The Phillies split the two game series with the Mets and head to Chicago a half of a game back in the NL East. They won the game they should have lost and lost the game they should have won. 29 games remain to be played this season, and my guess is that every single one will hold importance. The series featured good and bad defense, good and bad relief pitching, and good and bad situational hitting. One thing that stands out though is Jimmy Rollins' Lazarus Act, as he has risen from the dead. Over the past 3 games J-Roll has gone 9-11 (.818) with 3 runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homerun, 5 rbi, 3 walks, 5 stolen bases, and has raised his OPS 41 points. Rollins has a career line of .293 avg/.345 ob%/.500 slg% in September/October. He is the spark that ignites the flame of this offense, and as Shane Victorino said, "It's obvious what he does when he gets on base. He changes the whole dynamic for this team."
Tidbits:*Scott Eyre has pitched in 7 games going 7.2 innings while allowing only 3 baserunners and striking out 9 with a 0.00 era since joining the Phils. Damn glad we didn't send prospect Jason Donald to KC for Ron Mahay.
*Andrew Carpenter was a surprise call-up yesterday as a bullpen reinforcement. He made his MLB debut last night pitching a scoreless 9th inning.
*Pat Burrell, notorious "Mets Killer", had a disheartening series going 1-11 with 13 runners left on base. C'mon Burrell, you're our boy!
*Tough 4 game set in the Windy City begins tonight. The Cubs are a very good team. They hit for average and power, and have good starting pitching and relief. This will be a huge test for the Phils to keep pace with the Mets. Pitching match-ups: Thursday- Cole Hamels (11-8, 3.20 era, 1.04 whip) vs. Ryan Dempster (15-5, 2.85, 1.17), Friday- Joe Blanton (6-12, 4.75, 1.42) vs. Rich Harden (9-2, 2.00, 1.03), Saturday- Brett Myers (7-10, 4.49, 1.40) vs. Ted Lilly (13-7, 4.23, 1.31), and Sunday- Jamie Moyer (11-7, 3.81, 1.35) vs. Carlos Zambrano (13-5, 3.53, 1.30). Yikes!~Carson
23 comments:
Happy Birthday to Ryan Madson.
Man, I'm really hesitant to even think the Phils can split this series with the Cubs. Cubs are the cream of the crop in the NL. 2 of 4 would be a success, anything less would really hurt.
I think we need to continue to win series from here on out and hope the Mets cool off.
I would be thrilled with a split with the Cubs.
The Phils have 2 more series to worry about after that: the Mets and Brewers.
Lots of games against the Nats, Atlanta and Florida. The Marlins don't look as angry and able this season to play spoiler.
This is going to be one helluva September.
Pat, where's the bat?
Any truth to the rumor that Madson was brought in to blow out his candles and put more back on the cake?
Wheels: "REY-ASS"
Maybe I should have gone with Re-Animator instead of the Biblical Lazarus reference for J-Roll.
Apparently the Phils aren't a fan of a shutout inning of relief, as they've sent Andrew Carpenter down and recalled the Model Dictator Fabio Castro.
Link to a great parody of Wastin' Away in Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffet, as redone by Corey in ode to the Model Dictator.
They are looking for fresh arms, hopefully 1 less bat on the bench will mean Burrell stays in all game. I am not a fan of the "defensive replacement". Burrell = leads NL in OF assists, 0 errors, not a spectacular fielder, but he is not a liability.
Mitch Williams' salsa.
Mitch Williams will be ringing NASDAQ opening bell.
Dubee should have left Seanez alone - he had just struck out the #2 batter of the inning was doing fine, then Dubee came to the mound, and ruined his rhythm.
Larry Anderson went nuts!
I know I'm all about this positive vibe and all, but Rich Dubee is a douchebag. I can't stand him. I dislike him more than Manuel. Richard Peter Dubee aka Dick-Dick Dubee!!!
Jamie Moyer for pitching coach whenever he decides to retire!
We only have 3 games left against the Mets.
WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO DRILL FERNANDO TATIS WITH A PITCH??!!
That stupid Fing side step point to the sky and pose at home plate crap has got to stop!
HIT THAT BITCH IN THE HEAD!!
Jose Ray-ass and 'Nando Tatis sum up everything I detest about the Mets.
From MLBTR-
Mike Lamb and the Phillies have mutual interest. A trade might make more sense than awaiting his release, so that he'd be eligible for the postseason roster.
*If he comes at league minimum and doesn't really cost most in a trade then I'm cool with bringing him aboard.
From Jayson Stark-
• Out like a Lamb: We're hearing that Mike Lamb, just designated for assignment by the Twins, has told his old buddies in Houston he'd love to play in Philadelphia. And with the Phillies still hunting for a left-handed bat off the bench, they clearly would be interested. One big question is whether the Phillies (or anyone else) would try to trade for Lamb or just wait until the Twins release him. He can't be released until next week, meaning he wouldn't be eligible for postseason play. But because he already has cleared trade waivers, he could be dealt at any time.
WILL THIS METS-PHILLIES SAGA HAVE A DIFFERENT ENDING?
One thing we know about the NL East, 2008 edition, is that the Mets won't blow any 7½-game leads this September -- because they won't have any 7½-game leads to blow.
But more and more -- as well as the Mets have played (40-25 under Jerry Manuel), and as hard as they've worked to expunge the nightmare of September 2007 -- the Phillies look like the team in better shape to survive this marathon.
Privately, the Mets don't seem optimistic they'll get any meaningful contribution from John Maine (8-1 lifetime against the Phillies and Marlins). They're not so sure about Billy Wagner, either. There are no impact pitchers they can trade for. And now consider this stat:
Here's the record of these teams in games decided after the sixth inning (meaning the score was tied after six, or the lead changed): Phillies 31-15, Mets 11-22. Nobody we've talked to thinks that stat is an aberration.
"One part of it, obviously, is the difference in bullpens," one scout said. "But the other part of it is heart. I love the Phillies' grit. And now that [Jimmy] Rollins is hitting again, they're the team to beat again."
Now we have the bullpen woes.
1st of ALL LET HAMELS PITCH THE 8TH!!!
STOP SAVING HIS ARM.....WHAT ARE YOU SAVING IT FOR?..THIS IS IT....THIS IS THE STRETCH RUN RIGHT NOW!!!!
2ND WTF IS CHARLIE DOING BRINGING IN MADSON INSTEAD OF DUBIN!!!!!!
DURBIN IS OUR 8TH INNING GUY...YOU KNOW THE ONE WITH THE ERA UNDER 2!!
THE ONE WE MADE "UNAVAILABLE YESTERDAY" SO WE COULD SAVE HIS ARM FOR...OH I DON'T KNOW MAYBE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!
LEAVE IT TO THE PHILS TO A WAY TO KILL ALL THAT MOMENTUM FROM WEDNESDAY'S GAME.
TOMMMOROW IS A LOSS ALSO. I'M NOT GONNA EVEN BOTHER TO LOOK TOMMOROW.
I CAN'T F'ING STAND MADSON....GET HIM OFF THIS TEAM NOW NOW NOW.
F YOU RYAN MADSON GO AWAY!!!!!
oh yeah...i almost forgot....happy Fing birthday madson.
Phils just acquired Matt Stairs. He'll look good in a Phils uniform. Especially when smokin' homers at the Cit. I like it.
apparently, phillies close to aquiring matt stairs.. we might of even got him.
nice run. 2-0.
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