Gameday: Phillies (1-3) vs. Marlins (2-3)
Posted by Jonathan Nisula, Wed, April 11, 2012 06:11 PM | Comments: 20
2012 Gameday, Analysis, Opinion, Posts
Philadelphia Phillies (1-1) vs. Miami Marlins (2-3)
Roy Halladay (1-0, 0.00) vs. Josh Johnson (0-1, 4.50)
Time: 7:00 PM, Citizens Bank Park
TV: PHL 17, ESPN2
Weather: Cloudy, Low 50′s
Media: Twitter and Facebook
Don’t expect many runs to be scored tonight, as tonight’s pitching matchup features two of the best pitchers in not only the National League, but in all of baseball. Roy Halladay will get the call for the Phils, and he’s coming off a start on Opening Day where he pitched eight innings of no-hit baseball after giving up singles to the first two batters of the game. Opposing him is Marlins’ youngster Josh Johnson, who is coming off a rough start against the Pujols-less St. Louis Cardinals in which he gave up three runs on 10 hits over six innings. Regardless, when he is healthy, he is a helluva pitcher.
Johnson’s especially good against the Phillies, as all current hitters combine for just a .232 average against him. Hunter Pence, who will hit fourth tonight, is just 1-for-5 against the Marlins righty, but that one hit was a home run. Jimmy Rollins has had the most success against Johnson of any Phillie who will play tonight, collecting nine hits in 30 at-bats. However, eight of those hits were singles, and he’s only drawn one walk while striking out four times.
Conversely, Halladay has similar stats against the Marlins hitters, with the exception of Jose Reyes. Reyes has a .414 average against Halladay, including three doubles and two triples. With the combination of his struggles against leadoff hitters and his struggles against Reyes, I’d expect Reyes to have a few hits tonight.
The Phillies need to get the offense going, but tonight is just not the night to expect that to happen. The game will most likely end up 1-0 or 2-1 — as the last three Halladay-Johnson meetings have — with the winning team getting the lead early and holding onto it. Hopefully the Phillies do just that.
Lineup: Pierre LF, Polanco 3B, Rollins SS, Pence RF, Victorino CF, Mayberry 1B, Ruiz C, Galvis 2B, Halladay P
Your Gameday Beer – Sam Adams Cherry Wheat and Guinness
Yes, you read that correctly. Both Sam Adams Cherry Wheat and Guinness get the call today. Sources tell me that by mixing the two (although the consistencies are not yet known) the taste is otherworldly. I’ve never actually tried the combo, but it sounds like it has potential. While it may be a bit expensive to run off two cases of each, grab a six pack and try it yourself. I’m hoping I don’t let you down here. If it sucks, at least you have two very good six packs to drink by themselves- By Pat
GO PHILS!
Posts: 0 Jeff
In the words of Harold Renyolds. This lineup is not a major league
League lineup. Pathetic. I can’t get excited to watch nix Ty Juan Polly
Ruin tommorow jr did not nothing to help this lineup.
Posted: 06:16 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 1079 EricL
Guy has a .296 OBP against RHP? Bat him leadoff! GENIUS!
Posted: 06:32 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 TheDipsy
It is just a horrible lineup. Look at the meat of the lineup – won’t get 60 hrs between them. For anyone that is psyched about Howard and Utley to come back, I would suggest they break out there copies of “Waiting For Godot” and leaf through it for a few minutes. An esoteric reference? I guess. Google it instead.
It really sucks when you have to wait…..and wait…..and wait… only to be told at the end that something is not gonna work out (no Chase/bad Howard). Its like your girlfriend telling you she “needs space”. If you were honest with yourself you would know that you were two weeks away from “needing space” to “needing any space that doesn’t have you in it” . But like a doofus you hold out the hope its it’ll work out. Cuz we’re human like that.
Not me. Not this year. This offense is gonna suck so bad that the pitching won’t bail it out. Cole won’t be signed by August and then I say “trade him”! Or let him go for nothing? If he hits FA thats exactly what the Phils will get. Go Phils.
The Dipsy
Posted: 06:38 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 2599 Chuck A.
Shit…between watching this and the Flyers tonight….2 six-packs by themselves might just do the trick. Screw the combo thing (even though it does sound interesting).
So where is Thome? 2 games in a row against a righty and he’s not in the lineup for oneof those games, especially with power needed desperately. That tells me the bad back is flaring up. Not good.
Posted: 06:54 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 Jaron B
Chuck:
Thome is 41 (42?) years old with a history of back issues. Expect him to go out there once a week for at least the first few weeks. He has to play 1B if he’s in the lineup (until they go on the road to play AL teams in late May/ early June).
Posted: 07:21 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 Jeff
I would trade cole for Kevin yokolus. Stick him at third.
Posted: 07:39 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 Jeff
Game Over
Posted: 07:40 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 Jeff
Infield back with Johnson up. Really cholly you horrible manager.
Posted: 08:01 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 Erik
Freddy Galvis is horrible. Send him down and sign someone. His D isnt worth it
Posted: 08:09 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 psujoe
Yeah Galvis sucks. He’s on pace to get 133 RBI.
Everyone calm down. saying the Phils lineup can’t hit based on this sample is the same as saying Gillies and Valle are both going to bet .400 this year in reading.
Posted: 11:08 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 79 branderson925
^ You watchin’ bro?
A 5 run inning against one of the game’s elite pitchers (albeit helped with some errors and whatnot) is one way to get the critics to relax. Not a pancea but nice to see some 2-out run scoring.
Then again, how many people are actually watching when we got the Flyers in Night 1 of the playoffs (and stumbling =/) Also got the Sixers in pretty much a must-win if they want to stop their freefall
Posted: 08:34 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 276 Jeff of Nova
Freddy!!!!
2 Doubles this year 4 RBIs
The MO on this guy was that hit better when it was a clutch situation! Sandburg moved him up in the lineup and he hit better, same in Reading, might be a thought hit him second
Posted: 08:34 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 319 Ian Riccaboni
Freddy! Freddy! Freddy!
Posted: 08:35 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 ESURUGBY
Erik take your words and shove them up your ass.
Posted: 08:35 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 1431 Pat Gallen
This is funny.
Posted: 09:06 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 100 buffy08210
Wanna reread the naysayers above a few more times because we may not get the chance to savor this too often through the season. Hang in there Doc, lets have more 7 pitch innings.
Posted: 08:39 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 Jeff
Freddy batting second NO
Flyers will get swept. Rangers own your ass
Posted: 08:54 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 276 Jeff of Nova
Jeff go away you are bring a bad omen to MY name
Posted: 09:14 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 0 Jeff
Mr Nova. Make me. Punk. Little college geek. Oh yea. Anytime any place
Posted: 09:48 PM on April 11, 2012
Posts: 865 The Original Chuck P
How about them Flyers, troll? Next, you’ll tell us that you really do like the Flyers… Do us all a favor and cancel your mom’s AOL and save her a few bucks so that you can’t access the Internet anymore.
Posted: 08:13 AM on April 12, 2012