a key three game set starting tomorrow night at CBP. I mean, it's quite obvious the only cool things that were ever associated with San Francisco are Joe Montana and Full House. And maybe Rice-A-Roni.

This series is huge, as the Phillies are in a virtual tie with the Giants for first place in the wild card (the Phils hold a .001 percentage point lead). The Giants are who we thought they were, a team that hits enough to win when you combine it with their awesome pitching. Their team ERA is 4th in MLB, and they lead the league in strikeouts as a staff. Combine that with good fielding and it's easy to see how this team is 15 games over .500 and battling the surprising Padres for the NL West title.

However, there are some chinks in their armor. Their ace, Tim Lincecum, is having a sub-par year (by his standards) as he now has a 3.62 ERA on the year after getting shelled in his last two starts. Their best hitter, Pablo Sandoval, is slugging under .400 on the year and sits with just eight HRs on the year. To score runs they are relying on Aubrey Huff, rookie Buster Posey and breakout outfielder Andres Torres.

Oh, and a certain ex-Phillie Pat Burrell.

Burrell signed with the Giants in May after being released by the Rays. In 56 games with the Giants he's hit .285 with 10 HR and 30 RBI. His outfield defense has been godawful but that's not what he's in the lineup for. The Giants needed another power bat and Pat has certainly brought that.

So, for the first time he'll return to CBP as a member of a team other than the Phillies. I fully expect him to get a standing ovation. For all his shortcomings while he was here (his "stick his butt out while taking a called third strike" strikeouts being his biggest) he always took the criticism in stride. Plus, in his last Phillies at-bat he hit a double that set up the winning run in Game 5 of the World Series. When you do something like that, you're loved forever, no matter what.

However, once you get past Burrell's homecoming this series will be about one thing...pitching. Here are the matchups:

Tuesday: Barry Zito (8-6, 3.44 ERA) v. Roy Oswalt (7-13, 3.34 ERA)
Wednesday: Matt Cain (9-9, 3.11 ERA) v. Joe Blanton (4-6, 5.69 ERA)
Thursday: Jonathan Sanchez (8-8, 3.60 ERA) v. Cole Hamels (7-9, 3.33 ERA)

The matchups are certainly in the Giants favor, as they send two good lefties to the hill (both of whom have given the Phillies problems recently) in Zito and Sanchez. Plus, we face Cain who has been the Giants best pitcher all year. It won't be easy, but with Oswalt and Cole on the mound it should help. In the end the goal is simple: keep taking two of three and the playoff are a certainty.

Go Phils.

Phillies Series Preview: When Padilla Comes to Town

After taking two of three from Mets this weekend, the Phillies welcome the familiar Los Angeles Dodgers to CBP this week. As we all know, our Phils have eliminated these same Dodgers in both of the past two postseasons to the point where one could say we kinda own them, especially in Philly. With the Phillies playing well and the Dodgers struggling recently on the road, the Phillies have a good shot of continuing their winning ways.

However, that isn't the only reason to get excited for this series. Reason #1 is simple, Vicente Padilla. You know, that ugly, overweight, asshole pitcher that throws at people just for shits and giggles and kinda looks like a Goomba?

Yep, that guy.


I know there are a few good memories of Padilla here in the Philadelphia, particularly Padilla's Flotilla. But let's be honest, we hate this dude. Rooting against him last year in Game 5 of the NLCS was awesome. The guy could not handle the fans at CBP and he was mentally done by the fifth batter. I'm hoping for much more of the same tomorrow night. Here are the matchups for the three game set:

Tuesday: Vicente Padilla (5-3, 3.09 ERA) v. Kyle Kendrick (7-4, 4.37 ERA)
Wednesday: Chad Billingsley (9-6, 3.82 ERA) v. Roy Oswalt (6-13, 3.50 ERA)
Thursday: Clayton Kershaw (10-7, 3.19 ERA) v. Joe Blanton (4-6, 5.65 ERA)

A quick look gives the pitching advantage to the Dodgers, but Kershaw (6.64 ERA) hasn't had much success against the Phillies and Billingsley has been up and down this year. Throw in Padilla and the Phillies, while facing pitchers with great stuff, should still be able to score some runs this series. Let's just hope the pitching holds up.

Speaking of pitching, Roy #2 will make his home debut this week. Oswalt has struggled some in his first two starts as a Phillie, but you have to think he needs at least a little time to adjust to a new situation. The guy had spent his whole career in Houston after all and was extremely happy and comfortable there. Once he settles in, I expect him to pitch very well the rest of the season. He's not a true ace anymore, but he's a friggin' great #2 pitching as our #3. I'm willing to bet he throws a good game on Wednesday (not that I'm a betting man). Let's say 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 K's. Sounds good to me.

All told, the Phils are in a pretty good position to keep rolling against the fading Dodgers. Now we just need the damn Braves to lose. Bastards.

Go Phils.

Will We Ever Score Again???

Slumps happen all the time. It's a part of baseball, any self-respecting player, manager, reporter or fan will tell you that. But this is just ridiculous. The Phillies haven't scored in 27 straight innings, three full friggin' games, AND were swept by the absolutely hated Mets. No matter how you look at it, this team isn't very good right now.

Obviously it isn't time to hit full panic mode yet. Remember, this team was 39-37 last year in late June before they finally turned it on and ran away with the division. The same could happen this year, especially when you consider we now have Roy Halladay, a better Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ set to return in a few weeks. But the fact remains this team has been shutout in four of the their last five, all against non-ace type pitchers (although, admittingly, Pelfrey is pitching that way this year). If it wasn't for a three run ninth inning on Sunday, we'd be staring at five consecutive shutouts. Yuck.

Listen, this team will hit. They'll probably lead the NL in runs scored again too. But the NL East is stronger this year, with every team at .500 or better. The Nationals, who are in last place, are only three games back of the Phillies. Even the staunchest of Phillies fans have to realize this year won't be as easy as 2009 was. It would certainly be in the Phillies best interest to have a strong showing this weekend in Miami. This losing streak has to stop now. With that said, onto the matchups:

Friday: Kendrick (2-2, 5.66 ERA) vs. Volstad (3-5, 4.31 ERA)

Saturday: Halladay (6-3, 2.22 ERA) vs. Johnson (5-1, 2.43 ERA)

Sunday: Moyer (5-4, 4.55 ERA) vs. Sanchez (4-2, 3.23 ERA)

It isn't going to get any easier for the Phillies to score this weekend. Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez have both pitched excellent recently, Johnson especially. To understand how dominate Josh Johnson has been, consider this: in his past 57 starts he's allow more than three ER only eight times. Eight. That's really good. Thankfully, the Phils will send out Halladay to match him. Coming off his worst start of the year (by far) Halladay is looking to rebound. Knowing the type of pitcher he is, I'm sure he will. The Phillies just need to score. Especially with Kendrick and Moyer taking the hill in this series too.

Looking at how this series could play out, the Phillies really need to rock Volstad on Friday night and send a message that their offense is fine. If they don't, they face two pitchers on Saturday and Sunday that are hot and it could get ugly fast. Taking two of three this weekend is imperative, they have to stop the bleeding.

Go Phils!

The Cubbies Come to Town

There aren't many teams over the last 100 years that have been less successful than the Phillies. 10,000 losses is pretty hard to compare to. But know this, if you asked a Cubs fan to trade the Cubs history for the Phillies history, I bet they'd say yes. Two World Series titles since 1980 looks like millions when compared to none since 1908. (But at least they aren't Cleveland, right?)

Tonight the Phillies start a quick two-game set with the Cubbies, before they get ready for the Sox this weekend. While the Cubs have struggled mightly this year, the Phillies would do best not to look past them. There are still some dangerous hitters in that lineup, even if most of them have been slumping all year. Plus, we'll face their best pitcher (Ryan Dempster) tomorrow. Here are the matchups:

Tonight: Moyer (5-2, 4.57 ERA) v. Gorzelanny (1-4, 3.60 ERA)
Tomorrow: Blanton (1-2, 5.49 ERA) v. Dempster (2-4, 3.49 ERA)

Gorzelanny is a lefty who has actually pitched rather well this year. His K/9 rate is higher than it has ever been and he's only had one start with more than 3 ER allowed (albeit his last one). Considering the Phillies can struggle against lefties they don't see often (they haven't faced him since 2007), it could be a tough matchup. Especially since Chase Utley may miss a third straight game with flu-like symptoms.

I do, however, expect the Phillies to bomb the hell out of Ryan Dempster tomorrow. Why? Because he's on my fantasy team, no other reason. I see a line of 5 IP, 7 ER, 2 HR allowed. Mark it down, it's a mortal lock.

Go Phils.

Phillies - Brewers: Series Preview

Tonight, our Phillies begin a weekend series with those pesky Milwaukee Brewers, a team that took the season series last year 4-3. The book on the Brewers is simple, they will score a ton (186 runs, best in the NL) but can't keep the opponent from scoring more (188, third worst in the NL). Even without Halladay pitching in the series, the Phillies should have the better pitcher on the mound two out of the three games. Here's your matchups:

Friday: Moyer (4-2, 4.38 ERA) vs. Wolf (3-2, 3.95)
Saturday: Blanton (0-2, 4.97 ERA) vs. Narveson (3-0, 5.06 ERA)
Sunday: Hamels (3-2, 4.53 ERA) vs. Davis (1-4, 7.56 ERA)

Normally when facing the Brew Crew all you'd have to do is handle Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder (easier said than done, I know) and you'd be ok. However, this year you also have to keep an eye on third baseman Casey McGehee. The dude has 2 HR's and 9 RBI's over his last five games AND is hitting .357 this month. I have a sneaky feeling we're going to see a lot of runs this weekend.

Either way, it would be great to see the Phils pull out two of three and head back home with some momentum, especially with the Red Sox coming to town next week (a series that is never easy).

Go Phils!