Game chat: Phillies, Diamondbacks conclude series

The first-place Phillies try for their fourth-straight series win when Brett Myers (2-2, 4.70) toes the rubber against undefeated ace Brandon Webb (7-0, 2.49). First pitch is 3:40 ET from Chase Field. Discuss the action here. [Live Boxscore]

Comments

[Tim from Williamsport]

3 out of 4 against arguably the best team in the league would be HUGE for the Phils. I'll take a split though.

[Bob]

That's the best thing about today's game. It would be great if the Phils won. But they don't HAVE to. That's what was so frustrating about last year. Every time they took the field from April on they HAD to win.

[curt]

We'll know real fast whether Myers has his stuff.

[Sophist]

I'm okay with a split so long as Myers looks good in a loss. If Myers gives a 3-5 starter start today and the Phils lose, I won't be content with the split. If Myers pitches 7+ and simply gets out-pitched by Webb, the loss won't feel as bad.

[Sophist]

Not that I'm content with any loss - just that relatively speaking, a solid Myers outing/loss/split series wouldn't bother me as much as most losses.

[Lake Fred]

The obvious mismatch between Brett Myers (2-2, 4.70) and the D-Backs undefeated ace Brandon Webb (7-0, 2.49)makes it plainly obvious that the Phils will win. Webb isn't as good as his record and us BL readers have been fed enough garbage (PR from Phillies mgmnt.) to believe that Myers is not as bad as his record. Let's take 3 of 4 from the snakes.

[RSB]

I don't think Werth would have a prayer against Webb. Stronger RH pitching still easts him alive. I'm still seeing that he can't hit a good fastball from a right-hander. I also wouldn't have thought Burrell would have much of a chance against Webb based on how he was swinging last night, and it's a good time to give him a day off.

Agreed that a split is wholly acceptable in this series. A win today would be gravy, especially with this matchup.

[Spitz]

Howard and Utley have hit Webb well (small sample size). Would be nice for the big fella to get it going this afternoon.

[Sophist]

Webb's last start wasn't a strong one: 6 IP, 4 R, 2 BB 3 SO. He's also way better against RH so far this year (.373 OPS vs. .702 OPS) and has been much worse at home than the road (4.05 ERA vs. 1.33 ERA.) He's played at SD, SF, COL, and CIN. His home games have been against NYM, SF, and COL.

[GM-Carson]

Webb is really damn good. With that said, let's rock him!

[Sophist]

Lineups are up - Burrell gets the day off.

[Sophist]

Vic
Bruntlett
Utley
Howard
Jenkins
Dobbs
Taguchi - LF
Coste
Myers

[GM-Carson]

Burrell deserves and probably needs a day off. Against Webb and being a day game, wise decision by Manuel.

[Ribbies]

I'll be curious to see how Jenkins does today. He seems to be warming up a bit and has shown some power against Webb. He only has three hits against him (in 20 abs) but two of them have been round trippers.

[curt]

With that stacked lineup Cholly obviously expects Webb to go deep into the game. We'll see.

[Sophist]

Webb isn't as strong against the Phils with Rollins in the lineup and even an average Howard. We'll see what we get from Howard + the bench (Dobbs needs some nice hits) today.

The chance Myers pitches an Ace are pretty low I imagine. He certainly has the potential every time out though.

[Spitz]

Don't forget that the DBacks best bat, Conner Jackson, is out today as well. That should help Myers.

[CP, NJ]

End the slump, big guy,PLEASE!

[GM-Carson]

I typed this about 5 minutes or so ago' "Burrell deserves and probably needs a day off. Against Webb and being a day game, wise decision by Manuel.", and Mitch Williams practically just said the same thing, almost word for word.

[GM-Carson]

Infield singles must piss pitchers off to no end.

[Sophist]

Vic has got to steal here. A DP is the most likely result otherwise

[diggitydave]

Regardless how this game goes, the Phils must be extremely content with the way things have gone thus far.
Think about it:
1) Rollins has been on the DL most of the first month and a half of the season
2) Howard is hitting at a level equivalent to somewhere between Travis Lee and Ricky Otero
3) The Phils are taking AT WORST 2/4 from arguably the best team in baseball (without Cole pitching in the series!)
4) The Phils find themselves tied for first place

This is pretty damn exciting, isn't it??

[kells]

Note to Comcast:Why are you sending Tom McCarthy(I'm sorry T-Mac)to obscure parts of Chase Field. Bring back Larry Anderson to TV-he actually makes sense when he talks.

[CJ]

That's manufacturing a run!

[RSB]

That's a nice early run.

[Tony]

surprise surprise, our 10million dollar man strikes out, AGAIN

does he still think he is worth a record contract valued high than miguel cabrera's?

[TK]

Ryan Howard sucks. Pass it on.

[CJ]

Vic showing how great speed is...

1) Gets to first on an infield single.
2) Gets to second on a ground ball to short. Would have been a DP in most cases (and I'm surprised he didn't take the play at second).
3) Gets to third on a passed ball.
4) Scores on a sac fly.

[CP, NJ]

Good to have Vic back

[Tony]

im saying 263 K's on the year for Ryan "im blind" howard

[CJ]

Yes, let's pile on a guy who just struck out against the NL's best pitcher.

[curt]

Fastball looks decent today.

[diggitydave]

I really, really dislike this guy Augie Ojeda for some reason.

[king myno]

Stark called him "J.R." Swindle in Rumblings and Grumblings today. Even though he's still a fringe prospect, I expect more from one of Philly's finest, Jayson.

[CJ]

Yeah, looked real decent there...

[TK]

Brett Myers kind of sucks too.

[Tony]

CJ - its not just against webb, look at the totals, he's striking out against EVERYONE

[bay_area_phan]

typical

[Bob]

CJ,

Amen. When Vic is on base he changes the whole dynamic of the defense.

BTW, Chase, while not as fast, is no slouch either. He won't make your eyes pop out with a spectacular play like Vic, but Mitch Williams yesterday called him "possibly the best base runner in baseball today" because he NEVER fails to get as many bases as possible or makes a mental error. I knew he was excellent but hadn't had it put in that perspective.

[p. Red]

@CJ I think the piling on is less due to striking out against Webb and more about striking out against just about every other pitcher he has faced this year.

[johnnysanz3]

Myers..chicks dig the long ball..when you hit them, not giving them up.

[Malcolm]

When you're facing Brandon Webb, you can't afford to give up two runs, let alone in the first.

That's not "ace" stuff, Brett.

[diggitydave]

Didn't realize Brett Myers led the league in homeruns given up...

[bay_area_phan]

CJ: I understand reversion to norms & all that stuff but how long would Howard have to keep looking pathetic before it's ok to express utter exasperation?

[RSB]

Myers getting everything up.

Chase Field is the quietest stadium in the world until someone hits a homer - then it's a rock concert and an air raid.

[p. Red]

So we are getting bad Myers today?

[Sophist]

Myers has been bad in the 1st inning all year. Better than Mark Grace who's awful in every inning - guy must be drunk for every broadcast: gets simple facts wrong and is obnoxious.

[CJ]

bap: You're all free to voice displeasure. And when it sounds stupid, I'll point that out, too.

[curt]

Myers has all his pitches & good velocity. Just a little problem with location.

[diggitydave]

Sophist- you're right. Grace is atrocious. Really unbearable.

[Tony]

and how is saying howard is going to strike out 263 times stupid, look how many he is on pace for, this is a lot less than that to cover progression to his norms

[dale]

The diamondback's TV broadcast is the worst thing ever.

[RSB]

I'll still take a game of Mark Grace over a game of Vin Scully.

[p. Red]

RSB: Don't let any Dodger fans hear you say that, I live out in LA and they LOVE Vin Scully out here.

[Sophist]

Myers OPS+ against in the first inning (not including today): 185. His other bad innings include the 4th (147) and the 5th (211). His OPS against in the 1st is 1.064 - in the 5th it's 1.147.

[Tony]

enjoy the rest of the game, back to the books now

GO PHILS

[CJ]

"and how is saying howard is going to strike out 263 times stupid, look how many he is on pace for, this is a lot less than that to cover progression to his norms"

I rest my case.

[diggitydave]

What a huge DP with the pitcher coming up. Great pitching by Myers to wiggle out of that jam.
Let's hope he keeps it up.

[p. Red]

Nice job by Myers getting out of that inning without any damage. Hopefully he can settle down a bit and at least keep it close and hope that the Phils can do another one of their late inning rallys against the DBack bullpen.

[J. Weitzel]

Myers isn't an ace. He never was an ace, and never will be one. However, he's the best bet to eat innings next to Hamels. That what they need out of him today.

[RSB]

Red: that's because they still haven't figured out that Scully isn't actually Bob Barker.

[GM-Carson]

Dubious league leaders: Ryan Howard with 51 k's and Brett Myers with 12 homeruns allowed.

*Carlos Ruiz finally starts to hit and now Chris Coste can't buy a base knock.

[curt]

Is there a more useless hitter than Myers? I don't think he's even had a sac bunt in 3 years.

[CJ]

Kyle Lohse watch:

In his first three starts, he was 1-1 with a 1.48 ERA.

In his last three starts, he's 1-1 with a 7.31 ERA and he's already allowed 6 runs to the Rockies and he's got runners on 2nd and third and one out in the 4th.

[Ben]

i think ive heard this kendrick prank story by every away broadcaster this season on extra innings. ive had enough

[noah]

Whatsup guys — new poster here. Tracking the game online; can't watch it here in NYC... Whats the deal with Myers this year anyways? Is his velocity still lower than usual today?

[bay_area_phan]

CJ: Fair enough. So the follow-up question is: how long would his average have to continue plummeting before it's no longer "stupid" to start contemplating that maybe there WON'T be a reversion to career norms? I think we're already there.

[CJ]

bap: If you want to argue for claims that Ryan Howard will strike out 263 times this year, you're welcome to. I'll call you stupid for it, but it's your right as a baseball fan.

And if you want to argue that Ryan Howard will be a .163 hitter when this season is over, you're welcome to.

[CJ]

noah: His velocity is fine. His location has been questionable. The HR ball he gave up was a fat pitch.

[CJ]

Woah... all the comments are on one page... am I seeing things?

[CJ]

Yeah... momentary glitch.

[mike cunningham]

@curt -- He has one this year. One last year (most time spent in relief limited plate appearances.)

06 -- 7
05 -- 11
04 -- 8
03 -- 5
02 -- 2

[noah]

thanks CJ...

[TK]

Contact!

[Ben]

Has ryan hit one ball to left field this year? this is atrocious.

[bay_area_phan]

CJ: I wasn't the one who said 263, and I'm pretty sure the guy who said it was using hyperbole to make a point. However, I'd gladly bet the over on 210. The only thing that might prevent me from winning would be if he's benched or stashed on the DL for awhile.

[Dave X]

263 strikeouts is definately out of the question. Above 200, assuming he keeps getting regular playing time, is probably guaranteed as well. He would've broke that last season without the DL trip.

[Mr. Mack]

I blame the Front Office for Ryno's slump. One may argue that my vile towards the FO is over the top, which it is, but try this scenario on, as I think it has some merit:

Maybe Howard is pressing because he is trying to prove that he is worth the $10 million that he had to fight for. If the Phils would have just met him in the middle, maybe his head would be on straight, which it is painfully obvious it isn't so far this season.

[from the district]

ryan howard 2007 through May 7th

.198/.378/.396 and 39 ks

not quite as bad as this year, but not far off

[CJ]

bap: You call it hyperbole, but he repeated it, "and how is saying howard is going to strike out 263 times stupid, look how many he is on pace for, this is a lot less than that to cover progression to his norms"

I never said you said it. I just used that as an example of stupid comments regarding Ryan Howard.

[Sophist]

2 of Myers' worst inning so far this year coming up. I mention this only bc the 1st stayed true and he's walked the lead-off man here in the 4th.

[Bob]

At this point, purely as a fan, I would rather have had literally any player on the team come up to bat last inning instead of Howard with a runner on.

I know Howard is capable of busting out of this at any time and rocketing one out of the park, but this slump has gotten so deep I no longer have any confidence at all that it will happen in a given AB or game.

Brett: The only thing worse than a leadoff walk is walking the opposing pitcher. I remember seeing the % of times a leadoff walk scores and it was surprisingly high.

[Bob]

Correction: Would rather have had literally any player on the team other than a pitcher at bat than Howard...

[elliott]

I just came onto the site, so I haven't checked to see if this has been discussed....

but is mark grace the worst announcer you've ever heard?

[Mr. Mack]

I know the stat fanatics (I don't like the word freaks there, because we're all stat freaks if we're baseball fans) will say that a strike out is no worse than any other out, but at least if Howard is making contact, there is some hope that the ball is going to eventually land where someone isn't playing him. His strikeouts are like a slow death, choking many a rally this season. Even a deep fly can advance the runner, but a K is a worthless out in my opinion. It deflates a club's momentum, especially when you know that the chances of that K are so high. Cholly needs to drop him in the order if he won't bench him. This is more painful than watching Burrell's slumps we've had to repetedly endure over all of his non-contract years.

[Jon]

How many times must we watch Brett Myers come up small? Pathetic...

[JBrod]

Howard and Myers are really doing their best to put a damper on what has been a fun season so far. The two of them have been extremely disappointing this season, particularly in light of their solid springs.

[clout]

It is absolutely justified to blast Howard for being so awful right now. But it is also absolutely stupid to say that he should be dumped, he's going to hit .230 for the season with 25 HRs, strike out 275 times etc.

I hope we all learned something from the Burrell experience last season.

[johnnysanz3]

Our rotation: One number 1, a number 4(Moyer) and 3 number 5's(Eaton/Kendrick/and now Myers) Obviously I don't think Myers is a 5, but he is sure trying to pitch like one this year.

[RSB]

There's no excuse to get behind Snyder like that and then have to come in with a 2-0 meatball. Myers has no consistency inning-to-inning.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

There are relatively few things that are as disheartening as learning that Chris Snyders batting average has gone from .170 to .280, in large part due to Phillies pitching.

On the other and, that should be encouraging news for Ryan Howard.

[clout]

Re: Stephen Randolph. I cannot believe anyone in the Phillies front office, including the mail room, thinks that he will help the bullpen. He is strictly an attempt to help the Iron Pigs.

[Bob]

Nice job Myers.

[doubleh]

I could tell from the beginning of the game Myers didn't look to have his best stuff, plus, as Wheels pointed out, the strike zone they are calling is going to make for a long day.
Webb seems to be getting the Braves treatment, but I'm certainly not blaming that for how Myers is imploding.

[Ben]

I realize we should be happy with a 2-2 split, heading into SF especially finishing up against webb. But watching brett implode here is depressing.

[johnnysanz3]

I think Howard will still end up somewhere around 40 home runs no matter what. But as far as his average I have no idea at this point what it will end up being. I guess a good guess would be .250

[RSB]

Eric Byrnes has the worst theme music in the history of professional sports.

[Iceman]

This seems like the definition of a mail-in game.

[curt]

Looks like we're already in "saving the BP for the next game" mode.

[doubleh]

Well, I, for one, am not happy with a split. Am I alone in that? If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. It's not good enough to be the best team in what's being called a mediocre division; that doesn't get you very far in the playoffs as we found out last year.