Phillies Nation

In what began as a beautiful day – sun shining, fans rocking – ended as a complete disaster thanks to a pitching staff that fell apart at the seams. The Kansas City Royals fell behind 4-0, but scored 13 unanswered runs, destroying the Phillies in the home opener at Citizens Bank Park, 13-4.

RUNS EARLY, NOTHING LATE

-The Phillies hit the ball well through the first three games. The problem was getting the runners in. Not an issue in the first three innings today. Ryan Howard brought home Jimmy Rollins on a single to right field to kick it off in the first. Domonic Brown got in on the fun with his first homer of the season, a launch to right field. Erik Kratz roped one out to left field two batters later. Kyle Kendrick just missed a homer of his own, coming inches short on the wall in left.  The Phillies would tack one more on in the third and accumulate nine hits through the first four innings.

-Wade Davis was pounded in those four innings, giving up the four runs on nine hits. Davis was decent out of the bullpen last season with the Rays, but the Royals flipped him back to a starter and start No.1 didn’t go well thanks to a Phillies lineup that worked long at-bats.

-After tallying four runs in three innings, the Phillies didn’t manage a hit after Michael Young’s single in the third inning. Only John Mayberry reached base with a walk. The Royals bullpen retired 19 of the final 20 batters that stepped to the plate.

KENDRICK GOOD, THEN KENDRICK BAD, THEN BULLPEN WORSE

-Kendrick’s cruised through the first four innings allowing only two hits. Eric Hosmer got the Royals on the board in the fifth with a bases-loaded, two-run single to cut the Phils lead in half. KK didn’t make it through the sixth. He was yanked after loading the bases giving way to Jeremy Horst, who cleared ‘em. Alex Gordon roped a three-run triple to the right-center alley to put KC ahead. With one pitch Kendrick went from good day to bad day.

-Kendrick had retired 13 of the first 16 batters that stepped to the plate, but could only get four of the next 11. Not good. After four promising innings from the offense and starter, the air was sucked from the stadium to that point. It got worse.

-Following Horst’s disaster was Chad Durbin’s mess and Raul Valdes’ batting practice showing. All told, the Royals cranked 19 hits on the day.  All told, the Phillies as a team have given up 31 runs in four games, the most in baseball. Their bullpen has surrendered 14 runs in 12 innings, not counting inherited runners that have scored. It’s early, but very soon that will have to be corrected.

RALLY?

-Pretty wild scene in the ninth inning. In a clear sign of sarcasm, the remaining 10,000 fans stood and waived their towels together basically until the final out. At least they went down swingin’.

Carlos Ruiz has guided Roy Halladay through many memorable games. Is his absence hurting the Good Doctor? (AP)

Everyone’s got a theory for what’s wrong with Roy Halladay.

The prevailing argument is Halladay is a victim of the unrelenting perpetual forward motion of time, and the effect it has on the body. That, physically, he is no longer the person he once was.

Rich Dubee and Halladay himself have come up with a bevy of excuses as to why Doc has not been himself. Everything from a wet mound to a stomach virus has been thrown out there as a reason for the lack in results. Just yesterday, Dubee pinned Halladay’s shaky start on Wednesday on a lower arm slot.

Whatever ails the once preeminent pitcher, one thing is clear: He is struggling mightily to adapt to his new-found deficiencies. What once was considered a strength for Halladay–the ability to think ahead of hitters–is now something he is lacking.

Everyone can see that Halladay has lost a few ticks on his velocity, yet he continues to pitch with the same strategy as the guy who once could touch 94 on the radar gun. Maybe it’s sheer stubbornness. But without his dominant fastball, he seems lost.

Continue reading How Much Does Doc Miss Chooch?

Can McCutchen lead the Pirates to the postseason…finally? (mlb)

Q: What is your boldest MLB prediction heading into 2013?

Don McGettigan:

I think this is the year that the Pittsburgh Pirates finally return to the playoffs. It has been pointed out through multiple sources that in 17 of the 18 wild-card seasons, at least one team made the playoffs the year after a losing season. The Pirates have a roster full of young talent (Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, and Sterling Marte), a respectable 1-2 in the rotation (A.J. Burnett, and Wandy Rodriguez) soon to be joined by top prospect, Gerrit Cole, and an underrated closer in Jason Grilli.

On August 1st, the Pirates were 60-44, leading by a game in the Wild Card, on September 1st the Pirates were 70-62, and just 1.5 games back in NL Wild Card, but they would only win 9 more games, finishing the season 79-83, 9 games out of a playoff spot. This is the year that they hold on strong until the end.

Jay Floyd:

The New York Yankees finish last in the AL East. Injuries will leave the once dominant club struggling to keep pace with the rest of their improved division.

Alex Lee:

The Yankees will finish below .500 for the first season since 1992. The Bombers seem to be headed down the same path the Phillies took to .500 in 2012. The following group will start the season on the DL: Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Phil Hughes. Even the surest best in baseball over the past 20 years, Mariano Rivera, is coming off a season lost to knee injury. There are some things not even a $200 million payroll can overcome.

Jon Nisula:

My bold prediction for 2013 is…the Phillies will make the playoffs as at least the first wild card. I think that they’ve shown us enough in Spring Training to prove that Ryan Howard and Chase Utley–the two keys to this offense–are healthy, and that will be huge for them this season.

Pat Gallen:

Domonic Brown will hit 27 home runs this season. In the American League, I think the Cleveland Indians return to the playoffs with an 88-win season and hold off the Detroit Tigers in the Central Division. Bold!

The Phillies were hoping for a better debut from Roy Halladay. (AP)

On a rain-soaked night, the Phillies lost an ugly one to the Braves, 9-2, in a game that left them with more questions than answers about the once vaunted Roy Halladay.

WHAT’S UP, DOC?

-The wet conditions tonight didn’t make for an ideal stage to evaluate Halladay (remember the wet mound from a couple weeks ago?), but evaluate we must. So what are the returns after his first start of 2013? Not great. Somebody file a missing persons report, because the Roy Halladay of lore is still nowhere to be found.

-Halladay’s first inning got off to a great start. He recorded a strikeout using a nasty splitter on an 0-2 count. But it went all downhill from there. Jason Heyward reached on a broken bat single to right and Justin Upton followed with a two-run dinger. The control issues Halladay exhibited during the Spring resurfaced, as he followed up Upton’s home run by issuing a walk to Freddie Freeman. It’d be the first of two walks in the inning. Halladay would allow another run before finally retiring the side. The 40-pitch inning certainly didn’t do anything to help quell the uneasiness Phillies fans are feeling about the righthander. However, Halladay would improve from there. Slightly.

-He got through the second using 16 pitches and cruised through the third. Remarkably, his first eight outs were recorded by strikeout. He ran into some more trouble in the fourth, allowing another home run and a single before getting pulled with one out. His final line: 3.1 IP, 6 H, x ER, 3 BB, 9 K. The strikeouts were encouraging. The three walks and four runs were not. His velocity on his fastball was between 88-92 MPH.

-It’s notable that Halladay struggled in the first inning, as it was notoriously problematic for him last season (He had a 6.48 ERA in the first in 2012, his highest in any inning). If you take that away, he actually looked pretty good. Problem is, you can’t take that away. There’s still a lot of uncertainty about exactly what this team will get from Doc this season. He’s struggled, but his main problem area–fastball command–is something that can seemingly be fixed. Whether he is able to do that or not remains to be seen. So far, he has not adjusted.

Continue reading Phillies Drop Forgettable Game To Braves

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

Roy Halladay vs. Paul Maholm

Time: 7 PM, Turner Field
TV: PHL 17, ESPN2
Weather: Chance of rain, 47
Media: Twitter and Facebook

After what must be the longest off day of the season–the day off immediately following Opening Day–the Phillies return to action tonight, seeking to even their series with the Braves.

Tonight’s game is the most highly-anticipated Roy Halladay start in quite some time. In year’s past, the feeling going into a Halladay start was confidence bordering on arrogance. Those days seem a distant memory, as Halladay is the biggest question mark the Phillies have right now. How will he fair in regular season action? Can he bounce back from the lethargy/stomach bug/wet mound/poorly rubbed baseballs? We’ll soon find out. There are no more excuses hanging out there for Doc. It’s time to put up or shut up.

Truth be told, he could’ve drawn a better opponent than Atlanta to make his 2013 debut. Over four starts last season, Doc posted an 11.21 ERA against the Braves (including infamously blowing a six-run lead). That was the highest ERA Halladay had against any opponent in 2013.

Countering Halladay will be Paul Maholm. At 30 years old, Maholm, a veteran, has spent his entire career in the NL. So the Phils have seen a lot of him and have had success. Maholm has a 5.16 ERA in nine career starts against Philly. Michael Young, John Mayberry Jr., and Erik Kratz have great numbers against him in limited ABs.

LINEUP: Revere CF, Rollins SS, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Young 3B, Brown LF, Mayberry RF, Kratz C, Halladay P

QUESTIONS: How will Halladay look after struggling in his last handful of Spring starts? Can the Phillies offense continue to make starting pitchers work like they did on Monday?

GAMEDAY BEER – Abita Purple Haze

Brewed in Braves country, Abita’s Purple Haze is a perfect accompaniment to watching the Phillies play in the heart of Dixie. A fruity beer with a hint of wheat in the aftertaste, it’ll pair well with some Memphis-style barbecue and a side of coleslaw.  -RD

Revere had the at-bat of the night against Tim Hudson. Can he keep it up? (AP)

For a second, forget about Chase Utley spraying line drives all over (and out of) Turner Field last night.  It was a satisfying sight, for sure.  But equally fulfilling was the sight of Tim Hudson, prior to Utley’s two-run single, laboring in the fifth inning.

Hudson threw 90 pitches to 21 batters over the course of 4.1 innings, which breaks down to 4.28 pitches per plate appearance for the Phillies.  That is an impressive number.  Yes, injuries stripped the Phillies of plenty of power and production last season.  Equally as important, however, was that those injuries, as well as certain personnel, made the lineup eminently easier pitch deep into games against.

That is why I mention the importance of Hudson laboring prior to Utley’s fifth-inning knock.  Even if the Phillies hadn’t capitalized in the fifth, Hudson was undoubtedly on his way out of the game shortly thereafter.  An idea made famous by Billy Beane and then brought to the big stage by the Yankees and Red Sox, getting into the opponent’s bullpen early should be the goal of every offense over the course of a season.  Mission accomplished for the Phillies on Monday night.

For the better part of three innings, Hudson was in cruise control.  He was getting ahead (10/11 first pitch strikes) and putting Phillies hitters away (11 hitters faced through three).  But the Phillies gradually raised his pitch total from 13 in each of the first two innings to 19 in the third, 21 in the fourth and 24 in the fifth before he was yanked in favor of Luis Avilan.

Continue reading Behind Revere, New-Look Lineup Shows Patience

Utley got off on the right foot in the Phillies loss. (AP)

A near-cycle from Chase Utley wasn’t enough to overcome a shaky start from Cole Hamels as the Braves held off the Phillies, 7-5.

UTLEY UNLOADS ON OPENING DAY

-What a day for Chase Utley. In the fourth, Tim Hudson tossed a sinker that hung up in the zone and Utley tagged it to dead center field, over 400 feet away for the first homer of the season for the Phillies.

-In the fifth, Utley slapped a single to right that scored Cole Hamels and Ben Revere, moving the Phillies to within a run at 4-3. Beyond the single, Utley came hard out of the box and advanced to second base on the throw that went to third, where Jimmy Rollins had advanced on the hit.

-In the seventh, Utley tripled on a wormburner through the right-center gap. Really, it should have been a double, but Utley ran like his ass was on fire and made it just ahead of the throw. Ryan Howard sent him home on a ground out. Utley would finish 3-for-5 with three RBI.

-The offense was able to do enough to chase Tim Hudson from the game after just 4 1/3 innings. Hudson allowed three runs, walked three, and struck out three.

-Michael Young was 0-for-2 but did walk twice. Domonic Brown went 1-for-3 with walk.

HAMELS CAN’T SETTLE

-In what was the first start of his career on Opening Day, Cole Hamels was unable to bring his spring success with him to Atlanta. Hamels lacked command early which led to a monster, two-run home run by Freddie Freeman and a solo shot by Dan Uggla in the first two frames. Justin Upton also crushed a 460-foot homer to left-center field in the fifth inning on a pitch that was right down the middle.

Continue reading Utley Stars, Hamels Stalls in Phillies Opening Day Loss

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves

Cole Hamels vs. Tim Hudson

Time: 7 PM, Turner Field
TV: PHL 17, ESPN2
Weather: Clear, 62
Media: Twitter and Facebook

Baseball is back. Be excited.

The 2013 season kicks off against the division rival Atlanta Braves, a team the Phillies will certainly be jockeying with for position in the playoff race. But for tonight, it’s just game one of 162. And it’s a solid match up on the hill.

Cole Hamels is the Opening Day starter, and why not? He’s enjoyed success against the Braves during his career and hopes to carry that into the opener. Hamels sports a 3.57 ERA against the Braves in 27 career starts, going 12-7. He hardly owns them, but in an early season matchup with a strikeout-heavy lineup, it’s quite appealing.

Tim Hudson is the Braves #1 this year, and we’ve also seen plenty of him. Ryan Howard likes to face the righty, putting up a career slash line of  .338/.436/.708 with 7  home runs.

Enjoy the game!

LINEUP: Revere CF, Rollins SS, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Young 3B, Brown LF, Mayberry RF, Kratz C, Hamels P

QUESTIONS: Which Phillie needs to get off to a hot start to ensure a solid April? Should Cole Hamels have kept the mustache a little longer?

GAMEDAY BEER – Yards Brawler

Who’s ready for an early season brawl with a bitter division rival? You are. Cuddle up on the couch with a few bottles of Yards Brawler, which is in the style of English session ales. This malt-forward, ruby colored ale features flavors of freshly baked bread and caramel that dominate the aroma and palate. It’s one of the best Yards has to offer, and a favorite of Phillies Nation.  Pair it on the menu with a little pulled pork on a fresh roll. -PG

Adams could be the best acquisition in the majors. (AP)

Q: Which transaction by Ruben Amaro Jr. this offseason do you think will reap the greatest reward for the Phillies in 2013? 

Jon Nisula: I think that Ruben’s decision to send Darin Ruf back to the minors will help the Phillies the most in 2013. The move means that Domonic Brown will finally be given an opportunity to play full time. It also means that the Phillies will (hopefully) play a Mayberry/Nix platoon at the last outfield position, which I think is better than what Ruf or Delmon Young would’ve given the Phillies this year.

Pat Gallen: Clearly, the correct answer is Mike Adams. No disrespect to Ben Revere or Michael Young, but Mike Adams has the ability to be a second closer and end games after seven innings for the Phillies. He says he’s healthy, and by the looks of his spring numbers, I believe him. The Adams acquisition has a chance to be not only the best move for the Phillies, but one of the best signings throughout baseball this offseason.

Alex Lee: I have to agree with Pat there.  By now, most Phillies fans have been inundated with the statistics on how many games the 8th inning cost this team last year.  Ruben Amaro Jr. either badly misevaluated Chad Qualls or totally discounted the importance of a setup man last year when he built that bullpen.  The addition of Adams, if healthy, not only makes this unit solid, but also really gives it a chance to be a team strength if one or two of the younger arms blossom. 

Jay Floyd: I also agree with Pat and Alex, the Phillies transaction from this past offseason that will prove to be the most successful will be the signing of reliever Mike Adams.  Without question the biggest hole on the roster last year that wasn’t injury related was a void in the 8th inning set up role out of the team’s bullpen.  Adams locks that spot down and, as a result, will be the greatest upgrade for the club this year.

Ian Riccaboni: I’ll go off the beaten path here – I believe the decisions to cut both Yuniesky Betancourt and Joe Mather were the best of the offseason. Then again, I would have never signed them to begin with. Does that make those moves and then counter-moves simultaneously the worst and best moves of the offseason?

Votto is the odds-on favorite to win NL MVP. (AP)

Below, our contributors give their best guesses as to who will win the major awards in Major League Baseball this season. For previous seasons, click here (2012, 2011).

Jon Nisula:
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton, MIA
AL MVP: Jose Bautista, TOR

NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, LAD
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, SEA

NL RoY: Adam Eaton, ARZ
AL RoY: Jurickson Profar, TEX

NL Player to watch: Roy Halladay, PHI
AL Player to watch: Josh Hamilton, LAA

NL Manager of the year: Davey Johnson, WAS
AL Manager of the year: John Gibbons, TOR

Amanda Orr:
NL MVP: Joey Votto, CIN
AL MVP: Mike Trout, LAA

NL Cy Young: Cole Hamels, PHI
AL Cy Young: Justin Verlander, DET

NL RoY: Zack Wheeler, NYM
AL RoY: Wil Myers, TB

NL Player to watch: Roy Halladay, PHI
AL Player to watch: RA Dickey, TOR

NL Manager of the year: Don Mattingly, LAD
AL Manager of the year: Terry Francona, CLE

Alex Lee:
NL MVP: Joey Votto, CIN
AL MVP: Mike Trout, LAA

NL Cy Young: Cole Hamels, PHI
AL Cy Young: David Price, TB

Continue reading Phillies Nation Awards Predictions