Your Friendly Weekend Primer
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, September 26, 2008 10:28 AM | Comments: 79
Posts
There are three games left in the Phillies 2008 regular season.
We know the score by now: The Phillies are one game ahead of the Mets and Brewers in the NL East and NL Wild Card standings, respectively. A clean sweep of the Washington Nationals gives them the NL East title. A 2-1 record in the series would most likely clinch a playoff spot, seeing as one of the Mets or Brewers should lose a game this weekend.
A 1-2 record against the Nationals puts the Phils in a precarious situation. A 2-1 record by both the Mets and Brewers secures the Phils a one-game playoff with the Mets for the East, and a possible tiebreaker for the NL Wild Card with the Brewers (if they lose to the Mets). A 1-2 record by the Mets hands the Phils the NL East. A 3-0 record by the Brewers with a 2-1 record by the Mets gives the Phils a one-game playoff with the Mets for the East. A 3-0 record by the Brewers and the Mets? See you later.
A sweep by the Nationals is not what the Phillies want. The Brewers would have to go at least 1-2, and only then the Phils would get a one-game playoff with them. A sweep of the Mets would mean the East stays in Philadelphia. A sweep of the Brewers would mean the Phils get the Wild Card. A sweep of both teams? Yes, the East is theirs.
Couple all that with the possibility that all games won’t even be played by Sunday, and you have a wild weekend of baseball set.
The Phillies objective is to take it one game at a time, and to win tonight. Just win. A win would give them the chance to take the East Saturday. I would almost certainly say the Brewers or Mets will lose one game this weekend. That means the Phils would need to win two. But they have to, have to focus on tonight. Win tonight.
- Todd Zolecki goes through the pitching matchups and quotes Charlie Manuel.
- Bill Conlin sets up the weekend in his usual weird way, and mistakenly says Jamie Moyer is the ace.
- Randy Miller, always with a nice spin, talks to the guy who’s putting together the playoff-clinching celebration. I really hope they don’t get crazy like last year. Getting in is no longer the major goal.
- Scott Lauber has aa generic look, as well, looking at the players’ mindsets.
So how do you all feel? What do the Phillies need to do this weekend?
Posts: 0 Ben
Just like you said Phillies need to win 2 of 3. They better be ready to play some great baseball because we know the Nasties always give the Phillies some problems. Offense definitely needs to be on point this weekend and I hope the day off has given them a little fuel for the big weekend ahead. What I’d really like to see is the Phillies pitching controlling the game. Making it as much of a playoff type game as possible with big hits and big outs. But I’ll take a win anyway they can get it.
Posted: 10:33 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Dennis
What do the Phillies need to do this weekend?
One Word……
WIN!
Posted: 10:35 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 lilgartrn
Just win the games. With yesterday’s day off, they should be ready to go tonight. Good defense, patient at-bats, and I think we are in good shape to take each game. I don’t want to worry about the Mets/Brewers – let’s just focus on each game here.
Posted: 10:35 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 bigmyc
They just need to play within themselves and they’ll be fine..
Posted: 10:45 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
We can’t count on the Cubs minor leaguers to beat the Brewers. The Phillies have to win the first 2 games and hope the Marlins win one of the first two against the Mets. This way we can rest Cole on Sunday knowing that we’re in the playoffs. Then, Kyle Kendrick will pitch Sunday for the division.
Posted: 10:48 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris C.
The thing that worries me the most is the weather. If this were a nice normal weekend, the Phils would handle the Nats and take care of business. However with games in the rain, double headers or weird delays can cause strange things to happen.
Posted: 10:52 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 lilgartrn
We had to deal w/ weather against the Brewers and came out ok. Imperative to win here – you know the Cubs are going to have their 3rd string JV team on against the Brewers ( I definitey feel they want us to shoot ourselves in the foot, because they would rather face the Brewers or Mets, so let’s not give them the satisfaction – 1 win at a time this w/end!!!)
Posted: 10:58 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
I agree, Chris, the Phils seem to play better in warm weather, and it’s going to be raw and windy, with maybe lengthy rain delays, it worries me, I’ll admit. If they just could have won a couple of those games earlier in the season and not wasted some of those great pitching performances, we wouldn’t even be discussing it. We should be resting some of OUR regulars this weekend.
Posted: 10:59 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyFriar
Griffin’s got it right. The Phils need to win the first two, see if the Brewers and/or Mets have lost one, and if they have, then pitch Happ on Sunday to save Hamels for Game 1.
And the weather is certainly a concern. Right now, it’s iffy for all 3 days, so we can’t even speculate as to doubleheaders and make-up dates at this point. But it’s something to monitor very, very closely.
Posted: 11:02 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 LH
Here we are again with a repeat of the Nationals at the end of the season and trying to win the division. What better scenario could be played out in the Phillies favor? The Phils should rough up Balester if the weather gods allow it. Moyers should be his pleasurable self, and Hamels will bring one of his commanding performances on Sunday. The Mets will take another swan dive this weekend for a repeat of their dire performance last year. I predict the Mets & Brewers will post 1-2 weekend records and will need a wild card playoff game to see who dances in the post-season, and Shea stadium will be resuscitated for one last day of baseball life. Philadelphia Phillies – it is time and the moment in our 2008 future to step up your game and throw the punches, that you previously showed you can swing, to land the knockout. Leave no combatant standing and dream the winner’s dream.
Posted: 11:08 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
LH, that gave me chills.
Posted: 11:11 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Dennis
We can’t sit here and worry about the weather. I know it can be a great equalizer but come on don’t give this team any excuse if they can’t get it done. The Nats suck, 40 games under .500, we should be in the playoffs come Sunday….
Posted: 11:11 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Jason
I don’t think Conlin is mistaken at all. Moyer should start Game 1 of the playoffs (assuming the Phils don’t blow it).
His veteran leadership and the way he delivers his game plan should create a calming effect among the team during a game in which both they could be overly anxious.
Besides, Hamels could use the rest.
Posted: 11:11 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Dennis
We can’t sit here and worry about the weather. I know it can be the great equalizer in sports but come on! Don’t give this team any excuses if they can’t get it done. The Nats sucks, 40 games below .500, no Redding thank god this weekend, we should be in the playoffs come Sunday….
Posted: 11:12 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Dennis
I just posted the same thing twice my bad! Go Phils!
Posted: 11:14 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Just to address Piniella: He can do what he wants. He won his division and can cruise to the playoffs. He’s earned the right to sit his best players and get ready for the dance.
It’s the Phils’ fault for not winning another game against Atlanta
Posted: 11:36 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
I agree that Moyer should be and is the most reliable starting pitcher on the team right now…..That said Blanton and the bats need to step up tonight.
One game at a time, win and it doesn’t matter what the out of town scoreboard says.
My stomach has been in knots since Monday.
We should get these games in weather wise…no excuses just win!
Posted: 11:36 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
Kinda off-topic -
There was an interesting article in the Detroit News today going over how awful the Tiger’s last off-season turned out to be – and how they’re now hand-cuffed w/bad contracts to aging and/or underperforming players. Now they almost have to move Magglio (making $18M in 2009, I believe) to get some much needed BP or SP help. Their ERA is almost league-bottom. Eaton > maj of Tiger’s SP. Better than Robertson & way better than Willis. Kenny R too, probably.
In regards to the bad decisions – it wasn’t prospects Miller & Maybin that they’re moaning about that hurt the most leaving last winter – It was Durbin and Omar Infante!
Gillick looks like a genious w/his bargain bin purchases compared to DD’s big name shopping spree. Something to keep in mind when dreaming of huge FA signings/trades vs keeping the consistant, but not star, players you already have…
Posted: 11:36 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Thrillhouse
We have to take this weekend one game at a time. No looking forward to how many we have to win. Tonight we need to win a one game series against the Nats. Thats it. Tomorrow is a different day. If you all are like me, then these games are driving you crazy. A win tonight will help me sleep better… until tomorrow, that is.
Posted: 11:43 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
i’ve always been big into the thought process of: dont worry about what you cannot control…
that being said, this team is makin me worry more than cricket being manhunted by mac and dennis (please dont glue pubic hair to my face)
i shouldn’t have to but i wont digress to couldabeen shouldabeen. the point is even after the recent cooldown the phils are still up a game, i just want them to win a playoff spot, i dont care how they get it. after everything thats happened this year, all the little storylines i’ve followed, not making the playoffs would be equal to how patriots fans felt after losing to the ny gayants last january. (i know the stage isn’t as big but i’ve put all my ducks in a row for this years team…)
Posted: 11:51 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 PhillyGirlinMichigan
Hear ya Thrillhouse
My prediction is the Phil’s will go 2 of 3 and win the division. Brewers get the WC. However, I’m finding the games harder and harder to watch. I’ll just have to check the boxscore after-the-fact.
Posted: 11:55 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
The Phils need to do what they haven’t done much against the lesser teams (in particular the Nationals) and outwork them tonight. The core of the team has a habbit of going out there and hacking expecting their superious talent to put runs on the board instead of keeping it simple and working the counts, wracking up two strike fouls when needed and getting around the bases. The Nats are going to come out and work hard and won’t give the Phils anything they don’t work for so its simple particularly early in these games, if they work hard it wont matter too much whats going on in the other games and bad weather spells more trouble for the Mets and their paper thin pitching than anyone.
As for Gillick he’s done a great job of finding guys that can contribute that wern’t on peoples radars but the bigger acquisitions haven’t been near good enough. We got lucky with Lidge and Wade’s fetish for his guys but the rest of the deals has left us parting with prospects we shouldn’t have made so easily available and payroll issues from guys who aren’t of the value their salary suggests.
Posted: 11:58 AM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
*forgot to add i was watching some stuff on milb.com earlier and there was analysis from the blanton trade with Cardenas/Outman described as can’t miss prospects for a guy who doesn’t have the skillset to be a frontline starter… Was very happy when the engineer of great years in Toronto signed but not sad one bit to see him leave.
Posted: 12:09 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
im not sad AT ALL..despite the ownerships constraints, you should still be able to engineer good trades, theres no money excuse for that one…
Posted: 12:18 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
The problem with this current reigm is Gillick still seems to run things like it’s the 90′s. Because of limited payroll and depth in prospect issues he has made reaches with the higher profile deals and that doesn’t get it done anymore. What were we expecting Freddy Garcia to be that’s reason enough to hand Gio Gonzales back to the ChiSox?
Anyway going off subject there…
Posted: 12:26 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 T Mac
Let’s talk about lineups for the weekend.
The Phillies face a righthander tonight, and then lefties Saturday and Sunday.
With that in mind, I think we need to get as many LHB starting i tonight as possible.
Here’s my proposed lineup for tonight:”
1. Rollins
2. Victorino
3. Utley
4. Howard
5. Dobbs
6. Burrell
7. Stairs
8. Ruiz
9. Pitcher
Give Werth and Felix the night off- they will be starting Saturday and Sunday against the lefties.
Posted: 12:42 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Chris C.
I remember a while back there was something on this site about phillies bars in different cities, but I dont remember any of them. Im in NYC, its raining, my roomates and girlfriend are out of town (not together) and im looking for a place to go to. Anybody have any ideas?
Posted: 12:52 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Go to Yankee stadium and steal stuff
Posted: 12:57 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Chris C., try Wogie’s in the West Village. It’s a Philly bar.
Posted: 01:00 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
for what its worth, Gio is getting ROCKED at the big league level (8.42 ERA, 1.74 WHIP) … and Outman is doing bad to = 4.58 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, .333 Batting Avg Against..
Maybe he’ll be good, but it wasn’t ever going to be in a Phillies uniform.
Posted: 01:14 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 MikeB
Jayson Werth should sit against right-handed pitching. He has been slumping badly lately.
Posted: 01:20 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Buffalophilsfan
With the lineup, I think it is time to move Vic back to the 2-hole against Righties. Werth has hit the wall a bit and has struggled against right-handed pitching. I like him hitting 3rd against lefties to break up Utley and Howard … but for tonight make that shift. So I would go with:
JRoll
Vic
Chase
Howard
Burrell – (showing signs with two solid hits up the middle last game)
Dobbs
Jenkins – (call me crazy … just a hunch)
Ruiz
JB
Although Charlie will probably stick with Werth in the 6-slot.
Posted: 01:26 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
The problem is that if you take werth out of the #3 spot.. you get KILLED late in the game when team’s go Lefty specialist against Utley, Howard..
Werth’s .250 average against RH makes you think he can pick up a hit tonight.. and if they go to a LH later in the game.. you love him hitting in that spot too.. vs RHP Werth has a .359 OBP% too.
more than I like Stairs, who is hitting .253, with 3 more HR, and 10 more RBI in 40 more at-bats..
tough call for Charlie tonight
Posted: 01:26 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
they need to trade j-hole for mark beuhrle…sign derek lowe, sign oliver perez, sign juan crus for bullpen help, sign casey blake because he used to play in the outfield. let pat go, keep madson and eyre and durbin…..thats all for now…
i hope it doesnt rain tomorrow….
Posted: 01:33 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 bull
Go crazy and put stairs in the 3 hole then you can pinch hit werth for him late in the game if they try to matchup lefties…
Posted: 01:40 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Don with the prospects I’m not surprised Gio’s been rocked early but that’s no measure on what he could achieve with his skillset and Outman’s ERA balooned from one outing he really got hit. The problem with both of those guys is the organisation didn’t like them as much as others did and never would have given them the time to develop like other organisations would have. I don’t like the way we’ve been developing prospects where they have their pet projects and leave the rest out in the cold while their values diminish. I’d rather see us stay true to getting our top prospects up than continue to make reaches in the trade market and free agency, the guys were picking up regress into stop-gaps anyway.
It’s a tough call for Charlie on Werth/Stairs. I’d be tempted to keep Werth in there for the reasons you gave and sit Burrell with Stairs having enough pop in his bat.
Posted: 01:41 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 MikeB
Yeh, I like the idea too of putting Jenkins in the lineup tonight against a right-hander. He has not hit that well this year and has that low BA but he is a seasoned veteran and might come up with a big hit or two in an important game like this one tonight and he is well-rested.
Bat Burrell between Utley and Howard to split up the two straight left-handed hitters thing.
No matter what order, the Phillies have to get going and hit and score.
Posted: 01:47 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I hope it rains.. wherever Geoff goes
Posted: 01:51 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Buffalophilsfan
Geoff your distaste for Rollins humors me. When he is flying around the bases Saturday, driving in runs and getting the offense going, you will be the first one on your feet cheering.
Oliver Perez is a head case much worse than Jimmy ever has been … and you want to sign him?? Blake is going back to Cleveland. I do like the Lowe idea, but there is no way the Phills should trade Rollins despite all your angst for him.
And who cares about the off-season. This is a great weekend for THIS team THIS year. Go out and get a W tonight and see how we stand in the morning. What is the weather like now??
Posted: 01:55 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Gabriel
i cant stand the argument, ‘they wont do it in a phillies uniform’…
why the hell not????
if that’s the case then get rid of madson and half the other players on this team that aren’t producing, also what was the point of bringin back tad iguchi? he cant be used in the playoffs, i’ve seen him like, twice since coming back over… insurance in case chase went down or what?
Posted: 01:57 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Geoff actually has a decent point with Lowe and Blake though that does sacrafice that extra pop in the middle of the line-up. Beuhrle and Perez are horrible ideas though, would rather sign Pedro and Penny.
Posted: 02:02 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
I can’t stand that notion that everyone on this team ISN’T PRODUCING.. how the F*ck are all these scrubs heading for 90-wins this year then.. i mean, according to half the people on here, everything about this team sucks!
Gonzalez and Outman… are no good this year… Gavin Floyd was bad for us, bad last year, and is somehow turning it around this season..
Lidge would never have been the same pitcher if he stayed with the Astros.. so it goes both ways
Posted: 02:07 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
It’s funny the Cubs had the confidence to call up Sarmadjza who was almost exclusively a starter in the minors yet the Phils felt the need to ‘convert’ Outman in AA destroying his confidence yet the minute Oakland get him he’s in AAA and then logging some innings with the big club.
Again the Phils FO has it’s favourites and there so scared of failure they don’t prepare the prospects for success.
Posted: 02:08 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Geoff said yesterday that he would pay Lowe $18 Million dollars… but bitches non-stop about paying Jenkins $5 Million.. I don’t take anything he says seriously.. because he blinds himself with his hatred of players.. Howard and Rollins traded for prospects, but WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP IMMEDIATELY has been his stance all year.. he is a clown, and an un-funny one at that..
Posted: 02:10 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
The Shark throws 96mph with crazy movement… every team would have called him up
Posted: 02:11 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Don, I think you’re trying to bait Geoff, are you just jealous like I am that he actually has tickets for the game?
Posted: 02:13 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
There’s a hell of a lot good with this team and there are a things they need to be doing to sustain the current success. The money has to be invested better not the payroll arbitrarily increased like most seem to want. (There’s an interesting artcile by Buster Olney on ESPN.com about his thoughts on the Yanks ‘demise’)
I’m all for trading prospects when you need to part with them to give your ballclub a legitimate improvement but we’ve parted with too many of our best trade chips in the wrong deals, Kenny Williams and Billy Beane aren’t the pushovers Bill Bavasi and Ed Wade are.
Posted: 02:14 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Geoff knows I think he’s a clown.. and then he randomly tells me that he’s won whatever arguement we’re having.. and then I ask him how… and then we don’t hear back from him until the next day when he’s calling for a Rollins-trade again..
I just got new couches two weeks ago, and i’ve got the HD at home.. I’ll be content without tickets to the game.. ive seen them in person like 10-12 times this year
Posted: 02:18 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Don I’m not trying to say Outman on a level with ‘The Shark’ but the FO gave him no shot at a time were desperate for controllable relievers. Their happy to call up Zagurski, Kendrick, Swindle and watch them sink or swim but treat guys with legitimate talent like leppars in the fear they’ll be the second coming of Gavin Floyd.
Posted: 02:19 PM on September 26, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Adrian Cardenas will be a solid everyday regular. I understand that Blanton is better than Eaton or Kendrick but that trade is going to look like a steal for the A’s in two years time.
But who cares about that now, let’s all cheer on Fat Joe against the Gnats tonight.
Posted: 02:21 PM on September 26, 2008