Gameday: Phillies (0-0) vs. Pirates (0-0)
Posted by Pat Gallen, Thu, April 05, 2012 11:15 AM | Comments: 83
2012 Gameday, News, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0)
Roy Halladay vs. Erik Bedard
Time: 1:35, PNC Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 50
Media: Twitter and Facebook
Here it is. So it begins. This ain’t 2011, that much we do know. At the start of last season, the prevailing thought was, “get us to the World Series.” And to me, that’s the wrong way of thinking. Every game should be enjoyable; it shouldn’t be about looking far ahead to something that may or may not happen. When you do, you’ll be let down, as countless Phillies fans were last October. Do me a favor and savor what this season has to offer.
As for this one, it’s Doc against Erik Bedard, a well-traveled lefty who is now on his fourth team in four years. The Phillies haven’t seen much of him, but as we know, they do struggle against lefties. However, without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, the lineup is decidedly more right-handed.
Roy Halladay starts his 10th straight opening day. He’s the best, there is no one else I’d rather have kicking off a season. Against Pittsburgh, Halladay is 3-1 over five starts with a miniscule 1.18 ERA. Look for more of the same as the brisk weather usually means some low-scoring baseball early in the season.
And of course, keep your eyes on the lineup. But I didn’t really have to tell you that. One note – Juan Pierre not in today’s lineup, so John Mayberry Jr. gets the first crack at it against the lefty Bedard.
Baseball is back. Enjoy!!
Lineup: Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Rollins SS, Pence RF, Wigginton 1B, Mayberry LF, Ruiz C, Galvis 2B, Halladay P.
Your Gameday Beer – Guinness
It’s one of my favorite beers, so enjoy this as you sit back, relax, and watch the Phillies and Pirates open up the 2012 season. The weather is still brisk enough to enjoy this beautiful beverage, which isn’t your prototypical summer beer. But for early April, kick back, enjoy the frothy head, and sip on a delightful drink. Unless you’re at work – that’s a no-no. Hopefully you’ve taken off to enjoy Game 1 of 162.
GO PHILLIES!
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
pittsburg announcers do not even know Doc’s pitch count I have been to that stadium and know it is on the boards there really these guys are a joke. Oh well JMJ good game two hits one double and two good devensive plays that works for me
Posted: 03:46 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
how about Chooch 2-2 make that 3-3 and a sac fly RBI maybe he should bat fiffth
Posted: 03:48 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 0 Mazinman
Chooch has pretty much been the Phillies offense today.
Posted: 03:48 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
nice try freddy lets see what you have from the left side now
Posted: 03:49 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
good pitch is Doc coming out was Thome just a decoy or are we going to see Paps
Posted: 03:51 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 0 Mazinman
Papelbon is heading in? Wow! I guess they are going to be serious about limiting Doc’s innings this year.
Posted: 03:51 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
OK that is a surprise throw the new guy in the fire. I am shocked Charle took the ball from’s Doc’s hand with what 90 pitches
Posted: 03:54 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 0 Mazinman
I think that is all Papelbon. If Madson is our closer Doc does not go out.
Posted: 03:56 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
93-94 for Pap so far good start with the K. Would have thought Doc would have fought him for the ball,
Posted: 03:57 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 0 Mazinman
And Yahoo is also using Papelbon’s image from last year as a Red Sox. Lazy!
Posted: 03:59 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 0 Mazinman
Nice!
Well folks, this is your winning formula for this season. Great starting pitching, solid defense, Papelbon in the end, and just enough offense to win.
Posted: 04:00 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 770 betasigmadeltashag
nice job McCutcen tryng to throw him off his rythm. come on Pap save one for Doc. Antoher nice play by Wiggy at first I can the guy can play first. PHILLIES WIN 1-0 and they are 1-0 on the way to 162-0 it is still a possibility(I am only kidding) Doc with the win Paps with a Save and JMJ with a double Chooch with game winning rbi and 3-3 a good day now it is off to work
Posted: 04:01 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 2533 Chuck A.
There’s no reason to leave Doc in there when you have a $50M closer ready and waiting in the pen. That was a no brainer of a decision.
Posted: 04:07 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 0 Mazinman
Have a good day at work beta!
Today makes all that speculation about if there was anything wrong with Doc in Spring Training look silly. The guy is a master.
Posted: 04:07 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 861 The Original Chuck P
Doc is unhuman…
I think we are going to love Papelbon. Great karma… can you imagine if Rube had re-signed Madson like we all wanted?
Posted: 04:18 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 442 Bruce
The low scoring games in season openers are not a surprise to me . It’s a cliché but there is a lot of truth to pitchers being ahead of hitters early in the season. Of course, it helps to have your best pitcher out there. :-)
Galvis’ major league debut is not exactly to rave about (chuckles).It’s only one game but he did looked overmatched in his at bats. Two DPs and a strikeout gives me an ominous feeling about him in the games to follow. I hope I’m wrong with my impression of him.
Posted: 04:30 PM on April 5, 2012
Posts: 861 The Original Chuck P
But the double play he turned in the first inning was great. Chase might not have the arm to throw out McCutchen there. It changed the complexion of the inning and the game – instead of it being men on first and third with one out, it became a man on third with two outs and Doc got out of the inning unscathed. That was certainly one of the most important plays of the game. He’ll be ok… it’s WIP at the plate but he gives us arguably the best defensive combo up the middle in all of baseball and that excites me.
Posted: 09:59 AM on April 6, 2012
Posts: 0 schmenkman
Bruce, I was curious about the pitchers being ahead of hitters, and looked up some stats. It does seem to be true most years, although it wasn’t for the past two…
This is OPS across MLB, in April and for the full season:
April vs. Overall (diff)
2011: .711 vs. .720 (-9)
2010: .738 vs. .728 (+10)
2009: .762 vs. .751 (+11)
2008: .733 vs. .749 (-16)
2007: .731 vs. .758 (-27)
2006: .767 vs. .768 (-1)
2011 link: http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/split.cgi?t=b&year=2011&lg=MLB
Posted: 11:12 AM on April 6, 2012
Posts: 0 schmenkman
*although it wasn’t for two of the past three.
Posted: 11:15 AM on April 6, 2012
Posts: 0 Ryne Duren
WE WINNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: 04:46 PM on April 5, 2012