Game chat: Phillies play first of three with Cardinals
Right-hander Joel Pineiro (2-4, 4.52) meets left-hander Cole Hamels (9-5, 3.22) when the Cards and Phils clash at Citizens Bank Park.
Best of the Cardinals press notes: Pineiro makes only his third start against the Phils; the other two came while he was a member of the Seattle Mariners. He’s winless in his last nine starts. Offensive leaders include Albert Pujols, of course, and surprising outfielder Ryan Ludwick; both will be in the Bronx as members of the National League All-Star team. Ludwick leads the team in RBIs (58) and is 9th in baseball with a .577 slugging percentage. His 17 homers are a career high. Defensively, the Cards are tied with San Diego for tops in the NL with a .987 team fielding percentage.
"He’s winless in his last nine starts."
Kiss of death to the Phils there.
Posted by: Bedrosian's Beard | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 04:30 PM
you said it, BedBeard
It would be nice if the Phils look the first lead of the game tonight...and maintained it.
Posted by: Reed | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Maybe we'll score 20 tonight.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Speaking of hating home runs... Ryan Howard since his low point on May 10th:
263/340/584... 18 HR, 61 RBI in 53 games
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 05:33 PM
I'm betting my economic stimulus check on the phils tonight. Double or nothin'! This has all the signs of a big win. Right?
Right?
Posted by: TK | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 05:39 PM
I wouldn't bet any kind of money on the Phils right now, but with Hamels on the mound against the Cards--a team against which he pitches pretty well--I'd say I'm leaning more toward the Phils to win.
I'm hoping the offense last night carries over through this series and the next.
Posted by: doubleh | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 05:47 PM
They better get it together against Pineiro. They need to stop making scrubs look like Cy Young candidates and hit him hard.
Posted by: Mike | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 05:50 PM
A loss tonight, with Hamels and Pineiro on the mound, would be their worst loss in awhile.
So is Happ's start tomorrow night a nationally televised (ESPN) game? It seems so.
Posted by: Sophist | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:03 PM
Tonight is a must win. The Phils have to turn it around. Scoring first is a big deal in this one. I'm not worried about Hamels. The Phillies offense has just got to be more consistent. I admire the way they come back but this is not how winning teams play. The only thing this team seems to be consistent at is being inconsistent.
Posted by: James L (Forever a Phillies Fan!) | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Cubs get Rich Harden, per ESPN. It's our turn now.
Posted by: Mike | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:40 PM
I'm expecting t hear "We'd like to announce we've acquired Paul Byrd" at any moment...
Posted by: Bedrosian's Beard | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:44 PM
The Cubs just got Rich Harden... I don't recall the Cubs' or Brewers' farm systems being ranked that much higher than the Phillies'.
Posted by: Dave X | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:45 PM
The Brewers had an MLB ready power hitter in LaPorta. I don't know what the Cubs gave up for Harden. However, I'm willing to bet we didn't have it.
Posted by: Mike | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:46 PM
P Sean Gallagher
OF/INF Eric Patterson
C Josh Donaldson
OF Matt Murton
anyone know anything about these guys?
Posted by: mb | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:50 PM
I just saw that they gave up pitcher Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer John Donaldson. The only player I've heard of is Murton. Unless someone here knows something about the other guys, this seems like a weak haul for the A's.
Posted by: Mike | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:51 PM
mb: Murton is th only guy I've heard of and he's a solid OF. .294/.368/.448 for his career. I don't know about the other guys.
Posted by: Mike | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:54 PM
I know Eric Patterson is Cory Patterson's younger brother. I think he is a little better too.
Posted by: DOB | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Dave X: The Brewers farm system is LOADED with position players ranked significantly higher than what the Phils had to offer. The Indians targeted a position player as the key to the deal.
I don't know enough about the Cubs sytem to know. Since the Phils have all of one tradable commodity in the minors (Carrasco, or maybe two if you count Marson), I'm guessing almost every other team in baseball has more to offer than us.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Gallagher is a very good young pitching prospect, currently up with the Cubs, who's better than Carrasco.
Posted by: Brian G | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:56 PM
The Cubs got Harden AND Chad Gaudin. Good trade for them.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Yeah, Billy Beane never gets a weak haul. Especially for a guy like Harden.
Posted by: DOB | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Um, I think the Phils had that talent. Gallagher? Is he any good?
He's been pretty average this year. Donaldson?
ERic Patterson is Corey's Brother, and if that is any indication, I would pass.
Anyone know about the other guy?
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Brian G is right... Gallagher is a major league ready pitching prospect who's actually up in the majors (2004 draftee). I'm fairly certain he was the key to the deal.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Sweet, we'll get to be shut down by Harden again this season. Awesome.
Seems pretty obvious to me that the phils have neither the ability nor the desire to pull off a move like this. They may give us some crap like a Wolf/Byrd/some other animal, but with the attendance they've been seeing I don't believe they are incented to make a real run at it. JMO.
Posted by: mb | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:00 PM
The best we could have done to match that is likely Carrasco, Donald, Marson and Golson. Maybe something like that.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:00 PM
mb: What makes you believe the Phils don't have the desire to pull off a move like this. From all indications, the Phils made an honest play for Sabathia, but just didn't have the ammunition.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Hey, Patty G.,
Get on the ball. Get a pitcher. Quit bumbling around. You Fool.
SIncerely,
Angry Phils fan
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:02 PM
My barely educated guess would be that an equivalent package from us would be Carrasco if he was a little better, Donald, Golson if he ever walked, and Travis D'Arnaud (is that his name?).
Basically, it was significant. I'm sure someone who knows prospects better could correct me thought if I'm wrong.
Posted by: Brian G | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:03 PM
The Phillies were the Indians' plan B if the Brewers' deal fell through. The Phils just didn't have a major-league ready position player like the Brewers. (MLBTR)
Posted by: DOB | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Brian: You and I are close on our estimates. Marson is probably too good for the deal... maybe Jarmillo instead.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Bedard, please.
Posted by: Sophist | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Any truth to the rumours that Bedard is a bad guy?
Posted by: BB | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:05 PM
The Cubs also got Chad Gaudin, currently sporting a 3.59 ERA with 44Ks and 17 walks.
Posted by: Dave X | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:06 PM
We're in serious trouble. We now are clearly behind these two NL Central teams, and we can't really improve much.
In terms of what the A's got back, I'm somewhat surprised they didn't get more for a combo of Harden and Gaudin; Gallagher is certainly the key, and he is a better prospect than any of ours, and Murton is a guy who has always had the potential and needed to get out of Chicago. Still, everything I had read said that Beane was gonna hold out for a "huge" deal in order to trade Harden, and this doesn't strike me as a tremendous haul of prospects.
Posted by: Jack | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:08 PM
We definitely had equivalent talent to offer if you count Victorino... maybe Beane really sees something in one or two of these guys. It's not a very impressive haul.
Posted by: Tray | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:08 PM
CJ: Ok, I guess you are right, they probably do have the "desire" to do it. I imagine they also desire to buy quarters for $0.10
Posted by: mb | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:09 PM
It's hard to compare this straight up to the CC deal since the Cubs got two pitchers from the As.
Looks like we may see some HR tonight.
Posted by: Sophist | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:10 PM
The Phils have the talent to get a deal done, I believe, from looking at these recent trades.
Posted by: Sophist | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Yeah, even if the Phils play better and win the East (which I expect to happen), there's little chance that they'll get very far in the playoffs.
But there is really,really good news on the trade front.
Looks like the Sixers are making a strong play for Elton Brand.
Posted by: flipper | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:17 PM
God, the stupid Cardinals announcers:
"What would Howard's and Utley's numbers be if they didn't play in this ballpark?"
That is it, I'm infuriated by idiocy. To quote the Three Stooges (Curly) from "Disorder in the Court":
"Is everybody dumb?"
And now Vic! Great!!!!
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Way to be alert there Vic.
Posted by: TK | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Well played Shane.
Posted by: Jack | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Joel Pinero: Sounds like some 70's Era, General Motors Vehicle. Maybe Moyer drove one. My guess it wouldn't pass emissions tests. The pitcher definitely doesn't.
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Here are Utley's HR. Some deep ones, and I'm sure the wind in CBP is an additional factor. But these announcers talk out of there behinds a lot:
http://www.hittrackeronline.com/
detail.php?id=2008_31&type=hitter
Posted by: Sophist | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Swing at every pitch. with Cole on the mound if we keep up the horrific ABs this game could be over by 8:15
Posted by: BB | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Why is Hamels not batting in the 8 hole?
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:27 PM
the coaches show with ole cholly was interesting on the radio. cholly came out and said that he gave the break to utley because he's dinged up.
because utley is dinged up. straight from cholly.
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Hmm. Can you imagine the top of the Central if Mulder, Wainwright, and Carpenter are effective in addition to the other recent moves by the Brewers and Cubs?
Posted by: Sophist | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Dinged up? What is he, a Buick?
Posted by: GoPhilsGo | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Vote for Pat
Posted by: TK | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:31 PM
So I get home and I made dinner for my family and then I finally logged on to my laptop...and then I briefly thought about slamming it into the wall when ESPN came up and showed the Harden trade. Damnnit! I really HATE the phillies right now. Although I had a trade proposal on my FBB team trying to get rid of Harden but now I may hang on to him as he'll get far more run support on the Cubs. Still though, will the Phillies ever make a real move?
Posted by: NEPhilliesPhan | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Werth, please get a hit. Please. I would intentionally walk Werth if I were Duncan. Ruiz is an easier out than a pitcher.
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:32 PM
I love Pat Burrell. Too bad he's not more clutch.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:32 PM
...two in scoring position, no outs? Uh oh...
Posted by: KidCarnivore | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:32 PM
That Pat Burrell fella almost looks like an All-Star...ashame he got snubbed in place of Ludwick.
Posted by: NEPhilliesPhan | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Living in NY, I watched this weekend series on the local broadcast (SNY). Today, I'm watching the CSN broadcast on mlb.tv. It only took until the 2d inning for TMac to do one of his stupid reports and prevent Harry from calling an important hit. Give me SNY any day.
Posted by: AFish | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Has Carlos Ruiz hit into a triple play this year?
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Not yet Parker...but give him time. I'm sure it will happen if we keep running him out there.
Posted by: NEPhilliesPhan | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:34 PM
"I love Pat Burrell. Too bad he's not more clutch."
Perhaps directed at moi?
For the record (and for the nth time), I agree that Burrell has been good in the clutch this year.
Posted by: flipper | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Werth did Pete Happy a favor by not allowing him the chance to ground into a double play.
Posted by: paco | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Awesome...runners on 2nd and 3rd with Feliz and Ruiz coming up. Kill me now.
Posted by: GreggyD | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Oh, I forgot Feliz has to hit. Duncan might walk him intentionally.
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:35 PM
But Ruiz can GIDP now...darn.
Posted by: paco | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Ruiz IS going to hit into a dp, right?
Posted by: AFish | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Could Ruiz actually come up clutch????
Who am I kidding?
Posted by: GreggyD | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:37 PM
ANybody think Burrell has Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Crossfire" stuck in his head with the bases loaded and Ruiz up?
"Stranded, caught in the crossfire."
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Molina had got to be saying, "This is DP Ruiz, for goodness sake."
Posted by: AFish | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
If Ruiz hits into a double play here, this board may explode. Literally.
Posted by: Jack | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Coste should pinch-hit here.
Posted by: Dave X | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
I'd rather have him strikeout and have Cole hit with two outs.
Posted by: GreggyD | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Like clockwork.
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Utterly predictable.
Posted by: paco | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Couldn't see that coming.
Posted by: AFish | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
GET HIM OUT OF THE LEAGUE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: TK | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Are you joking me. Jesus Christ. Wow.
Posted by: Jack | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Posted by: clicheguevara | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! I WANT HIM OFF THIS TEAM NOW!!
Posted by: GreggyD | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
It would be comical if it wasn't so sad.
Posted by: KidCarnivore | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Let the crucifixion begin
Posted by: GoPhilsGo | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
I don't know why so many beerleaguers have a problem with Ruiz. That's the first time he's ever grounded into a doubleplay. Terrible. But the inning actually ended when Werth struck out.
Posted by: BobbyD | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Don't know whether to curse or cry. That's just fugly.
Posted by: ajc1 | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Turned on my radio just in time for the DP! Sweet!
Posted by: jhart | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Two really bad at bats there. Werth swinging at ball four and Ruiz grounding weakly into the DP.
Posted by: CJ | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:40 PM
This team is unbearable.
Posted by: TK | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:40 PM
DISGUSTING!!!!!
Ruiz should be in Lehigh too!
Posted by: BB | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Let the Chris Coste - Jason Jaramillo experiment begin!!
Ruiz would have more success if he didn't swing the bat!!
Posted by: Jon | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:40 PM
That's really amazing actually
Posted by: BobbyD | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Ruiz should be in Lakewood. Actually, he should be in Manheim Township High School
Posted by: TK | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:41 PM
"That's the first time he's ever grounded into a doubleplay."
Are you serious?
Posted by: clicheguevara | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Jarmillo, Jarmillo, where far out thou Jarmillo?
Posted by: Inside/Outside the Parker | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Geez, send him to Allentown already. Yes, calling a game is important and having a knowledge of the staff is important. But, you have to be able to do something offensively. Ruiz has done NOTHING for 2 straight months.
Ruiz has no clue up there. Bring up the AAA all-star catcher, and be done with it.
Posted by: denny b. | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Manheim Township? Fine, I don't want him here in Ephrata.
Posted by: KidCarnivore | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Ruis is a very good defensive catcher...
~ducks~
Posted by: NEPhilliesPhan | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
That's GDP No. 11 for Ruiz. Feliz leads the team with 12. What a 7-8 combo.
The Black Hole Lives!
Posted by: ajc1 | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
clicheguevara, I believe he intended a "not" in there.
Posted by: paco | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Yeah I'm serious. This is the first Phillies game I've ever watched.
Posted by: BobbyD | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
makes you long for sal fasano.
Posted by: joe | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Werth can still catch I know it.
Posted by: vegas | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:43 PM
How many more ABs does Feliz have compared to Ruiz though...I'm guessing a bunch. Ruiz is killing them. I wouild rather have had Hamels up in that situation than Ruiz.
Posted by: NEPhilliesPhan | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Did you intentionally misspell Ruiz's name?
Posted by: Ry | Tuesday, July 08, 2008 at 07:44 PM