Florida Marlins Put Phillies On Ice With Sweep

Forget about if Jamie Moyer will stay in the opening rotation; this Phillies team has bigger problems than that.

It is not panic time, but when the Phils (61-48) had the chance to put the National League Eastern Division out of reach, the Florida Marlins came into town and swept the Phillies, cutting a seven-game lead into a manageable four games.

Us Phillies fans are not used to a comfortable lead and it still may happen, but the Marlins were downright dominant in the series, led by Hanley Ramirez, shown above, who hit a hardy .437 in the three-game series.

Chris Coghlan and Ramirez each had four hits for the Marlins in a 12-3 win over the Phillies on Sunday. Coghlan set a team record with his eighth-straight multi-hit game, and Florida had a season-high 19 hits.

Meanwhile, the Phillies are in a real offensive slump and have lost eight out of their last 11 games. They have scored 32 runs in that period (2.91 runs per game), while allowing 51 runs (4.63).

Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez combined for 1-for-10 Sunday. In the last nine games, the same group has gone 20-for-99 with no home runs and four RBI.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel held a 20-minute meeting following the game. Center fielder Shane Victorino was tossed out of the game while on defense for “showing up” the home plate umpire on Sunday.

Maybe those two events will fire up the team as they head to Chicago for a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, who are currently 58-51 and two games behind St. Louis in the National League Central Division.

The Phillies are a team of “no comment” when addressing their current “six man” rotation, that is when Pedro Martinez is activated.

I have a feeling once the Martinez/Jamie Moyer situation works itself out, the team will respond and score more runs than they give up.

But the starting rotation seems to be a black cloud over this team.

J.A. Happ responded to his personal challenge with a nine-inning complete game shutout of the Rockies, and to be fair, most of the hits Moyer gave up were bloop singles on Sunday.

The Phillies can get some breathing room and quiet controversy with a nice win streak.

The Marlins, four games behind, and the Braves four-and-a-half games behind, will gladly take up the slack if the Phillies fall on the road.

Let’s get it going.

As Philadelphia Phillies Look Up Towards Playoffs, Rotation Is Anyone Guess

New flash, Nolan Ryan is coming out of retirement and trying out for the Phillies.

Just kidding.

As much kidding as I am doing, it is not a bad problem, but just a confusing one.

They are having Jamie Moyer take his regular start against the the Florida Marlins on Sunday against Josh Johnson. Moyer is 13-2 lifetime against the Marlins, so it makes sense to give him a chance. There is no reason for him not to take his regular turn.

Except…

The problem here is that when the Phillies signed Pedro Martinez, they were almost set to trade away J.A. Happ as part of the deal for Roy Halladay. Halladay stayed in Toronto and instead the Phillies got Cliff Lee from the Indians.

I am not displeased with the trade, quite the contrary. But with Happ still on the team and Martinez ready to start in the bigs for the Phillies, the team will potentially have six starters on the team: Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Happ, Moyer and Martinez.

The only thing it kinda reminds me of is spring training, shown above. ‘Member, when Chan Ho Park beat out Happ for the fifth starter spot? Are they gonna have Moyer and Martinez make in season attempts to win the fifth start? And what happens if Brett Myers come back?

Well, the Phillies do play 22 games in the next 24 days in August and have two doubleheaders scheduled in September.

Seriously though, I think the Phillies know the answer, but just are not telling anyone. What the heck was the deal with General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. telling the media that Happ was staying in the rotation?

What the heck was that about? Surely, it’s got Charlie Manuel’s tongue. Nada, zip about the situation from the skipper.

The dogs days of August are upon us and the Phillies are hitting the ball again. They still are too home run dependent and it may hurt them in the playoffs.

Things will work out. I am sure of it. The Phillies have a 7-game lead over the visiting Marlin, who got swept by the Nats. What was that about?

The Phillies surely will earn the National League East crown, but all opponents, not just the Mets, are folding like a house of cards.

Bring out the popcorn. I am ready for the march to the East to begin for the third straight season.

But if the Phillies are going to make any noise in the playoffs this year, they have better get this starting pitching staff straightened out.

And I wouldn’t put it past Jamie Moyer to pitch a whale of a game on Sunday … Remember the World Series last year?

As Playoffs Near, Jamie Moyer May Slow Phillies Drive

The story of Jamie Moyer is one of amazement. He’s a pitcher who has made his living throwing at off speeds and has garnered 256 wins while doing so.

He is the 10th-winningest lefty in baseball history. And this season, his 10 wins are tops on the NL East leading Phillies.

But the story I am about to write is one familiar to Moyer during his tumultuous 23-year career.

Despite the lack of pitching depth in their rotation, the Phillies can no longer afford the inconsistency that comes with the Moyer package. As a fan, I hope I am wrong like the other scribes who said the same thing two years ago. 

One example are these words from RotoWorld.Com:

“Jamie Moyer was pounded for six runs over five innings in an 8-3 loss to the Rockies on Tuesday night. Moyer continues his shaky season. He allowed six hits, including a homer, while walking four. He now has a 5.55 ERA through 22 starts this season. He should be the obvious choice to move to the bullpen when Pedro Martinez arrives, but he likely won’t.”

Phillies youngster J.A. Happ was mentioned as a candidate for the Phillies bullpen and Rodrigo Lopez has already been moved there.

But with the trade for Cliff Lee, will Moyer finally be pushed out of the rotation?

This much is certain: Cole Hamels, Lee, Joe Blanton. Before Lee’s arrival, Moyer had been the third starter. Once Lee came and J.A. Happ received a look, Moyer became the fourth starter.

What do we make of the sly veteran now?  

Moyer started this season 3-5, but has rebounded to win seven of his last 10 starts. In interviews, Moyer voiced that he is the same pitcher and can work through any slump.

And he has.

But watching tonight’s game against the Colorado Rockies, Happ pitched a complete game shutout for his eighth win. It is his second complete game shutout of the season.

With his performance, Happ has solidified a spot as a starter. But will that make him a playoff starter? The question is if Charlie Manuel will give the youngster preference over Moyer and the coming Pedro Martinez.

A lot depends on the latter’s performance when he pitches as to who the fifth starter will be for the rest of the season. The Phillies can afford to keep Moyer on the active roster the rest of this season. But I can’t envision them leaving Moyer off the postseason roster.

But his skills aren’t that of a bullpen pitcher; and no one should expect that. So where does that leave him?

Since arriving in Philadelphia, Moyer has been nothing short of a class act.

But the Phillies are now in the business of winning championships; and if they know what’s best for them, they will do just as they did with fan favorite Chris Coste, and cut the cord on a pitcher who has given them all he has left.

Cole Hamels: Number One Or Number One A?

Cliff Lee showed his worth last night when he pitched a complete game, four-hit, one-run performance in a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Cole Hamels, the MVP of the World Series last year, is currently 7-5 with a 4.42 ERA. His last start, giving up one run in eight innings in a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 28, hopefully is a sign of upcoming starts. Hamels pitches Sunday in the series finale against the Giants against Barry Zito.

Sorry to look past the regular season, but most experts expect it is more of a question of when the Phillies will clinch the National League East, rather than if.

To have a better chance to win back-to-back World Series, or even get there, Hamels and Lee should be One and One A, like Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale in the 1960s for the Dodgers.

Lee seems easy going off the mound, so he probably will always defer to Hamels as the ace.

But look at the numbers. Lee and Hamels are close, with Lee possibly a little better. Lee is 8-9 with a 3.02 earned run average, while Hamels is 7-5 with a 4.42 ERA. Both have a 1.27 WHIP (walks/hits per nine innings).

Perception and performance will determine who will become the “ace” of the staff.

The only other question is what will be the rotation heading into September.

I am guessing Hamels, Lee, Blanton, Moyer, Happ/Martinez.

Not many teams have this problem, deciding on a quality fifth starter.

The Phillies have had a “bulls eye” on their back all season long.

With that rotation, all challenges should not be a problem.

 

I Want It Now, Phillies Vs. Yankees In World Series

I was at work the other day and saw a Yankees highlight on ESPN Sportscenter and had a thought of the near future rifle through my mind.

I could see a Yankees-Phillies World Series in 2009. Sorry Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Write your own stories.

I waited and watched as other Phillies fans did, waiting for the Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay to be traded to the defending World Series champions.

I wanted the Phillies to do something and my thought was this: If Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro hung his hat on getting an iffy Pedro Martinez as an answer to the pitching situation; it would be looked upon as Amaro not pulling the trigger to improve the team.

But I had faith, considering the team brought home the World Series last year that they would not stay put. To stay good, you have to continue to improve. No resting on last year’s success.

The trade announcement Wednesday restored my faith the Phillies would make a move: they acquired 2008 Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee from the Cleveland Indians.

I pay scant attention to the rest of the league and for most of the season, the Boston Red Sox lead the American League East. I knew of the controversy over Alex Rodriguez and his substance abuse admission, his hip injury, and his return to the Yankees.

Mark Teixeira is having a huge year, hitting .282 with 25 home runs and 72 RBI. Derek Jeter, shown above, the heart and soul of the Yankees, is hitting .322, and Rodriguez is hitting well.

C.C. Sabathia, the big free agent signing, is having a good year with a 10-7 record, but the other free agent pitcher, A.J. Burnett at 10-4 with a 3.53 ERA is even better.

The Yankees are red-hot right now at 61-39, a major-league best .610 winning percentage and with a 2.5 lead over the Boston Red Sox.

The Phillies are no slouches themselves. The arguably have the best offense in baseball. Ryan Howard has 26 home runs and the Phillies free-agent signing Raul Ibanez also has 26 home runs while hitting .305.

Chase Utley reminds me a lot of Jeter, in his heads up play, and the ultimate student of the game. I love his compact 3/4 swing, which generates a lot of power.

The Phillies, at 58-40, have a seven-game lead over the Florida Marlins.

Stats aside, I will talk now as a fan: The Phillies could win the National League East this year in their sleep, starting Jamie Moyer every day. No offense, Jamie. At least we could play the Marlins every day, who Moyer has a 13-2 career record against the Fish.

It is the playoffs I am worried about.

Lee should help, with a playoff rotation of Hamels, Blanton and Lee.

Lee is 7-9 this season with a 3.14 earned run average, giving up 33 walks and striking out 107 opponents. Last year he was 22-3 with and 2.54 earned run average, winning the Cy Young Award in the American League. Lifetime he is 83-48 with a 4.01 earned run average.

Most of the Yankees’ stars are right handed or switch hitters, which could be bad news for the Phillies predominately left-handed rotation. That is why Blanton would probably pitch over J.A. Happ or Moyer, who are left-handed pitchers.

My gut also tells me the Yankees would win the World Series, four games to two.

The Yankees are the granddaddies of the World Series, with 26 championships. The St. Louis Cardinals are next with 10. The Phillies, along with the Mets, Marlins and other teams, have two World Series crowns.

But to be considered one of the greatest teams of the 2000s, or in the same breath with the Cincinnati Reds, who were the last National League team to win back-to-back World Series (1975-76), the Phillies have to beat the best.

Bring it on!

Jim Konstanty: The Father of All Phillies Relievers

With the Phillies well on their way to their third straight National League East Title, dreams of another World Series trip are on the minds of many Phillies fans.

Watching Yankees’ highlights and thinking about their recent ascent to first place in the tough American League East, my mind wandered to a Phillies vs. Yankees World Series. I don’t know, it just sounds right to me.

If the Dodgers go to the World Series, I think of a matchup with the Boston Red Sox. It just seems right. The whole Manny Ramirez thing is what the media wanted last year, but it got the Phillies vs. Rays instead.

The last time the Phillies played the Yankees in the World Series was in 1950. For me, one player comes to mind: Jim Konstanty. In a way, he was the first great closer in baseball.

Baseball was a different game back in 1950. Philadelphia had two Major League teams for crying out loud. Though, the Philadelphia A’s were the more popular of the two teams in town.

Pitchers pitched more complete games, and the game was not nearly as specialized as it is today.

1950 was a magical year for the Phillies, known then as the Whiz Kids. The team was managed by Eddie Sawyer and featured Hall of Famers Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn.

The Phillies beat out the Brooklyn Dodgers for the National League pennant and faced the Yankees in the World Series.

You see, much of the Phillies’ history before their World Series wins in 1980 and 2008 was about what could have been. And that remains true for their 1964 collapse.

Sawyer made a bold move by starting Konstanty in Game One of the World Series. In 1950, Konstanty appeared in 74 games. That year, he won 16 games, had 22 saves, and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player.

According to The Baseballpage.com, Konstanty paid off his manager’s trust. Konstanty pitched nine innings, allowed five hits, and one run in a 1-0 loss. Konstanty pitched well in two other games in the World Series, but the Phillies were swept in the series, 4-0.

Casimir James (Jim) Konstanty also played for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, New York Yankees, and the St. Louis Cardinals in his 11-year career.

His best years came with the Phillies, from 1948 through 1953. The bespectacled reliever employed a slider and change-up to baffle hitters.

In an 11-season career, Konstanty posted a 66-48 record with 74 saves and a 3.46 earned run average in 433 games.

Konstanty died in Oneonta, New York at age 59 on June 11, 1976.

In an era when specialists were uncommon, Konstanty stood out among his baseball peers.

To me, he is also a symbol of what could have been had the Phillies won Game One against the mighty Yankees.

To baseball historians, he could be considered the first great closer.

 

*Information gathered from Wikipedia and thebaseballpage.com.

Chan Ho Parks Nicely In Phillies Bullpen

Following a 10-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs to snap a 10-game winning streak on Wednesday night, the Phillies were comfortably ahead in the eighth inning with a 9-3 lead on the San Diego Padres in a one-game series Thursday.

Chris Carpenter, up from Triple-A due to Chad Durbin and J.C. Romero being put on injured reserve, gave up a run to close the Phils lead to 9-4 with one out and men on first and second.

No problem. Enter Chan Ho Park into the game.

One pitch, two outs. Park got Kevin Kousmanoff to ground into a 5-4-5 inning-ending double play. Park finished off the Padres 1-2-3 in the ninth to win the game.

Park has a 3-2 record with a 5.20 earned run average going into Thursday’s game, but much of his ERA can be attributed to his time as a starter to begin the season.

In his last 16 games, Park has a 1.82 ERA. He has become the stalwart of the bullpen, putting in three scoreless innings in Tuesday’s 4-1 13-inning win against the Cubs.

Park, whose agent asked the Phillies to give him a chance to start as a prospective free agent, is settling into his role. An important role.

Park seems looser, whether trying to kick save a foul ball or shamelessly wearing a “Vote for Shane” sandwich board to support the Flyin’ Hawaiin’s march to the All-Star game.

Clay Condrey was key in the early season Phillies bullpen, while post All-Star break, Park is the best of the bullpen.

The Phillies bullpen was a big part of their recent 10-game winning streak, giving up 15 earned runs in just over 50 innings.

It would have been a shame to waste Cole Hamels seven-inning, three-run confidence builder. 

It was gonna happen. Not tonight.

Thanks to Chan Ho.

Park? Oh, his 1 2/3 scoreless streak lowered his ERA to 5.07.

Just as last season, if the Phillies are to repeat as World Series champions, there has to be different, unsung heroes.

Like Chan Ho Park.

From Ruly Carpenter to Pat Gillick: Phillies Climb to the Top

In 1979, Philadelphia Phillies owner Ruly Carpenter signed free agent Pete Rose to a four-year, $3.2 million contract.

The signing would pay huge dividends as the Phillies swept their way to their first World Series title in 1980, beating the Kansas City Royals. Sure Rose had plenty of swagger, but his winning attitude convinced Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt that “Herbie,” as he called him, was a superstar.

Carpenter, disillusioned by free agency and rising salaries, sold the team in 1982 to a group headed by Bill Giles.

The Phillies would go to the World Series in 1983 and 1993, both losing efforts, to Baltimore and Toronto, respectively.

In between, there was a lot of losing. I had a 12-game plan at Veterans Stadium in 1986, when the Phillies finished 86-75 in second place in the National League East. A mirage for sure.

There was a series of bad managers: John Felske, Lee Elia, Nick Leyva, and yes, Terry Francona, who fashioned a 285-363 record from 1997 to 2000.

The hiring of Larry Bowa and the free agent signings of Billy Wagner and Jim Thome brought excitement back to the city, but Bowa could not deliver and was fired shortly before the end of the 2004 season.

When Charlie Manuel came to town in 2005, he seemed like a country bumpkin, a personal caddy for slugging first baseman Jim Thome. Thome was shipped out of town after the 2005 season to make way for upcoming slugger Ryan Howard.

When Pat Gillick was hired as general manager in 2006, things started to happen. Home-grown talents Chase Utley, Howard, Cole Hamels, Carlos Ruiz, and Jimmy Rollins started to flourish.

Rollins, in particular, after a second-place finish in 2006, predicted that the Phillies were the “team to beat” in the upcoming 2007 season. The impossible happened and the Phillies won the National League East on the last day of the season.

Gillick brought in Shane Victorino through Rule 5; acquired free agents Jayson Werth and Greg Dobbs; and traded for Pedro Feliz, Joe Blanton, Matt Stairs, and Brad Lidge.

Gillick is now a special consultant to the Phillies as Ruben Amaro has taken over as GM.

I know the Phillies’ story has been hashed and rehashed, but my good B/R friend Richard Marsh is retelling his life as a New York Mets fan, and years, and years, and years of frustration.

It is funny how a baseball franchise can flourish or fall.

The Pirates, Padres, and Marlins have been classic sellers of talent. Remember the skinny Barry Bonds when he played in Pittsburgh?

But teams like the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, among others, strive to reach the ultimate goal with various successes and failures each season.

This Phillies’ 10-game winning streak (which ended with a 10-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs Wednesday) was a heady time for me as a Phillies fan.

I overheard two Spanish-speaking men at work talk in their native tongue and only found out when that they were talking about baseball when I heard them mention “The Los Angeles Dodgers.”

“The Phillies are en fuego,” I commented, repeating a Spanish saying a friend texted me to mean the team is on fire.

They just smiled and nodded.

“San Francisco,” I said.

Oh, yes, they nodded.

It made me realize that there are other teams contending for the 2009 World Series championship. And it is not to mention the American League team, headed by the Boston Red Sox.

I also realized I was lucky to be a Phillies fan, where the World Series conversation is still current.

Sorry Cubbies fans. Your day will come and then you can tell your story.

Knowing How To Win Is Key To 2009 Phillies

As the Phillies (48-38) head to face the second-place Florida Marlins (46-44), my thoughts raced back to a time when the Phillies did not know how to win.

As the calls among media and fans demand the Phillies to trade away the farm (and maybe J.A. Happ) for Toronto stud pitcher Roy Halladay, it matters not, really if they get him or not.

Because there was a time, not so long ago, that the Phillies did not know how to win on a consistent basis. The ebb and flow will hit most teams, but as the season rolls into September the good teams will rip off seven wins in a row and win most series.

Let me go back to September 23, 2004.

The Phillies again were challenging the Marlins, this time for the wild card lead, and were looking up, not down.

This Phillies team, behind Kevin Millwood, shown above, took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning before the wheels fell off. Millwood walked the first two batters in the inning, then Florida’s Jeff Conine deposited Millwood’s 1-0 pitch over the left center field fence to tie the game.

All I remember was a close-up of Millwood with just as much sweat as frustration on his face, as the Marlins would took a two-game lead in the wild card chase with a 5-4 victory.

The Marlins would go on to win the World Series that year.

Millwood left Philadelphia after the Phillies first year at Citizens Bank Park—the highlight of his career with the Phillies being a 1-0 no-hitter against San Francisco on April 27, 2003.

Billy Wagner and Jim Thome came into town, and still no winner for the Phillies.

Nope, the year 2007 started the transition. It started when Jimmy Rollins proclaimed the Phillies the “team to beat” in pre-season 2007.

It took all season, but when the Phillies topped the Florida Marlins on the last day of the 2007 season and the Mets lost, the transition was complete: The Phillies were winners of the National League East title.

In 2008, they won it all and were crowned World Series champions.

In 2009, the team had a decent April and May and in late May, took control of the National League East. They have not lost the lead since.

They took six out of seven games at home against the Reds and Pirates and climbed to 10 games over .500 and now have a four-game lead over the Marlins.

Jamie Moyer (8-6) faces Chris Volstad (6-8) tonight in Florida.

The other big Phillies news is that the Phils signed future Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez to a one-year deal. He probably won’t pitch until early August.

In the short term, you don’t want to trade away Happ without Martinez ready.

However, if the Phillies wait out the Blue Jays and they drop the demand for both Kyle Drabek and Happ, General Manager Ruben Amaro could pull the trigger.

Funny, as I watched Amaro talk to the media about Pedro Martinez, this could be the one deal that he is judged on for his whole career as Phillies’ GM as either a grand success or an awful error in judgement.

The National League East is really not that good this year. With the Phillies offense, they could almost win this thing in their sleep.

Not to worry right now. The Phillies will win most of their games.

August and September will be the judge of this team.

What will the rotation be like then?

Phillies Going on Halladay to Repeat As MLB Champs?

I have teetered back and forth over whether I want the Phillies to bankrupt the farm system to bring Toronto Blue Jays ace pitcher Roy Halladay to town.

Upon doing research, my answer is yes.

I did not weigh the pros and cons of losing Kyle Drabek, the linchpin on the part of the Phillies end of the deal. Nor did I look at Halladay’s age, his last loss, or whether I thought the Phillies could win the National League East, then go through the playoffs to even reach the World Series.

Nope. I turned to what I usually depend my arguments in life. I turned to history.

The Cincinnati Reds were the last National League team to win back-to-back World Series titles in 1975-76. The Yankees were the last team to repeat, winning three straight World Series titles in 1998, 1999, and 2000. To base my argument I will look only at the Reds.

Following Cincinnati’s 1975 World Series win, Tony Perez, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, George Foster, and Ken Griffey all had better offensive years, while catcher Johnny Bench’s average dropped from .283 to .234 and his power numbers dropped.

The Phillies could do the same thing, with Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Jason Werth having better numbers, and Jimmy Rollins producing less.

The difference, I feel, was the Reds’ pitching.

In 1975, Gary Nolan went 15-9; Jack Billingham, 15-10; Fred Norman, 12-4, Don Gullett, 15-4, Pat Darcy, 11-5; and Clay Kirby, 10-6. In 1975, Will McEnaney (15 saves) gave way to closer Rawly Eastwick, who had 22 saves.

Darcy only pitched 39 innings in 1976 and was replaced in the starting rotation by Santo Alcala, who was 11-4 in 1976. Clay Kirby was traded to the Montreal Expos over the winter of 1975, and was replaced in the rotation by rookie Pat Zachry.

Zachry did not go on to have a distinguished career, going 69-67 in a 10-year span, but in 1976 he posted a 14-7 record with a 2.74 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 204 innings. He tied with Butch Metzger for the National League Rookie of the Year honors.

His career sounds a lot like Rodrigo Lopez, who had a stellar debut for the Phillies, but was injured in his second start.

Nope. Brett Myers, Antonio Bastardo, then Lopez. Not enough to hang your hat on. Not even Joe Blanton worthy in terms of combined quality starts. Pedro Martinez does not have enough left in the tank.

Roy Halladay is this year’s Pat Zachry for the Phillies. He is 10-3 this season with a 2.85 ERA. He went 20-11 with a 2.78 ERA in 2008, and in 12 seasons, he is 141-69 with a 3.47 ERA.

Winning the World Series two times in a row for a team not named the New York Yankees is difficult.

Something special has to happen.

His name is Roy Halladay.

As I heard on WIP today, Kyle Drabek may become a Cy Young award winner, but he won’t likely do it until after 2011, when many of the Phillies’ big guns’ contracts are up.

Time to pull the trigger and bring home another World Series title…or two. 

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