Gameday: Cardinals (17-8) at Phillies (14-10)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Mon, May 03, 2010 06:10 PM | Comments: 51
2010 Gameday, Posts
St. Louis Cardinals (17-8) at Philadelphia Phillies (14-10)
Jaime Garcia (2-1, 1.04 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (Career: 63-54, 4.21 ERA)
Time: 7:05 p.m at Citizens Bank Park
TV:Comcast Sportsnet
Weather: Few Showers, 80
Twitter: @philliesnation
The Phillies desperately needed Sunday night’s win against the Mets, especially after hitting a speed bump. The Phillies are off to a 2-0 start this May, and now welcome the team with the best record in the National League.
Joe Blanton, who missed the whole month of April due to an oblique strain, will make his season debut. Blanton struggled in a few rehab starts, but did not feel any pain. Blanton’s first career stint on the disabled list might put him under 213 innings this year, his career average. The Phillies are hoping to get several innings out of him to avoid a struggling bullpen, but the Phillies will be watching his pitch count.
Throughout his career, Blanton has had success against the Cardinals. He is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA against the Red Birds. He has even limited Albert Pujols to a .125 average in eight at-bats. The Phillies are happy to have Blanton back into the starting rotation, which has been iffy with the exception of Roy Halladay.
The Phillies’ offense went cold towards the end of April, but have heated up with the weather. They pounded out double digits in the last two games, and would like to continue the trend against Jaime Garcia. The left-handed rookie has been the Cardinals’ top pitching prospect, and has pitched well thus far. Garcia has kept base runners to a minimum, and has out-dueled the likes of Tim Lincecum and Johan Santana. However, the 23-year old has yet to face a lineup as potent as the Phillies — and in a hitter’s park in warm weather.
The Cardinals and the Phillies are two of the top contenders in the National League this year. It will be intersting to see how these two teams match up in this four game series.
Your gameday beer: Truly one of the best beers in the world, Rodenbach Grand Cru, a Flanders red ale, is an absolute treat. Brewed with aged malt and yeast and then mixed with other old ales, it’s a fine collection of flavors and all natural flavors. Has a distinct cherry taste. You can get it at Monk’s in Philly. I suggest it. Drink it with some smoked halibut. — By Tim
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
It is great to have Blanton back. I hope the hitting continues, and I would be very happy with five solid innings from Blanton on his first start after his injury. If we get six solid innings, that would be great as well. Let’s work him back slowly and streadily. We really need him. Any idea when Happ might return?
Posted: 06:29 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 pheeling it
why is their pitcher in the 8 hole?
ruiz is comparable to, if not better than yader molina, i think it will shine through in this series
Posted: 06:43 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Lasorda bats pitchers in the 8 hole every so often, it’s his thing.
Welcome back Joey B.
Posted: 07:10 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Ed R.
1 inning…8 pitches, way to be economical Joe.
Posted: 07:11 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 The Second John
Look for Jamie Garcia to be good tonight. He looks like a really good pitcher.
Posted: 07:15 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Keegan
Damn, looked like a double off the bat. Cards have some good outfielders, remember when Ankiel took that header off the base of the wall at Busch? Ouch.
Posted: 07:32 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 pheeling it
i think thats a waste Ed R. Maybe it’s strategy to make Pujols a 4 hole hitter when the 9 hole will lead off every inning
Posted: 08:08 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Ed R.
To be honest with you pheeling, I am not 100% sure the rationale behind it, I just know he does it.
Posted: 08:18 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
So far, the bats are limp. Blanton looks good. We just need to pack some wood.
Posted: 08:20 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Keegan
Blanton right around 60 pitches through 5…pretty good!
The wood’s starting to heat up!
Posted: 08:26 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Bobby D
Come on Juan!!!
Posted: 08:27 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Bobby D
Solid AB’s by Castro and Chooch.
Posted: 08:31 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Keegan
Well that’s absolute bull for ya.
Posted: 08:32 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Jon
Wow, Joe Blanton has made 4 outs his last two plate appearances.
Bunting sure is a good call.
Posted: 08:32 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Keegan
Nothing like a bad call to kill the rally.
Posted: 08:33 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 NJ Phils Fan
I missed that. Why was Charlie ejected?
Posted: 08:38 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
I was not impressed with the Castro signing when it happened. I eat my words now. He is an excellent utility player.
Posted: 08:39 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Ed R.
I’m not sure that was all that bad of a call. Blanton very clearly threw an elbow there, had he not done so he would have been safe at first.
Posted: 08:40 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Glutenous
Castro has always been an excellent defensive shortstop, but he has really been outdoing himself at the plate so far this season.
Posted: 08:40 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Charlie called the ref fat. Told him to try nutrisystem and got tossed.
Posted: 08:44 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Pat Gallen
Where’s everyone at tonight? Lite night on the comment boards.
Posted: 08:49 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
Looks like the umps tonight are in great form
Posted: 08:54 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 wxdavid
blanton is a fooking horse… FINALLY besides Doc can pitch a QUALITY start on a regular basis….
6ip 7h 1 BB 1 ER 4K
hope Happ comes back by end of the month
Posted: 08:55 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Glutenous
Ed, i actually laughed out loud when I read your previous comment. In a perfect world, that is actually what Charlie would have said.
Posted: 08:55 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Ed R.
Glad I could give you a laugh Glutenous…
Posted: 08:57 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Bobby D
Might be time to get somebody up. Big Joe’s laboring a bit.
Posted: 09:00 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Time to take Big Joe out. He did great.
Posted: 09:01 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
Our offense is so up and down. I have to agree with Mikey Mist on 97’5. Trade Werth for a starter and closer. I like werth but he has big stock right now and he does k alot. You can get some good pitching for him. He is not worth 80 million. If they kept Mr. Lee this would not be a issue. What a disgrace. Hamels will never be that guy and Happ will be out most of this season. Another setback.
Posted: 09:03 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Bobby D
And there it is. Very nice to see Blanton on the mound.
Posted: 09:03 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Damn !!!!
Posted: 09:07 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
and there is our BULLPEN. Pathetic…
Posted: 09:07 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
Im here tonight and this bullpen has to go. Jr. did a horrible job. He did nothing to help our pitching. Got rid of Lee for Halladay. A small upgrade. Got rid of our minor league. This bullpen is pathetic. You will not win with it. The Cards are a great team..
Posted: 09:09 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
We blew the game in the Seventh. Lousy strategy and a piss poor bullpen. It’s gonna kick our asses.
Posted: 09:10 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 philsgirl
What’s a bullpen?
Posted: 09:12 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Bobby D
I wouldn’t have brought Nelson Figueroa into that game TEN YEARS AGO. When did he become a go to guy? Durbin is the only BP pitcher I have any confidence in right now.
Posted: 09:14 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 SDO
That’s what happens when you pick up the discards from the Met’s scrap heap.
Posted: 09:14 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
this team needs some serious help in the bullpen and left field
Posted: 09:16 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Keegan
Bobby D, I was thinking Contreras. Wasn’t he supposed to be the long man?
Got that nasty fastball and slider/splitter combo, looked fantastic. Only slip up was the gw homer against the Braves.
But yeah, I’d say him and Durbin are the only ones I don’t cross myself to when they approach the mound.
Posted: 09:27 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Ryan Howard’s family and friends are undoubtedly watching the Cards play the Phils. Maybe Ryan will be compelled to do something spectacular on his next at-bat? We need something clutch and spectacular to pull this baby out of the fire.
Posted: 09:29 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Keegan
I can dig an epic comeback right now.
Posted: 09:42 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Georgie
Sorry, but I was mostly watching the Flyers…last time I checked in the Phils and Cards were tie 1-1, wtf happened?
Posted: 09:44 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
David Weathers is still out there, unsigned. He is better than some of
our guys.
Posted: 09:46 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Keegan
And Howard swings at one that’s just off his shoulder blades.
Posted: 09:51 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Edheck
I don’t think this is a Save Situation as our all-star announcer says it is.
Posted: 09:53 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Scott in D.C.
Not enough small ball tonight … Blanton and Lidge did pretty well, all things considered.
Cards outclassing us thus far….
Posted: 09:58 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Edheck
Just cheched the box score, no save for Franklin. It is sad that our lead TV announcer doesn’t know the Save rule.
Posted: 10:00 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 Scotch Man
I hate Ryan Franklin! Freakin’ guy threw beach balls as a Phillie then turned into Mariano Rivera!
Posted: 10:01 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 MikeB.
Hard to figure the Cardinals. They play great regular season baseball but cannot get over the hump in the playoffs.
Posted: 10:16 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 philsgirl
Ironic it’s Dubee that brings in Figueroa. Hey, Blanton did a pretty good job for his first outing, especially against the Cards..
Posted: 10:32 PM on May 3, 2010
Posts: 0 MikeB.
It is going to be a real struggle for the Phils to even get 2 wins in this series with the Cardinals. Cards, unfortunately, are playing great baseball right now. Also unfortunate for the Phils, is this scheduled 4 game series against St. Louis early in the season with all the guys out injured. Hopefully the Phils play well enough to stay close in the race until all the players that are out get back
Posted: 02:07 AM on May 4, 2010