Gameday: Dodgers (23-12) At Phillies (16-15)
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, May 14, 2009 11:45 AM | Comments: 307
Gameday 2009, Posts
Los Angeles Dodgers (23-12) at Philadelphia Phillies (16-15)
Chad Billingsley (5-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (1-2, 6.17 ERA)
Time: 1:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Weather: Windy, 69
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Jamie Moyer got waxed by the Dodgers Wednesday night. Here’s hoping Cole Hamels can right the ship. The ace takes on the Dodgers for the first time since game five of the National League Championship Series, recreating that game against that night’s opposing mound-mate.
Hamels is coming off his best start of the season, a 6 IP, 2 ER outing against Atlanta that confirmed his status as club ace. In regular season starts he has a 2.57 ERA against the Dodgers, striking out 12 while walking two.
The Phils will face a Chad Billingsley who they’ve owned in the past — a 4.00 ERA in three career starts. The Phils also hit him very well in the postseason (games two and five, NLCS). Shame Brett Myers isn’t pitching against him. Maybe he can play shortstop?
Here’s an interesting stat: In six May losses, the Phillies have averaged just 2.16 runs per game. In five May wins, they’ve averaged 7.4 runs per game.
Your gameday beer: Purely because Cole Hamels is the best pitcher in baseball with an ERA in the sixes, I’m recommending Sixpoint Sweet Action from the Sixpoint Brewery in New York. This blonde ale is nice on a warmer day such as this, so drink with care, and eat a club sandwich with this. Maybe tuna.
Go Phillies!
Posts: 0 Manny
“Shame Brett Myers isn’t pitching against him [Billingsley]. Maybe he can play shortstop?”
hahahahahaha! Nice one!
Posted: 12:02 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
Billingsley is nasty. The Phillies bombed him in the playoffs, but I have a feeling he circled this one on his calendar.
Posted: 12:14 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
Rollins/Victorino/Utley/Howard/Werth/Ibanez/Feliz/Ruiz/Hamels
Posted: 12:21 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Dan
I wonder if the offense will be awake today.
Posted: 12:52 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 TwoTonsOfIrony
I wonder why Charlie feels the need to put Rollins back in the leadoff spot? Tell me if this sounds like a leadoff hitter?
-Takes pitches and fouls off balls getting deep into counts.
-Has shown a proficiency to steal bags.
-Has HR/Double power, but can slap a single as well
Werth in the leadoff spot anyone?
Posted: 01:02 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
thank goodness Myers isn’t playing shortshop lol, that would end badly.
Posted: 01:05 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
Utley is colder than Rollisn now, maybe Myers should play second base, lol stupid.
Posted: 01:12 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Dan, FYI Manual wanted to have Rollins to see some good pitches to hit hitting behind Howard. Rollins responded (hitting the ball hard including a HR last night) and Manual is satisfied and needs Rollins to lead off to make the offense go if they are to have any success this season.
Posted: 01:13 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
Rollins*
nice Ruiz.
Posted: 01:13 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Kevin
What a play to get out of the top of the first. CAlled strike out and throwing out a frisky Furcal.
Posted: 01:15 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
would Myers have done that? lol
yea Rollins!
Posted: 01:16 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Amazing. First pitch swinging and he ropes a double.
Posted: 01:17 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Tim, what’s so amazing? You see the ball..you hit it. Atta boy Rollins!
Posted: 01:20 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
1-0 Phillies :D
Posted: 01:21 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Howard has been in somewhat of a drought with HR/RBIs. It’s nice to see him collect an rbi here.
Posted: 01:25 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
(nods and tosses papers in the air)
Posted: 01:27 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 PtheBLovesTheBallGirls
We need to cut Utley and Rollins lets remodel the middle of the infleid. Donald and Cario sound like a perfect fit, right Geoff?
I mean they are slumping so bad they will never be the same just like Moyer.
Get rid of Howard too he asks for too much money and Raul is kinda old he needs to go.
Hamels gave up a hit in the first he needs to go to the minors to find himself.
Posted: 01:27 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
Howard’s D has gotten better.
Posted: 01:28 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
how many free agents do the Phillies have? Myers and who else?
Posted: 01:29 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Howard has been amazing with his defense so far this year. Weight loss and hard work on his fielding has paid off.
Posted: 01:30 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
almost Rollins.
Posted: 01:30 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 PtheBLovesTheBallGirls
I can not stand Chris Wheeler I would prefer the Phanatic or no one would do the color commentary.
Posted: 01:31 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 William
Phillies produced a run with out a homer again..thats nice to see
Posted: 01:32 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Hamels looks fantastic. Fastball hitting 91-93. Changeup coming in at 80-83. Even used the curve on a strikeout at 77. Hitting spots.
Posted: 01:33 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 The Little Guy
Wheels is an idioit.
Anyone know when the rescheduled game vs the Mets is?
I’m talking about the Sunday May 3, rainout..?
Posted: 01:35 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Two innings and 28 for pitch count for Hamels. I hope Hamels stays sharp and can go at least 6-7 innings today. The bullpen can use some rest.
Posted: 01:35 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Griffin
Keith-Myers, Park, Eyre and Stairs are free agents while Blanton, Victorino, Durbin, Taschner, Bruntlett, Condrey, Coste and Ruiz are arbitration eligible.
Posted: 01:35 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Geoff
myers, i dont think blanton is yet, not sure about shane. feliz has a 5M option with 500K buyout = hell get bought out so they can save 4.5M on jason donald at third next year
Posted: 01:36 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 PtheBLovesTheBallGirls
Yeah Geoff you really know what your talking about. If Donald was being groomed to play 3rd then why is he still playing SS in the minors?
Check that out another Chooch hit, but he should be banished right? He’s no Marson
Posted: 01:40 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
What’s with Ruiz? He’s hitting those mistake pitches hard. 3 hits counting last night.
Posted: 01:41 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 The Little Guy
PthB, you have a really long name. Damn
Posted: 01:41 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Brett
Rollins in an RBI situation…
Posted: 01:42 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
thanks Griffin
Posted: 01:42 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Then Rollins takes pitches, has a good at bat, and ends with a pop out to foul ground.
Write all you want, baseball is still a crazy random sport.
Posted: 01:45 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Rollins is not all way back from the throes of his slump. Patience is needed for all fans including Rollins.
Posted: 01:46 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Dave
Look, I realize that everyone loves Jamie, but there comes a point in every player’s career when he doesn’t recover from the slump, that his quality just drops off. These players just don’t forget how to pitch or hit or field: their body betrays them. Velocity drops off, they can’t be precise as they used to be, reflexes are slower, etc.
Do I know if this is Jamie’s last hurrah? No, but I hardly think the people who are calling for him to retire are being silly, particularly since we have decent starter material languishing as little-used bullpen fodder.
Posted: 01:46 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Rollins is showing positive signs in recent ABs including his first AB in this game. I’m hopeful.
Posted: 01:48 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Brett
It was definitely a good AB. At least they’re keeping Billingsley’s pitch count up.
Posted: 01:49 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Back to the game Dave. Use the other thread for Moyer.
Posted: 01:50 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
While not dominant, Hamels is pitching well against a talented team that don’t easily get themselves out.
Posted: 01:54 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 tk
hamels!!
Posted: 01:54 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
poor Rollins
Posted: 01:57 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
More like poor Hamels. Dodgers hitters are working counts and he gets screwed by an error.
Posted: 01:59 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
Making no excuses for Rollins but that is a difficult back handed attempt to catch a hot shot grounder by Furcal. That is the first unearned run allowed by Phillies defense this season. Remarkable!
Posted: 01:59 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Jimmy Rollins you are NOT the man….
Posted: 02:00 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
that inning finally ends
Posted: 02:00 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
57 pitches through three for Hamels. Longing for a 10-12 pitch inning coming up.
Posted: 02:01 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Keith
whoa, Rollins is still the man.
Posted: 02:01 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Georgie
I don’t like that Jimmy laughs after he makes an error, I never like it when players do that.
Posted: 02:03 PM on May 14, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
A pitcher’s duel is brewing here and any misplay or error (only Rollin’s second of the season) will be crucial and magnified.
Posted: 02:03 PM on May 14, 2009