Phillies Nation

How bad has it been for the Phillies in run-scoring situations?

Pence is struggling with RISP.

Only Ike Davis has more at-bats with runners in scoring position than Hunter Pence in the National League. Pence is getting his opportunities and doing nothing with them. Among batters with at least 25 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, Pence’s .714 OPS ranks 63rd in the NL. But it’s not just Pence failing. Jimmy Rollins has struggled his fair share as well, ranking 97th in the NL with a .576 OPS with RISP.

It’s really bad with a runner on third base and less than two outs, when the Phillies seem to have an uncanny ability to leave their guy on base. They’ve managed to plate only 42 runs in that situation, 13th out of 16 National League teams. Only Washington, San Diego, and Pittsburgh are worse. Is there a correlation between knocking in guys with runners on third and less than two outs? You might say so.

Continue reading LOB: The 2012 Philadelphia Phillies

Galvis has played a role in the Phillies success this season. (AP)

The Phillies have played just over 1/4 of their games. So, we give out the awards for what has gone down thus far.

MVP AWARD: Carlos Ruiz

-This is an easy one. Chooch has been phenomenal from the minute the season began. In spring training, he knew he would have to take on a larger role within the offense. No way he – or anyone else for that matter – thought he’d be this good, right? Chooch has been the saving grace for this offense. Over the last month, Ruiz has a 1.132 OPS and has been moved up to fifth in the order. Thank the Lord for Chooch.

CY YOUNG AWARD: Cole Hamels

-Jonathan Papelbon certainly deserves a look too, but he only pitches one inning at a time. So the award goes to Cole, and rightfully so. Hamels is tied for the league lead in wins with six and ranks high in pretty much every other category. He has been the horse this season. Not that Halladay and Lee haven’t been good, it’s just that Hamels has been excellent.

GUY YOU WEREN’T SURE ABOUT AND STILL AREN’T SURE ABOUT BUT ARE HAVING FUN WATCHING AWARD: Freddy Galvis

-Galvis can play the field. He’s one of the smoothest son-of-a-guns on a diamond this team has seen in a while. Like a young Young James. But, we’re still not sure about his bat. Galvis has had some really big hits, but he’s also looked completely over matched. Either way, it’s been cool watching him make it in the majors.

Continue reading Phillies Nation Quarter Pole Awards

Doc says guys are pressing (AP)

Roy Halladay owned up Tuesday night and admitted that a lot of the guys in the Phillies clubhouse are putting added pressure on themselves. As you can tell, it’s not working.

Halladay had one of his best post-game press conferences since joining the Phillies. Here are some audio excerpts. If you have time, take a listen:

Halladay May 22 – On Chooch getting tossed “I didn’t see anything wrong”

Halladay 2 – May 22 – Losses are definitely frustrating

Halladay 3 – May 22 – Guys are trying to carry the weight of the team, including him

Halladay 4 – May 22 – “You do it cause you want to, not cause you have to”

Halladay 5 – May 22 – Finding the right time to talk to the team is tough

Halladay 6 – May 22 – Matter of going out and enjoying it

Halladay 7 – May 22 – Different than Toronto

Halladay 8 – May 22 – Have such a good team, they do press more

Halladay 9 – May 22 – Leadership on the team

Halladay 10 – May 22 – Charlie is the leader, you dont want to interfere with him too much

Halladay 11 – May 22 – Feels like he needs to be a little better

Halladay 12 – May 22 – Not Happy with results

Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. issued the following medical updates today:

Right-hander Vance Worley met with Dr. James Andrews yesterday.  Dr. Andrews confirmed the Phillies original diagnosis of right elbow inflammation.

Right-hander David Herndon received a PRP injection today in his right elbow by Dr. Ciccotti.  He will be re-evaluated again in two weeks.

Right-hander Michael Stutes will be shut down for another 10 days to two weeks, at which point he will be re-evaluated to see if he can begin a throwing program.

Right-hander Justin De Fratus has been cleared to begin a throwing program this Friday, May 25.

Washington Nationals (25-17) at Philadelphia Phillies (21-22)

Jordan Zimmermann (2-4, 2.58) vs. Roy Halladay (4-3, 3.22)

Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Showers, 69
Media: Twitter and Facebook

Injury news: Vance Worley is back from his trip to see Dr. James Andrews and the news stays the same for the Phillies righty. He has loose bodies in his elbow, so it’s likely he’ll try to pitch through the pain, a la Cole Hamels last season.

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No Jimmy Rollins again for the Phillies. He’s been placed on paternity leave following the birth of his daughter, so Erik Kratz has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take his spot on the roster. Rollins should be back in a couple of days.

Jordan Zimmermann is the man the Phillies will be facing tonight. Have to hope for an opposite performance than that against Gio Gonzalez. The Phillies had him on the ropes a few times throughout, but as has been the case all year, they were unable to capitalize with men in scoring position. It’s been their knock all year. And it won’t be any easier with Zimmermann on the hill, either, although recently the 26-year-old has been touch and go.

The right-hander has faced the Phillies once this year, giving up three runs in six innings. In his last start, he allowed four runs in six innings in a loss to the Pirates. However, in four starts total this year, he’s allowed one run.

Roy Halladay looks to continue his string of nice outings. You’ll notice the 3.22 ERA, which stands out next to Halladay’s name. That’s basically a byproduct of the 8 run outing back on May 2 that inflated those digits. Since that shellacking by the Braves, Halladay has seven, seven, and eight innings, respectively, giving up no more than three earned runs in any of those starts. His strikeout stuff is back, too, as he’s fanned 21 in the last three outings.

Once again, expect a low-scoring, close game with two very good pitchers dueling.

Lineup: Pierre LF, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Ruiz C, Luna 1B, Galvis SS, Fontenot 2B, Halladay P

Your gameday beer: Victory Prima Pils

Prima Pils is a great beer for anytime of the year. It’s got a little bit of a bite on the end of it, which I like with my microbrew pilsners. Victory says it’s an herbal bite over layers of smooth malts. I’d say that’s accurate. Prima Pils is both refreshing and thirst-quenching for a beer. It’s a little heavier at 5.3%, so go easier on it. I’d have some pasta with chicken and a tall glass of this tonight. – Pat

GO PHILLIES!

On the latest edition of Phillies Nation TV, our special guest is David Hale from the Wilmington News Journal. He sticks around for segments one and two, discussing the Phillies handling of Ryan Howard’s rehab, the Kevin Youkilis rumors, and much more.

Natalie Egenolf is back with reader comments and questions, including who would be the MLB player most likely to front a boy band. Hard-hitting stuff!

And, we dive into the Roy Oswalt rumors – would he be a fit for the Phillies with Vance Worley injured?

Gio was too much for the Phillies (AP)

Washington came out on top in the opener of the set, winning 2-1.

KENDRICK KEEPS PHILS IN IT

-Kyle Kendrick really struggled to throw strikes early, yet kept his team well within striking distance. His best inning was the fifth when he retired the Nationals on just seven pitches.

-Somehow, someway, Kendrick was able to finish seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits. KK struck out four and walked two. His final three innings were much better than the first four, which is what kept him in the game long enough. Overall, not a terrible effort overall.

-To end the game, the Phillies retired the final 17 Nationals that stepped to the plate after Ian Desmond’s RBI single in the fourth and Danny Espinosa’s walk right after.

OFFENSE KEEPS THEM OUT

-No surprise here, the Phillies offense could not completely figure out Gio Gonzalez. In the third, they had the bases loaded and got nothing out of it. In the sixth inning, they had runners at second and third with nobody out and again managed zero runs.

Continue reading Phillies Squander Many Opportunities in Loss to Nationals

Washington Nationals (24-17) at Philadelphia Phillies (21-21)

Gio Gonzalez (5-1, 2.22) vs. Kyle Kendrick (0-3, 5.96)

Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Showers, 65
Media: Twitter and Facebook

As you likely know, Jimmy Rollins is not in the lineup as he celebrates the birth of his first child, a baby girl, with his wife, Johari. Freddy Galvis moves to the other side of second base, Mike Fontenot jumps in for his first start with the Phillies since being recalled.

But, the scariest news of the day belongs to Vance Worley. He’s seeing Dr. James Andrews, according to Ruben Amaro Jr. Never a good sign.

Other than that, Jim Thome is swinging a bat but has not taken fielding practice. Placido Polanco is feeling better and is back in the lineup. Good things, I guess.

For tonight, the Phillies will face Gio Gonzalez. If you’re worried, you should be. With a makeshift order, plus a dominant lefty on the hill in addition to a struggling Kyle Kendrick pitching for the Phils, things could get a little ugly at the Bank. On May 5, Gonzalez gave up one run over seven innings, striking out seven against the Phillies.

Really, the key tonight is Kendrick. If he can keep it close by giving up four runs or less, the Phillies may have a shot.

Lineup: Pierre LF, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Ruiz C, Mayberry 1B, Galvis SS, Fontenot 2B, Kendrick P

Your gameday beer: Guinness Black Lager

Tonight is a great night for a darker beer. It’s overcast and crappy. Plus, it’s a bit chilly. Black Lager is warming and isn’t as thick as regular Guinness. Of course, I enjoy the original much more, however, this is really a decent alternative for a more mainstream drink. Would go well with a beef stew. -Pat

GO PHILLIES!

Vance is seeing Dr. Andrews. (AP)

-Three words you never want to hear if you’re a pitcher: Dr. James Andrews. Vance Worley is hearing those words today as he sees the infamous doctor to get a better sense of why he’s having elbow pain. Ruben Amaro gave that update today, but did not have any results from the appointment as of roughly 4:30 pm. Results from an MRI showed a bone chip in Worley’s right elbow and some inflammation as the reason for the discomfort. But, the Phillies decided not to take chances and had him see Andrews.

More on this as we get it…

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-Jimmy Rollins is not in the lineup tonight after his wife, Johari, gave birth to a baby girl. Freddy Galvis will start at shortstop, Mike Fontenot gets the call at second base. I’ve never had a child before, but I can imagine it being a trying time for someone, especially when every at-bat is scrutinized like it is for Rollins. Will this ease things for Jimmy from here on out? We’ll see. But, congrats are in order for Rollins and his wife.

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-Placido Polanco is back in the lineup tonight against Washington, batting second. He had been sidelined with what was originally called a knee injury. Ruben Amaro confirmed that it was instead an ankle injury.

(Photo: CBSPhilly.com)

-By now you likely know that Vance Worley has hit the DL with elbow inflammation. The injury was reported yesterday and today the Phillies decided to DL him with Joe Savery joining the team in Chicago. There is no word on the severity of the injury, but it’s never good when it’s an elbow. Kyle Kendrick starts in his place tonight.

On a side note, Will Carroll from SI.com tweeted recently that 91 pitchers were currently on the DL. If that number is correct, I expect that Worley is the 92nd. Think about that for a second. That’s a ridiculous amount of injured pitchers.

-The Phillies have reportedly swapped minor leaguers with the Tampa Bay Rays. Long-time Phillies farmhand Rich Thompson goes to the Rays for OF Kyle Hudson.

Thompson had a cup of tea with the Royals in ’04 but hasn’t been back to the show since. Hudson had a brief stint with the Orioles a year ago. He’s expected to go to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.