Game chat: Phillies, Cardinals play series finale

The Phillies go in search of a series win this afternoon at 1:05. Braden Looper (9-6, 4.14) and Jamie Moyer (7-6, 4.12) have the ball. Lineups have been posted. Geoff Jenkins gets the start in right field. Chris Coste does the catching.

Comments

[GreggyD]

Glad to see that Coste isn't injured (at least not too badly). Despite the fact that he didn't play all that horribly last night, Ruiz still needs to sit as much as possible.

[NEPhilliesPhan]

Rubber match here we come...

[doubleh]

Some reports on ESPN that the DBacks might possibly be pursuing Barry Bonds now that Upton and Byrnes are hurt.

[BobbyD]

Prediction: someone will win this game.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Utley, Howard and Burrell all have good numbers against Looper. I believe someone mentioned that Jenkins did as well. Based upon that info, I'm predicting a 4 hit shutout by Looper. Logic, history, and reality are fleeting for a hardcore Phillies fan.

[GreggyD]

I have heard that report on Bonds. I figured someone would pick him up for the stretch run after the Break.

[GreggyD]

I have heard that report on Bonds. I figured someone would pick him up for the stretch run after the Break.

[Bubba]

Winner better be wearing red pinstripes!

[GreggyD]

Jamie needs to calm down a little bit. Watching on mlb.com Gameday again since I'm at work. Are they squeezing him? Those all looked like pretty close pitches from what the interweb is showing me.

[CJ]

Oh, this reminds me...

I will be in St. Louis on Aug. 1st, sitting three rows behind the Phillies dugout. I'll be wearing a Howard jersey and my wife will be wearing a Rollins jersey. She didn't want to wear an Utley jersey because she didn't want to be one of "those girls." And although she's been an Astros fan in the past, she didn't want a Lidge jersey because he's "just a pitcher."

[NEPhilliesPhan]

The DBacks GM came out last night and emphatically denied those rumors on Bonds...he said that it WOULDN'T HAPPEN.

[donc]

I'm at work and listening on the radio. Larry Anderson is like an Ambien marinated in vodka.

[Iceman]

Could Harry have jinxed Jamie any more against Pujols right there? Jesus.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

BobbyD: I wonder what would happen if you angered the baseball gods with that prediction: "someone will win this game." ???

The results could be horrific. 45 inning game, 10 rain delays, Tom Gordon is activated off the DL in two days in the 44th inning he throws a curveball and his arm falls off. At that point the umps call the game in a 0-0 tie due to an imminent typhoon, which will destroy the entire eastern seaboard.

[GreggyD]

Big K there for Jamie. It'd be nice to get out of the inning unscathed.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

UTS!! what a play.

[GreggyD]

I love one pitch outs. Ankiel just helped Jamie's pitch count from getting out of hand for the first inning of work. 21 pitches through one for Pappy.

[GreggyD]

Rollins really needs to build off of that triple from last night. This lineup thrives when he gets on base.

[Sophist]

The Cardinals press is really trying to push a move, as well, although until today I'd never heard of any rumors surrounding the team. Their box crew spent the entire Hamels game talking about moves the Cardinals could make w/out ever mentioning players or even positions.

They then interviewed the GMs, and the GMs pretty much denied anything.

I think LaRussa is pushing for something though.

I say this bc it wouldn't surprise me if Bonds ended up in St Louis. LaRussa can manage guys like him, and he doesn't have a history of minding substance abuse of any kind.

[vegas]

all-star play by UTS

[GreggyD]

Way to work the pitcher there leadoff man.

[Brian G]

Uh oh. Clout's biggest fear will be realized tonight... Josh Johnson starts for the Marlins.

[GreggyD]

At least someone with speed can get on base. Hopefully Vic snags another one here and the Phils learn how to play small ball to get him in and take the early lead.

[GoPhilsGo]

Cardinals announcers are still talking about it.

[KM]

Rollins really should be watching Victorino's at bats and taking notes. Victorino has been the much better leadoff man as of late.

[GreggyD]

I agree and he's really been working counts pretty well. I have no objections to putting him at the top of the order.

[none]

Question for those who listen to the audio online... how well does it typically sync up with Gameday? Also, how reliable is it?

[Iceman]

The big man, again!

[GoPhilsGo]

Ryno!

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Sorry for the sarcasm, but HR's and RBI's.....irrelevant!

[GreggyD]

WOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Howard's really found his stroke lately. He loves him some Cardinals pitching!!

[TK]

following on gameday, that must have been the best AB for Howard all season!

[vegas]

He's dailed in right now! Two outs again.

[Jack]

Yeah, that's nice and everything, but this team is far too reliant on the home run. I just don't like these runs...

[BobbyD]

All I want to be able to do is love Ryan Howard.

[Ryan Howard]

Trade me, I dare you.

[The Truth Injection]

I'd be all for Vic and Rollins swapping order spots right now.

Look out- The Big Man is starting to get hot, and he's starting to take stuff the other way which is getting back to 2006 version in some regards.

[GreggyD]

Very nice. Pat works him for 5 more pitches and then the inning is over. I'll definitely take 2-0 after one!

[GoPhilsGo]

Parker, a HR and RBI in the same AB is double irrelevant!

I was watching the Cardinals feed for a bit, and whoever the announcers are some of the worst I've heard.

[Sophist]

Jack, are you joking?

Great AB by Howard. How many pitches?

[Sophist]

I've never really liked the double leadoff man the Phils have sported somewhat regularly since the Lofton days. I'd rather have Vic leadoff, followed by Utley, Burrell, Howard, Rollins, Werth, Feliz, C, P.

[TK]

25 pitches to theier starter with a bullpen that must be gassed from last night...good start.

[Ribbies]

Uts doing it in the field!

[Omar Daal]

Hey, I have a great idea:

Lets trade another potential future Hall of Fame player for some prospects. Because, that has worked out so well in the past.

[GreggyD]

Maybe I'm an idiot, so I apologize beforehand if this is a dumb question, but does LaRussa always bat his pitcher 8th and a position player 9th?

[Jack]

Sophist- yes, I was joking. I have no problems at all with the Phillies hitting lots of home runs; in fact, I'm glad they do since it's the single best outcome you can have at the plate.

[Ribbies]

Not sure Greg, but he has every game against the Phils this year.

Unrelated, is it possible the Giants will never score again?

[GreggyD]

Sophist: I agree with you. They need to spread the speed around the lineup and seeing as Rollins (typically) has more pop in his bat, he would be well served to hit lower in the order to knock in the heavy hitters when they get on base.

Nice job by Pappy forcing the DP. I love when they work for us.

[GreggyD]

Also unrelated:

How happy are the Braves that they don't have to face the Perfect's...I mean the Dodgers again tonight.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

GreggyD: LaRussa, after watching Ruiz hit, is offering Cholly some advice by example by batting his pitcher 9th.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

I mean pitcher 8th.

[Sophist]

I'm pretty sure LaRussa's been sticking the pitcher in the 8th spot all year.

[GreggyD]

LOL @ Parker.

They might not get a hit, but at least the Phillies are turning the lineup over in the 2nd.

[GreggyD]

*If Coste gets on....

Got a little ahead of myself there..

[Sophist]

Here's their batting orders this year:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2008_bo.shtml

every game.

[Sophist]

He's done it every game since game #107 of 2007.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

One day I just want to see a post game interview with some representative of the 6-7-8 hitters when they go 0 for 15 and the only comment is:

"We do what we do to help the team."

[Jack]

Side note: Why does MLB limit the Home Run Derby to players who are participating in the all-star game? You couldn't tell me seeing Howard and Dunn crushing balls into the upper deck of Yankee Stadium wouldn't be awesome. The dunk contest in the NBA is always made up of younger players who aren't usually all-stars. The home run derby should be Howard, Dunn, Fielder, and then maybe some of the other guys in there now (Utley, Hamilton, Braun, etc.).

[Sophist]

Didn't Howard participate in the Derby, and win it, despite not being an AS a few years ago?

[BobbyD]

I'm aware of the reasons, but isn't this odd:

Howard leads the NL in HR's and RBI's and won't be in the all star game.

Rollins won the MVP last year and wasn't in the all star game that year.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Jack: In that case, I'll nominate Russell Branyon right now. Have you seen some of the HR's he has hit this year? He hits them where pretty much only Howard can reach.

[Sophist]

Nevermind. Howard was a player selection in the AS game in 06.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Then again Branyon might strike out in the HR derby.

[GreggyD]

Would the other players want to fly to New York for a couple hours of crushing limp fastballs from Ramon Hernandez or take a few days to rest and just relax at home with their families? It's probably just easier to have the All Stars do it because they have to be there anyway.

Plus, none of the All Stars in the NBA even want to participate in the Slam Dunk contest so they have no choice but to bring in lesser players sometimes.

[baxter]

Howard hits another home run on a ball below his knees...2nd in two days...He's really gotta learn to be more patient, or else those pitchers will never get tired.

[GreggyD]

Just under 40 pitches through 3 innings. Beautiful.

[Sophist]

baxter - it was also about the 10th pitch of the AB.

[KM]

Before this season, I think I heard that Coste thought he wasn't suited to be a starting catcher because too many at bats would expose the holes in his swing exposing him to prolonged stats. His OPS by month really seems to play this out, he's fallen month to month from 1.035 in April to .934 to .787 to a terrible .294 so far this month. Since June 1, he has just six extra base hits. I know it's radical, but does anyone else think that maybe the solution to the catching problem is to put Coste back in a two games per week role and let Ruiz get in more of a groove and hopefully bust out of his funk?

[baxter]

Howard needs to stop clearing the bases. The Phillies need more baserunners, not guys sitting in the dugout.

[GreggyD]

Another XBH for Rollins! Keep it up MVP

[GreggyD]

I think that Coste is already relegated to that role. Not only would holes in his swing be exposed, but his knees would give out on him. He's not exactly a young chap anymore. Neither has been fantastic lately, but I feel more comfortable with Coste's bat in there right now as opposed to GIDP Ruiz.

[GreggyD]

Utley's been great defensively today, an RBI would be even better.

[GoPhilsGo]

Would be ironic if Howard keeps this pace up for the rest of the season and ends up with the MVP instead of Utley.

[Ribbies]

Nice Utley!

[GoPhilsGo]

Go, Uts!

[donc]

Sweeeeet.

[Len39]

Here's the team I remember!!! Way to go!!!

[NEPhilliesPhan]

Way to go Utley!!!

[GreggyD]

Put another on the board and get into scoring position yourself!!!

It's amazing what happens when this lineup can hit the damn ball.

[BobbyD]

Hittin' Season!

[Sophist]

It's amazing what happens when Rollins-Vic-Utley get on base.

[GreggyD]

A one pitch out there is inexcusable. Looper's pitch count is already high and just sitting on a couple more would've been a good idea. Patience is a virtue, Ryan.

[NEPhilliesPhan]

Howard's a bum.

[GreggyD]

Look at Pappy whiffing one of the best hitters in the league! The team is looking fantastic this afternoon.

[GoPhilsGo]

Trade him now

[TK]

Jame Moyer's ERA is about to go under 4

[jr]

Holliday to replace Soriano in NL lineup

[Lake Fred]

Poor Howard. Extends hitting streak to 13 games. Hits game winner last night. Hits go ahead homer today. Leads NL in HRs and RBIs. He's a real bum. Sheesh!

[GreggyD]

That's Ankiel's second one pitch at bat. Lidge must have rattled him last night.

[BobbyD]

Holliday was already on the team right? That means someone replaces Holliday as a reserve? Burrell? Howard?

[Luckbox]

jr: Holliday HAD to replace Soriano in the lineup. Rules dictate the next highest in the voting gets the starting spot. The choice to replace Soriano on the roster is up to Hurdle.

What if he picked Howard?

[GreggyD]

So much for the ERA going under 4.

[Lake Fred]

If Hurdle wants to win the AS game, he should add Howard and his hot bat!

[TK]

That couldn't have been a bigger jinx. My bad.

[Ribbies]

Nice K Jamie, good to limit the damage. Now let's put this one out of reach. Another long inning could take Looper out of the game and the pen must be tired from last night's long outing.

[NEPhilliesPhan]

Everyone remember when Yadier Molina was a no hit catcher...now he's batting .305.

[kells]

From Keith Law's ESPN chat
Corey (Philadelphia): Are the Phillies going to actually be a player in the trade deadline for once?

Keith Law: (1:49 PM ET ) I assume so - Gillick's in his last year, there's a clear win-now strategy. I'd cash in Golson pretty quickly, maybe Donald because 2b and ss are well filled in Philly, definitely keep Marson.

[Ribbies]

Also, for all you radio listeners out there, I'm liking the new Utley Taskycake ad. Hope it bumps the painful Ruiz ad off the air.

[GM-Carson]

My thoughts on the Happ "demotion"- I think they'll probably call up Myers after the All-Star break. If Eaton's next start goes crappy, Happ may just take his spot in the rotation.

Everyone punching the Burrell button for the Final Vote?

[GoPhilsGo]

Vote For Pat!