Comments on: Lee, Phillies Back on Track with Win over Nationals

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:14:28 +0000

I do like Howard but when he comes up in a big spot I know a strike out is coming. Yes he will hit the solo shots. When Albert comes up I know something big will always happen. I guess we just have to live with not hitting the ball for a month after a month of homers.

By: The Original Chuck P

The Original Chuck P — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:15:54 +0000

It’s unfair to compare anyone with Pujols, Jeff… he’s one of the greatest of all time but that doesn’t mean our first baseman isn’t a special player; it’s like comparing Babe Ruth to Dave Winfield (my favorite player of all time). Winfield was a phenomenal baseball player and did everything that you could have ever expected from him but Ruth transcends everything. Pujols is that type of player…

Howard has certainly exceeded all expectations in his short career; yes, he can be very streaky but when he’s on, there is no one better at driving in runs. He’s a run producer and, thankfully, when he’s in a slump (which MOST players go through), we have the guys around him that can carry us. That’s why this team is special… we can beat other teams so many different ways.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:11:26 +0000

Jeff…root for the Cards then. We don’t need your negativity.

As far as clinching the division at home or on the road…..I COULD CARE LESS…..and I think the team could care less as well. It’s gonna be special time in the season for them but they are not going to celebrate wildly…..just like last year…… business as usual.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:55:55 +0000

Besides not having a closer worries me. I also get worried with Howard. Yes he put up big numbers but he is so streaky. He will go a month hitting homers and driving in runs. Then you dont hear from him again for a while. Thats why I love Albert. He very rarely does not hit and always comes through. I know its not fair to compare but he is light years ahead of Howard as a player.

By: The Original Chuck P

The Original Chuck P — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:29:12 +0000

He hit a grand slam… and the Rays lost. Sinking ship in TB… it looks like we made the right move, eh?

By: Brooks

Brooks — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:13:19 +0000

Last night Patty had 4 rbi and a hr. I was thinking that perhaps he was saving his best for the EOY but, he is actually hitting .163 for the money month of September with 2 hrs and 2 runs scored.

By: Brooks

Brooks — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:09:19 +0000

DK – yep, there for both games.
And frankly I have never seen Chahlie visit the mound without making a change. All of us in our section were surprised and pleased when Chahlie left Pedro in.

Regarding the BP – if/when the starters start to show some form of weariness, then you make the change. The exception of course being if there is a run scoring opportunity (man on second or third) in a close game and the Phils desperately need some runs. But the same holds true for the reliever. If he allows 2 men on base, no outs or even 1 out, pull the plug – do not hesitate.

Orignal Chuck P – me too (last game of 07, second to last game, clinchers). I really don’t care where the division is clinched, the Phils will get a warm reception regardless.
The sooner the better!

By: The Original Chuck P

The Original Chuck P — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:56:27 +0000

Lovin it… 7 up.

If we can clinch this thing early, we can afford to be careful down the stretch… I think that’s what Charlie’s trying to do. Get this thing wrapped up and then set up the rotation for the postseason… 6 inning starts, bullpen work, extra days off.

Bob, I was there for the division clinching games in each of the past two seasons… you hit the nail right on the head.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:33:43 +0000

Cliff Lee is such a throwback kind of pitcher. He goes deep into games because he expects himself to. In the ninth he was still throwing 92 mph. And….he’s a GOOD batter. The at bat in the 8th inning was awesome…even if he did strike out. He could just as easily poked a hit into the outfield. I love the guy.

By: David K

David K — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:31:05 +0000

Brooks,
Were you present for Martinez’s last outing? Charlie DID visit the mound and he left Pedro in. I do agree though that generally a mound visit means a pitching change.

By: Manny

Manny — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:29:01 +0000

CHOOCH is hitting .378 in September, with a 1.061 OPS!!!!

Are people aware of this? Viva Chooooooooch!

By: bob

bob — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:24:46 +0000

Listen Cliff Lee is our horse. He is expected and can go anywhere from 110-130 pitches an outing.

It seemed like the extra days rest did wonders for him and will the rest of the staff.

By: GreysFan

GreysFan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:24:25 +0000

Re this whole issue of specialization among relievers—I admit to being an old school guy who thinks starters can pitch longer and relievers should be able to be professionals and respond to whatever situation they need to, but I am particularly perplexed by what I see as an essential contradiction in the current definition of a closer. Supposedly, these are the guys who can handle the pressure of the ninth inning, but at the same time, they rarely come into a game with men on base and the game hanging on a single pitch. Taking the mound in the eighth inning of a one run game with a couple guys in scoring position and only one out would certainly seem to be a more pressure situation than starting the ninth, but closers, the guys who can handle pressure, rarely do that. I know. We can’t ask them to get more than three outs in a game, yada yada yada. The great relievers used to thrive on such situations and, although having someone who can be relied on to really put the fire out would seem to be a very valuable commodity—more valuable than a ninth inning specialist, nobody seems to have this job anymore. I don’t get it.

By: Philly Texan

Philly Texan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:17:15 +0000

Don’t forget that Monday was an off day, so all the starters had an extra day of rest this week.

That probably explains the high pitch counts — that and the shaky bullpen.

With the extra rest day, they were probably willing to leave the starters in for an inning longer.

By: Don M

Don M — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:10:24 +0000

You don’t take ACE’s out of games in the 8th when they have a chance at a complete game shutout .. you just don’t

It’s a pride thing.. it’s a confidence thing..

One extra at-bat for a bench player doesn’t mean anything compared to seeing Lee get his “swagger” back from throwing a shut-out .. and if our starters can’t throw 124 pitches and respond 5 days later.. then we’re in trouble come the postseason anyway

By: Stuart

Stuart — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:05:59 +0000

I wouldve liked to see Lee come out in the 8th instead of batting. When he was up shouldve pinched hit for him, give a bench bat some extra ABs. And then gave Lidge or Madson or Myers a confidence booster in the 9th to close (unless they blow a 5 or more run lead) that also wouldve rested Lee’s arm which I think after all those long outings he then had a stretch of 3 bad games maybe because he was exhausted. give the guy a break before the post season. We want him ready for then.

By: Brooks

Brooks — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:49:37 +0000

George, are you saying you have not noticed a difference? Have you ever seen Chahlie make a visit to the pitchers mound without making a change? I sure haven’t.. especially a close game, later in the game.
Chahlie always paid (way) too close attention to pitch counts in the past.
The Phils are going to win this division, I think we all agree on that. How Chahlie manages the bull pen is another story that I think is still developing. Go getem’ Chahlie!
Chuck, I agree with you. Never was too much of a Chooch fan (especially after the dismal offensive year he had last year, he was almost a guarenteed out at the plate) but this year, even though not hitting a ton he has contributed offensively and his presence behind the plate is indisputable.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:37:54 +0000

Over the course of the past year or so Carlos Ruiz has become one of my favorite players. Great job by Chooch last night on many fronts. He called a great game and having him as Lee’s battery mate is extremely important going into the playoffs because his bat will be needed. He has been pretty hot with the bat as well and that play to back up Utley’s wild throw and then pegging the runner at second was great to see.

By: joedad

joedad — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:28:39 +0000

cas – I think “closer” “set-up guy” and “middle relief / mop up guys” are defined for a reason. The end of games are more intense and pressure packed than earlier innings so you want battle tested guys out there in the 8th and 9th. Middle relief guys can get you through a game that you are way in fron or way behind and save your better relievers for another game. LOOGY’s specialize in getting tough lefties out. One of the advantages the Phils had last year was that the back end of the bullpen had 2 setup guys, Madson and Romero. Each could be used earlier in the game to get out of a jam while the other could set up.

By: bob

bob — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:51:44 +0000

@Morris

I was there for last season’s division clincher. While we all went nuts and the players had a celebration, it was not the wild scene of 2007′s clincher. There was a look to the players that they was more to be done.

I don’t think it matters where they clinch home or road. They will have their celebration, because they will have earned it. Winning that many baseball games over the course of playing 6 straight months of baseball is no easy task. They deserve their moment to kick back and savor it for a while. You are never guaranteed to do that again.

Hopefully they get it done as soon as possible. We’ll know alot more after this weekend set with Atlanta.