Phillies Nation

Philadelphia Phillies (57-34) at New York Mets (46-45)

Vance Worley, RHP (4-1, 2.20 ERA) vs. R.A. Dickey, RHP (4-7, 3.61 ERA)

Time: 7:10 p.m., Citi Field
TV: CSN
Weather: Partly cloudy, 79
Media: Twitter and Facebook

There isn’t much coherent to say about this game, so let’s boil it down to bullet points:

• First and most importantly, doesn’t it feel great to be back from the All-Star break? I think they have that day off after the ASG for the same reason your girlfriend will suddenly and inexplicably stop returning your calls for 36 hours: you need me, remember? If you screw up, this is what it will be like all the time… Well, I miss you, baseball, and don’t ever leave me again.
• Who let the Mets back above .500?
• Vance Worley has a 4-1 record and a 2.20 ERA? I don’t think anyone really believes he’s that good long-term, but even adjusting for some external factors, such as his .259 opponent BABIP, he’s been worth nearly a full win above replacement (by FanGraphs) with a 4.05 xFIP, which ain’t bad for a 23-year-old rookie fifth starter.
• I am of two minds regarding R.A. Dickey. When he’s not pitching against the Phillies, I think it’s really cool that he was an academic All-American in college, and that he throws a knuckleball, and that he physically cannot have Tommy John surgery because he was born without a UCL in his right elbow. On the other hand, he’s the same slop-thrower the Phillies can’t figure out no matter how often they see him, the guy who was a single from Cole Hamels and a walk to Wilson Valdez of all people away from chucking a perfect game last August. So for tonight, at least, screw him.
• The Phillies are entering the Padres Reliever Sweepstakes, as ESPN’s Buster Olney called La Furia Roja the “frontrunners“ to land either closer Heath Bell and/or one of his caddies, Mike Adams and Chad Qualls. Combined with the troika of Madson, Stutes, and Tony No-Dad, as well as, potentially, one or both of Jose Contreras and Brad Lidge, that would make for an impressive bullpen indeed.

Lineup: Rollins SS, Martinez 3B, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Brown RF, Mayberry CF, Worley P

GAMEDAY BEER: Butterbeer

The final installment of the Harry Potter movie series came out this week, while we were on break, so let’s take this opportunity to honor one of the seminal works of fiction for our generation by imbibing the classic drink from the series while watching tonight’s game. According to the website drinksmixer.com, you can make butterbeer by mixing one part butterscotch schnapps with eight parts cream soda. Several more involved, nonalcoholic recipes can be found here.

Righty hurler Colby Shreve didn’t have a solid start this season with the Phillies’ Class A Lakewood BlueClaws. After beginning the year in the starting rotation and posting a .315 batting average against through three April starts, as the team’s fifth starter, Shreve was moved to the bullpen. Since that time, the 6-foot-5-inch tall Shreve has sported a .261 BAA and has improved his other numbers as well.

Pitching coordinator Gorman Heimueller, along with the BlueClaws coaching staff saw the switch as an opportunity to allow Shreve to become more focused and increase his velocity.

A 6th round draft pick in 2008, Shreve missed the 2008 and 2009 season due to elbow issues that required Tommy John surgery and made his pro debut last year, as a member of Lakewood’s starting rotation, when he went 7-5 with a 3.95 ERA.

In his past 9 relief appearances, Shreve has been strong, going 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA.

Last week, I spoke with Colby about his change of roles, his progress with his pitches, a well known admirer of his and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview.

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Jay Floyd is PhilliesNation’s minor league insider. You can get more great content from Jay by visiting his site, PhoulBallz.com.

PAWTUCKET, RI- Phillies minor league hurler Scott Mathieson has dealt with a lot of obstacles in his career. Since being drafted by the Phillies in the 17th round in 2002, he has found himself on the operating table three times, all for elbow surgery.

The Vancouver, BC native made his Major League debut as a starting pitcher in June of 2006. However, by September of that season, Mathieson was sidelined with a torn elbow ligament and required Tommy John surgery. As he rehabbed the following year, it was discovered that Mathieson had lingering issues that would force him to undergo an ulnar nerve transposition procedure. Bouncing back from that surgery proved difficult in 2008, when Mathieson was forced to have a second Tommy John surgery.

Continue reading Mathieson Returning to Starting Role

When a pitcher’s elbow is sore enough to land him on the DL not once, but twice, there is a problem. When that problem includes the phrases “second opinion” and “Dr. James Andrews,” the worst case scenario has likely been realized. We won’t know until Wednesday afternoon at the earliest, but it is possible that Joe Blanton will require Tommy John surgery.

An athlete does not often go for a second opinion if the first was favorable. Andrews’ most common surgery is Tommy John. It is easy to make the connection, though according to Matt Gelb of the Inquirer, two tests on Blanton’s elbow have shown no torn ligaments. Either way, he will be shut down for at least a month, probably more.

If Blanton does need to have the elbow reconstruction, he will be out until around June of next season. In retrospect, his contract will not have been a finer point of Ruben Amaro’s tenure, even if it didn’t appear wrong at the time. With Tommy John, the Phillies would receive a half-season of production from Blanton next year while the righthander attempts to resurrect his value on the open market. If he can come back and pitch well, he might get a two- or three-year deal. If not, a team might give him a flier at one-year, $5.5MM or so.

Continue reading Phils Can Afford To Lose Blanton Long-Term

Florida Marlins (7-5) at Philadelphia Phillies (9-3)

Javier Vazquez, RHP (1-1, 8.64 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt, RHP (2-0, 2.25 ERA)

Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 53
TV: CSN
Twitter: Phillies Nation

Two of the top power pitchers from the past decade come together in a battle of the only two NL East teams over .500. Unfortunately for those of you hoping to see another pitcher’s duel, their careers are going in separate directions.

What has become of Javier Vazquez? How will we remember him? As the great pitcher who filled in admirably for Pedro Martinez at the tail end of the Montreal Expos’ existence? The pitcher who, from 2000-2009, ranked 14th among major leaguers in wins, second in strikeouts, second in innings pitched, and eighth in complete games? Or the one who bombed, terribly, in two stints with the Yankees and has a career record of 153-150 and ERA+ of 105? The one who, as he plays out the string in Florida with a fastball hovering under 89 mph when it used to sit close to 92, will drift back towards almost comically average numbers.

Continue reading Gameday: Marlins (7-5) at Phillies (9-3)

Philadelphia Phillies (8-3) at Washington Nationals (5-6)

Cliff Lee LHP ( 1-1, 7.84 ERA) vs. Jordan Zimmermann RHP ( 1-1, 3.18 ERA)

Time: 7:05, Nationals Park
Weather: Partly Sunny, 66
TV: CSN, MASN2 (VA viewers)
Twitter: Phillies Nation

While Cliff Lee (1-1, 7.84) has not faced the Nationals as much as his counterpart Roy Halladay, he has had similar success.  Lee is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA against Washington.  Last time Lee faced the Nats, in 2009, he threw six shutout innings and struck out nine.

The lefty will look to improve from his last outing where he allowed six runs on 10 hits and didn’t escape the fourth inning.  Against the Nats, it should not be hard.  Washington is hitting a mere .222 this season.  The Phillies still lead the National League in hitting a .316 clip.

They are anchored by pretty much everyone in the lineup top to bottom.  Ben Francisco has dipped below .300 to join Raul Ibanez as the only Phillies hitter not swinging above that mark.  Even John Mayberry Jr. and Pete Orr are celebrating successful at bats off the bench hitting .500 and .429, respectively.

Philadelphia will be facing off against the Nats young righty Jordan Zimmermann (1-1, 3.18).  Zimmermann, although still young, had Tommy John surgery August 2009 and looks to come back strong only starting seven games last season.  Against the Phillies he has made two starts going 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA.

Ryan Howard has two hits in four at bats against Zimmermann, including one home run.  His 34 homers against the Nats are tied for most against any team.

Lineup: Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Francisco RF, Ibanez LF, Ruiz C, Valdez 2B, Lee P

Your Gameday Beer – Whirlwind Witbier
Tonight we have a gentle offering by Victory. This classic German Witbier is supremely drinkable on any evening, especially a rainy one like today. The flavor is comprised by wheat malt and yeast with notes of orange zest, coriander, and clove. Essentially, it’s another more sophisticated version of Blue Moon, if you fancy those. If you can find some fresh shellfish, like a bushel of crabs, have that with it. – By Brian

GO PHILLIES!

Jamie Moyer still wants to pitch again. He’ll just have another hobby now as he rehabs his elbow after Tommy John Surgery.

Moyer has joined ESPN’s Baseball Tonight as an analyst and will start tomorrow for Opening Day coverage. The 48-year old had surgery on his left elbow in late November after rehab and throwing routines did not help the ailment.

He’s sometimes known as being rather talky and long-winded, but at the same time is monotone when speaking to the press. Hopefully his knowledge shines through in a TV-friendly manner. We all know Moyer is a good guy, but is seemingly quiet while being talkative. He’ll have to get the juices flowing on the BBTN set.

Nonetheless, a great pickup by ESPN. He’ll bring loads of knowledge and add a new wrinkle to the panel.

It seems the Phillies have the Twins’ closer Joe Nathan figured out.  Granted the guy is coming off elbow-reconstructive surgery aka Tommy John, the Phils have really handed it to him this Spring.  In two appearances against Philly, Nathan has pitched an inning and a third.  During that inning plus the Phillies have managed eight hits and nine runs against the Minnesota closer.  Then again, it is the Spring.

Continue reading Phils Get To Nathan Again, Still Fall To Twins

In baseball, the only three-word combination worse than “Dr. James Andrews” is “Tommy John Surgery.” The UCL reconstruction operation has claimed yet another victim, Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright.

This is huge news for every other National League contender, as the road to October just got a bit easier. Wainwright is an amazing talent – a now-perennial Cy Young candidate coming off of an absolutely gaudy season.

Since 2009, Wainwright is 39-19 with a 2.53 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, 3.48 K/BB ratio, and two top-3 Cy Young finishes. His ERAs each year were top-4, his innings pitched were top-3, his wins were top-2.

Wainwright went blow-for-blow with Roy Halladay every step of the way for the 2010 NL Cy Young, and probably had the award won in mid-August, when he was 17-6 with a 1.99 ERA.

Continue reading The Impact of Adam Wainwright’s Season-Ender