Gameday: Phillies (86-46) at Reds (67-69)
Posted by Amanda Orr, Thu, September 01, 2011 11:33 AM | Comments: 53
2011 Gameday, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (86-46) at Cincinnati Reds (67-69)
Vance Worley (9-1, 2.65) vs. Mike Leake (11-8, 4.04)
Time: 12:35 p.m., Great American Ballpark
TV: CSN
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 87º
Media: Twitter and Facebook
Last night, the Phillies improved to an incredible forty games over .500. On the other hand, the Reds are dipping below the .500 mark as the Phillies have a chance to sweep them this afternoon.
Vance Worley will continue to make his case for the Rookie of the Year Award. Worley leads all rookies in earned run average. In addition, he is second among rookies in wins and opponent’s batting average. Worley faced Cincinnati once in his career, and he struggled over five innings. However, this year Worley proved that he can rebound quickly from a bad game.
This could be one of Mike Leake’s last appearances of the season, since the Reds are capping his innings. Leake has faced the Phillies twice in career, giving up 11 runs in slightly over 14 innings. He’ll be remembered for nearly throwing a perfect game against the Phillies, but he lost it in the final innings and allowed several runs after. Although the 23-year old has a lot of promise, the Phillies were able to figure him out, and hopefully can hit him again today.
It is worth noting that the Reds are 12-29 against the Phillies over the past six seasons. This statistic includes multiple sweeps in recent years, and another sweep is very possible today.
Lineup: Victorino CF, Martinez 3B, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Pence RF, Ibanez LF, Schneider C, Valdez SS, Worley P.
Your gameday beer: Ayinger Brau-Weisse
Ayinger Brau-Weisse pours a very light, golden color, and has a standard citrus and floral taste. The beer is slightly bland and is very dry, almost like champagne. It’s not hard to drink by any means. Ayinger, however, rarely disappoints. And it comes in a cool bottle, so there’s that. – By Jon
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 0 jlerner
Vance Worley has been great, but why do people think he has a chance of beating out Kimbrel for ROY?
Posted: 11:56 AM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
if they voted today.. Kimbrel would be the clear winner . . . but its rookie of the YEAR … so we’ll see where things stand at the end of the season. If Worley can win 14 games with a sub 3.00 ERA , and Kimbrel blows a few saves, or the Braves miss the playoffs – you never know
But my Awards would be:
ROY – Kimbrel
MVP – Ryan Bruan
Cy Young – Roy Halladay … slight edge over Kershaw when factoring Saber-stuff ….
Posted: 12:00 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 bostonkate
Hope the vanimal gets his 10th W today!
Posted: 12:02 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 1431 Pat Gallen
Hey Boston Kate!
Vanimal usually struggles in the daytime. Lets hope he can buck that trend. Reds wont want to be embarrassed.
Posted: 12:27 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 bostonkate
I personally hope he bucks that trend so I can go home tonight and laugh in my Reds-worshipping father’s face.
Posted: 01:42 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 mitjan
Worely is pitching great ball any way you spell it (see paragraph 2)
Posted: 12:30 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 36 jkaydee
September baseball baby! Let’s get a good start Vance!!
Posted: 12:37 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 3566 Lefty
96 degrees in Cincy today? The Vanimal better be guzzling some gatorade!
It’s hittin’ weather- Go Phils.
Posted: 12:40 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 36 jkaydee
Good giving Placido the day off in this heat. Let Mart put together some good at bats and boost his confidence.
Posted: 12:45 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Too bad its not Dontrele today. He was sweating last night like Vance does.
He is not a factor in ROY thats between Kimbrel and Freeman.
Dont know how Halladay can beat Kershaw when Kershaw is leading in the 3 triple crown categories ( wins, ERA, Ks)
It is much easier to play in the NL and in Dodgers stadium. But if it ended today Kershaw gets it. By the writers and if I had a vote Id have to be not a homer and give it to Kershaw for winning more games on a bad team.
Charlies leave in of Halladay that inflated his ERA and cost him a win is the difference right now.
Reds brought thier guys up so they have an advantage today in extras so win it in regulaiton.
Posted: 12:52 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
LOL
Look at Wheelers shades.
Wonder if he was at the bar last night
Posted: 01:03 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
Woah… Who is this Andrew, fella? That is a well put post… We will have you drinking the Kool ade before it’s all said and done.
Truthfully… I think that everyone would agree that if you could just tone down the personal attacks and let other people talk… Breathe in between posts so that you’re not ranting to yourself… We could all get along much better. You don’t have to agree but just because you have a different opinion than someone else doesn’t make them (or you) an ‘idiot.’. Be civil and remember this is a Phillies blog- we like to root for our guys, here.
Posted: 01:06 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Different people have fun different ways.
But its cool. I have fun always have always will. And its getting to plaoff time.
Focusing in. Crossing fingers.
IMO
Schneider and MM have had super dooper years filling their roles almost perfectly.
I give Schneider a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 on his filling his role.
And MM a 7. MM knows the game and gives good situational ABs.
For a long time I wondered why the old man kept him.
And like always it seems the old man was right and MM has proven his worth.
Posted: 01:10 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Come on Juan
Its Brian Schneider.
HOLD him.
rally killer
Posted: 01:11 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
Worley collects an RBI…
What the heck is Samuel doing sending Schneider?
Posted: 01:12 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
With the leadoff hitter (and, quite possibly, your best offensive player this year) coming up, you have to hold Schneider. Raul and Schneider would lose a relay race against any two players in the league.
Should have 4 on the board but I’ll take 3. Nice hitting by all.
Posted: 01:16 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
Mini Mart is a very good player but he’s a very raw- lacks focus at times and needs to focus on the little things. The speed, arm and bat are there. He has to cut down on the dumb mistakes and always think about the situation and his role. As a bench player… He has been great.
Posted: 01:20 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 36 jkaydee
Listening to Ruben Amaro speak just inspires confidence.
Posted: 01:22 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 1431 Pat Gallen
Yeah he is a pretty confident guy. Like that in our GM.
Posted: 01:38 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
I like Vance.. It would be great to see him get on that Halladay workout plan.
Posted: 01:25 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Too bad its the Brewers instead of the Reds this year in the playoffs.
The Phillies own the Reds. Its a perfect match up for the Phillies.
If they played 1000 times the Phillies would win 800.
Posted: 01:27 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
I do not know Sammy has been agressive all year with one out you make the guy make a throw, it is not the first time Sammy has been over aggresive, I think that is what the Phillies want, and why Sammy iis in the the third base box. Plus with how the phillies score runs with two outs it is a good move. With all you stat heads out there I would like to know what percentage of the Phillies runs have been scored with two outs. It seems like a lot almost over 50%
Posted: 01:30 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
Trivia answer Bench and Concepcion have to be two of them right.. Good job of getting out of jam in that inning Vance.
Posted: 01:34 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
What was the trivia?
Posted: 01:39 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
what three reds played in the most games for the Reds
Posted: 01:49 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
I agree with Concepcion… Besides that, I’m going to say Larkin and Bench, reluctantly.
Some greats… was just looking at our all-time team for the Reds yesterday. Concepcion played 19 years for the Reds – amazing. Their All-time team is pretty solid.
If you haven’t checked out Baseball Junkies, check it out… we have a great search and compare all-time teams tool (excel based tool allows you to bring up all-time teams side by side or bring up all-time by position for each franchise or search for a specifc position/team).
Posted: 02:07 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
The GM takes a very realistic look at things.
I like him alot.
He is also in a golden situation of being the second highest payroll in baseball.
Without the stigma of being in NYC.
Posted: 01:41 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 BART SHART
I’m watching the game on MLB.com and it was nice to hear the Reds announcers praise the Philadelphia fans. Also, they made a special point of saying how lucky Phillies fans were to have two of the greatest characters to ever announce games — Richie Ashburn as color commentator and Harry Kalas as play-by-play. They went on and on about the greatness of this unforgettable duo, who are known throughout the baseball world as legends. Great stuff.
Posted: 01:59 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
To Andrew’s above post . . . . . It was Roy himself that cost Roy Halladay a win, and inflated his ERA … Charlie let the best pitcher in baseball be responsible for his own game
I believe I heard that he had been 52-0 in his career when entering the 9th inning with the lead…
…
At Beta ….. I think the opposite of JuanSammy … I think he holes people way too much – and said that earlier in the year. Its a tough job – that 3b coach … if the runners score, praise goes to them – if they get thrown out – blame goes to the 3b coach
Posted: 02:27 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 36 jkaydee
Nice Mart!!!
Posted: 02:43 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
Mighty Mini Mart…
Four game sweep of the Reds seems imminent. Bring on the Fish.
Posted: 02:44 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
At some point have to watch the innings and pitches on the big arms. Especially since they are signed long term.
Need to not be sweeped by ATL and MIL. win 3 or 4 of those 7 and its all over.
To me its all over now. Phils get best record and home field throughout.
but just winning 3 or 4 of those 7 shuold satisfy the worriers too.
Posted: 02:57 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
check that
first this park is a bandbox
CBP is not
and this game is now 6-4 and interesting
I am a reverse jinx before anyone blames me.
Although me announcing I am a reverse jinx now reverses that.
Posted: 02:59 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
No jinxes… this team doesn’t believe in them.
Posted: 03:04 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
I am always suprised Lidge gets anyone out. Shows what being a veteran can do. But theres no way he can make a playoff roster.
Nice double play there. Nice defensive play by the first baseman.
hmmm……………………
Posted: 03:11 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
I would imagine that Lidge is definitely on the playoff roster …. they don’t really have any other options
I agree that they need to start saving some arms – but also, they haven’t clinched anything, and until they do they need to keep their foot on the gas.
When I thought about it before, I think splitting the 4 game series in Milwaukee 2-2 would be a sucess – even though most fans would be extremely disappointed that we didn’t “win” that series. 2-2 would be good, 3-1 would be great, and 4-0 means that we should print World Series tickets the next day
Posted: 03:20 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
I’m going to double-post this .. here and in the Howard 30 HR/ 100 RBI thread from yesterday (Pat or anyone else, if that’s frowned-upon please feel free to remove one) … I just thought it would be nice to get an “expert” opinion on the subject we’ve discussed so oftern :
***
I know this is late, but I just listened to an interview yesterday with Jayson Stark. I try to listen to everything Jayson says, as I consider him among the best sources of baseball knowledge, and inside scoops. Yesterday, he chimed in on the Ryan Howard – RBI topic.
From Jayson Stark…. (on yesterday’s Mike Missanelli show on 97.5 FM):
“Six consecutive 100 RBI seasons… I know there’s a big debate about what RBI’s mean in this day and age. I’m willing to bet that in those six years, Ryan Howard has come to the plate with more runners on base than anybody in the big leagues, but… as exasperating as his trips can be when nobody’s on base, and his approach can be, when he gets up there and he’s got a chance to drive in a run, he will slap the ball through the left side if he has to, he has much better at bats. His numbers are so much better in those situations. It tells you that this is not merely the accumulation of a bunch of trips to the plate with runners on base. This is a guy who gets it, he believes that producing runs in his job, and he does his job.”
***
Posted: 03:22 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
Great analysis… what I’ve been saying for years on here.
That’s his job and he is doing it and doing it and doing it, well.
Posted: 04:29 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 36 jkaydee
Bastardo (hmmm, wonder what those opposing lefties call him) is a pleasure to watch. So consistent lately.
Posted: 03:28 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
The Phillies take 10 pitchers into the playoffs.
Halladay
Lee
Hamels
Oswalt
Worley
Madson
Bastardo
Kendrick
Stutes
Herndon
I guess they will not take either worley or Oswalt? As only one will be a 4th starter and you add lidge for whoever one of those 2 dont make it?
So yes then he makes it.
IMO Herndon certainly has earned a spot over him.
and no yuo dont take 11 pitchers into the playoffs. Not this team with its core of starters. Want that extra bench bat.
Posted: 03:39 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
I doubt they’d have both Worley and Kendrick on the roster.. as they’d both fit the 5th SP/ Long-Reliever role
I’d give the nod to Worley there
4 Aces
Madson
Stutes
Bastardo
Herndon
Lidge
Worley
That’s the 10 i’d bet my house on….. although, i’d much rather see another LHP in the pen.. but I don’t know that they have faith in Juan Perez or Mike Zagurski in a playoff game
Posted: 03:49 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Or I guess you take lidge for Kendrick?
But I love kendricks versatilty as a long or short man or even a start if heaven forbid injuries happened.
Posted: 03:40 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
Also… I can’t see any possible way that Oswalt wouldn’t make the postseason roster
Posted: 03:51 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
So yuo are giving a game 4 to Oswalt over Worley and his 10-1 record?
Worley has shown he cant pitch from the bench. So you need to start him in a game 4.
Or he has no value. Kendrick is more valuable and can do an inning.
Why include Oswalt? I have to think Worley is the 4th ace now. He does have the highest winning PCT.
You may be right about what the team will go with. If it was me.
Oswalt wouldnt be on the post season roster.
Posted: 03:54 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Someone just put in a 1.2 billion dollar cash bid for the Dodgers.
With the Chinese being one of the big investors.
Maybe they will be players in this years off season after all.
Posted: 03:58 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
Oswalt’s been there, done that ….
Worley looks less dominant with each start, and I don’t want to have the most important games of the season – and in franchise history – riding on the arm of a rookie. I’d rather give the guy who has been one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball history
Worley’s reward for his good season will be that he’s the long man from the pen
Posted: 04:09 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
You may be right.
But using that logic youd want Kendrick as the long man over Worley.
Kendrick has been great in that role over the years and Worley has been bad as a non starter.
So you leave Worley off the post season roster? And will be fun to listen to the fans cry if that happens. Will be fun regardless.
In the grand scheme of things probably doesnt matter alot.
Posted: 04:14 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
I’m not ready to name anyone as our fourth playoff starter yet… I have a feeling it will work itself out.
Oswalt looked pretty good his last time out. He’s been inconsistent this year but we’re talking about Roy Oswalt – he’s the guy that everyone was clamoring for years about. He is battle tested… if he flips the switch down the stretch (which I haven’t seen yet, from him), he’s a lock. I really think that it’s a matter of desire with Oswalt… I don’t think he likes the pressure all season. He wants to win and he definitely has it in him to be a killer but that’s not him… he’d rather be at home for the regular season, show up when it matters, break out that otherworldly curve and ride off into the sunset. Unfortunately, he has to prove that he’s healthy enough and able to do the job. He’s got a few more starts to prove that he’s in playoff shape.
Worley has been really good for most of this season. If we have to go into the playoffs with him as our fourth starter, I don’t think it hurts our chances at all.
Posted: 04:42 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Its an embarrassment of riches really.
A guy with an over .900 winning pct or Roy Oswalt as your 4th starter in the playoffs.
About 31 other teams wish it was thier problem.
They would be the 2 or 3 starters for most teams.
Posted: 04:58 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
Yea. I just think that Worley is starting to get figured out a little bit …. his ERA has gone up almost a full run over his past 5-6 starts … and he’s had a few starts giving up 4+ ER..
Just knowing how loyal Charlie is to his veterans, Oswalt will be the #4 …
BUT… maybe they decide they want to go R-L-R-L .. .Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels
Who knows – it will work itself out, its a great problem to have, worrying about which pitcher may or may not start twice in the postseason
Posted: 05:13 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
I do not think you can set up a playoff roster that does not have Doc, Lee, Hamels pitching two games. If you ask me between Cole, Little Roy pitching a game seven I would have to send out Cole at this point in his career and the year he is having. Unless Little Roy has some real bad starts down the streach I do not think there is any way he is not the fourth starter. I really think it is harder to figure out how you run them out there when you figure it is 1 and 5 2 and 6 3 and 7. There are not as many days off as in the years past if I remember the schedule right so I do not think you can run you #1 starter out there on short rest for games 1 4 and 7
Posted: 10:52 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Worley pitched great today till he gave up a 3 run shot in the 6th in a bandbox to a pinch hitter.
In a short series have to pitch the big 3 first 3 games. Your 4 starter gets 1 or 2 starts most post seasons.
All nice problems.
The Yankees would give you granderson and A Roid for Oswalt and Worley tomorrow.
Their starters are going to kill them in the playoffs.
Posted: 05:28 PM on September 1, 2011
Posts: 0 Don M
I didnt get to watch it, but I think he had 9 baserunners in 6 innings, and gave up 4 ER ? … Not to say that Oswalt’s been real sharp lately, or that he definitely SHOULD be the #4
I’m just saying that what I’ve seen from Charlie before, unless Oswalt has an ERA of 10+ in the month of Sept, combined with Worley having an ERA under 1 …. Oswalt would be the #4
and for the long-reliever role … if you need to worry about that in the playoffs, that’s a problem, I just don’t see a way that they could leave Worley off the postseason roster in favor of Kendrick (who has been very good at times this year)
Posted: 05:35 PM on September 1, 2011