Gameday: Phillies (48-45) at Cardinals (53-41)
Posted by Jonathan Fogg, Wed, July 21, 2010 08:22 PM | Comments: 184
2010 Gameday, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (48-45) at St. Louis Cardinals (53-41)
Joe Blanton, RHP (3-5, 6.21 ERA) vs. Jamie Garcia, RHP (8-4, 2.27 ERA)
Time: 8:15 p.m., Busch Stadium
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 90
TV: WPHL
Twitter: @PhilliesNation
Seven.
Not a lucky number – not for the 2010 Phillies. Seven is an unforgiving number gauging how frustrating, disappointing and utterly befuddling this season has been. It is how many games the team that was heavily favored to return to the World Series has fallen behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.
Ten years ago – even five years ago – being seven games back of the Braves might have been regarded as an achievement. Now it is merely cause for fear, loathing and macabre jokes about enduring 25 more years without a title.
So as GM Ruben Amaro works the phones and rumors swirl about Roy Oswalt coming to Philadelphia in another megadeal (it’s worth noting that Oswalt is a year older than Cliff Lee), the only certainty around the 2010 Phillies is injuries. The seemingly indestructible Jamie Moyer suffered an elbow strain Tuesday night, meaning Amaro is going to be at high risk of developing that rare condition known as BlackBerry Ear as he tries to swing a trade for an arm or two.
In the meantime, the Phillies still have ballgames to play, and lately they haven’t been playing them very well. They easily could have lost all six games since the All-Star break, but even their one win Saturday wasn’t much consolation. The task doesn’t get any easier tonight, with Joe Blanton going up against rookie Jamie Garcia. After getting into a handful of games last season, the 24-year-old Garcia has been an outstanding addition to an already loaded Cardinals staff; his 2.27 ERA ranks third in the NL. Blanton has been inconsistent after missing the first month of the season, though his last start, against the Cubs, was one of his sharpest.
Bottom line: Phillies need a win almost as much as they need another starting pitcher.
LINEUP: Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Francisco LF, Howard 1B, Werth RF, Rollins SS, Ransom 2B, Ruiz C, Blanton P.
Your gamnight beer: I sessioned this Friday night and it wasn’t bad: Steamworks Brewery’s Steam Engine Lager. It calls itself “arguably the best American amber lager in the world.” Heavy words, but it is a good lager. It pours with a golden-to-amber look, like Yuengling, but tastes much sweeter, with hints of yeast and even some fruit: I noted banana, but it might be more citrus. For me it was a session – can’t pound lagers usually – but for those who prefer Yuenglings and the like, seek this out to try. Goes good with pizza.
Go Phillies!
Posts: 575 Brian Michael
The game is in a rain delay.
Posted: 08:27 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
I do not think the Phils and Roy Oswalt will come to agreement. Roy is asking for too much and will likely hold Ed Wade’s feet to the fire and make him pay the 2012 guarantee. ANd I do not blame Roy one bit.
Posted: 08:46 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
… Nor do I blame Ruben Jr. for backing out of this deal. Roy is at the age where he could turn old and lousey very quickly with a sore arm, shoulder, knee etc.
Posted: 08:47 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
4 pitches 2 outs – heck lakewood could beat phillies rite now
Posted: 08:49 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
8 pitches 3 outs
Posted: 08:49 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
too be honest oswalt deal is gettin apart and apart
here is my prediction for Phillies trade
Rays Get: Werth, lower level prospects
Phillies Get: Shields, Rays bench player, prospects
Win for Rays
Loss for Phillies
Posted: 08:51 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
NL East leader Braves leadin Padres 4-2 top 5th – Phils are 7 back of em
Wild Card leader Red trailin Nats 3-1 bottom 5th – Phils are 4 back of em
Posted: 08:53 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Chuck
Who says Polly can’t play the HOT corner??!!
Posted: 09:16 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 QU Sam
quick quiz! Name the last time Rollins and Victorino both averaged at least 4 pitches seen per AB in the same game.
Posted: 09:34 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
I wonder if the phils will reach base today.
That would be a moral victory
Posted: 09:35 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Love when they play the Petty commercial with Free fallin
isnt it ironc?
Posted: 09:39 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
YESSSSSSS
BOMB RH
Posted: 09:39 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Who is the really fat guy in howards family section?
Brother?
Posted: 09:40 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
How’s Joe looking tonight?
Posted: 09:42 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
why is somebody using my name. the phillies need to make this trade. who is our rotation. happ we have no idea what we will get. blanton is so up and down. hamels, doc. give oswalt that 16 million. he is earned it. lee will get 20 plus. you already gave bad contracts to raul who is 36 blanton, and lidge. why not to a guy who is proven. by not making this trade you are waving the white flag. thats how i feel about it. the reds are losing. everybody on this team except howard cant hit. amazing.
Posted: 09:46 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Bob Myers
The trade is at least keeping some hope alive. It has to be good for us in the short term AND the LONGER TERM. But we don’t look like we’re fielding a 140 Million dollar team lately.
We know we’re better than this. I’m going to choose to forget about Lee, and to be optimistic about whatever the trade brings us.
Posted: 09:48 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 "PHILLYBOY"
where would this team be without howard…….
Posted: 09:51 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
Roy Oswalt would look pretty nice in some red pinstripes, wouldn’t he? too bad Rube won’t make it happen.
Posted: 09:52 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Manny
If Blanton keeps pitching like this (he’s in a groove, finally!) and Happ comes back (he’s looking strong after his last rehab assignment, hitting 92-93 consistently, control is back)…then why get another pitcher?
Our problem is the offense right now more than anything else! Werth just needs to get his $hit together so that this trade talk stops…
Posted: 09:54 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
how about win a game? and everyone will be happy
Posted: 09:57 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
Jayson Werth reportedly turned down a long term deal. He is going to look for that free agent contract. His days in Philly are numbering.
Posted: 09:58 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
dont walk lopez
Posted: 10:00 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Chuck
Werth apparantely didn’t accept the deal “right away”
That sounds to me like maybe he is thinking about it??
Posted: 10:01 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Psujoe
The way werth is playing he better accept arbitration, lol.
Forget Oswalt. Myers is almost as good and so much cheaper you can get bp help and more
Posted: 10:03 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Chuck
WOW!!!
Posted: 10:03 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Scotch Man
Ben Fran in the 3 hole is working wonders for the Phillies.
TRADE FOR OSWALT!
Posted: 10:05 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
I just want to win a game so i can relax
Posted: 10:05 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
Can I have some of that crack Joe?
Posted: 10:05 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 "PHILLYBOY"
If werth turned our offer down then get rid of him for something….
Posted: 10:08 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Shea Goodbye
The real fat guy is Howard’s brother. He was an Athletic Director at Kansas U. a short time ago. I would consider Ted Lilly–changeup, keeps the ball low and it would give the Phils another lefty
Posted: 10:08 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Matt
We need chase
Posted: 10:10 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Rally caps on
Posted: 10:11 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Let's go Mets
A broken wrist won’t help his throwing
Posted: 10:11 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
How does blanton hit here?
100% he give up runs now
i am in shock
this is why ALL phillies pitchers are not usable in fantasy
they will be left in till they lose
Posted: 10:18 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
please, help yourself
Posted: 10:18 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
When the cards score in this inning
I am gonna be mad
Posted: 10:19 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
The reason that Joe bats is because of the sheer awesomness of our bench and the shut down ability of our pen
Posted: 10:20 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
there it is
another F%@!#$^@^$@^%$
loss
Posted: 10:21 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
EVERY SINGLE TIME
AND IT AINT LIKE WE ARE CORING
BALL GAME OVER
GOOD NITE ALL
Posted: 10:21 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 "PHILLYBOY"
WHAT THE $%#^ IS BLANTON DOING HITTING IN THAT SPOT ,I MEAN WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Thunder Lips
Hahaha, what a joke. Baez could have done that
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Greg2
did blanton really just bat w/ bags full? (trying to only half pay attention tonight)
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 BurrGundy
Who farted !?!?
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 ChuckS
what happened to positive?
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
I AM EMBARRASSED
THIS IS A JOKE
THIS A COMPLETE JOKE
GOTO HELL WHEELER
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Shea Goodbye
Andrew you’re right. Gotta hit for him. Get out of this half inning and we’re good
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Jeff
god i do not ask for much but please have charlie fired. there is no reason with the bases loaded in a late game that blanton hitting. pinch hitter. we dont hit as is. now game over. wagner blows save. reds losing. we are pathetic.
Posted: 10:22 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Because i knew if he batted there this happens
you didnt chucks?
Posted: 10:23 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 DC
I love the Phils, but they have sucked since they got “caught cheating” with those binoculars. It makes me wonder. Our lack of hitting is making mediocre pitchers look like all-stars. Everyone thinks there is going to be a turn around this season. We’ve been waiting since May. Its over. This team is just not good in 2010.
By the way, Blanton’s starting to unravel, and it happens quick. Holliday with a homer and now wait for two more until Charlie decides to pull him.
Posted: 10:23 PM on July 21, 2010
Posts: 0 Psujoe
Joe b usually blows up in the 7th so you have to pinch hit. However, I’ve said repeatedly the phils are Lh hitting heavy. I guess challis wanted to turn the order over.
Posted: 10:24 PM on July 21, 2010