Gamenight: Red Sox (36-24) At Phillies (35-23)
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Fri, June 12, 2009 06:12 PM | Comments: 561
Gameday 2009, Posts
Boston Red Sox (36-24) at Philadelphia Phillies (35-23)
Jon Lester (5-5, 5.09 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (4-3, 5.46 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Weather: Partly sunny, 81
TV: Comcast SportsNet
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Two of the best teams in baseball hook up at Citizens Bank Park tonight when Red Sox Nation invades Phillies Nation.
Last season the Phillies defiantly took the first of a three-game series against the Sox, but they came right back and grabbed the final two games in convincing fashion. One of the pitchers who subdued the Phils was Jon Lester, who tonight is coming in with a high ERA but good recent starts. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning last time against the Rangers, striking out 23 in his last two outings.
Offensively the Red Sox have seen production from most of their usual suspects. Kevin Youkilis is hitting .350, and Dustin Pedroia is at .306. Jason Bay has socked 16 home runs, providing the big thump in the lineup. Meanwhile, their bullpen has also been strong. They added Takashi Saito to the ‘pen for 2009, and he’s been gold, joining Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez and, of course, Jonathan Papelbon. They’ve balanced what has been a shaky rotation.
The Phillies took two of three from their rivals, the Mets, just as the Sox pounded the Yankees (sweeping them). Very similar to the Sox, the Phils have a strong offense and solid bullpen. But they lost one piece of it, as Scott Eyre hit the disabled list today. Kyle Kendrick is up, meaning it’s possible recent callup Antonio Bastardo moves into the second lefty reliever role with Kendrick getting a start.
Your gamenight beer: A spring seasonal from Flying Dog, Garde Dog is a worthy Biere de Garde entry. It’s a bit tart, loaded with malts to create a toasted body. But why Garde Dog? Because tonight we protect our house. This is Phillies Nation. Let’s keep it that way.
Go Phillies!
Posts: 0 Jeff of NoVa.
I didn’t like the pull Feliz for Stairs move at all, Feliz has been one of our most consistent guys at the plate all year
Posted: 11:23 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 A.J.
Keith – yes Mr. Joyce gets the award for not reviewing it. I did look foul, but was too close for no review.
Posted: 11:24 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I just saw the replay, Sportscenter wont even show where the ball was when it crossed, and it didnt look like Manuel argued at all. It looked like he asked the question, and was fine with it, not sure though.
Posted: 11:24 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 A.J.
Jeff – agree. I think anytime you can use Stairs though. A few lessons though learned. Just be happy for Luis castillo and we come back tomorrow with a new plan. I was actually just happy Blanton did not take a loss. Lester and Blanton pitched a hell of a game.
Posted: 11:26 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 A.J.
Brian – he argued, but perhaps not enough. He was not yelling, but he was asking hard. They probably could not tell either so Charlie would not get tossed (or try to) for a play he was unsure of
Posted: 11:28 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
I was wrong earlier when I said Blanton was going back to the Blanton of old, I was pissed about 2 homers, but only giving up 2 homers, and striking out 7 in 7 innings correct, that is more than winable. Same thing as usual though, the offense does nothing when the pitching has a good game. Really even when Hamels has the complete game shutout, I think we only hit 2 or 3 right?
Posted: 11:30 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Brian of CO
Not so sure of that A.J., Charlie had gotten tossed a few times last year for calls he wasnt sure of.
Posted: 11:31 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 A.J.
Brian – Blanton always gave up HRs. 2 is fine for him as he is a contact pitcher. He pitched a gem tonight.
Posted: 11:40 PM on June 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Bruce
The Red Sox’s young fireballers they had on display from their bullpen (on a night when Palbebon was rested) really was impressive. I can understand all the writeup about Boston having the best bullpen in the baseball.
Posted: 12:20 AM on June 13, 2009
Posts: 0 grow tent
A seriously excitingpost – but one I cannot agree with I’m afraid.
Posted: 11:31 AM on May 30, 2010
Posts: 0 grow tents
politeinformation, many thanks to the author.
Posted: 03:03 AM on June 17, 2010