Phillies Nation

The photo and the Jeltz award might make it look like this was Cole Hamels‘ fault, but that’s not the case. This 5-2 loss was a comprehensive team effort.

The Houston Astros, post all-star break, are quickly ascending to “hobgoblin” status, as the Phillies dropped their second consecutive game to a fetid assortment of castoffs, has-beens, and fringy prospects that seems to turn into the 1927 Yankees at the mention of the word “Philadelphia.”

A familiar face led the charge for the Astros, as former Phillie fan favorite J.A. Happ allowed one run over six innings in a belated attempt to reignite the debate on which skinny lefty should have been shipped out of town for pitching help after the 2009 season. Cole Hamels (who was awarded the Jeltz tonight for no other reason than he had the worst WPA; no one really showed up tonight) struggled with a creative strike zone from home plate umpire Jim Reynolds, allowing five runs in five innings. The hammer blow came on a three-run home run in the fourth by Astros shortstop and venison enthusiast Clint Barmes to make it 5-1.

The Phillies nearly got it all back in the top of the next inning, but Ryan Howard, with the bases loaded and two outs, flied out to the very edge of the left field wall, and Happ was never threatened again. Hunter Pence and Carlos Ruiz, who had a solo homer each, and David Herndon, who threw two perfect innings in relief of Hamels, were the only real bright spots.  Continue reading Held by Happ in Humid Houston

Philadelphia Phillies (94-50) at Houston Astros (50-97)

Cole Hamels (14-7, 2.60) vs. J.A Happ (5-15, 5.77)

Time: 8:10 pm, Minute Maid Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 101 (Roof closed)
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The lowly Astros took the first game of the series as Roy Oswalt struggled against his former club.  Brett Myers was able to shut down his former team on Monday night.  Another familiar face will take the hill for the ‘Stros on Tuesday.

J.A Happ will make his second career start against Philadelphia.  In that outing, he allowed two runs over 6 1/3.

It was only two years ago when Happ went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA, helping his team make it to the World Series.  Since being traded to the Astros, Happ hasn’t been the same.  Because of his struggles, Happ was sent down to the minor leagues. Since being recalled, Happ has a 2.50 in three starts.  However, his ERA still stands close to 6.

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (94-50) at Astros (50-97)

Philadelphia Phillies (94-49) at Houston Astros (49-97)

Roy Oswalt (7-8, 3.72) vs. Brett Myers (4-13, 4.66)

Time: 8:10 pm, Minute Maid Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Sunny, 102 (Roof Closed)
Media: Twitter and Facebook

Tonight, Roy Oswalt returns to the place he called home for 10 seasons. While in Houston, Oswalt finished 2nd all-time in wins (143) and strikeouts (1,593), while posting the best winning percentage in club history (.636). Since he left town, things certainly have changed for the worse in Houston. Oswalt is now angling to win his first ever World Series in Philadelphia, while the Astros play like a Triple-A team, sitting 48 games under .500.

On a personal level, things have gone well as of late for Roy2.

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (94-49) vs. Astros (49-97)

Philadelphia Phillies (94-48) at Milwaukee Brewers (85-62)

Vance Worley (11-1, 2.85) vs Yovani Gallardo (15-10, 3.71)

Time: 2:10 pm, Miller Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 77
Media: Twitter and Facebook

“From the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Do we have closure? No. No, the heinous acts of terrorism last Tuesday will be with us for as long as we all shall live.” — Harry Kalas, 2001.

The Phillies are enjoying their success this season and are aiming for a four-game sweep of the Brewers.  Vance Worely, today’s starter, is having a phenomenal rookie year.  Chase Utley received good news on his ImPACT test, and could return later next week.

But let’s put baseball aside for a minute and remember those who lost their lives ten years ago. The tragedy on September 11, 2001 put America’s pastime on hold, however, baseball eventually started, and helped, the healing process.

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (94-48) at Brewers (85-62)

Philadelphia Phillies (93-48) at Milwaukee Brewers (85-61)

Cliff Lee (16-7, 2.47)  vs Randy Wolf (12-9, 3.47)

Time: 7:10 pm, Miller Park
TV: PHL 17
Weather: Clear, 69
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies have a chance to do something today that I didn’t think they would do until the end of the season. And that is winning their 94th game. That’s right, I predicted that the Phillies would have 94 wins and narrowly beat the Braves to win the division. So much for THAT prediction.

On the hill for the Phils will be Clifton Phifer Lee, who is in the middle of another one of his outstanding streaks. Since the beginning of August, he’s had six starts. He also has six wins. And a 0.37 ERA. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 29 2/3 innings and get this: that’s not even the best scoreless streak he’s had this year. Back in June he hurled 34 straight scoreless innings. He would need to pitch into the fifth inning without giving up a run to beat that streak.

If there’s any reason to believe that Lee won’t reach that point, it is unquestionably the Brewers big first basemen, Prince Fielder. He has five hits in six at-bats with six (!!) RBIs against the Phillies lefty. Oof. Lee better stay away from Fielder, or we could see a moon ball.

Former Phillie Randy Wolf will oppose Lee, and, while he isn’t on an unbelievable hot streak, he hasn’t been bad as of late. He has had a quality start  in eight of his last eleven games, and is coming off an eight inning, one run performance in St. Louis. He might want to avoid pitching to Carlos Ruiz tonight, as Ruiz is 5-10 with 5 RBI against the Brewers lefty.

Lineup: Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Pence RF, Mayberry 1B, Francisco LF, Ruiz C, Valdez SS, Martinez 2B, Lee P.

Your Gameday Beer – Milwaukee Premium Brewing Company Classic Ice
Some might consider this a step up from Natty Light, and you might even be able to find it at cheaper price ($10 30-pack!). That should tell you all you need to know about this brew. It tastes like beer and it’s 6% ABV. Eat as many wings as you can alongside this one. – By Brian

Philadelphia Phillies (92-48) at Milwaukee Brewers (85-60)

Roy Halladay (16-5, 2.49) vs. Shaun Marcum (12-5, 3.11)

Time: 8:10 pm, Miller Park
TV: CSN, MLB Network
Weather: Broken clouds, 64
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies take on the Brewers tonight in the 2nd of this 4 game set after winning the first last night. Roy Halladay will take the mound tonight, facing his former teammeate, Shaun Marcum. Halladay still leads the Cy Young Award race, but Cliff Lee and Clayton Kershaw are right on his heels.

The Brewers lineup looks like this tonight along with their average against Halladay: Hart (.500), Morgan (.143), Braun (.500), Fielder (.600), McGehee (.000), Green (N/A), Betancourt (.333), Lucroy (.000), Marcum (N/A)

Notice anything? How about the top 4 hitters in the lineup hitting a combined .382 against Halladay with four home runs. Hart has two hits against Halladay (2-4)–both of them round-trippers. Braun and Fielder are a combined 9-16 against him. Hopefully Halladay makes those numbers go down tonight.

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (92-48) at Brewers (85-60)

Philadelphia Phillies (91-48) at Milwaukee Brewers (85-59)

Cole Hamels (13-7, 2.63) vs. Chris Narveson (10-6, 4.26)

Time: 8:10 pm, Miller Park
TV: CSN, ESPN
Weather: Clear, 66
Media: Twitter and Facebook

This is a test. The Phillies disposed of the Braves and made them look like a team that should be 10.5 games out in the division, but this is a new test. The Phillies now get a chance to make their mark against the closest competition currently in the NL.

It’s the beginning of what should be a highly entertaining and competitive series between the leaders of the NL East and the NL Central. Who better to help kick it off than Cole Hamels. In eight career starts against the Brewers, Hamels is 4-2 with a 3.66 ERA. Behind him will be a makeshift offense, as Chase Utley is still in Philly, and Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez get the night off against the lefty Chris Narveson.

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (91-48) vs. Brewers (85-59)

Atlanta Braves (82-59) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-48)

Brandon Beachy (7-2, 3.37) vs. Roy Oswalt (7-8, 3.80)

Time: 7:05 PM ET, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN, ESPN
Weather: Cloudy/Showers, 78
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The good news is, rain shouldn’t be much of a factor tonight as the Phillies look for a sweep. Even better news; the Phillies are looking for a sweep of the Atlanta Braves, something that hasn’t happened all season.The Braves and Phillies are the only two teams who have not been swept in a series of three games or more this year.

Roy Oswalt takes the ball and people aren’t so much worried about the stats as they are the velocity and location of his pitches. He has been somewhat shaky since returning from the DL, but signs are point toward a full recovery, always a good sign. Charlie Manuel said earlier today he wants to see seven innings from Oswalt, over 100 pitches, and crispness of his pitches. I would love to see him hit 94 on that fastball a few times, to show he is indeed 100 percent.

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (90-48) vs. Braves (82-59)

Atlanta Braves (82-58) at Philadelpia Phillies (89-47)

Tim Hudson ((14-8, 3.05) vs. Vance Worley (10-1, 2.85)

Time: 7:05 PM ET, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN, MLB Network
Weather: Rain, 63
Media: Twitter and  Facebook

The chance of rain tonight at Citizens Bank Park is 90% at 6 pm and 100% from 7 pm all the way until 11 pm. It seems as though the Baseball Gods are trying their hardest to screw up the Phillies, who already have a tough month ahead of them.

The Phils hope to extend an impressive streak tonight. In Vance Worley’s last thirteen starts, the Phillies have thirteen wins. In those thirteen starts, he has an ERA of 2.58, while recording the ‘W’ eight times. The only time he faced the Braves this year was back on May 13 where he pitched a scoreless 8th inning in relief.

Pitching for the Braves will be Tim Hudson, and he’s pitched well against the Phillies this year. In both starts against them this year, Hudson has pitched at least seven innings while giving up just 2 runs each time.The Braves defeated the Phillies in both of those games. In terms of individual batters vs Hudson, no one on the Phillies with at least 8 at-bats against the Braves righty has a batting average higher than .300. However, Ryan Howard has hit six home runs and has a 1.106 OPS in 57 at-bats against him. I’d say that’s advantage: Howard.

If the rain doesn’t get this game called, it should be a close matchup. Hudson is a great pitcher, but Worley is having a great year. It should be a low scoring affair, and if I had to guess, I’d say that it will be a battle of the bullpens in the late innings with the Braves outstanding bullpen besting the Phils’.

Lineup:

Your gameday beer: Victory Lager
Pure and simple describes this offering from our friends at Victory. The well-balanced German-style lager satisfies the taste buds with roasted malts and flowery hops. It’s a nice substitute for the traditional American Lagers like Yuengling or Sam Adams. Lagers go great with anything, but I particularly prefer a good pepperoni pizza.

Atlanta Braves (82-57) at Philadelpia Phillies (88-47)

Derek Lowe (9-12, 4.52) vs. Cliff Lee (15-7, 2.59)

Time: 7:05 PM ET, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN, MLB Network
Weather: Overcast/Chance of storms, 80
Media: Twitter and Facebook

HAPPY LABOR DAY, NATION!

Hope you’re having a fantastic BBQing day with friends and family. The perfect scenario for today is no rain, grill hot, beers cold, Phils on the radio. That might be the most fantastic situation possible, so I hope you achieve something close to that today.

On the field, it’s a big freakin’ series. There aren’t any real playoff implications, but if the Phillies can take 2 of 3 here, it’ll give everyone associated with red pinstripes a great feeling, and will push the Phillies even farther ahead in the standings.

Right now, the Phillies lead the Braves by 7.5 games in the division. They hold a 6.5 game lead in the NL over the surging Brewers – the Phillies will be in Milwaukee for four games later this week. What an incredible week of baseball ahead…

Continue reading Gameday: Phillies (88-48) vs. Braves (82-57)