Phillies Nation

Kyle Kendrick purses his lips for his haters during another brilliant start. (Photo: AP)

What a difference a flight out west makes.

When the Phillies arrived in San Francisco yesterday, they had been in a rut, dropping two straight to the lowly Miami Marlins, including an embarrassing 14-2 loss on Sunday. Now, for a second straight night, they got a dominant performance from their starting pitcher on the way to a victory. This time, Kyle Kendrick was the responsible party, easily dispatching the Giants lineup in a 6-2 victory that never seemed in doubt.

CYLE KENDRICK

Coming into tonight’s game, Kendrick led Phillies starters with a 2.43 ERA. Dating back to July 1, his ERA is a pristine 2.57. He’s been dubbed the team’s stopper–albeit with a tongue in cheek connotation–for a reason. He’s pitched like a true ace. Combine his recent run of success with his 1.89 career ERA when facing the Giants–his lowest against any National League opponent–and his final line would be no surprise: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. These stellar outings from Kendrick are becoming commonplace.

He was in control all night, rarely getting into trouble and finding a way out whenever he did. KK was particularly impressive in the fourth. After allowing two in the third, the fourth frame began with an ominous tone for the 28-year old. Buster Posey led off with a  single. That was followed by an error by Michael Young on a dead doubleplay ball. With two on, no outs, and a tight one-run ball game, Kendrick was in hot water. No matter. Pitching like a seasoned veteran with ice water in his veins, Kendrick calmly struck out the next two hitters before getting the third out on an easy groundball. Lord Kendrick giveth; Lord Kendrick taketh away.

Kendrick could have pitched the eighth, as he only threw 88 pitches through seven. However, he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top half of the inning, capping another routine day for the lead horse in the Phillies rotation. Check out this nugget our own Corey Seidman tweeted about Kendrick: “His last 17 starts: 2.44 ERA, .217 opponents batting average, 14 quality starts.” Continue reading Behind A Sensational Kendrick, Phils Beat Giants For Second Straight Night

Will Cole win his first Cy? (AP)

Will a Phillie win the Cy Young or MVP? Bovada has released the odds for several categories so you can bet on your favorite player.

Cole Hamels provides the best shot of any Phillies player at winning a major award in the National League, with Bovada giving him 10/1 odds of winning the Cy Young award. Here are the listings, including a Michael Young sighting.
Continue reading What are the Odds?

Carlos Ruiz set career-highs in 2012 in eight offensive categories.

Beginning today, we will examine the 2012 season of one Phillies player per day. First up is starting catcher Carlos Ruiz.

The Phillies’ 2012 season was filled with disappointment and unexpectedly poor production from key players. But despite a team-wide lack of consistency, Carlos Ruiz remained steady from April to September, hitting well no matter the situation or lineup context.

A foot injury limited Ruiz to just 114 games, but he hit .325/.394/.540 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI. Every one of those numbers was a career-high, as were his 56 runs scored, 32 doubles and 16 hit by pitches.

Many kept waiting for Ruiz to slow down and, while he did in the second half, he was still among the game’s most productive catchers. He hit .313 in April, .418 in May, .337 in June, .288 in July and .271 in September after missing most of August. His lowest monthly OPS was .808.

Most impressive was Ruiz’s production with runners in scoring position — he hit .368 with a .600 slugging percentage.

Among major-league catchers with at least 400 plate appearance, Ruiz was second in batting average and slugging percentage only to NL MVP front-runner Buster Posey. He was third in OBP, behind Posey and former batting champ Joe Mauer.

To top it all off, he was extremely valuable behind the plate. Phillies pitchers are always quick to praise Chooch after a strong start — whether it’s Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee — but he also provided defensive value when it came to stolen bases. Ruiz nailed 33 of 97 would-be base stealers for a caught stealing rate of 34 percent. Only four major-league catchers played as many innings as Chooch and had better success throwing out runners: Matt Wieters, Miguel Montero, Yadier Molina and Ryan Hanigan.

For years, I personally always thought Ruiz’s balance at the plate and batting stance made it look like he was going to launch any ball he connected with. In 2012, so many of those swings actually connected, leading to plenty of doubles in the left-centerfield gap or homers to a similar location.

Ruiz’s progression into a dominant offensive player has been one of the more positive, heartwarming developments of the last few Phillies seasons. This is a guy who went from undrafted international free agent infielder, to organizational catcher, to backup backstop, to solid defensive starting catcher, to big-time playoff performer, to well above-average offensive catcher.

Ruiz, who has a $5 million team option for 2013 that Ruben Amaro Jr. has already said the Phillies will pick up, was once just another catcher. I remember four years ago — when Ruiz was dwindling in the .240-.250 range after hitting .219 in 2008 — having a conversation with Eric about how Ruiz hadn’t grabbed the job by the throat. That Chris Coste was capable of providing just as much offense. That the Phillies needed to seriously look for external catching help. That all seems absurd these days.

Now, Chooch has cemented a legacy as one of the most storied players in franchise history, the type of guy fans will give a massive ovation to every time he makes an appearance at Citizens Bank Park for alumni day when his playing days are over. He might be the most likable player of this era of Phillies baseball.

He was certainly their best offensive performer in 2012.

GRADE: A+ … he was the best Phillie offensively and had a great year behind the plate. How could you go with any other grade?

Will you back Votto and the Reds?

It’s hard to remember the last time we were without the playoffs here in Philadelphia. But such are the hard truths surrounding a mediocre Phillies team that will miss the postseason for the first time since 2006.

Now, I don’t expect you to “root” for another team to win. However, there can be favorites for a number of different reasons. Maybe you’ll silently cheer on the Giants because you like watching Buster Posey behind the plate and at the dish.

The Reds have some intriguing players like Aroldis Chapman and Joey Votto, so seeing them make it to the World Series could be fun.

It’ll be difficult to show support for the Cardinals, Braves, or Nationals, but if you do I’m sure you’ll have your reasons.

So, who will you side with in the National League playoffs?

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In what could have been Cole Hamels’ final start in front of the home crowd, he waged a war with one of the best pitchers in the NL, Matt Cain. The two pitched, and hit, their way to a draw. However, Jonathan Papelbon again failed in a non-save situation, allowing the Giants to prevail 6-5 in 10 innings.

OH, BULLPEN

-Jonathan Papelbon is really, really good at times. And then it’s like the switch goes off. The switch was on in the ninth as he retired the Giants in order. In the 10th, he fell apart and allowed San Fran to score on a bunt single by Gregor Blanco that plated Melky Cabrera. He would load the bases, but eventually worked his way out of it. Too late, damage done. And any thought you had of the Phillies making the playoffs – if you still had any – should be gone.

-Charlie Manuel basically just said “eff this, I’m running with my horses today.” They didn’t get it done, but you can’t fault him for going that route.

HAMELS v. CAIN – ON THE MOUND

-Yes, the two homered off each other. But the pitching matchup wasn’t as advertised. Hamels and Cain each allowed five runs and both gave up three homers to the opposition. I assumed this would be a pitchers duel, as I’m sure many other did – but it was not to be.

-Hamels: – 7 2/3 innings, 10 hits, five runs, three walks, six strikeouts, three HR. The last time he allowed three homers in a game was June 26, 2010 against Toronto. Hamels threw 128 pitches, the fourth highest total in the majors this season. Only Johan Santana in his no-hitter (134), Edinson Volquez (133), and Justin Verlander (131) have higher totals this year. He was unable to finish the eighth, but did get a stand ovation as he walked off the field. Will it be his last start in Philadelphia? I don’t think so; but you never know.

-Cain: eight innings, five hits, five runs two walks, four strikeouts. Didn’t think the Phillies would get him for three homers in this one. And if you did think the Phillies had a chance to do some damage against him, you probably would have thought the Phils would win.

HOMERS ARE FUN UNLESS THEY HAPPEN TO YOU

-Cole Hamels and Matt Cain were attempting to outdo each other at every turn. They both homered, becoming the first pitchers to homer off each other in the same game since Kevin Millwood & Denny Stark on 5/18/02, according to Jayson Stark. Also from Stark: the last time a Phillies pitcher hit a homer and allowed one to a pitcher in the same game: 8/18/25, Johnny Couch vs. Dolf Luque (Reds). Remember those two?

Last pitchers to homer off each other in same inning: Kevin Gross and Fernando Valenzulea, 5/14/90 in the 3rd inning. As always, great stuff from Stark.

-Also getting in on the fun was Chase Utley in the first inning and Buster Posey in the third innings. Utley launched his into the second deck in right field on a 3-2 fastball from Cain. It’s the old swing we know and love.Chase owns Cain in his career, too. He’s now 8-for-2- against him with 4 homers.

-How about that Ryan Howard? He launched a three-run bomb to right field in the sixth off Cain. Man, it’s good to see that swing again. And he’s at about 80-85 percent of himself.

-Melky Cabrera got in on the fun in the top of the eighth, off Hamels. He tied it at five with a homer to left field. That pretty much sums up the season as the Phillies cannot hold leads very well.

MLB announced its 2012 Major League All-Star rosters on Sunday. Starting pitcher Cole Hamels, catcher Carlos Ruiz and closer Jonathan Papelbon will all represent the Phillies in the annual exhibition.

The left-handed Hamels has a 10-4 record with a 3.08 ERA through 16 starts this season. This is Hamels’ third All-Star selection. The 28-year-old has averaged 9 strike outs per 8 innings in 2012.

Ruiz, named as an All-Star for the first time, led the majors in hitting heading into game action on Sunday with a .358 mark. Additionally, the 33-year-old Panama native has slugged 11 homers with 43 RBI. Ruiz will back up starting catcher Buster Posey, who was voted as the NL starter by the fans.

Papelbon, a right-hander, becomes an All-Star Game for the fifth time, his first in the National League. The 31-year-old has a 2-2 record with 18 saves and a 3.03 ERA. Papelbon has not allowed a run this season in 14 games away from Citizens Bank Park.

The 2012 All-Star game will take place at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, July 10th.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider.  Check out more from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

After getting blown up at home plate in the Game 2 loss to the Rays yesterday, Brian Schneider was officially placed on the 15-day DL, making room for the return of catcher Erik Kratz.

In what was apparently an unavoidable collision, Schneider sprained his ankle as Tampa Bay third baseman Sean Rodriguez barreled over him at the plate in the sixth inning. The ankle appeared to get caught under Schneider’s body, a la Buster Posey. Schneider stayed in the game for one more pitch, but signaled that he could no longer continue.

Kratz has one home run and one RBI in four plate appearances with the Phillies this season. By my count, Schneider is the 15th Phillie on the DL this season.

Cole Hamels pitched eight innings, picked up his 10th win.

The Phillies started out their 10 game home stand the right way defeating the Colorado Rockies 7-2.  Cole Hamels looked fantastic on the mound tonight going eight innings while only allowing two runs and six hits.  Hamels also had seven strikeouts, which puts him one away from 100.

Hollywood Hamels Spotlight –

This is the 10th victory of the year for Hamels.  The Phillies only have 32 wins as a team so you can see how important it is for the front office to make every effort to resign him.  It looked like Hamels was done after pitching the seventh, but Charlie Manuel brought him out to lead off the bottom half of the inning and he lined a ball into left.

Three batters later, Hamels read a grounder off the bat of Hunter Pence to score from third.  Hamels threw 113 pitches and did issue three walks.  He joins Lance Lynn and RA Dickey as the only pitchers in the Majors with double digit wins.

Hamels struck out five batters in a row at one point and 13 straight overall.

Continue reading Hamels Cruises To 10th Win

Philadelphia Phillies (29-32) vs. Minnesota Twins (24-35)

Kyle Kendrick (2-5, 4.44) vs. Nick Blackburn (2-4, 7.75)

Time: 8:10, Target Field
TV: CSN
Weather: Clear, 65
Media: Twitter and Facebook

#VOTECHOOCH has boosted Carlos Ruiz to 3rd overall in the National League for catchers behind Yadier Molina and Buster Posey. Keep on voting!

Now, to actual baseball, which hasn’t been pretty for either team taking the field tonight. There are only two teams with a worse home record than the Phillies, and the Twins are one of them. Minnesota is 11-18 at Target Field, while the Phillies actually surprisingly excel away from the Bank, posting a 17-14 record so far this year.

The bad news for the Phillies is that they’ve slipped to 8.5 game back in the division by the Washinton Nationals. The somewhat-OK news is that there are two wild card teams this season and the Phillies find themselves just 5.5 out of that. For as bad as things have gone this season, I think that’s quite surprising.

Chase Utley is batting third for the Clearwater Threshers tonight, the first game of his actual rehab assignment. No more extended spring games and all that garbage. The clock has begun to tick. However, at least for tonight, he will DH. Look for him to play the field soon.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Pence RF, Thome DH, Victorino CF, Wigginton 1B, Ruiz C, Fontenot 3B, Martinez 2B

GAMEDAY BEER: Rum Runner

No beer on the menu tonight. After just returning from a trip to Mexico, it was often too hot to drink cerveza and have it stay cold for longer than five minutes. Enter the Rum Runner. It’s loaded with bacardi and mixed with a fruit smoothie concoction. Here’s to a good, old-fashioned mixed beverage. -By Pat

Go Phillies!

Philadelphia Phillies (1-1) at St. Louis Cardinals (1-1)

Jaime Garcia, LHP vs. Cole Hamels, LHP

Time: 5:07 p.m., Busch Stadium
TV: TBS
Weather: Cloudy, 50
Media: Twitter and Facebook

Not that we’re recommending letting the Cardinals out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but both the Phillies (in Game 1) and Cards (in Game 2) spotted their opponents a 3-0 first-inning lead and came back to win. Just because something has happened a couple times in the past doesn’t make it likely to happen in the future.

That’s the message tonight for the Phillies, who face 25-year-old lefty Jaime Garcia. Garcia, in case you haven’t heard, is 2-1 with a career 1.20 ERA in six appearances and 30 innings pitched against the Phillies. Don’t get me wrong–Garcia is an excellent pitcher whose 143 ERA+ in 163 innings last year would have gotten him some serious Rookie of the Year love in any season that didn’t involve Jason Heyward and Buster Posey. But for all the fear that Garcia’s induced over recent days, it’s not time to shut down the carnival and unpack your Flyers gear just yet: remember, it’s still only 30 innings.

Besides, Cole Hamels is on the mound tonight.

Continue reading NLDS Game 3: Phillies (1-1) at Cardinals (1-1)