Gameday: Phillies (62-48) At Cubs (58-53)
Posted by Pat Gallen, Wed, August 12, 2009 07:01 PM | Comments: 175
Gameday 2009, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (62-48) at Chicago Cubs (58-53)
Pedro Martinez (NR) vs. Jeff Samardzija (1-1, 6.29 ERA)
Time: 8:05 p.m at Wrigley Field
Weather: Clear, 73
TV: ESPN, Comcast Sports Net
Twitter: Phillies Nation
Tonight should be a fairly momentous evening for the Fightin’s. After stealing the first game of the series last night, thanks to a Ben Francisco, 12th-inning homer, Pedro Martinez will make his first start as a member of the Phillies. He will be opposed by flamethrower (and former Notre Dame football star) Jeff Samardzija.
Last night, the Phils squeaked out a victory, winning 4-3 in extras. They did not hit well, they did not pitch very well, but somehow, they managed a W. At 8:05, Pedro-mania will hit Chicago, and hopefully can spark the Phillies as they continue on their six-game road trip. Martinez has not pitched in nearly 11 months, and although he pitched well in his three rehab assignments, he is certainly seen as an unknown.
Samardzjia is making a spot start in place of the injured Carlos Zambrano. The 6’5” righty has appeared in 16 games this season, but is starting for the first time in his career. It’s imperative the Phillies try to get at the newbie early, and get the offense back into a rhythm. With just 42 career games under his belt, Samardzija is prime for the pickin’.
One factor to watch for is the wind. It’s blowing in from right field tonight, which could again keep this a pitchers duel.
Your Gameday Beer – Allagash White
This is a really good beer that is fortunately becoming more widely available around the country. The White name lets you know it’s a Witbier – way better than the more ubiquitous Blue Moon or Hoegaarden. It has citrus wheat flavors along with some strong fall scents like pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg which make it a great late summer ale. It is refreshing and smooth and very enjoyable to drink. It pairs well with a sweet chicken dish like Hawaiian or teriyaki style. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Morris Buttermaker
Ok guys, we got a game with the Cubs tonight. And that only means one thing. Bad news for the Cubs!
Posted: 08:00 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Hehehe. Always good to see you, Mo!
Posted: 08:06 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Ah well. A leadoff hit from JRoll would have set a good tone…
Posted: 08:12 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
YES!!!! THE THRILL OF VICTORINO!
Posted: 08:13 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
WHEE!! A hit with RISP!
Posted: 08:13 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Baseballbriefs.com
Baseballbriefs.com tracking back Gameday: Phillies (62-48) At Cubs (58-53)…
Baseballbriefs.com tracking back Gameday: Phillies (62-48) At Cubs (58-53)…
Posted: 08:14 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
Wow! This is good signs! RISP and we scored!
Posted: 08:14 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
Well hooooollyyyy crap! Howard with a triple! Back to back to back extra base hits!
Posted: 08:15 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
And a triple from Howard! Who’da thunk it?
Posted: 08:15 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
good way to start. and how about Howard, HES GOT SPEED aha
Posted: 08:15 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
Now Raul to cap it off with a two run shot! One can hope…
Man it’s quiet on here.
Posted: 08:16 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
Raul needs to bust out of his funk
Posted: 08:17 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
It’s early. And maybe people went to the Bala?
Posted: 08:18 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 293 Corey Seidman
Interesting note: Tonight is the first time since April 16 that Raul Ibanez entered a game with a batting average under .300.
Posted: 08:18 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
Ah, well, we got two. Better than a 1-2-3 inning for sure.
Paydrooooooo!
Posted: 08:20 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
I am glad we got two runs with RISP but Raul should have done something there to get Ryan in. He looks completely lost up there.
Posted: 08:20 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Well, Phils put Martinez in the catbird seat.
Posted: 08:20 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
pedro with the dramatics
Posted: 08:22 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Repeat!
Nice 1st, Ryan with the triple. That was a 5 on the ritchter scale. Raul. never mind. The Pedro Era begins!
Posted: 08:22 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
tracey-what’s the catbird’s seat
Posted: 08:24 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Oh, beautiful play!
Posted: 08:24 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Oof, that’s a dangerous corner. That’s where we got our hits too.
Posted: 08:25 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 rob5000
It is so surreal to me to watch Pedro Martinez pitch for the Phillies.
Posted: 08:26 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Catbird seat: um… probably a southern expression; I lived in Georgia for a while. It means being in a really good position in a situation, having the upper hand.
Posted: 08:27 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Ok here is a question for everyone. Who is the one pitcher you would not want to face in the playoffs? For me it would be Josh Beckett.
Posted: 08:27 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
Yeah, people be droppin them bombs down the right field corner like no ones business tonight. 3 for us, 1 for them.
And I agree its incredibly surreal. Never woulda thunk it.
Posted: 08:27 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
I tend to picture a smiling cat with a feather sticking out of his mouth when I think of the expression, but that’s not where it comes from.
Posted: 08:28 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
these espn announcers are rubbing me the wrong way. saying how wrong it was to remove moyer. saying he shouldve had another chance they shouldve told him that his spot was on the line. he knew that, hes blown a lot of games this year. he had a bunch of chances.
Posted: 08:28 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
WOW. ESPN guy just said that instead of sending Moyer to the pen, we should’ve sent HAPP or BLANTON.
HA
CLUELESS!!
Posted: 08:29 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Stuart
and they also said happ shouldve been moved to the bullpen….WHAT! are these announcers paying attention to baseball this year.
Posted: 08:30 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Pedro’s personality, from what I’ve seen in interviews, seems like it would go over well in Philly. I think we’ll like him… if he doesn’t screw up. …
And that’s definitely not a screw up!
Posted: 08:30 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Repeat!
I must admitt. Pedro looks a lot cooler in the Phillie Uni that I thought.
Posted: 08:32 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
For some reason, mine’s on CSN. Anyone else getting that? I actually wanted it to be on ESPN, i wanted to see what they had to say about the situation. Guess they don’t like it. It is a hard situation to be in.
And great first inning for Pedro, no? Picked up a K and everything. Let’s see if he can stick around.
Posted: 08:32 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Honestly does ESPN know anything other than Yanks and Sox? Thank God I can get the game on Comcast.
Posted: 08:32 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Re ESPN: They want Philly to lose, that’s all. Got their shorts in a twist when the Phils won WS last year.
Posted: 08:32 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Terrence
pop out, groundout, double, K 18 pitches nice start
Posted: 08:32 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
I am not trying to be greedy but I Ibanez came through in the first half with a runner on third. Howard sitting there with one out needs to come home. Pedro looked good.
Posted: 08:33 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Yeah I don’t know who hates the Phillies more, ESPN, Fox or TBS.
Posted: 08:33 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Manny – yesterday I said that if you check ibanez’s stats. that you’d see a decline in his batting average down the stretch. i got him confused with someone else I had been researching. Ibanez has actually shown alot of consistency down the stretch. He just going thru a typical batting slump i guess.
Posted: 08:34 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
I’m watching CSN.
Posted: 08:36 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Keeg
It seems like all sports announcers hate us besides CSN. Buck and McCarver over at Fox, ESPN…the list goes on. I don’t know why either. I think the Phils are mad likable.
Posted: 08:36 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Terrence
houston leads at fla 6-3 top 4th with bases loaded
atl leads nats 2-1 bottom 6th
Posted: 08:36 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
j reed: Yea, he’s in a slump, though he might snap out of it anytime now… He has 0 RBIs in August this season :(
Posted: 08:40 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
9-3 Stros, maybe they can actually hold the lead tonight. Then again, maybe the Phillies will too.
Posted: 08:45 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
If you are watching CSN, anyone notice the camera man putting his beer down as they showed the group of camera men? Technically isn’t he drinking on the job? Living the good life.
Posted: 08:46 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 CZ
12-3 Stros
Posted: 08:46 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Fu*k… Nolasco is in my fantasy team and he’s getting OWNED
Posted: 08:46 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Tracey
Yeah, we really need to get back a couple of the games we lost over the weekend.
Posted: 08:46 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Manny
Ed R: there’s nothing wrong with drinking on the job….
Posted: 08:47 PM on August 12, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
should be 3-1…darn you ibanez and werth…..
Posted: 08:48 PM on August 12, 2009