Gameday: Phillies (77-64) At Mets (79-62)
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Sun, September 07, 2008 12:25 PM | Comments: 139
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Headline: In game one, Phils must focus on the task
The Major Players: Jamie Moyer, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, Chad Durbin, Pedro Martinez, Fernando Tatis, David Wright, Brian Stokes
The Venue: Shea Stadium, Queens, N.Y.
The Number: 2 games behind (Mets)
In the biggest day of the season, the Phillies have two tussles with the Mets. First, it’s a Sunday matinee with Pedro Martinez, then it’s primetime on the national stage, Cole Hamels and Johan Santana. Two wins means a tie at the NL East leaderboard. Two losses means a heavy, heavy blow. A split? Not the end of the world.
Pay-Dro: This season the Phillies have hit Pedro Martinez well. In 10.1 innings the Phillies have 12 hits and seven runs off Martinez, but he has struck out 14 hitters.
Big Day Jamie: Jamie Moyer knows something about day games. He has pitched in 11 of them, for a 4.29 ERA.
Tattooed: Out of nowhere this year, Fernando Tatis has murdered the Phillies in 2008. The guy who has played 81 major league games between 2003 and 2008 is hitting .471 with two homers and six RBI against the stripes.
Dipped: This is the Phillies first doubleheader in 2008.
Lefty Loosey: Lefty lineup to open the doubleheader, with Matt Stairs in at left field and Greg Dobbs in at third base.
Phillies: Jamie Moyer (12-7) 3.80 ERA
Mets: Pedro Martinez (5-3) 5.07 ERA
Gametime: 2:10 p.m. EST
Weather: 82, sunny
Lineup: Rollins/Victorino/Utley/Howard/Werth/Dobbs/Stairs/Ruiz/Moyer
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Your gameday beer: For game one of this epic two-game Sunday, you’ll want something that is light, refreshing and sunny. Go with St. Bernardus’ Witbier. A favorite Belgian brewery of mine, Bernardus makes some fine beers. And this is no exception. Laced with coriander and hops, this beer has a fruity aroma and taste without being a fruit. Be light for lunchtime — maybe cheddar or Jack cheese and crackers, something small.
Go Phillies!
Posts: 0 CARLOS BELTRAN
PHILLIES SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 01:02 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
How original.
Posted: 01:05 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I hope they can pull out this first game, that’ll put all Phils fans at least a little more at ease for the primetime game.
Posted: 01:06 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
Hmm-m, Tim, your selection of “major players” for this afternoon’s game leaves a lot to be desired. As this moment, the hitter the Phillies have the most concern with is the MVP candidate, Carlos Delgado. They also must keep Reyes off the basepaths. The key player for the Phillies is Utley who must take his play to another level.
Posted: 01:18 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
One of the nice by-products of a Phillies win is we don’t see Carlos or Mr. Met.
Posted: 01:23 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Tatis has hit Moyer very well this year, as has Wright. Of course the Phils need to watch Delgado and Reyes, too.
Posted: 01:31 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
I still think it would be better to throw Hamels in the first game. Winning the first game is crucial.
Posted: 01:33 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
But don’t the Phils hit better in night games? Lack of run production for Hamels this year has been a big problem, so I think it’s best to give him that advantage.
Posted: 01:36 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Mr Met
Let’s go EAGLES!
Posted: 01:41 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
I like going for the jugular in the first game. Out the pressure on the Mets. If the Phils truly hit better at night then that would help a lesser quality pitcher.
Posted: 01:45 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
What will the players do between games? I figure they should have about 3 hours to kill, do they leave the park or stay there? I imagine Jimmy will take a little drive.
Posted: 01:50 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I would think they probably have something to eat then just kill some time by either watching TV or playing cards or something. But what do I know.
Posted: 01:55 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Jimmy will be out cruise’n the chicks.
Posted: 01:57 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Cruise’n the chicks and smokin’ the doobs.
Posted: 01:59 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Are you saying Jimmy has those dope smoking eyes?
Posted: 02:03 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
In all seriousness, yes, I’ve noticed that for months now, he looks fairly stoned most games.
Posted: 02:05 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
I think quite a few of the fellas enjoy the blunts. Ever check out Werth’s eyes? How about Victorino with the Maui Wowie?
Posted: 02:09 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
I totally agree, and it’s a rather harmless habit, but don’t think I’d want to play ball on the Maui Wowie, but that’s just me.
Posted: 02:11 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Even Utley has the stoner eyes although that could be the oxycotins.
Posted: 02:15 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Oh yeah, Utley definitely has the stoner eyes, but I agree that it’s probably painkillers, especally the way he squints then opens them real wide, like “oh, am I up to bat now?”
Posted: 02:17 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 ataraxite
Is this first game on TV in Philly? I can’t find it!
Posted: 02:22 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
What’s up with Moyer and the home plate ump?
Posted: 02:22 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Ch 57
Posted: 02:23 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
This sucks, this game was supposed to be on FOX and now I’m not able to see it. Thank god for tonight’s game at least.
Posted: 02:26 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
If you’re in the Philly area it’s on Ch 57.
Posted: 02:28 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Well, the hubbys a huge Rams fan, and they are losing to the Eagles 21-0 at half, so I’m going upstairs to watch the Phils. Besides, the air is getting very ripe down here. Check back when the football game is over(hopefully the TV will still be intact).
Posted: 02:30 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
situational hitting by a classy, intelligent veteran player.
Posted: 02:31 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
That sac fly justifies his acquiring.
Posted: 02:31 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Phils 1-0
Posted: 02:31 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Great job by Ruiz
Posted: 02:32 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Usually I’m in PA, but I’m at school in CT. And I have MLB.tv but Met’s games are blacked out (even though we don’t get SNY).
Posted: 02:32 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob Cowie
1st time this dude rolls the lineup over all year. Good timing.
Posted: 02:32 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Pedro is vulnerable today.
Posted: 02:33 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
GIDP!!!!
Posted: 02:33 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Chooch, baby. Chooch.
Posted: 02:33 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 ataraxite
My channel 57 is Animal Planet??
Posted: 02:33 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Most people must be watching the football game.
Posted: 02:33 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 SJ Mike
Great manufacturing of those 2 runs there. Eagles up 21-0 at halftime. Got 2 TVs running. It’s a happy lazy Sunday for me!
Posted: 02:34 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
NFL = the worst.
Posted: 02:35 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
CW Philly Ch 57 – the actual channel would depend on your cable provider.
Posted: 02:35 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Ever since I lived overseas I’ve lost interest in the NFL.
Posted: 02:37 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Mike T, would you say the NFL is just not a good league?
Posted: 02:38 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
I love the NFL and college football. But I lose interest in college football pretty quickly once my team loses a game or 2 because there goes any shot at a BCS game. A 16 team playoff for college FB would be ridic.
Posted: 02:40 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Would T-Mac please put a cork in it.
Posted: 02:40 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
absolutely tim, the nfl and all of its marketing/media attachments are just filled with trash. i can’t stand this countries infatuation with it.
Posted: 02:42 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
i also can’t stand how fernando tatis is getting away using HGH.
Posted: 02:42 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Fred
Baseball is comprised, for the most part, of normal sized guys playing a game that most of us played in some form in our youth. Football on the other hand is comprised behemoths doing their best to inflict physical harm on their opponent. Baseball is an art – football is a collision.
Posted: 02:47 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
I will say as a passionate Philadelphia sports fan I am a huge Eagles fan and am rooting and checking all day here. But, obviously, the Phils are always No. 1 in my heart.
Posted: 02:48 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
Fred, that’s an extremely ignorant view of football. The work ethic and athleticism required in that sport is incredible. Watching an incredible football play unfold is art to me.
Posted: 02:52 PM on September 7, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
And if you haven’t noticed, the last thing a lot of players on the field (RB’s, WR’s, QB’s etc.) want is physical pain or a collision.
Posted: 02:54 PM on September 7, 2008