Gameday: Marlins (85-74) at Phillies (92-67)
Posted by Pat Gallen, Fri, October 02, 2009 06:05 PM | Comments: 104
Gameday 2009, Posts
Florida Marlins (85-74) at Philadelphia Phillies (92-67)
Rick Vandenhurk, RHP (2-2, 4.44 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton, RHP (12-7, 3.95 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 61
TV:Comcast Sportsnet
Twitter: Phillies Nation
It’s the final weekend of what has been a roller coaster ride of a season for the Philadelphia Phillies. Just three games remain between the Phils and the start of the postseason, so enjoy regular season baseball while it lasts.
To kick off the weekend festivities, Joe Blanton will try to give his team a push for home field in the playoffs tonight. Blanton scorched through the summer months, but has since hit a bit of a lull. After back-to-back appearances without allowing an earned run, Big Joe gave up five earned against Milwaukee last weekend, but still came away with the win. Against the Marlins, Blanton is 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in five career starts. If he can continue the torrid trend against the Fish, home field for the duration of the NL Playoffs could be in their sights. Keep an eye on the Rockies and Dodgers match up as well.
Rick Vandenhurk sees the Phillies once again. His last start was against Philly on September 23, when he gave up four earned over six innings of work in the Marlins 7-6 victory. It’s just his 11th start of the season. The Phillies would love to pounce on the youngster and push the stakes higher, as the Dodgers sit one game up in the standings, while the Cardinals and Rockies are one behind the Phils.
Bad news: J.C. Romero is feeling pain again in his forearm, and is likely done for the year. According to Todd Zolecki, Romero said, “I’m done bro. I’m done.”
LINEUP: Victorino (CF), Cairo (SS), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Francisco (LF), Dobbs (3B), Ruiz (C), Blanton (P)
Your Gameday Beer – Lagunitas Lucky 13 Mondo Large Red Ale
For whatever reason, I like to think of red ales as fall beers. This offering from Lagunitas comes in a 22-ounce bottle and certainly fits into that autumn category. Its rich amber flavor is thickened by apples and syrup while also containing a strong hops body. It has a traditional dry finish – common in IPAs. Have it with some pork chops and applesauce.
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 Phan in TN
I bet you all are wondering why I called you here today. We need to work together and throw rotten fruit at any imbecile who pretends to be a deceased announcer. admit it
its just creepy
Go Phillies!
Posted: 06:49 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 The Hoffmann Capping Company
Would like to see Howard hit 45 homers this year and lead the league in RBI’s — both goals withing reach. Let’s see Big Joe Blanton pitch like a world champ tonight !!!
Posted: 06:58 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 The Hoffmann Capping Company
When will we have an Eric Bruntlett bobble-head day? I really dig the dude and feel he represents the apex of utility players.
Posted: 07:00 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Is it possible to have a game where our starter doesn’t put us behind the 8ball out of the gun? Christ.
Posted: 07:15 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 The Hoffmann Capping Company
Let’s not lose the winning touch. We are stumbling into the post-season. Are we burnt out??? We need CHONE FIGGINS and a reliable CLOSER to compete in 2010
Posted: 07:21 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 The Hoffmann Capping Company
My toenails are really looking bad. Nerves, Nerves, Nerves. I am getting shorter by the minute and my hairline is really receeding. Where is the damn Hair Club For Men when you need them. Nerves, Nerves, Nerves.
Posted: 07:23 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Phag in TN
You go guuuuuuuuuuuuurl
Posted: 07:27 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 The Cow
moo
Posted: 07:29 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
One more Hoffmann and Big Brown has his 45 bombs.
Posted: 07:30 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
SSSSSSSSSSSSmokin’
Posted: 07:30 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
The roration is looking like they did at the beginning of the season
IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME
Posted: 07:30 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
Dang j reed, don’t say that.
Posted: 07:32 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
I think that thing will land in the Netherlands in a few minutes
Posted: 07:32 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
For anyone that says Howard isn’t clutch, consider this…Howard’s average is 50 points lower than Pujols and yet he has 6 more RBI than Pujols.
Great hitter…maybe not. Clutch, absolutely.
Posted: 07:34 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Sorry joedad….Freudian slipa
Posted: 07:35 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
slipa =slip
Posted: 07:35 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 mikeB
Too bad for reliever J. C. Romero. Finished for the year now with that forearm pain. Started the regular season with that 50 games suspension for PED use. Wonder if he tried to do too much at some point after he returned in June and injured himself?
Posted: 07:38 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Howard has had a great year…improved avg.. fielding and without compromising power. Not to mention carrying us in late August and Sept. I’ll take it anyday.
Posted: 07:40 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 teejvee
um, has anybody noticed that every starter has been lit up the last few times through the rotation?
Posted: 07:43 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
I agree j-reed. By comparison, Howard is having the best season of his career from an all around stand point.
Posted: 07:44 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Only anyone who watches the games.
Posted: 07:45 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 mikeB
In Blanton’s case tonight, he is throwing the ball right down Broadway.
Posted: 07:46 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Wow might joe looks like mighty blows
Posted: 08:00 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 The Hoffmann Capping Company
I get the feeling that we can expect another bomb from Big Ryan tonight. And yes, Howard may not be Pujols, but he is on the road to the Hall of Fame, especially if he keeps this up and stays healthy. Great player and a real good guy — both Puljos and Howard.
Posted: 08:00 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
j reed, imagine if he could figure it out earlier in the year? He would blow by Bonds single season mark.
Posted: 08:03 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Alright he at least managed to reduce the aterial bleed out
Posted: 08:03 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
joedad – though I hate how broadcaster abuse the word, Howard has the “athletism” to do it. His flexibility has also improved this year…look at how much more stretch he gets catching throws to first. I don’t see how he can’t improve on a yet another mvp-like year with the right direction.
bleed out to Blanton not Howard
Posted: 08:10 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
….you go Cairo…
Posted: 08:12 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
orange and black up 2-0
Posted: 08:17 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 mikeB
Yeah, all the HRs and RBIs are quite a feat themselves but you have to admire the way Howard has raised his BA into the 270s. Has really improved at the plate the last couple of months. Has improved his selection of pitches to swing at which has led to more walks and a slowdown of his strikeout rate.
Posted: 08:23 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
what happen to that nasty change-up blanton had?
Posted: 08:24 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
95 pitches through 5….fantastic.
Posted: 08:26 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
Okay. The Phillies clearly don’t give a crap about home field advantage. They drop another one to the lowly Astros yesterday and now Blanton’s pitching a crap game. Romero, Moyer are done for the season. Park’s missing the first round. Lidge stunk all year. The bullpen is a mess. The team isn’t hungry or we would be dominating this last week. Despite clinching the division, September was not a strong month for the Phils, and I am VERY concerned about whether we are ready for the playoffs this year. I don’t see the hunger to repeat. It may be an early exit. I hope I’m wrong.
Posted: 08:28 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
mike B. – a good thing too…imagine what the team strike out total would look like had he been striking at his previous rates. I think if this particular team stat improves we’ll see a lift in the team’s RISP number
Posted: 08:31 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
DC, you’ll feel better when they come back to win this game.
Posted: 08:32 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
With the exception of Happ, the starters have not looked good at all the last couple of weeks.
Posted: 08:32 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
Ed R. – philly’s favorite canadiens are winning, that should ease the pain.
Posted: 08:34 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
Joedad – if they comeback, I will feel better. However, that is the difference between this year’s team and last year’s. Last year, didn’t they have like 10 comeback wins or something (in innings 8 or 9). I feel like this year they had like one. That one against the Pirates.
Posted: 08:34 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Jeff
Horrible performance tonight. The Marlins are playing out the string. You go out there and put your foot down there throat. Home field adv. will cost us. There are good teams this year in the playoffs. poor job. no excuse.
Posted: 08:36 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
Haven’t we lost 5 out of the last 7 against the Marlins? For division champs, that is unacceptable.
Posted: 08:38 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
DC
the Marlins bp this season is setting new standards on how to blow a lead…remember that series with the Nats…it was like every game the nats were down and came back to win. Remember when we came back from what, 7 in the 9th. not to worry….yet.
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Jake
Come on chasey get out there and play baby. I know all that money is rough you make and its so hard to play a game that my son plays. you can do it baby. i just got off a 15 hour shift. going back at 2am. only making 19 per hour. you make that when you take a squirt. tired of these athletes today. doesnt matter this year anyway. no pen, no closer, starters are average and offense struggles. first round exit against a hungry team. bye bye
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
The Phillies jus keep leaving runners on base. I really hope they recharge for the playoffs. If you look at their September, you could easily say they’ll be gone after the first round.
Posted: 08:40 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
J-reed – I hope you are right. I am not confident about the playoffs. I really want to be convinced this week that we are ready to go. It doesn’t look good
Posted: 08:42 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 j reed
At least we don’t have to deal with the Peskiest Team on the Planet – the Twins. Imagine what it’s like for Tigers fans
Posted: 08:47 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 joedad
DC, you forget the beginning of the year. They had many come from behind wins because their starters were horrible. I think they might be near the league lead in come from behind wins
Posted: 08:47 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Michael Stubel
Who would have guessed that the difference between Howard’s and Utley’s AVG would be so small
Posted: 08:48 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
it does j-reed, a little.
Utley is in the middle of a 7/46 slump…152 average. That is horrible. Reminds me of 2007 when he just went into the tank at the end of the year and in the series vs the Rockies.
I’m feeling a 2 run bomb by Werth.
Posted: 08:52 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 Ed R.
nice hit Werth…that must have been gas I was feeling.
Posted: 08:53 PM on October 2, 2009
Posts: 0 DC
I just can’t believe the Phillies went 0-3 against the Orioles this year and 2-6 against the Astros.
Posted: 08:53 PM on October 2, 2009