Braves-Phillies: NL East Favorites Set To Square Off

For 14 years, opponents knew they had to go through Atlanta to get to the playoffs—and, to the World Series.

For the past three years, they go through Philly.

It may only be April 20 and the first of many meetings between these two divisional foes, but for the Braves it is never too early to make a good impression.

After all, first place is up for grabs.

The Phillies hold a one-game lead over the third-place Braves in the NL East standings coming into tonight’s series opener at Turner Field.

Atlanta spent over a decade at the top of the National League East, but in recent years they have taken their lumps in an effort to regain the level of excellence they had come to expect.

The Braves haven’t tasted October since 2005, but last season after a strong, albeit late push for the NL Wild Card, they got one step closer to returning to the playoffs.

This year, they are billed as the Phillies chief competition in the NL East.

While an April series isn’t make-or-break for either club, the buzz surrounding this series is unmistakable.

Last year, the Braves knew they waited too long before making their playoff run and simply ran out of games.

It is these pesky games early in the season that often count just as large as the ones in September, but are long forgotten when a team comes up a game or two short of the postseason.

Still, don’t expect these Braves to put too much stock in this series outcome.

Atlanta won’t wave the red flag if they lose the series and they surely won’t become complacent if they win it.

What a series win would do for the Braves is send a message to the Phillies that the preseason hype surrounding this club was legit.

And, let’s not forget that last season, Atlanta handled Philly with relative ease in the early going.

The Braves were winners of seven of the first nine meetings between the teams, including a series sweep just before the Fourth of July.

Then, Ryan Howard happened.

Howard torched the Braves over the final nine games between the clubs, blasting eight home runs.

However, Atlanta won the season series 10-8, but still fell short of the playoffs.

The Braves know, at the very least, a series win is expected again this year if they hope to reach the postseason.

And, if they hope to make a legitimate run at the World Series, they figure they will see these Phillies again— in the NLCS.

The hope and buzz surrounding this year’s squad lends credence to the belief that the Braves can compete with any team in the league— even the big, bad Phillies.

With Tommy Hanson, Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe lined up to pitch in this series, the Braves expect their starters to go toe-to-toe with Philadelphia’s.

No surprise there.

The Braves have always won with pitching and their staff has rivaled, if not exceeded, the Phillies’ starters in recent years.

But what the Bravos have this year, that they haven’t had in the past, is their very own one-man wrecking crew.

His name is Jason Heyward.

While the comparisons between Heyward and Howard have begun, it is far too early in the youngster’s career to pit him against Philly’s RBI machine.

But for those of you looking to add to the fodder, in the season’s first two weeks Heyward does have one more RBI.

The Phillies are about to get their first glimpse at the beast that is the “J-Hey Kid,” and pardon me if they don’t feel a little deja vu.

For those of you who would prefer to get Daria’s blogs by email for FREE, please Subscribe to Ace of Braves by Email “>click here. Then look for a verifying email from FeedBurner to start service.

 

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Philadelphia Phillies-Atlanta Braves: Phils Face Early Test for NL East Race

The latest news out of Phillies camp was not promising: Starter J.A. Happ will miss tonight’s start against the Atlanta Braves due to stiffness in his elbow.

Instead, Kyle Kendrick (0-0, 17.47), pictured, will face Tommy Hanson (1-1, 2.38).

Other matchups feature Tim Hudson (1-0, 2.84) vs. Roy Halladay (3-0, 1.12) and Jamie Moyer (1-1, 7.50) against Derek Lowe (3.0, 4.67).

In the face of losing two of three games at home to the Marlins, facing the Braves’ quality starters looks like a mismatch.

I was listening to 610 WIP on the radio yesterday and Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated talk about baseball in general and the Phillies when asked.

He indicated that the Phillies offense was good enough to overcome questionable starting pitching.

The Phillies fattened up on the Nationals‘ and Houston‘s pitching. In their first eight games against those teams, the Phillies averaged eight runs per game.

In their last four, including their 7-5 loss to the Nationals and the three-game set at home against Florida, they scored an average of 3.5 runs.

While the temperatures in Philadelphia returned to their normal 50-degree or colder nights, after a cooler day with a chance of rain tonight, daytime highs in Atlanta are in the mid to upper 70s.

Hitting weather.

Thinking optimistically, the Braves could win tonight and Halladay win on Wednesday.

Even though Derek Lowe is 3-0, his 4.67 ERA tells a different story. It would be a good day for the Phillies to give Moyer a six-run output or higher.

The Phillies have a history with Lowe in the 2008 playoffs when he was with the Dodgers, and he can get knocked out early.

The high ERA with a 3-0 record tells another story: The Braves have a good offense themselves.

Rookie phenom Jason Heyward is getting all the press, but Martin Prado, Brian McCann, Erik Hinske, and Chipper Jones lead a potent Braves attack.

Preseason pundits, myself included, had the Phillies running away with the NL East.

It still may happen.

But back-to-back subpar offensive performances would set a bad tone for the defending National League champion.

Look for the Phillies to bounce back offensively.

It should make for an exciting series.

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Philadelphia-Florida: Phillies Flounder As Marlins’ Pitching, Weather Cools Bats

You could feel the charge of the Marlins’ in the ninth inning of an 8-6 Phillies win on Friday night.

Phillies ace Roy Halladay left the rain-plagued game in the eighth inning with an 8-2 lead.

Reliever David Herndon gave up four runs to make 8-6 before Ryan Madson closed the door, allowing one inherited runner to score.

The Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco almost shut out the Phillies the following night, save Jayson Werth’s two-out ninth inning solo home run. The Marlins won the second game, 5-1.

Starter Jamie Moyer gave up five runs in the first inning Saturday before setting down to pitch five more shutout innings. More on Moyer later.

The Phillies looked better on Sunday as Cole Hamels gave up only a fourth inning home run to Dan Uggla in eight innings.

The Phillies best scoring chance came in the bottom of the fourth. Jayson Werth singled and when Ben Francisco hit a ball to deep center field, it seemed for sure Werth would score easily.

However, Marlins’ centerfielder Cameron Maybin raised both hands as the ball bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double.

Werth on third, Francisco on second.

Carlos Ruiz hit a ball to shallow center field and Werth, correctly, drew a throw home.

I am not a world-class athlete to judge whether Werth could have gotten back on time to tag up, because Maybins’ throw was way off line.

Something tells me though, Utley, the teams’ best base runner would have scored on that play.

Then in the sixth, the Phillies had Marlins’ starter Nate Robinson on the ropes with runners on first and second with one out.

Burke Badenhop got out the jam for the Marlins, preserving Robinson’s day, and a 2-0 Marlins’ win.

Phillies fans must have knew that the steam had gone out of the Phillies after the sixth.

For a team that averaged nearly eight runs a game and having at least 10 hits a game not long ago, what happened?

The Marlins are not the Nationals or the Astros. The Marlins’ starting staff had two quality starts from its starters.

Cold weather, seasonal weather in Philadelphia cooled the Phillies bats.

The Phillies hitters, trying to break the slump, are not patient at the plate. Jayson Werth struck out on a 1-2 count yesterday on a high and tight fastball.

The Phillies starters, past Halladay and Hamels, are in trouble.

Number three starter J.A. Happ experienced arm trouble and in questionable for his next start.

Jamie Moyer has been inconsistent, bitten by big innings his last two starts.

Kyle Kendrick has been worse or just as bad as Moyer.

The Phillies, though, are headed to Atlanta on Tuesday as they get to see rookie phenom Justin Heyward.

The warmer weather should help.

Look for the Phillies to take two of three in Atlanta, as the bats should wake up.

If not, it’s another lost series, or worse a sweep. 

Joe Blanton should be back in a week and will help stabilize the Phillies starting rotation.

 

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The 10 Most Memorable Philadelphia Sports Seasons of the Last Decade

The start of the Phillies’ 2010 season marked the official beginning of a new decade of pro sports in Philadelphia. And just 17 hours before Opening Day, the Eagles perhaps officially brought the previous decade to a close by trading Donovan McNabb to Washington.

So, with this new Philly sports decade in its infant stages, let’s take a look back at the 10 most memorable Philadelphia pro sports seasons of the last decade. “Memorable,” is a subjective word. So these rankings reflect the author’s opinion…not fact.

Hope you all enjoy this trip down memory lane…

Begin Slideshow

Carter’s MLB Power Rankings Through April 18: Phillies Remain Number One

Here’s how I see the top 30 MLB teams, from strongest to weakest.

The Phillies are number one. I just think they’ve played better than anybody else in baseball. Everybody is doing their part well, Roy Halladay is pitching like Roy Halladay, and they are doing a great job and racking up the runs and are playing well on the road.

1. Philadelphia Phillies (8-3)

The Phillies own the NL’s top road record (5-1). They have also scored more runs than any other team this year (78).

2. San Francisco Giants (8-3)

Tim Lincecum (not surprisingly) has struck out more batters than any other team in the league, with 24.

3. Minnesota Twins (9-3)

The Twins have given up only 37 runs this year, the least amount of any AL team. Jon Rauch leads the league in saves with six. So, I’m sure they aren’t missing Joe Nathan as much as they thought they would.

4. New York Yankees (8-3)

Derek Jeter currently has 19 hits through 11 games. Only Franklin Gutierrez and Placido Polanco have more.

5. Oakland Athletics (9-4)

The A’s currently hold the MLB best home record (6-1). Rajai Davis leads the majors with seven stolen bases.

6. St. Louis Cardinals (7-4)

The Cardinals are getting the job done with their great pitchers. They have given up the least amount of runs, 35, out of any team this year.

7. Colorado Rockies (6-5)

Congrats to Ubaldo Jimenez on his no-hitter last night. He is now 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 20 strikeouts. Very nice start!

8. Tampa Bay Rays (8-3)

The Rays are the only team that is currently undefeated on the road (5-0).

9. Atlanta Braves (6-5)

Derek Lowe has walked more batters than any other pitcher in the majors (12).

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (5-6)

Chris Young seems to be taking over the “team MVP” role. He’s batting .302 with 13 hits, three HR and 15 RBI.

11. Florida Marlins (7-5)

Jorge Cantu is a huge reason the Marlins are above .500, so far. He leads the league with 16 RBI.

12. San Diego Padres (5-6)

Chase Headley seems to be taking a huge step towards being considered the team’s best player. So far, he’s hitting .378 with 17 hits.

13. Texas Rangers (5-6)

Nelson Cruz should be considered for the AL Player of the Month Award. He leads the majors with seven HR, and also leads the AL with 15 RBI.

14. Toronto Blue Jays (7-5)

Alex Gonzalez currently leads the MLB with seven doubles. Vernon Wells is second in the majors in slugging percentage (.860).

15. New York Mets (4-7)

David Wright has been walked more than any other player so far. He’s been walked 17 times this year.

16. Chicago White Sox (4-8)

I’m really starting to like this Gordon Beckham guy. He already has 12 hits this year.

17. Los Angeles Dodgers (5-6)

Only the Pirates have given up more runs this season than the Dodgers.

18. Seattle Mariners (6-6)

Franklin Gutierrez is currently the MLB’s hit leader two weeks into the season (20 hits through 12 games). He’s not bad defensively, either.

19. Detroit Tigers (6-5)

If Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera, and Austin Jackson continue to play the way they have been, this team will be very dangerous to play against.

20. Chicago Cubs (5-6)

Not a very good start to the season for Carlos Zambrano. He currently has a 9.45 ERA and has given up a major league high 15 runs.

21. Boston Red Sox (4-7)

I wouldn’t say it’s time to panic yet, if you’re a Red Sox fan. But those 54 runs given up is a bit concerning.

22. Cleveland Indians (5-6)

It seems like Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera have been the only ones worth being excited about in Cleveland. No other Indians hitter has more than 9 hits as of Sunday morning.

23. Washington Nationals (6-5)

Nyjer Morgan is the only player to record more than two triples this season so far.

24. Kansas City Royals (4-7)

Scott Podsednik leads the AL in OBP (.521).

25. Cincinnati Reds (5-6)

Aaron Harang has had more runs scored on him than any other pitcher in the majors (15). Mike Leake (along with Derek Lowe) has walked more batters than anybody else.

26. Milwaukee Brewers (4-7)

Before the season started, I had absolutely no idea who Casey McGehee was. Apparently, I should get to know him. He’s batting .366 with 15 hits, 4 HR, and 9 RBI at this point.

27. Los Angeles Angels (5-7)

The Halos have given up an american league worst 68 runs this year. I’m sure they are missing John Lackey right about now. On a more positive note, Jered Weaver has struck out more batters than any other pitcher in the AL (21).

28. Pittsburgh Pirates (6-5)

Despite being only one game over .500, the Pirates own the National League’s best home record (4-1). On a more negative note, they have also given up a league worst 72 runs this year.

29. Baltimore Orioles (1-11)

The O’s are the only team in the AL that have yet to win a home game (0-6).

30. Houston Astros (2-9)

The Astros have been outscored by a major league worst 30 combined runs this season. They have scored a league worst 25 runs.

 

Carter’s 2010 MLB Award Races:

AL Most Valuable Player

1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): .391 avg., 18 hits, 5 HR, 12 RBI

2. Vernon Wells (TOR): .372 avg., 16 hits, 6 HR, 11 RBI

3. Nelson Cruz (TEX); .342 avg., 13 hits, 7 HR, 15 RBI

4. Derek Jeter (NYY): .380 avg., 19 hits, 3 HR, 9 RBI

5. Robinson Cano (NYY): .356 avg., 16 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI

6. Jose Guillen (KC): .341 avg., 15 hits, 5 HR, 9 RBI

7. Alex Gonzalez (TOR): .333., 17 hits, 4 HR, 8 RBI

8. Magglio Ordonez (DET): .341 avg., 15 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI

9. Paul Konerko (CHW): .216 avg., 8 hits, 4 HR, 8 RBI

10. Hideki Matsui (LAA): .311 avg., 14 hits, 3 HR, 7 RBI

 

 

NL Most Valuable Player

1. Albert Pujols (STL): .364 avg., 16 hits, 5 HR, 15 RBI

2. Ryan Braun (MIL): .386 avg., 17 hits, 3 HR, 11 RBI

3. Chase Utley PHI): .366 avg., 15 hits, 6 HR, 12 RBI

4. Matt Kemp (LAD): .327 avg., 16 hits, 5 HR, 15 RBI

5. Ryan Howard (PHI): .333 avg., 17 hits, 3 HR, 14 RBI

6. Jeff Francoeur (NYM): .381 avg., 16 hits, 3 HR, 8 RBI

7. Casey McGehee (MIL): .366 avg., 15 hits, 4 HR, 9 RBI

8. Jorge Cantu (FLA): .292 avg., 14 hits, 3 HR, 16 RBI

9. Josh Willingham (WSH): .382 avg., 13 hits, 3 HR, 10 RBI

10. Chris Young (ARZ): .302 avg., 13 hits, 3 HR, 15 RBI

 

AL Cy Young Award

1. Matt Garza (TB): 2-0, 1.13 ERA, 14 strikeouts

2. Andy Pettitte (NYY): 1-0, 0.75 ERA, 10 strikeouts

3. Dana Eveland (OAK): 2-0, 1.35 ERA, 6 strikeouts

4. Carl Pavano (MIN): 2-0, 1.38 ERA, 10 strikeouts

5. John Danks (CHW): 1-0, 1.38 ERA, 12 strikeouts

6. Ricky Romero (TOR): 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 16 strikeouts

7. Matt Harrison (TEX): 0-1, 1.38 ERA, 7 strikeouts

8. John Lackey (BOS): 1-0, 1.42 ERA, 5 strikeouts

9. Doug Fister (SEA): 1-1, 1.50 ERA, 6 strikeouts

10. Max Scherzer (DET): 0-1, 1.64 ERA, 6 strikeouts

 

NL Cy Young Award

1. Tim Lincecum (SF): 3-0, 0.90 ERA, 24 strikeouts

2. Roy Halladay (PHI): 3-0, 1.13 ERA, 21 strikeouts

3. Livan Hernandez (WSH): 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 strikeouts

4. Ubaldo Jimenez (COL): 3-0, 1.29 ERA, 20 strikeouts

5. Brad Penny (STL): 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 8 strikeouts

6. Adam Wainwright (STL): 2-0, 1.20 ERA, 13 strikeouts

7. Jaime Garcia (STL): 1-0, 0.69 ERA, 10 strikeouts

8. Carlos Silva (CHC): 1-0, 0.69 ERA, 8 strikeouts

9. Hiroki Kuroda (LAD): 1-0, 1.20 ERA, 14 strikeouts

10. Mike Pelfrey (NYM): 2-0, 1.29 ERA, 10 strikeouts, 1 save

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For Phils Bullpen Stumbles Again, But Offense Provides Enough Cushion

 

Just from looking at the box score some could start to say ‘I didn’t know Brad Lidge was back.’

However, that would be both wrong and unfair.  But nonetheless the bullpen did, once again, stumble in the ninth inning of a game where the Phillies had a fairly comfortable lead.

Roy Halladay pitched brilliantly again like only the Doc knows how to do.  He went eight innings, while allowing two earned runs and eight hits.  He also struck out four and didn’t walk a batter.  His ERA has jumped up to 1.13.  No need to panic, I think he will recover from this one. 

Halladay also helped put an end to Marlin Jorge Cantu’s streak of 10 games with at least one hit and RBI.  Until it ended, it was a Major League record.  To help his own cause, Halladay had a hit in the game.  He now has had at least one hit in each of his starts this season.

The Phillies offense averaging over seven runs a game wasted no time getting onto the board.   Three RBI singles from Ryan Howard, Juan Castro and Carlos Ruiz started the scoring early in the bottom of the 1^st .  Philadelphia added a run in the 2^nd and 3^rd innings and finally chased Florida starter Anibal Sanchez after six innings.   He gave up eight hits and five earned runs. 

Placido Polanco and Chase Utley each had a solo home run in the game.  Utley is now tied for the Major League lead in homers with Nelson Cruz of Texas and Toronto’s Vernon Wells with six.

The Phillies took a 8-2 lead into the ninth but with Halladay having already thrown 100 pitches and in the midst of a short rain delay, Manager Charlie Manuel opted to bring in David Herndon from the bullpen.  The Rule 5 Draft pick, who was stellar in Spring Training, saw his first real trouble of the young season allowing five hits and four earned runs in only a third of a inning. 

Ryan Madson came in and mopped up the mess closing out the rest of the night.   The Phillies held on to a 8-6 victory in front of their 45^th straight sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

Follow me on Twitter @kierancarobine

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Watching Baseball in Philadelphia? Watch Where You Sit!

This is just about the most disgusting story that I have ever read involving unruly fans at a stadium event.

As reported by NBC Philadelphia , a 21-year-old man was arrested at Wednesday’s game between the Phillies and the Nationals after he INTENTIONALLY VOMITED ON AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND HER FATHER.

Let me repeat that. This douche stuck his fingers down his throat and “projectile vomited” all over this 11 year-old-girl and her father. But wait it gets better. The father involved was an off-duty police officer for a nearby town.

Capt. Michael Vangelo and his 16-and 11-year-old girls drove down from the Lehigh Valley to watch the Phillies take on the Washington Nationals Wednesday night when the alleged assault occurred, police said.

Vangelo, 43, says from the moment his family took their seats, a group of unruly men starting disturbing anyone near them.

“They were yelling vulgarities, obscene language,” Vangelo said Thursday.

Vangelo and his older daughter asked the men to stop, but that seemed to just cause more trouble, he said.

“I had beer thrown on me and water and then one individual started spitting at the back of my daughter’s chair and he actually spit on my 11-year-old daughter,” he said.

Vangelo went to report the men to ushers, who promptly ejected them from the game. The man says everything seemed fine until another fan got involved.

That fan — identified by police as Matthew Clemens — was sitting with another, unrelated group of fans who were also disciplined for acting out when he allegedly did what Vangelo describes as the “most disgusting thing” he’s ever seen.

Clemens, 21, positioned himself behind the 11-year-old’s chair, stuck his fingers down his throat and vomited on the girl and her father, police said.

“He leaned forward, he projectile vomited all over me and my daughter,” Vangelo said with a look of hurt splashed across his face.

Clemens then began wailing on Vangelo after he pushed him away from the girl — hitting the off-duty officer in the head and neck, causing his ear to bleed, police said.

Surrounding fans jumped in to help subdue Clemens before he was arrested.

“He was still vomiting on the other fans that were holding him down,” Vangelo said.

I normally don’t paste the whole article, but this was really intriguing.

Philly fans are not known for their hospitality, and the stadium doesn’t do much to help the visiting team. The only time I went to Citizens Bank Park I distinctly remember seeing all the hecklers standing over the visiting team’s bullpen which is positioned in a nice spot right under an outfield standing room only terrace. Given enough alcohol and a score that is one sided enough, it would be very easy for the fans watching overhead to throw more than just insults. But never in my wildest dreams would I believe it possible for a grown man to hurl anything other than a few pieces of food.

To deliberately expel bodily fluid onto another human being without their consent is a despicable act, and this individual should be prosecuted to the fullest extent the law provides. For all anyone knows, this gentleman (if you could even call him that) could have had some fluid borne disease like Hepatitis or HIV.

This article really got me heated, and I can only hope that this douche is banned from the stadium for life! I mean, I am all for baseball rivalries where fans get a little rowdy, but it should all be in the name of fun. I know alcohol can sometimes lead to insane behavior at the ballpark, but crossing the line shows a complete lack of self discipline in a public setting.

And I only hope that the Phillies organization makes it up to this little 11-year-old girl in some way. Not that they are obligated by any means, but it would definitely go a long way to repair some of the bad P.R. that has developed from even looking at the mug shot photo of this douche bag wearing that Phillies red.

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Are the Philadelphia Phillies Negotiating with Pedro Martinez’s Agent?

With Kyle Kendrick doing his best Chan Ho Park imitation, and a few other warning signs illuminating, could the rumors about Ruben Amaro contacting Pedro Martinez’s agent to negotiate a deal be true?

As I detailed on Tuesday in Top 10 Destinations For a Pedro Martinez Return in 2010, Martinez has made it clear that he wants to return to action, and there are many teams that could be a fit. Currently, most of those teams are likely waiting to see how their existing pitchers perform and where they stand in the playoff race.

 

The Philadelphia Phillies are off to their best start since 1993, but the events that have unfolded so far in this young season may have Amaro and manager Charlie Manuel sleeping a little less soundly. The injury bug snagged red-hot Jimmy Rollins and ever-emerging star Jayson Werth a few days ago, as well as starting pitcher Joe Blanton prior to the team departing Clearwater.

 

Additionally, Kendrick and Jamie Moyer turned in very strong spring training showings that bolstered confidence that the team might be six deep in starting pitchers, but that may have turned into a sinking feeling of late. Besides Kendrick bombing in his first two outings, Moyer also got roughed up by a struggling Houston Astros club. 

 

Seeing free agent acquisition Danys Baez implode, and Ryan Madson struggle yesterday didn’t help either. And, reports of closer Brad Lidge getting lit up by a single A team does nothing to increase REM sleep for the Phillies brass. 

 

Could the starting pitching woes (and other events) have led Amaro to reach out to Pedro’s agent to reconvene discussions about the future Hall of Famer returning to Philadelphia? 

 

Although the Phillies General Manager denies any negotiations with a little verbal slight of hand, it is very conceivable that Amaro would like to get ahead of the competition and lay the groundwork to soothe a potential sore spot. He indicated that he “has had conversations” with the player’s agent about keeping lines of communication open without providing any time frame. 

 

It is doubtful that the Phillies would want to layer on almost a full season’s salary; however, they may consider a midseason scenario that could entail a bargain price and only half a season’s paychecks. Also, last year’s experience would suggest that a lengthier preparation would be beneficial for Pedro to build arm strength and get stretched out.

 

Reaching an agreement sometime in May could translate to a return to the field around the All-Star break. With an already inflated 2010 payroll that had the Phillies trading Cliff Lee and forgo re-signing Park, bringing Martinez back would seem highly dependent on the total cost.

 

As detailed, a few other teams appeared to have a higher probability of striking a deal with the veteran pitcher, with finances and the spring performances of Kendrick and Moyer being the main factors pushing the Phillies down on the list. 

 

Based on his comments during his stay in Philly and since that time, Philadelphia could very well be Pedro’s No. 1 choice. He clearly enjoyed the team and atmosphere—and knows that the team is surely a championship contender. Winning a World Series appears to be his top objective over money or anything else. 

 

Meanwhile, Kendrick and Moyer are sporting Adam Eaton-esque ERA’s. Obviously, the sample size is low, but 17.47 and 7.50 ERA’s respectively have a way of making the stomach churn.

 

Werth was back in the lineup yesterday, but since the “hip” injury has become the new “elbow,” he will be watched closely. Of course, the most significant factor in the Pedro sweepstakes will be the performance of the starting pitchers, but losing offensive production increases its importance.

 

Moyer is slated to make his next start on Sunday against the Florida Marlins—a team that he has dominated in his career. Should he falter again, Amaro just may be calling Pedro’s people before the day is done. After all, as a Philadelphian, even more famous than Pedro once said, “The early bird catches the worm.” 

 

 

Gary Suess is the founder of the Philadelphia Sports blog I’m Just Saying, Philly

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Bullpen Hiccups Cost Phillies Series Sweep Against Nationals

It almost seems fitting that the day MLB Network re-aired an episode of ‘The Pen’ documenting the ’09 Phillies bullpen would be the day that this year’s almost perfect pen would blow it and put a skid to the Phils’ five-game win streak. 

For a second straight start (well, his only two thus far) lefty J.A. (call me ‘Jay’) Happ didn’t allow an earned run. However, in his second straight start, he didn’t last six innings. 

Against the Nationals in the final game of the series in Philadelphia, he did last 1/3 of an inning longer and only allowed three hits, as apposed to six in his first start. However, he didn’t have any strikeouts and walked six batters. Walking six and not allowing an earned run is impressive, don’t get me wrong, but why put that much pressure on yourself? 

I’m not taking anything away from Scott Olsen, who pitched adequately, but this game really started when both starters left the game.  It seems the Nats’ bullpen took a page from the Phillies for this game.  The night before, after the two-inning slugfest to start the game, the Phillies’ bullpen came in and held Washington to only four hits and one earned run in 7 1/3 innings.  The Nats’ bullpen didn’t fare so well, giving up seven hits, seven runs and four walks in only four innings.

After Jose Contreras struck out the final two batters in the sixth coming in for Happ, the rest of the night was a bit shaky.  Antonio Bastardo, Danys Baez, and Ryan Madson pitched an inning each, in which combined they allowed six hits and six earned runs.  The biggest blow was the pinch-hit, two-run home run by Ryan Zimmerman, which put the Nats up by one. 

Obviously, the bullpen is going to have its troubles, just like the starting rotation, but they should be expected to hold it down against a team like Washington.  Okay, maybe that is not fair.  Yes, they are a Major League team, but again they are the Washington Nationals. 

Let’s look at it this way.  Relievers are supposedly brought in depending on matchups.  When a starting pitcher doesn’t last six innings, the bullpen may be required to pitch longer than usual and face hitters they normally would not be left in to face.  And after logging over seven innings the night before, the bullpen was a little skinny.  Last night against the Nats, the bullpen trio for Philly (Bastardo, Baez, Madson) faced a total of 18 batters.  Of those 18, nine reached base via a hit or a walk.  When two of those hits turn out to be home runs, then the walks really hurt.

Hopefully with Roy Halladay pitching today, that will give the bullpen a rest.

Worth noting:  Placido Polanco once again has two hits in a game and is batting a league-high .475.  Jimmy Rollins’ replacement at shortstop while he is on the DL, Juan Castro, went 3-for-4 with two RBI.  Chase Utley, for the series with Washington, had 4 HR, 7 RBI, and 6 R.

Follow me on Twitter @kierancarobine

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MLB Rankings: Mid-April Power Rankings

I recently asked the Double G Sports Expert Panel to give me their MLB team rankings and with that I have come up with our power rankings.

I realize its only two weeks into the season and you can’t get a true evaluation of a team in that short period of time. We will bring you our power rankings once a month.

Who is the top team? Is it the defending champion Yankees? Their World Series opponent the Phillies? Or could it be a surprise team such as the Blue Jays or Rays?

Take a look at the Double G Sports Expert Panel’s Rankings by clicking here .

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