Time to Start Booing the Phillies?

What concerns you the most? The Phillies abysmal home record or the starting rotation’s inability to pitch deep into games?

The Phillies are a pathetic 13-19 at Citizens Bank Ballpark this year. Only two teams (Marlins and Nationals) have a worse home record. Of those 13 wins, four have come against the Nationals, the worst team in the majors.

Take away the five games against Washington, and the Phillies are 9-18 against the rest of the league.

The team chalked up their early season home woes to multiple distractions, including Opening Day, the ring ceremony, the unfortunate passing of Harry Kalas, and multiple rain outs.

With the All-Star break fast approaching, the Phillies have won just a single home series so far. It’s time for Philly fans to start booing at home because this team is just too complacent.

It seems like the sellout crowds, still drunk off last season’s glory, are giving them a pass on their continued lackadaisical play.

Despite a stellar string of starts during the team’s most recent road trip, the starting rotation’s problems returned home along with the team. JA Happ, Antonio Bastardo, Jamie Moyer, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton all struggled to pitch deep into games, resulting in a dismal 1-5 home stand against the Red Sox and Blue Jays.

The rotation is next to last in innings pitched, and dead last in earned runs allowed in the National League.

Due to injuries and improved play by other teams, the starting pitching market has suddenly dried up, with only Boston’s Brad Penny and Seattle’s Jarrod Washburn offering any sort of affordable veteran value. Can the Phillies survive with two rookies and a 46-year-old who maxes out at six innings each time out?

The bullpen is already tired, and has blown three of the five losses against the Red Sox and Blue Jays.

It’s time for a reality check. Stats don’t lie.

The starting pitching is flat out terrible and unless Ruben Amaro makes a move now, the Mets will be in first place by the All-Star break despite their lack of fundamentals and a rash of injuries to key players.

It was this exact same stretch of interleague play last year that the Mets overtook the Phillies for the division lead. The only difference is the Mets’ vastly improved bullpen is not as prone to collapse, making a Phillies’ late-season comeback that much harder in 2009.

Today’s start by Joe Blanton is a perfect example of what’s wrong with the team’s starting rotation. Blanton had 73 pitches through just three innings, and lasted a total of five and a third. J.C Romero, Clay Condrey, and Ryan Madson all gave up leads after the Phillies either tied or went ahead on three different occasions.

It pains me to say this, but it’s time for the fans to start booing the Phillies at home. It may be the only way to light a fire under a team that has taken the term “World Series hangover” to an all new level with their inability to either win at home or pitch deep into games.

 

Chris Coste strikes again

Why in the world would Chris Coste call for an 0-2 fastball to Rod Barajas in the top of the ninth? If there is anything we learned about Barajas during his brief stint in Philly, it was that he can’t hit anything off-speed.

Why not throw that devastating change up, or a cutter out of the zone? No, they call for a high fastball that didn’t get high enough.

Yet another example of Chris Coste being clueless late in games when it comes to pitch selection. Anyone recall Coste’s terrible pitch selection to Alex Rodriguez in the Yankees series?

[read more at firedforwinning.com] 

Phillies-Blue Jays Finale: The Sequel to Benchwarmers?

First, let’s look on the bright side.

 

The Phillies came from behind to tie the game twice with the help of home runs by Jayson Werth, Jimmy Rollins, John Mayberry, Jr., and Greg Dobbs. New reliever, Tyler Walker, was once again thrown to the lions in a bases-loaded, one-out situation and survived. Jimmy Rollins was 3-for-5, lending faith to his renewed offensive demeanor. And every starter made it to base – at least once.

 

And I have a name for my new goat.

 

I now dub thee Marco Scutaro.

 

I name my goats after Phillie killers and this one certainly has a nice ring to it.

 

When Scutaro scooted around first on a walk and stole second on fielding indifference, my child said, “Wow, that’s embarrassing.”

 

Then when John Mayberry Jr. was daydreaming in right when he fielded a single as Scott Rolen rounded first and then took second to embarrass the Phils further, my son said, “That’ll put you on the bench.”

 

Last year Jimmy Rollins was stashed in the dugout for lollygagging to first base, and also for dawdling to the game in New York. But I’ve seen a bunch of malaise lately and none of it has landed anyone on their butt.

 

Charlie Manuel says he’s not ready to throw stuff around the locker room to fire up his team.

 

Yet.

 

But I’m sure some players are on his dart target.

 

My dad used to coach little league. He tells a story of how he took his junior high team to a playoff game in northeast Iowa. As they were warming up, they watched the opposition’s starter throw pitches. He said it was the crack of a pitch into the catcher’s mitt that first caught their attention.

 

So by the time the game started, the lead-off man stood at the plate and could only cower. After the second batter watched three scorching strikes whiz by, my dad pulled the kids aside and seethed, “Are you baseball players or pussies?”

 

The next batter hit a single but was eventually stranded on base. But at least they’d started swinging. When the first little hitter came back into the dugout, he glared at my dad and said, “It’s not as easy as you think.”

 

It’s not. Nobody ever said it was. But bad at-bats, no try, and injury excuses in the middle of June are getting old. If you log into the Phillies home page and check out the injury update, you’ll see the team’s pretty well off.

 

They’ve got a groin pull, a bum knee, a sore calf, and a bad hip. Add a yeast infection and you have a book club.

 

Does that make Midol a performance enhancing drug?

 

My point is, things could be worse.

 

I hope it doesn’t need to get pitch black before it gets better.

 

We’re natural pessimists. When things are going well, we’re programmed to think it has to come to an end.

 

So it does.

 

Or doesn’t. The Phillies beat themselves today. The fielding indifference put two runners in scoring position that made all the difference in the world. Add the third error of the season by Pedro Feliz to squelch a sure double play and you have an 8-7 loss. That’s aside from the nine strikeouts that helped strand the same number of runners on base.

 

So, do you want to play ball or gather around to discuss a bestseller? It makes no difference to me. I even have a few books I could suggest. But there are plenty of those.

 

I’d rather see a great team play.

 

So would my goat.

 

Phillies, we want you baaaaaaack.

 

Raul Ibanez Heads to the DL

Raauuuullll’s Replacement, An In-Depth Look at John Mayberry Jr.

A collective gasp was just heard throughout the Delaware Valley. Why?

Raul Ibanez was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Here is what the Phightin’ Phils will be missing out on over the next 15 days:

Ibanez owns a .312 batting average, 22 home runs, 59 RBI, .371 OBP, and finally, Raul is slugging .656.

The Phillies are currently fifth in the NL in batting average (.261).  With Raul going on the shelf for 15 days you can almost certainly expect a decrease in their overall average. 

Senior Ibanez’s replacement is John Mayberry Jr.

Mayberry Jr. has nine big league at-bats in 2009 for the Phillies with two hits—not a very good sample size. But both of his hits are for extra bases—one home run and one double. 

Mayberry has been fine-tuning his game in AAA for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (who named these guys?).  Here is a look at JMJ’s AAA stats:

Mayberry holds a .257 average (47 hits in 183 at-bats), has scored 30 runs, hit 8 HR, 13 doubles, one triple, and 31 RBI.  He has amassed 21 bases on balls and 56 strikeouts.  JMJ has an OBP of .338 while slugging .470 for an OPS of .808.  He has also stolen four bases.

Mayberry is what is often referred to as a physical specimen.  Some things you just can’t teach, like JMJ’s small forward frame—he’s 6’6″ and weighs 230 pounds.  He bats and throws right and is considered to be a future starter in this league by the orginization. 

Mayberry was born Dec. 21, 1983 and was selected in the first round of the 2005 draft by the Texas Rangers. 

The Phillies acquired him in a trade with the Rangers that essentially just swapped minor league outfielders.  The Rangers obtained Greg Golson (speedster) with the Phils getting Mayberry (power), and apparently both ballclubs couldn’t be happier with the move.

Mayberry is an exciting semi-young prospect that was destined to be a part of this years September call-up to provide a fresh right-handed bat off the bench. 

Ibanez being on the DL will give the Phillies a chance to see what JMJ can do on a daily basis and help set a gauge on where he stands as far as how close is he really to being on the 25-man roster. 

Despite the (seemingly constant) rain in Philly, fans will see just what this kid can do to help the team keep pace in the NL East starting today at 1:05 (expect rain delays) against the Blue Jays, who have taken the first two games of this series. 

Which makes me think of another question—perhaps for another article: Why can’t the Phillies win at home?!

Good luck to John Mayberry Jr. filling in for the injured (groin strain) Raul Ibanez.  They are pretty big shoes to fill. 

Philadelphia Places Raul Ibanez on DL

The Phillies announced this morning that their star outfielder Raul Ibanez was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin.

Ibanez was a leader in All-Star votes and the game is scheduled for July 14.

Phillies have called up John Mayberry Jr. from Triple-A to take his place.

Ibanez is hitting .312 with 22 homers and 59 RBIs. He is second in the National League in both home runs and RBIs.

Manager Charlie Manuel noticed the issue last night.

“It looked like tonight when he hit that ball to shortstop he couldn’t turn it on,” Manuel said. “He kind of gimped. I saw that. It looked like it might have been bothering him.”

This probably explains Ibanez’s recent slump in which he hit .194 (6-for-31) in his past seven games.

Philadelphia Phillies: Welcome to the Land of Oz

If I had a nickel for every time I said, “What do you plan to do with that booger?”

 

I’m sorry, I got sidetracked.

 

I meant, if I had a nickel for every time I said, “The Phillies don’t need another pitcher,” I’d be rich. Okay, maybe rich only from my son’s point of view—when you’re 10, a buck buys a lot of Big League Chew.

 

But I might be alone in my thinking. Charlie Manuel announced yesterday that he wanted another A-list pitcher.

 

If I only had a heart, I wouldn’t see through Charlie’s words. I think this is Charlie’s way of booing his starters.

 

Hey, he’s the one who said Phil’s fans need to start booing their team. I think he thinks they’ve become complacent at home. Well, their home stand record would indicate that.

 

I’ll admit, the team’s starting pitching has been bad. But what if it’s just been spoiled?

 

Everyone’s making a big deal of Brett Myers being out for the rest of the season, but if I only had a brain, maybe I’d remember he had some other great outing this season besides his domination of the Yankees in New York.

 

Let me think again. Nope, got nothing, but my IQ test on Facebook would indicate thinking’s not my strong point. Then again, it said Britney Spears got it on with Albert Einstein.

 

And if I only had some courage, I’d say they don’t need more starting pitchers, they need the ones they have to do their job.

 

Whoops, I just said it.

 

Welcome to the Land of Oz.

 

Throughout interleague play in the Emerald City, Phil’s pitchers have shown glimpses of the World Champions, but lately they’ve mimicked a team that looks lost in front of interleague batters.

 

I feel like they had one glorious week where just about every pitcher had their best outing of the season, including J.A. Happ and Antonio Bastardo.

 

Why can they do it one day and not another? Beginner’s luck?

 

Maybe Charlie’s thoughts are buried in another thing he said lately—Pedro Feliz has been successful at the plate because he’s “aggressive and selective.”

 

Maybe he really means that’s what his entire team needs to be. Maybe he’s speaking in secret code—maybe he’s a spy. Or maybe he’s the great and almighty Oz.

 

If I wore a Phillies jersey, I’d follow the yellow brick road.

 

See you at the ballpark—without the little dog.

World Series Phlashback: 1993—Game Three

In 1993 the Phillies pulled off a miraculous worst-to-first season and stunned the baseball world by clinching the National League pennant in six games over the heavily favored Atlanta Braves. Led my MVP candidate Lenny Dykstra, catcher Darren Daulton, first baseman John Kruk, and an emerging ace pitcher in Curt Schilling, the Phillies faced off against the defending World Series champions, the Toronto Blue Jays.

This World Series had a little bit of everything—from great hitting to clutch (and not so clutch) pitching, and of course rain delays.

We continue our phlashback with a look at game three, played in Philadelphia.

What in the Name of Bert Blyleven Got Into Scott Richmond on Wednesday Night?

Blue Jays 7, Phillies 1: Philadelphia Loses Ugly at Home

After hitting the Phillies pitching staff hard all game long the previous night, the Toronto Blue Jays picked up where they left off and took the home team out of it before they stepped to the plate Wednesday. Jamie Moyer took the loss, but the Phillies offense did next to nothing to give him a chance.

Moyer tried to give the team some innings, pitching in to the seventh frame. After giving up three runs in the first and another in the second as a result of a Rod Barajas home run, Moyer settled down somewhat. But in the seventh inning a two-run home run that put the Blue Jays up 6-1 was final straw, as Charlie Manuel pulled Moyer and inserted Chad Durbin in relief. Durbin though gave up a solo home run to Scott Rolen.

Jayson Werth provided only the slightest of sparks with a solo home run of his own in the fourth inning. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley were each 0-for-4, and Raul Ibanez went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.

You would have thought that the Phillies would have taken advantage of not having to face Toronto ace Roy Halladay, who missed his scheduled start Wednesday night due to a groin strain, but his replacement, Scott Richmond, was feasting on the woeful Phillies offense. Richmond recorded 11 strikeouts in eight full innings. Richmond only walked one batter, and Werth’s home run represented the only run allowed by Richmond. In all, the Phillies recorded five hits off of the starter.

Down six runs in the ninth, the Phillies did manage to make things mildly interesting, loading the bases with one out. But Werth struck out swinging, and Pedro Feliz grounded out to end the ball game.

The Phillies lost another home series and are now really putting themselves under a microscope when it comes to discussing their home record. Joe Blanton will get the start this afternoon as the Phillies try to avoid a home sweep.

Scott Richmond Dominates Phillies: Kool-Aid with 11 K’s

After a day filled with so much bad news in Blue Jay land, Toronto needed a strong pick-me-up against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Starting pitcher Scott Richmond delivered all that and more.

Richmond had the best start of his career, going eight strong innings while striking out 11 Phillies and giving up just one earned run.

Despite his less-than-impressive career splits versus left-handed batters, Richmond succeeded in shutting down the lefty-heavy heart of the Phillies’ lineup. Not only that, but he managed to do it in rain-soaked conditions at Citizens Bank Park.

I find that pretty impressive considering that earlier today, I did everything in my power to avoid running a mere 20 feet in the rain from the back door to my car.

After winning his first four decisions of the season, Richmond has been held out of the win column since May 3. Despite being labelled as a fifth starter, he has the potential to be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starting pitcher for the Blue Jays.

Now, with the injuries to ace Roy Halladay and right-hander Casey Janssen, it will nice to see Richmond back on a more regular basis.

Let me tell you, six weeks is a long time to go without a glass of Scott Richmond Kool-Aid, but it was certainly worth the wait.

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