Phillies Nation

Washington Nationals (93-61) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (78-76)

John Lannan (3-0, 4.43) vs. Kyle Kendrick (10-11, 3.89)

Time: 7:05 PM, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 60
Media: Twitter and Facebook

We’re down to just eight games left in the season, and only two on the home schedule. If you haven’t been to a game yet, now is the time. Just a wear a jacket, it’s getting chilly.

It’s another lefty on the mound for the Nationals, John Lannan. You know him well. He’s plunked a Phillie or two over the years and has turned into the replacement for a shelved-Stephen Strasburg.

For the Phillies, Kyle Kendrick gets the ball and looks to finish the season off strong. It’s been a positive second half for Kendrick and with a couple of good starts to end 2012, he could play himself into a full-time role in the rotation.

The Nationals magic number remains at five to win the East. Also, Roy Halladay is slated to start on Saturday after having a positive bullpen session. It will his final start of 2012.

Your Gameday Beer – Post Road Pumpkin Ale

This pumkin ale is more my speed. It doesn’t have that strong hit of allspice and nutmeg that sends my chest into freakout mode. It’s much more subdued. Post Road, made by Brooklyn Brewery, is called a beginners pumpkin beer by the smart-asses on Beer Advocate. Well, consider me beginning to drink one.  – Pat Gallen

GO PHILLIES!

Washington Nationals (77-49) at Philadelphia Phillies (60-67)

Jordan Zimmermann (9-7, 2.54) vs. Cliff Lee (2-7, 3.78)

Time: 1:35, Citizens Bank Park
TV: MY PHL 17
Weather: Scattered Thunderstorms, 81
Media: Twitter and Facebook

The Phillies are going for the sweep today! Being swept by the Phillies would be a major disappointment for the Nationals. The Phillies are just gonna keep plaingy spoiler.

In his last start, Jordan Zimmermann blamed his poor outing against the Braves on being too excited. For the Nationals sake, they hope that he isn’t too ecstatic to face the third place Phillies. Zimmermann is actually having a great season, but is overshadowed by phenom Stephen Strasburg. Zimmermann was actually the National’s best pitching prospect before Strasburg came along. He didn’t do too great in limited experience from 2009-10, but has pitched very good over the last two seasons.

It’s been a long time since Cliff Lee earned the victory at Citizens Bank Park. He has lost a win in almost every way possible, so let’s home he can get the W and the Phillies can sweep the Nats.

Your Gameday Beer – Amstel
No, not Amstel Light…Amstel, it’s big brother. Named after the river that flows through Amsterdam, Amstel tastes like a mix between Heineken and Bud. It has the complexity of Heineken (not to mention it’s owned by them) without the bite – definitely a macrobrew. Around Holland you can pick up a can of Amstel in vending machines which is most convenient when you don’t know the language. I’d recommend a fancy hot dog with all your preferred toppings today. – By Brian

GO PHILLIES!

They didn’t have much to do with the win, since the runs were put up early and often by the NL, but Carlos Ruiz and Cole Hamels did take part in the midsummer classic. As the National League lit up the American League, winning their third straight match up 8-0, Ruiz played his part behind the dish.

Chooch entered in the sixth to catch knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, doing an admirable job with a pitch that’s hard to corral. In the seventh, Ruiz caught his every-fifth-day battery mate Hamels, teaming up for a 1-2-3 inning.

Hamels was bringing the goods, touching 96 on the radar gun. The radar did not seem juiced, either, because Stephen Strasburg was hitting 97, which is normal for him. It took Hamels just 14 pitches to get through the seventh.

Jonathan Papelbon closed out the game, getting the final out as Tony LaRussa elected to use three pitchers to get the final three outs of the game Papelbon got Matt Wieters of the Orioles to fly out to right field.

At the plate, Ruiz finished up 0-for-1 with a flyout to left field.

Notes:

-Mike Trout is just ridiculous. It’s a shame the South Jersey native plays on the west coast, because he’s fun to watch.

-Hat tip to Chipper Jones in his final all star game. The man had a hell of a career and made it hell on the Phillies for many of those 19 seasons with the Braves. Cool moment with his single through the right side.

-If you’d told me before the game that Justin Verlander would give up five runs in the first inning, I’d have slapped you. But it happened.

-Melky Cabrera and Pablo Sandoval go 3-for-5 with 5 RBI. Yeah, you saw that coming, too.

-I’ve driven by Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City and it looks very cool from the outside. Also looks like a great place to be on the inside.

Philadelphia Phillies (13-14) at Washington Nationals (17-9)

Vance Worley (2-1, 1.97) vs. Gio Gonzalez (2-1, 1.82)

Time: 1:05 PM, Nationals Park
TV: CSN, MASN (for us VA people)
Weather: Scattered Rain, 81
Media: Twitter and Facebook

Coming off an extra inning loss is always tough.  Especially when its a quick turn around to a day game.  The Phillies will be back up early today to take on the surprise Nationals.  Washington is leading the NL East 26 games into the season.  One of the big reasons for their early success is their pitching staff.

Gio Gonzalez was brought in this past offseason to pitch and to pitch well.  With young arms on the team ilke Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann, Gio was, in some sense of the word, to be the staff veteran.  He is a solid right handed pitcher who with Oakland the past two years notched 21 victories.  He has never faced this Phillies team and has a 1.82 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched this season.

Philadelphia will be asking Vance Worley to just keep doing what he’s doing.  Just one month and five starts into his sophomore season, Worley is showing fans why Charlie Manuel wanted him in the rotation.  In 32 innings this season he has a 1.97 ERA and 32 strikeouts.  Worley is 2-1 in his young career against the Nationals.

Placido Polanco and Juan Pierre are the only two Phillies with hits off Gio, so I wouldn’t expect any barrage of offense tonight.  Another low scoring, good pitching matchup is what we are in store for I think.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Ruiz C, Wigginton 1B, Mayberry LF, Galvis 2B, Worley P

Your Gameday Beer – Tequila

No I am not trying to pull a fast one over on you.  I know this isn’t a beer.  But it is Cinco de Mayo for crying out loud.  Now, Herradura might not be your favorite brand but it is quite refreshing.  Born in 1870, Herradura tradition is as interesting as its heritage.  So for this holiday, go make margaritas, a mojito or take it straight to the face.  Be safe and enjoy. -KC

GO PHILLIES

Philadelphia Phillies (13-13) at Washington Nationals (16-9)

Kyle Kendrick (0-2, 6.59) vs. Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.13)

Time: 7:05 PM, Nationals Park
TV: Comcast The Comcast Network
Weather: Scattered Thunderstorms, 80
Media: Twitter and Facebook

I can’t tell you the last time I was this excited about a series in the beginning of May. Hell, I can’t tell you the last time I was this excited about a series with the Nationals. But I’m stoked for this one. With the Mets falling by the wayside in recent years, Phillies fans could use a new team to pose as the object of their scorn, and the Nats seem to be more than willing to volunteer for the position. It started back in February, when the Nats launched their Take Back The Park Campaign, which caused many local fans to try harder than ever to get seats in Washington for this series, and prompted a “Take Back Nationals Park” promotion here at Phillies Nation, which you can read about here and here. The tension escalated a month later, when Brad Lidge made the claim that the Nationals were probably the most talented team he had ever played on.

Suddenly, there’s a lot hype surrounding the Nats, and the Phillies could have a legitimate rival on their hands. The Nats even came up with an adorable little catchphrase and accompanying fan’s guide to cheering to show they mean business when the Phils come to town this year. Natitude. They couldn’t be cuter.

But empty catchphrases and promotional posturing aside, the Nats are a team with a young core of talent that is building to be a contender. One reason for that is the man who will be on the mound when they take the field tonight–Stephen Strasburg. In his only career start against the Phils, Strasburg was mowing them down, amassing six strikeouts and allowing two hits in 4.1 innings of work. Then this happened. The injury resulted in Strasburg needing Tommy John Surgery and missing the rest of 2010 and most of 2011. He’s back now, and pitching better than ever, taking home NL Pitcher of the Month honors for April. He’s gone at least six innings in all of his starts this season, and has yet to allow more than two runs. The Phillies will have their hands full.

Opposing Strasburg will be Mr. Inconsistency, Kyle Kendrick. In his two starts this season, Kendrick has posted an ERA of 9.00. But he is capable of pulling a rabbit out of his hat and putting together a really good start from time to time, as our own Corey Seidman wrote earlier. For his career, however, Kendrick has not been very good against the Nats, going 2-3 with a 5.46 ERA over 13 games. In four starts at Nationals Park, his ERA jumps up to 6.53.

One thing in the Phillies favor tonight: As bad as they were offensively through the first month of the season, the Nationals were worse. If Kendrick can keep the Phils in it, they may be able to steal a late-inning victory. Either way: Friday night, Strasburg on the mound, that guy Bryce Harper (whom you may have heard of) in left field, a chance to get over .500 for the second time this season, the dawning of a new rivalry–it ought to be a lot of fun.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Polanco 3B, Pence RF, Victorino CF, Nix 1B, Ruiz C, Orr 2B, Kendrick P.

Your Gameday Beer – Newcastle Brown Ale

What better way to kick off your weekend than with a Newcastle? Imported from England, Newcastle has a brown color with a reddish glow. The taste consists of soft caramel malts with just a hint of honey. It goes down smooth, making it perfect for a relaxing night in or a night at the bar. Since it’s British, have it with some bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes as we Statesiders call it). -By RD

GO PHILLIES

UPDATE: According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, the Phillies have signed former Mariner and Cardinal hurler Joel Pineiro to a minor-league deal that includes an invite to Spring Training.

——————————

Will Prince Fielder sign in Washington?

When pennant flags are raised in 2015, many people will look back to this offseason as the one that shaped the National League East.  It’s the first one in awhile when such big names are moving simultaneously and at the same position.  Albert Pujols took care of his future already and now Prince Fielder still awaits his fate.

A dark horse in these negotiations could be the Nationals.  They have quietly acquired, ok maybe not so quietly, the top young talent in Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen and Bryce Harper and made a deal to bring in Jayson Werth for way too much money.  Recently they have been linked to Roy Oswalt, Gio Gonzalez (who they signed) and now apparently talks with Fielder’s agent have started back again.

As I have argued on Twitter (@kierancarobine) in the past weeks signing Fielder does not put the Nationals as favorites for the East.  I honestly think the Phillies still hold that spot but it would make the upcoming seasons that much more interesting.  Once their youthful movement is complete they will be the competing team on top.

Continue reading Week In Review – Pineiro, Nats, Sixers

The five-day grace period given to teams to sign their own free agents has come and gone with very little movement. Today begins unrestricted free agency, and with plenty of fan fare. Jayson Werth, Cliff Lee, and Carl Crawford head a decent class of players looking to cash in on their 2010 season. On this thread we’ll keep you posted on everything happening in the hot stove league.

-Early reports from the New York Post and New York Daily News have the Yankees, of course, going after Rangers starter Cliff Lee. However, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson says Lee will listen to a pitch made by the Washington Nationals. The Nats are longing for an ace with Stephen Strasburg undergoing Tommy John surgery recently. Do the Nationals have what it takes to pry Lee away from the Yankees or Rangers? And how much of a slap in the face would it be if Lee ended up in the NL East with a team other than the Phillies?

-Keith Law has ranked the top 50 FA’s (insider only) hitting the market beginning today and Jayson Werth was placed third behind Lee and Crawford. The question, as we are well aware, is whether or not the Phillies want to pony up near nine figures to keep Werth. Is it worth it to sign a 31 year old outfielder to a five year deal for that kind of dough?

-Early reports have Scott Boras looking for Matt Holliday-type money, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Can’t say we didn’t know that, however, Boras is basically letting it be known on the record what his intentions are for his client. Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says five years, $75 million is possible in a contract for Werth, slightly less than what Boras seems to be angling for. Cafardo also says he doesn’t see Boston giving in to the demand for that many years.

-J.C. Romero, Jose Contreras, and Chad Durbin are all free agents. Which will come back? I’ll take a guess and say Romero is all but definitely gone for good. The Phillies feel comfortable with Antonio Bastrado enough to make him the go-to lefty out of the pen. The Contreras/Durbin argument is a toss-up. Do you go with the younger Durbin who has been a bullpen staple for the Phillies over the last three seasons or the older Contreras who had a breakout year as a relief pitcher? Durbin said just after the season ended that the chances of him returning were “50-50.”  Durbin will be looking for a multi-year deal, but I haven’t heard or seen any reports about what Contreras will ask for. Which guy would you go for?

-Update, 6:55 pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com says the Phillies are interested in bringing in some cheap bullpen help. He says they are looking at Eddie Bonine of the Detroit Tigers.

On a team composed of veterans quickly approaching or comfortably nestled into their 30s, Domonic Brown provided a jolt of youth after his call-up in late July. Unfortunately, due to inconsistent playing time and sparse use off the bench, Dom didn’t contribute much at the Major League level.

But, seeing as this is a Year in Review for a player who will still be considered a rookie in 2011, it’s only fair that we take his whole season into account, and boy, what a season it was!

Entering spring training as one of the best prospects in baseball – in a field that still included the likes of Jason Heyward, Buster Posey, Mike Stanton, Logan Morrison and Stephen Strasburg, among others – was an excellent start. Buoyed by a strong .318/.391/.602 line at Double-A Reading and the promotions of those ranked above him, Brown quickly found his way to the peak of some midseason prospect lists. All he did for an encore, then, was hit .346/.390/.561 in 28 games for the IronPigs in Triple-A, making him an easy choice for promotion when Shane Victorino hit the DL back on July 28.

Dom’s .210/.257/.355 line in his 70 Major League PAs seems out character, considering his minor league success. He struck out frequently – 24 times in those 70 PA – and is still considered a “work in progress” for 2011. Hey, that’s fine. He’s just 22, has tools and talent that are lauded across the scouting spectrum and, in all likelihood, a seat in right field and the starting lineup that’s being kept warm for him. Those 70 PA aren’t nearly enough to be discouraging, as Brown still has loads of potential. Oh, and did I mention that he’s got a hose? Or, that while his defense is still a bit rough overall, he’s got some legitimate athleticism? I have now, anyway.

Someday, Domonic Brown will be a star for the Phillies. It could be as soon as 2011 or 2012, but there’s little denying the man’s future is bright enough to require Ray-Bans (waiting on the check). So what if 2010 wasn’t a rousing success in very limited time at the Major League level? Dom’s destruction of the Eastern and International Leagues, vaulting to the top tier of prospects and softening the blow of Jayson Werth‘s potential (and likely) departure are plenty enough to merit high marks.

PAUL’S GRADE: 8.9/10

PAT’S GRADE: 7.6/10 – It’s hard to say what his true grade should be. On one hand, he vaulted from Double-A to the majors quickly after tearing up minor league pitching. On the other hand, he didn’t do much once he got here, although he wasn’t given much of a chance because of the outfield logjam. The future is still bright.

NICK’S GRADE: 8/10 This is a year in review piece, and Brown destroyed minor league baseball. While his time with the Phillies was more or less a learning experience, you can’t not grade his season without including his time in the minors this year.

This is the latest post from our minor league writer, Jay Floyd of PhoulBallz.com

The Arizona Fall League is a place for aspiring Major Leaguers to go to work on their baseball skills in the Autumn months. As the weather begins to cool elsewhere, the diamond stays hot and for many of baseball’s most promising young talents in Arizona.

Rosters in the AFL are a mixture of different organizations’ prospects, with each Major League club sending 7 players that combine to fill up the 35-man rosters of the league’s six teams.

With many of the sport’s top prospects playing in the league annually, the AFL has become a virtual launching pad to the big leagues. Several players from last year’s AFL rosters made their MLB debuts in 2010. The likes of Ike Reese, Mike Leake, Domonic Brown, Starlin Castro, Stephen Strasburg and Buster Posey all made their names known in their respective organization’s cities and around MLB this year.

Certainly not all of this year’s AFL players are gearing up to be playing on their sport’s biggest stage within the next 6-11 months, but it’s a lock that some of them are.
This year, the Phillies’ players are merged with individuals from the Mets, Angels, Pirates and Cubs to complete the Mesa Solar Sox roster.

Mark Parent, a man who has quickly become well liked throughout the Philadelphia organization is the Solar Sox hitting coach. Parent, who in his first season managing affiliated ball, led the Phillies Class A team the Lakewood BlueClaws to a second consecutive South Atlantic League championship in 2010. The former big leaguer has some people close to the organization thinking he is on the fast track upward in the Phils’ system as a coach. Early in the season, Phillies brass mentioned the coaching assignments in the AFL to Parent, who stuck by something he stated when he was hired for the Lakewood job. Upon joining the Phillies organization, Parent told general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. that he would do whatever the Phillies asked, and Parent excitedly took the AFL assignment.

“It’s cool. It’s certainly a job I haven’t had. The more jobs you have, and building a resume of some sort, it’s a good thing,” Parent said in an exclusive interview recently.

So, not only is the AFL a place for players to sharpen and develop their skills, it also works as a platform for coaching personnel to do the same.

Catcher Tim Kennelly, first baseman Matt Rizzotti and outfielder John Mayberry Jr. are the offensive Philadelphia properties that Parent is working with closely out in Mesa.

Also on the team are pitchers BJ Rosenberg, Tyson Brummett, Justin De Fratus and Chris Kissock.

Mayberry Jr. saw some action at the Major League level in each of the past two season with the Phillies, but which of the other six Fightins hopefuls would be likely to make a splash with the big club sooner than later? With Matt Rizzotti’s .500 OBP through 7 AFL games, his .343 avg. and .985 OPS in 125 minor league games during the 2010 regular season and a roadblock at his position named Ryan Howard making Rizzotti resemble a delicious trading chip, the best candidate to make his debut in red pin stripes next year is righty reliever Justin De Fratus.

De Fratus, who turned 23-years-old last week, posted a 3-0 record, 21 saves and a 1.94 ERA with 71 strike outs and 16 walks in 65 innings combined at High-A Cleawater and Double A Reading in 2010. De Fratus, who sports a fastball that registers around the 93 MPH mark, was assigned the honor of having best control in the Phillies’ system last off-season by Baseball America. De Fratus, a California native, was an 11th round draft selection in 2007 and is primed to be the hurler that makes big moves in 2011.

Check back for updates and exclusive interviews from the Arizona Fall League in the coming weeks.

Philadelphia Phillies (94-64) at Washington Nationals (68-90)

Joe Blanton (8-6, 4.94 ERA) vs. Ross Detwiler (1-2, 2.52)

Time: 7:05, Nationals Park
Weather: Rainy, 66
TV: CSN
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Nationals Park is where it all began this season, where the division was won, and, tonight, the Phillies will say goodbye to Washington until next spring. That is, if the rain holds off.

With home-field advantage throughout the playoffs sewn up, the Phillies can afford to take their ease a little bit, as Charlie Manuel proved last night. Last night, Adam Dunn’s walk-off homer helped the Nats to a 2-1 victory over the Phillies’ reserve squad. Tonight is no different, as the Phillies make seven changes from their Opening Day lineup. John Mayberry gets his first start of the year, and Hero of the People Wilson Valdez returns to the lineup in relief of Chase Utley.

That patchwork squad will face lefthander Ross Detwiler, a 24-year-old making his 19th career major league start. Detwiler was picked 6th overall in 2007. In recent years, the Nats have done well drafting pitchers in the high rounds, netting Stephen Strasburg, Drew Storen, Chad Cordero, and Jordan Zimmermann in recent years. Detwiler has not been so fortunate, struggling with his control this year. At his best, he’s a finesse lefty in the Cole Hamels mold, mixing in a decent fastball with a change-up for an out pitch, but so far, despite a nearly-even K/BB ratio, Detwiler’s gotten away with it, posting a 2.52 ERA in 25 innings. Pay attention to this guy, because when the Nationals finally put it together in a couple years, Detwiler could be one of their good young arms, along with Zimmermann and Strasburg.

There’s not a whole lot else to say about tonight’s game. Hardly anything is on the line, so sit back, relax, and be glad you’re not out there in that rain.

Today’s lineup: Rollins SS, Valdez 2B, Victorino CF, Sweeney 1B, Francisco LF, Mayberry RF, Dobbs 3B, Hoover C, Blanton P

Your Gameday Beer – Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest

Today is the 60th birthday of Milwaukee Brewers owner Ken Macha, and in his honor, we’ll give you a seasonal beer from the best of the Milwaukee brewers, Jacob Leinenkugel. Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest is not as highly-touted as, say Sam Adams, but it’s a malty beer that makes you think of football, terrible weather, and pumpkin pie. Enjoy. -Michael Baumann

GO PHILLIES!