Game chat: Werth returns as Braves series resumes

Kyle Kendrick (5-2, 5.00 ERA) and Jo-Jo Reyes (2-3, 4.78) take the mound tonight in the second of three between the Phillies and Braves. Outfielder Jayson Werth returns from the 15-day disabled list and is in the starting lineup. To make room for Werth, outfielder Chris Snelling has been outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Inquirer's Todd Zolecki expects Snelling to accept the assignment so he can keep his guaranteed $450,000. Zolecki says he would likely be paid the league minimum should he be lured to another team.

Comments

[Whelkman]

Goodbye, Snelling. We hardly knew ye.

[MG]

I guess that Taguchi does some things (speed and defense) that Snelling doesn't bring to the table but I would almost rather have the extra left-handed bat off the bench late in games.

[MG]

Figure Ruiz gets the start tonight with Coste having caught last night. Cholly won't come out and say it but Ruiz has pretty much lost his starting job role. Basically Cholly has been going with a platoon with Coste now for the past month or so.

Ruiz did start to hit a little bit but has essentially gone back to do nothing the past ten games. I can't figure the Phils will do anything at C until Sept. callups but you have to wonder if Ruiz is basically showcasing himself to the Phils' brass the next 2 months about whether or not he should be counted on in their plans for next year.

Feliz has also gone ice cold too. Feliz will get the start at 3B tonight with Kendrick on the mound and a lefty starting in Reyes but he needs to hit too.

3 or 4 runs tonight won't get it done and the Phils need some production out of the bottom of their lineup to come away with a W tonight.

[MG]

Nice to see Werth back in there instead of toothless Taguchi getting the start. Offense has been kind of stagnant since the Rockies' series and could use a just start.

[curt]

One of the reasons the Phils are better this year is because Cholly is better this year. A year ago he was good for a boneheaded in-game decision on a nightly basis. His obviously bad decisions this year have been rare (e.g., having Myers bat in the 8th the other night).

Last night, Cholly had Rollins bunt the winning run over to 3rd with no outs. A year ago that would have been nuts. This year it was the right call. He's been good on making the right moves with the right personnel all year, something that was not true last year.

[Sophist]

MG - Phils obviously have some catching prospects. But Ruiz' main competition at this point is a 35-year-old, and those prospects are still a way off. Ruiz probably needs to be in the Phils plans next year.

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Feliz' last 7 days: 083/.214/.208

He's still batting .292/.333/.585 against LHP, though, which makes me think most of those recent AB came against RHP. Luckily, Reyes is a lefty.

[Whelkman]

Manuel's bullpen management is still suspect (e.g. overusing Gordon yet underusing Romero), but the rest of his game has improved. I still cannot approve of the incessant bunting, though. Giving away outs is bad, bad, bad.

Also, it's Coste's third season and he's batting over .300 in his career. Isn't it time to promote him above the abyss? Then again, it's nice to have another Rollins (without the speed) at the bottom of the lineup. It's especially valuable when Rollins #1 has been relying on Rollins #2 (Victorino) for the past month.

[Sophist]

Just wanted to repost this from the last thread -- not that I'm sure it's so revealing:

Bullpen since May 10

Lidge -- 9 G (0-0 - 7 Saves), 9 IP, 14 K/7 BB, 3.00 ERA,
.219/.359/.250, 157 Pi/ 90 St, 3 SB / 0 CS

Gordon -- 10 G (2-0), 9.1 IP, 7 K/4 BB, 3.86 ERA, 2 IR, 1 Stranded, .308/.364/.615, 175 Pi/ 109 St

Romero -- 10 G (0-1), 7.2 IP, 5 K/6 BB, 3.52 ERA, 5 IR, 4 Stranded .267/.405/.467, 139 Pi/ 76 St

Durbin -- 8 G (1-0), 12.2 IP, 9 K/4 BB, 2.13 ERA, 7 IR, 5 Stranded, .205/.286/.341, 191 Pi/ 117 St

Seanez -- 7 G (1-1), 8.2 IP, 6 K/5 BB, 4.15 ERA, 5 IR, 5 Stranded, .294/.385/.353, 149 Pi, 89 St

Madson -- 11 G (0-0), 15 IP, 13 K/4 BB, 1.20 ERA, 6 IR, 4 Stranded, .229/.283/.292, 207 Pi/ 132 St

IR% = 24%

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Madson's numbers have been excellent. Besides Lidge, he's the one guy lately who's K/BB ratio is respectable, although as a relief crew their IR/Stranded numbers have been very, very good (Seanez stranded 3 last night.) Madson's WHIP is second on the team (behind Lidge and ahead of Durbin.)

Madson's pLI (the average leverage of his appearance), though, is second to last on the Phils to no surprise.

Here's the pLI order: Lidge, Gordon, Romero, Durbin, Seanez, Madson, Condrey.

---------

Rollins' BABIP in the last 14 days is .204.

[Whelkman]

All Star Ryan Howard proving his worth.

[AFish]

Even Coste says he's not an every day player. Can't see how he's in the abyss.

[Sophist]

Since May 24th, Coste has started in more games than Ruiz. Before then, it was definitely Ruiz' job, with Coste as the back-up.

[Andy]

We need to get Carson on here complaining about offensive inconsistency. They've gotta start hitting again. It's one thing to have a bad night against like Volquez or Hudson, but Jo-Jo Reyes?

[Andy]

Larry Jones, speed demon.

[curt]

Kendrick's barely holding it together. Looking like another 5 inning special.

[Andy]

curt - "Effectively wild" so easily becomes "yikes!"

[curt]

Way past time to bump Howard down to 6th against lefties, if not against everyone.

[Sophist]

So, Burrell wasn't really in the way there, was he?

[Sophist]

Great. Utley would havs scored from second.

[Whelkman]

I was referring to the 8-hole, not Coste's playing time. Coste should not hit below Feliz.

[Sophist]

Bummer. Utley, Burrell-Werth-Feliz have crushed lefties this year. Howard is in the way.

[curt]

The only Burrell did was take his usual swing. Bogus call.

[Sophist]

Although I don't think you drop him lower than 5/6 against lefties.

[bay_area_phan]

Wow, their offense is really stinking it up. There isn't one player on the team who has hit well over the last week.

[doubleh]

Good thing the Braves are so eager at the plate now--they are not making Kendrick throw strikes. A plus for us.

[curt]

Braves look like the Phils lately; hacking at a wild pitcher.

[Sophist]

Past 7 days:

Utley: .320 .414 .760
Burrell: .318 .483 .500
Vic: .292 .414 .542
Jenkins: .261 .346 .652

Dobbs (6 PA): .333 .333 .333

[Whelkman]

Beerleaguer reverse jinx in effect on Ruiz.

[doubleh]

Well, you know that was a meatball if Chooch sent it into the seats.

Yeah, Chooch!!!

[curt]

Ruiz lives!

[Sophist]

Dobbs and Jenkins shouldn't be playing today. BAP, I know you love Werth's patience. Feel like he's taken 15 pitches in 2 AB.

[p. Red]

So which is more powerful at this point, the BL reverse jinx or Cholly's gut?

[Sophist]

And, again, Rollins' BABIP in the past 2 weeks is .204. He's hit all his AB into play today and doesn't have a hit.

[Whelkman]

Werth's plate approach will make him an effective player even during slumps. Whether he ends up drawing a walk or merely striking out after 5+ pitches, he'll wear down the opposing pitcher. He'll get the Burrell boos by doing this, however.

[Sophist]

I was just wondering how ATL has only 1 hit. Then I realized they have 4 BB.

[bay_area_phan]

Sophist: Ok, perhaps I should have refined my statement a little more. A more accurate statement would be that the team, as a whole, has really stunk it up at the plate for the last week, & there isn't a single player in their lineup who you could call hot right now. Utley and Burrell's stats over the past week are based on what they did at the beginning of the week. Since they've been hapless for the last 3 days or so, you can't really call either one of them hot.

[whomper]

You guys think Fukodome should win the MVP this year? Cubs are in first, and his OPS+ is 118. Same as Rollins last year.

[curt]

Bravos have given KK extra innings with their performance in the last 2.

[Sophist]

Sorry, BAP. Didn't mean to do that to you; Since I was watching the game, I just posted what I found quickly without statement.

Phils are certainly not hitting in Atlanta.

Kendrick is throwing 13.8 Pi/inning. At that pace he'll be under 100 after 7. With Kendrick, though, CM has to know when to take him out.

[Whelkman]

Who else is tired of Howard? I'm not saying I want him off the team, but he should be chumming it with Feliz down in the lineup until/unless he turns it around.

[Sophist]

Howard is certainly not hitting. Maybe Manuel can be eased into this. Don't bat him 4th vs. LHP. Baby steps from there.

[Sophist]

Pat the bat. Hey, alternate history where Burrell bats 4th: Utley scores.

[curt]

I'm trying to remember the last time Howard did something remotely useful at the plate. I'm sure it must have been this month...

[doubleh]

OK, this throwing the ball back thing absolutely needs to stop. It's a Wrigley thing. We need to stop doing it at CBP, too.

Another thing at CBP that needs to stop is the wave. Can't stand it. It must go the way of acid wash.

[Jack]

Yeah Pat

[Sophist]

Howard's last HR was on May 30th against the Fish. It was also his last multi-RBI game.

[bay_area_phan]

Sophist: By all means, continue to correct me when I make an unsupported assertion. At times, you might even get me to change my mind (like when you pointed out that Madson, for his career, has pitched better in clutch situations). And if I don't change my mind, I'll just restate my criticisms a little more clearly -- thereby triggering the reverse Beerleaguer karma. It worked pretty well with Utley & Burrell that inning.

[curt]

Shoot, has even advanced a runner this month?

[Sophist]

Love that attitude, BAP. Just wanted to make clear that I'm not posting stats after claims bc I want to show people up. Just trying to facilitate discussion.

[Andy]

I hate Larry.

[curt]

Way overdue to be burned by a walk.

[doubleh]

The first Brave got a hit--he wasn't walked. 2 hits in a row.

He should have walked Chipper.

[Andy]

whomper - No matter what anyone else does, if Larry keeps his average above .4 he wins.

[Jack]

Chipper is kind of good at baseball

[curt]

That's what happens when you step out for a min.

[doubleh]

I hate Braves games b/c of that awful Chop song. If I were a Native American, I would sue.

[Andy]

Oooch. That was close.

Okay. Um. Durbin again? Rudy?

[curt]

OK, where's Durbin?

[Sophist]

Kendrick's last inning? I would say Yes, but the Braves bottom of the order should be coming up. Well, he needs to finish the 6th first.

[Jack]

Please take Kendrick out now

[Sophist]

After all the strong starts, two start sub-6 IP starts from Moyer and Kendrick.

[Andy]

Are they allowed to have four baserunners in a row? I thought, based on the Phils' recent performances, you have to mix in lots of pop-ups and strike-outs in between the hits and walks.

[Andy]

Sorry. I forgot about the bomb of Teixeira's that didn't quite make it out.

[Andy]

Anyone want to bet that Madson walks Reyes?

[bay_area_phan]

Kendrick had a tough start to the season, but seemed to settle down after about the third game. But this is the 3rd start in his last 4 that he has been cooked after just 5 innings. If they did weekly rankings with Phillies starting pitchers, the way they do with college football teams, Kendrick would definitely be ranked 5th right now.

[curt]

Kendrick needs another pitch to make it 3 times through the order. A change of speed would help.

[Sophist]

Madson has been really good this year.

Well, 2 ER in 5.1 IP isn't ideal. Like the battle in late innings against the Braves, though. BAP, agreed. Although I expect him to be better than Moyer in the second half.

[curt]

Well that was predictable. Ruiz back in form.

[Jack]

So if that had been Feliz who grounded into the double play, how many negative comments would there be?

[Whelkman]

Is Ruiz really that much more "popular" than Feliz?

[doubleh]

It's Cy Reyes on the mound. He belongs in the Phillies' pantheon with Cy Redding.

[Sophist]

Jack, Ruiz is a 29-year-old catcher, making $450,000 this year.

[Andy]

Jack - not many. Hardly anyone's on right now. But if you want I'll excoriate Chooch. But Ruiz has a few to go before he reaches Mr. Happy's projected career high in that particular category. But hey, at least he got a hit, unlike some batters who always bat much higher in the line-up.

[Sophist]

And there have been many negative comments about Ruiz this year (relative to his importance), if taking "Beerleaguer" to task is really what this is about.

[bay_area_phan]

Another no-decision from out starter tonight. Phillies have won 37 games this year and have just 22 wins from their starters (59.4%). I don't know how that compares to other teams, because I haven't researched it. But my impression is that an unusually high percentage of our team's wins are coming from the bullpen.

[Andy]

hh-
Don't forget Cy Allthoseguysweneverheardof

[RSB]

doubleh, totally agree about the 'chop song'. Continuing the long-standing Southern tradition of ignorance and insensitivity towards non-whites, with no trace of shame or irony - it's truly disgusting.

[curt]

Together the 2 of them constitute several lost innings each game. We'd be much more potent if Dobbs played with Ruiz, and Coste with Feliz.

[Andy]

Great. Madson's out. I guess beerleaguer has spent too much time talking about how few injuries the Phils' staff has had.

[doubleh]

RSB: Not to mention that it's totally lame.

[Whelkman]

How many times a night does Wheeler "see something he's never seen before"?

[bay_area_phan]

jack: For the record, the only thing that prevented me from writing a negative post about Ruiz there was the fact that he homered earlier in the game.

[doubleh]

Andy: Is Madson hurt? Was I not paying attention? I thought they just brought in Romero to face Johnson.

[Whelkman]

We know how to do pitching injuries.

[bay_area_phan]

These Braves announcers are not the worst announcers I've heard on MLB.tv this year (that honor would go to the D-backs & Nationals). But, for sure, they are the most biased announcers.

[Andy]

hh -
I may be mistaken.

[Sophist]

Phils are 6th in wins from SP (though they've played 1 or 2 more games than everyone else - literally, no one else has played 63 games, which is probably a good thing for the Phils.)

Phils are first in wins from the 'pen (15.)

[doubleh]

Utley is the man, indeed!

[Whelkman]

Utley, that mediocre fielding second baseman.

[Sophist]

Mets have two more SP wins than the Phils, by the way.

[Andy]

Good job, JC.

[brother]

Hey, Chipper made an out.

[RSB]

BAP: just wait until the next series.

[doubleh]

Sophist: Only 2? They should have way more than that...

[brother]

Top of the order next, time to make some hay.

[brother]

J-Roll needs to work this walk.

[Sophist]

doubleh - got it from here:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/aggregate?
sort=wins&split=127&group=8&season=2008&
seasonType=2&statType=pitching&type=reg

Massive link.

ARI 30 (61 G)
STl 28 (63)
CHN 27 (62)
ATL 24 (62)
NYN 24 (60)
PHI 22 (63)
CIN 62 (21)
etc.

[birds]

BAP -
I think the Mark Grace in Jams and flip flops is great. I thoroughly enjoy the D-backs games. Nationals and Marlins, on the other hand, they are just terrible.

[Sophist]

Rollins is the unluckiest Phillie. How many solid outs can he make?

[brother]

That's the way to do it, Vic. Now we get to show off some speed.

[curt]

Between Jimmy & Howards OBPs, its hard to get much going.