Milwaukee Post-Mortem: ‘Well-Oiled Machine’
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Mon, September 15, 2008 10:02 AM | Comments: 50
Posts
Last night the Phillies pulled off what many of us thought was impossible: A four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. They did it with a doubleheader included. No doubts. The game scores — 6-3, 7-3, 7-3, 6-1 — show not dominance, but convincing, assured, business-like baseball. This team knew what it had to do, took it by the horns and brought it home. No doubts.
I wrote after Wednesday’s bad loss to the Marlins that this team looked dead and lifeless, and wouldn’t ever look anything like its 2007 counterparts. That’s true — they look nothing like those 2007 counterparts. They don’t come back (unless it’s the Mets bullpen on the mound). They don’t make you bite your nails and sweat bullets by the night. No, this team, at its best, purely gets it done. When they win they’re experienced, they’re dutiful. And this four-game sweep was exactly that: experienced and dutiful against a broken, reeling, inexperienced Milwaukee contingent.
The good guys did exactly what they needed to do to sweep. Starters went 28 of 36 innings. The bullpen allowed just one run. The offense hit the ball hard, and hit it early. Extra-base hits came by the truckload, and Ryan Howard blazed the trail. His September, by the way, is becoming the stuff of young legend. And Jimmy Rollins was right there (the Phrontrunner Brothers are knocking down walls by the day) with singles, steals, extra-base hits, defense. For once, the whole team looked like a well-oiled machine.
Best of all was Myers’ performance. That stage was constructed for him. With the crowd waving towels in full force, a Sunday night special bringing out the dedicated, Myers stood tall and conducted the game masterfully. He was in complete control, absolutely sensing the moment and implication. And not only was he sensing it on the mound — he knocked an RBI single more clutch than anything Chase Utley has hit lately, then barreled home, executing a perfect slide to score a run from second. He was focused, intense, composed. All this, and he was pitching on three-days rest. Say what you will about Cole Hamels’ amazing stuff and consistent quality, but with this second-half, Myers has earned that ace label.
Now there are 12 games remaining. The Phils play the bottom-feeders of the East. First it’s the feisty Braves, who the good guys have beaten well so far. Then it’s the Marlins, who pose a huge threat. One more turn with Atlanta leads to the finale with the Nationals. These are series’ the Phillies should win, and if this weekend is any indication, seem poised to win. Everyone — take a breath. And get ready for this.
Posts: 0 Phil
9-3 down the stretch. That would equal my original prediction of 14-5 down the stretch. We’re 5-2 right now. I’m fairly certain we can go 9-3 against the bottom feeders.
Posted: 10:12 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 TC
If Howards average were 25 points higher he’d be a 2 time mvp. Guess its strangely good for us considering the $$$ he’s going to demand (and warrant)
Posted: 10:15 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Something tells me that the baseball writers will be voting for Howard. They all like to suck the Phillies cocks for some reason.
Posted: 10:17 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 TC
He’s pretty amazing. 8 more hrs and 9 more rbis than anyone in the majors. I still think he’ll run to the yankees. Isnt his Dad his agent and his Mom his manager? I just the money feeling from him. Which is fine, but the yanks will offer more than the phils can.
Posted: 10:21 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 dan
When the time comes and if we don’t lock him up, TC. Howard has two or three years of arbitration left so as long as we pay what we have to right now, he can’t run to the Yanks.
Posted: 10:32 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
We have him under our control through 2011. He’s gone in 2012. By that time he won’t be able to command a 10 year $250 million contract because he’ll be 31 or so years old.
Posted: 10:34 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
He keeps this up it might be worth keeping him around. i think you wont see pat back now…hes been so bad how can you justify spending 14mm on someone who cant play left field anymore?
Posted: 10:47 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
i think its time for werth to move to left next season. vic in center, find someone for right field. i really thought they had to resign pat burrell..but if you left jayson werth play everyday ALL season im willing to bet that hell put up similar numbers. since theyre not going to move ryan howard, though i had thought they might, there will be no first base opening. therefore, pat burrell has no reason to come back. just go play DH for someone, hit .270 30hr 100 rbi for the royals or someone like that…
meanwhile, the brewers are a fraud. plain and simple. they dont have enough outside of braun fielder hardy and hart. the rest of those guys suck. ricky weeks sucks, cameron is a strikeout machine, bill hall sucks. jason kendall is garbage.
outside of sheets and sabathia, their starting staff is garbage. manny parra couldnt hit the broadside of a barn with a beachball on saturday, and when he did, they blasted it into the outfield. the phillies are in the drivers seat now, they control their own destiny again. thats definitely a good thing….
Posted: 11:08 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Ben
Now if only Chase can get going this team would really take off. Getting hot at the right time makes all the difference. Come on Utley join in on this hit parade. Utley and the bullpen is going to define the rest of this season.
Posted: 11:12 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
The best thing this series has shown is that even without the offense firing on all cylinders..we can still put up the numbers..but we need the pitching to keep it up..
I wonder about Kendrick now, is he in or out?
Posted: 11:16 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
“They don’t come back (unless it’s the Mets bullpen on the mound). ”
-Yes they do, and yes they will.
Posted: 11:19 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Bruce
Kendrick’s name is mentioned and I see he is scheduled to start vs Atlanta on Wednesday. This could change considering Kendrick’s struggles. His difficulties put the Phillies in need of a starter with just two weeks left in the season. After all, Kendrick is 1-4 with an 11.35 ERA (29 earned runs in 23 innings) in his last six starts. The Phillies can not afford to take any more chances with Kendrick as they are running out of games. It’s also a risk to try JA Happ, an inexperienced rookie in
Kendrick’s place. I don’t think it will be Eaton as he is chained to the doghouse in a mop up role. Will Manuel and Dubee again tempt fate to have Hamels pitch on short rest? One can readily see the predicament here.
Posted: 11:31 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
I think this series really showed how good the Brewers are. They suck. The Mets swept them at home and now the Phillies sweep them. They are done. Good job Phillies. Won all those games pretty easily.
Posted: 11:35 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 NEPA
This is taken from an interview on ESPN.com. Is Chase serious with this answer?
Gary (Phoenix): Hey Chase what are you up to today?
SportsNation Chase Utley: Actually, I want to tell you a little bit abouty Vasoline for Men, the new men’s skin care line that’s come out. I was never much of a lotion user growing up, but now I’ve realized that taking care of your skin is extremely important, especially with all of the travel and weather changes we go through. What I like about Vasoline for Men is that it absorbs into your skin within 15 seconds. That’s important to me, so I don’t feel like I’m greasy. You can go on StrongerSkin.com to see me and Michael Strahan in a video clip. You can also see our training workouts, plus you can win some prizes.
SportsNation Buzzmaster: Thanks Chase!
Posted: 11:38 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
This is how the rotation would set up in my mind for the remaining 12 games.
Moyer-Tue-ATL
Happ-Wed -ATL
Hamels-Thu-ATL
Blanton-Fri-FLA
Myers-Sat-FLA
Moyer-Sun-FLA
Happ-Mon-ATL
Hamels-Tue-ATL
Blanton-Wed-ATL
Off-day-Thu
Myers-Fri-Was
Moyer-Sat-Was
Hamels-Sun-Was
Posted: 11:43 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
wtf is that?!?!? LOL
Posted: 11:44 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
None of those are on short days. It appears that either Happ/Kendrick will have to take 2 of the final 12 starts no matter what……while skipping that last start so Hamels can pitch on the final sunday.
Posted: 11:45 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I’ve been under a rock for the past 4 days.. what happened???? I thought the Phillies season was DONE..somebody please explain
Posted: 11:57 AM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Richie Allen
Somehow I knew Don M would come out to play with some sarcasm today..Directed toward all the bandwagon jumpers…Good one Don
Posted: 12:06 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
Don M, the phightin swept the snot out of the anemic brewers. zambrano no-hit the houston fagstros. the mets did what they do best – blow a game they had won in the ninth… as a side note, the Irish beat up on michigan (7 fumbles) and the birds should destroy the brokeback cowfags tonight… up to speed?
Posted: 12:08 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
of course im coming out with the sarcasm today, cuase before that series started, I said how the Brewers pitchers didn’t scare me one bit… and “what if” we swept them.. to which everyone gave me a bunch of sh!t and told me I don’t know anything about baseball, and I must work for the phillies or something.
I’ll take that ND win, (won me a bet at work too), but Michigan gave that game away…
I could see the Birds beating the Boys in Dallas tonight. would be a nice sports weekend
Posted: 12:14 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Meghan
Gavin – Blanton’s spot is going to be skipped for Myers to pitch on Friday’s opener with Florida against Johnson (phils website) so who know’s what’s going on with the rotation.
Posted: 12:58 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Brewers suck…hmm yes. This is a good setup to a Mets vs Phillies NLCS. Oh how good that would be.
Posted: 01:02 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I agree Rivlez…only problem is if the Phils lose the Mets trolls will be relentless. I do not want to deal with that.
Posted: 01:03 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Out of curiosity…if we make the post season what do you think we should have our rotation be? I think it should be:
Myers
Hamels
Moyer
Blanton
Anyone else agree?
Posted: 01:04 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
I knew the Phillies would take AT LEAST 3 of 4 from the Brewers especially at home. I give the Phils a lot of credit. They now can control their own destiny. IMO Brewers don’t deserve to go to the playoffs. I think they suck. The Mets beat them convincingly and so did the Phillies.
Posted: 01:05 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Rivlez, I just think it goes to show that the NL Central is just a bunch of frauds. The Cubs have such a good record because they’re beating up on trash. The Phillies and Mets are just as good as the Cubs imo.
Posted: 01:08 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
yeah myers is on fire right now hes your frontman as long as hes still hot.
thats basically right on phil given what they have at the moment. kyle kendrick better not come anywhere near a playoff start here…
don…given that they missed sabathia all they had to do was beat ben sheets. because the other three guys are COMPLETE GARBAGE. they should have swept them, yes, but i really didnt think milwaukee was THAT much of a fraud. but they are.
Posted: 01:08 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
I agree that the Cubs are frauds also in a way. That series the Phils had with them not too long ago, the Phillies could’ve swept them if it wasn’t for the bullpen and bad calls that killed them.
Posted: 01:11 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Johnny
hey geoff … as far as available right handed out fielders available … i got to tell you that i think that Pat is still the phillies best option. Its never been a secret that Burrell doesn’t run. But in terms of ALL active outfielders in the National League … pat LEADS them in outfield assists because of that rocket of an arm.
Pick your poison … ill go with 30+ HR and close to or over 100 RBIs from a right handed hitter despite the fact that he won’t be winning a gold glove.
Lucky for us … the trend with free agent signing for outfielders around his age … he likely won’t sign for more than 6 or 7 a year for 4 maybe 5 years. His power numbers may make him more attractive to the american league.
but i’d say find us a better more consistent power hitter (at least since charlie has been here) despite Pat’s slumps.
I mean would you rather go after manny who will want more money …maybe knock in another 20 RBIs a season but with alot LESS defense.
I vote for Pat. Especially after last nights game.
Posted: 01:13 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
i know i know. i wanted him to stay too…BUT its obvious that if howard continues to go on a tear and saves this team again, then how can you trade him in the offseason?
obviously the phillies have to get another starting pitcher. burrells money will come off the books and might allow them to sign another solid – great starting pitcher.
i liek pat, and i think we might miss his production, however, i think jayson werth can be the guy to step up the production. BUT, you need to come at us with something better than geoff jenkins in right field. its becoming more apparent that i was wrong to say that they HAD to keep him. they need starting pitching more than they need another guy who strikes out a lot. the question is what do you do in right field if you make werth your LF? you HAVE to replace burrells strikeouts with a smooth contact hitter.
im still holding out hope that trading j-hole can get you a very solid starting pitcher (halladay) but it looks like youll HAVE to sign a free agent starter (lowe,sheets, CC) if you want to improve this rotation. howard stays because until that michael taylor is ready to come up theres HONESTLY NOBODY to drive in all those runs.
if hes didnt just catch on fire it might, might make it easier to try and get top line pitching for him. if you cant do that, then why waste all those runs? you just gotta teach him how to not strike out that much.
where are the runs coming from without burrell and howard?
burrell you can afford to lose, ill admit to that now, because werth can be just as good as him but cheaper and a better outfielder. maybe not as powerful, but he gets better at bats.
Posted: 01:22 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
dude, you put werth in left. pat CANT play LF anymore. hes SO SLOW. if you could use him at first base, which you CANT, then its ok to keep him unless youre in the AL where he can be your DH. it honestly is best for him to go be a DH. hell make that much more money anyways…
the problem is what to do in right field to get some decent production out of that spot?
Posted: 01:23 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 RiVLez
Since when does Burrell have a rocket of an arm? LOL The only reason he leads in assists is because people run on him cause he doesn’t have that great of an arm and sometimes people guess wrong.
Posted: 01:26 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
nah dude, pat without a doubt has a great arm. and despite the fact he’s slow he has a good glove and makes some nice catches in LF a lot of the time. i’m sure people will remember games where we bring in “defensive replacements” for him and they’ll miss plays that pat could probably make. he’s limited in the field but just because he’s slumped at the plate lately doesn’t mean i don’t want him back next season. he’s a streaky hitter as most power hitters are, but when he’s hot he’s a) clutch and b) REALLY hot. the only way i wouldn’t want him back is if the phillies could sign sabathia, which is a big what if. otherwise i absolutely want burrell back on this team. we’ll just have to wait and see.
Posted: 01:35 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
i think theyve gotta sign sabathia, sheets, burnett, or lowe. thats the primary, minimum requirement for the offseason. after that, its get another corner outfielder to play where werth does not. dont have to spend big, just get someone who hits for average. but, knowing the phillies, theyll let pat walk AND fail to sign a big starting pitcher.
Posted: 01:45 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 christopher
i think they could sign pat and lowe realistically. lowe was my pick for them to go after in a trade because he probably wouldn’t have required marson, carrasco or victorino like the other big trades would have. and he’s a good veteran pitcher. but if they go after CC, sheets or burnett, i doubt they’ll sign pat too.
Posted: 01:50 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Johnny
soo true Geoff …. i like the idea of burnett alot … low risk …high potential.
I REALLY don’t like the idea of going after C.C. just because hes gonna be asking for SOO much … cash and length. I’m not saying I don’t want a Cy Young winner … but I have to stop and think about how signing a young STUD of a dominant perennial cy young candidate to a long BIG contract worked out so well for the Giants and Barry Zito … a name EVERYONE in philly wanted to go after before the Giants signed him.
Posted: 01:56 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I think they should trade for DeJesus to play CF. Move Victorino back to RF. Put Werth in LF. That would be a great outfield. Try and somehow get rid of that trash Jenkins. Bring Golson up to be your 4th outfielder and you still have Bruntlett/Dobbs around as a 5th outfielder.
Posted: 02:00 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Sabathia is WAY better than Zito.
Posted: 02:01 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
if we get any one of those pitchers this offseason (CC being the prize) and our own CC (carlos carrasco) comes up and performs (at least better than blanton) then we stand to have a solid rotation next year… why they haven’t given carrasco shot at this level yet astounds me…???
1. CC ‘no hit’ Sabathia
2. Brett ‘the wifebeater’ Myers
3. Cole ‘hollywood’ Hamels
4. Jaime ‘over-the-hill’ Moyer
5. Carlos ‘just give me a shot’ Carrasco
thoughts?
Posted: 02:12 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
what would they have to do to get dejesus anyway? ive seen dejesus play a lot of LF this year for them actually…i know theyre open to trading some of their younger guys, but i think they have to be blown away by an offer…liek, what are you going to have to give up to get zach greinke really?
i think that shoring up the right field or left field vacancy when pat leaves is key. you do NOT have to spend as much money as pat would cost to get someone who can hit for average AND play well in the outfield.
Posted: 02:14 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Johnny
sabathia IS better than zito …. NOW. How about three years ago …especially in 2002. Look at career ERA numbers. Untill he signed with the giants … Zito was pitching CIRCLES around sabathia … and most pitchers in the bigs for that matter.
Now Zito cant throw a strike to save his life.
it just proves the risk … and is the money hes gonna want … money that can be used to lock up Howard, werth, victorino and … Hamels … is it worth it?
As far as Golson goes … If Milt and Charlie can work on his contact and bring the K’s down for him …He definitely has the potential to have a LONG career for the phils.
Posted: 02:16 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
because carrasco is shut down for the year…hes resting and hell probably start preparing for spring training sooner than guys like kendrick and happ.
but now you can see..kendrick is going to have to BUST HIS ASS to get back to the show next year…happ looks to have taken the job from him, then you bring up carrasco next year in the second half? i do NOT think carrasco starts in 09 in the phillies rotation, you can tell theyre taking it slow with him, taking their time. maybe you can trade kendrick as part of a package in the offseason for some kind of serviceable right fielder? maybe?
Posted: 02:17 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Johnny
No matter what happens this offseason though …. Right now … We got a wild card to sure up!! Lets go phils!!!
Posted: 02:20 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt Kwasiborski
Yeah, let’s focus on the present and go Phils. Offseason awaits but I want it starting later rather than sooner.
And CC will not sign here. He will wind up with the Angels, Dodgers, Yankees or Giants. So, let’s move on.
Posted: 02:38 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
The Yankees will get CC, they basically said theyre going to do whatever it takes to get him. they might even sign someone like burnett too.
Posted: 02:47 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Groty
RE: Brewers
Yost was canned today…
Posted: 03:09 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
i just cant help but get the feeling that if kendrick goes somewhere else he is the next gavin floyd…
Posted: 03:44 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
he cant throw that hard though. unless dave duncan gets a hold of him…
Posted: 03:48 PM on September 15, 2008
Posts: 0 Nationals#1
in case you missed it, john gonzales:
Consider this scene: After the front end of yesterday’s doubleheader, a bunch of reporters were gathered in the room where Charlie Manuel holds his postgame news conferences. It’s this little holding pen down in the Bank’s basement. Off to the side is the door where Manuel always enters. Except it was locked, and he couldn’t get in. So he was on one side of the door, fidgeting with the handle, and we were on the other, watching him struggle.
Just when it looked as if Manuel would never figure it out, he managed to get the thing open. Then he lumbered through the once-locked door with a goofy grin spread wide across his face.
Can you imagine a better metaphor for the Phillies’ season?
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20080915_Gonzo___A_Phils_surge__Why_not_.html
Posted: 05:15 PM on September 15, 2008