Game chat: Phillies begin key series with Marlins

Considered a non-factor before the season, the Florida Marlins have surpassed expectations and trail the first-place Phils by just 2 1-2 games in the National League East. Tonight, the division rivals open a three-game series in South Philly. Jamie Moyer, who’s a perfect 10-0 in 10 lifetime starts against the Marlins, battles rising, young right-hander Josh Johnson. First pitch is 7:05 ET, weather permitting. Back to business - enjoy the action.

Lineups have been posted: Eric Bruntlett starts at third, presumably because Moyer is on the mound. Bruntlett, for the record, is a .555 OPS hitter against RHP, while Greg Dobbs is hitting .802. The last time Manuel went right/right with Bruntlett was in Friday night's loss. He went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, a walk and an error.

Series pitching matchups:
Tuesday: 7:05: Josh Johnson (1-0, 4.18) vs. Jamie Moyer (10-6, 3.79)
Wednesday: 7:05: Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 3.18) vs. Kyle Kendrick (9-5, 4.59)
Thursday: 1:05: Chris Volstad (2-2, 3.25) vs. Cole Hamels (9-7, 3.37

Comments

[mvptommyd]

Big game tonight guys. As a scumbag, but funny radio host from New York would say, " Is anybody alive out there!

[phlipper]

From previous thread:

BAP,

Well, KK didn't do very well as a #2 starter in the playoffs last year. I'm not going to get into the whole KK debate - but suffice it to say that he wasn't a decent #2 starter last year, although, in fact, he started the second game of the playoffs.

I'm not a stat whiz like you guys, but my guess is that the bullpen and rotation era and peripheral stats are better this year than last - and they made the playoffs last year.

I will say again that assuming there isn't a significant dropoff in offense, the Phils will be competitive for the division next year as well.

[BobbyD]

I would really like the Phillies to smack Florida around in this series and show some superiority. But I'm not holding my breath.

[redbeard]

they sell phillies Team Gnomes at the 7-11 by my house

im thinking of buying one for stress relief when bruntlett plays.

[bay_area_phan]

phlipper: The term "No. 2 starter" is descriptive. It describes how a guy pitched, or has pitched, over the course of a season. I said the Phillies need a No. 2 starter to win the division. KK had the stats of a No. 2 starter all year long. That he had a bad game in the playoffs does not change the fact that he was a key part of the reason they got into the playoffs. Going forward, however, I would not count on him to give the Phillies another season like a front-end starter. For that matter, I wouldn't count on Moyer to do it again either. The Phillies have been a little lucky with these guys the last 2 years. That luck is going to run out at some point, so it would be nice to get a guy in here who doesn't need to have a lucky season to be a front-line starter.

[johnnysanz3]

I see a lot of #4 titles getting thrown out at all our pitchers but Hamels. Are we basing this off the Smoltz-Maddux-Glavine type pitching staffs here or league averages for 3s/4/s and 5s? Let's not be too negative now..even though it is the phillies and negativity makes sense.

[bay_area_phan]

The Phillies really need to take 2 of 3 in this series. Our pattern has been to beat up on the dregs of the league and then get pummeled when we play Florida and New York. We won't win the division that way. It can't continue.

[Sophist]

Look at that difference in OPS the Phils are giving up. Ug. I hate it.

Christina Kahrl on the Phils' recent moves (Seanez, Happ, Walrond):

While it was probably only a matter of time before Traction Action finally lived up to his name, the pity of this is that this busts up that “Phillies leave their pen be” storyline that tickled the fancy of everybody who likes to see some things stay the same. However, if there's an element of culpability, it probably belongs to Charlie Manuel and not to Seanez's ever-present capacity to blow a gasket, because the decision to use the fragile right-hander in what was an unusually long (for him) 2 2/3 IP outing on July 12th a night after throwing a complete frame can only be politely referred to as a roll of the dice with the health of a notoriously fragile hurler. Since that decision, Seanez put 13 of 21 batters on base and allowed eight runs, a caution against playing rough with the more delicate toys, certainly.

In his place, the decision to bring up Walrond is interesting, if only because it gives the pen another lefty who's been shining in starting work. Where J.A. Happ's a prospect with promise, however, Walrond's the definitive journeyman, having bounced through five organizations in his career. After earning his release at Iowa early on, Walrond's been amazing as an IronPig rotation stalwart, allowing only 3.1 R/9 while striking out slightly more than eight and walking fewer than three per nine. Add in a recent streak of throwing 39 innings in his last five starts that encompassed two shutouts—one a 17-strikeout affair against Louisville—and you can't blame the Phillies from being a bit curious to see what's gotten into the guy. However, it gets stranger still when you consider that Happ hasn't pitched in the week since his call-up, but perhaps Walrond's (slender) major league experience and more likely employment in non-situational work makes carrying the pair of lefties in low-leverage doable. (This club still has J.C. Romero for southpaw set-up duties, after all.)

[Sophist]

"Our pattern has been to beat up on the dregs of the league and then get pummeled when we play Florida and New York."

Phils are 4-5 against the Marlins. 42 runs scored, 40 runs allowed.

[J. Weitzel]

Not wild about Manuel lately. Dobbs is the clear choice to start tonight's game, and every game this series. And he needs to start using Happ/Walrond. This is the roster he's been given.

[EastFallowfield]

Phils are 4-5 vs Fla this year. Not great, but not 'pummeled' either.

[doubleh]

How is Bruntlett's defense that much better than Dobbs? Dobbs has been hotter as of late, too, hate to lose his bat.

[EastFallowfield]

Doesn't Moyer get more balls hit to 3rd than your average pitcher?

[bay_area_phan]

We've lost 2 series out of 3 to the Marlins, including the last 2. We've lost all 3 series to the Mets. We can quibble over semantics, but losing 5 out of 6 series to your 2 divisional rivals is absolutely pathetic. If it continues for the rest of the year, it will be very tough for the Phillies to win the division.

[BobbyD]

I agree Jason. It seems like Charlie never plays the call-ups.

[bay_area_phan]

Ef: Last game he pitched, he had 0 balls hit to third.

[J. Weitzel]

That BP article is filled with great information taken completely out of context. That July 12 game she's referring to - that's the game where they fell behind Arizona 10-2 because Eaton and Swindle got bombed. How was Manuel supposed to use his pen? Waste Durbin or Lidge in a blowout? That's why bullpens include scrubs like Seanez.

Mags like BP make managers and front offices out to be dopes when it comes to managing a bullpen. There's more to it than running the numbers. There no good way to account for tired arms, and many of the one-on-one matchups. The additions of Happ and Walrond are easily explained. They needed arms, and they were the best available. They haven't been used because there hasn't been much of a call for mop-up innings. Every game has been tight. I can remember only one situation where I might have used Happ.

[J. Weitzel]

Seanez tallied 30 pitches July 12. That's the reason he's hurt? How about his 39 years and hitting the deck in Washington.

[bay_area_phan]

The game before that: 1 ball hit to third. The game before that: 2. The game before that: 1.

Why the hell is Bruntlett starting?

[Sophist]

J - I agree. There's the limitation of an attempt at national coverage. It's hard to evaluate decisions and a team generally without seeing that team play.

EF - It doesn't really matter if Moyer gets a lot of balls to 3B. Bruntlett isn't Feliz, and he's not that much better than Dobbs.

[EastFallowfield]

BAP: Well, if no balls were hit to 3rd in his last game I guess none will be hit there tonight. Put Dobbs in!

[GoPhilsGo]

In the land of BL, 4-5 is "pummeled".

[METS WORLD ORDER (MWO) 4 LIFE]

Gotta love how Jaime is clearly rattled by the ball hitting that kid behind 1st base. Go get em Fish

[redbeard]

only a mets fan would cheer at the expense of a hurt little kid.

class act.

[bay_area_phan]

It's a myth that, with Moyer in the game, third base takes on more defensive importance. Most of the balls hit to the left side off of Moyer are foul -- like that foul ball that Bruntlettt caught a moment ago. When the balls are put in play against Moyer, they usually go to the right side, the OF, or the SS.

[METS WORLD ORDER (MWO) 4 LIFE]

my vote for phillie killer in this series:

MIKE JACOBS> OLD METS FARMHAND!!!

YEAH BABY - GO BLONDIE

[bay_area_phan]

MWO: Why are you rooting for the Marlins? They are one of your main competitors for the wild card.

[Sophist]

Great work from Moyer. Let's hope he isn't working his way out of jams every inning, of course.

[Tommy Hutton's Wristbands]

And J-Roll swings at ball 4 then turns that missed walk into an out.

[EastFallowfield]

Hey, we want the Mets fans to root for the Marlins. Look how well the Mets do when they root for their own team!

[BobbyD]

There's Jimmy setting the table again.

[AFish]

What happened to PhillR?

[johnnysanz3]

Seriously, why is Bruntlett in against a rightie instead of dobbs...grr

[Sophist]

Not loving Rollins swinging at a 3-1 pitch against a guy who walked our entire team in his last start.

[joe l]

Duhhurr.. imagine if Vic batted leadoff...

[GoPhilsGo]

Afish, PhillR is sticking pins in his Victorino doll, but it isn't working.

[AFish]

I've assumed that Dobbs can't play every day, so Cholly picked today to give Bruntlett a start.

[JMS]

Darn it, Utley.

[JMS]

Ditto, RyHo.

[Sophist]

Looks like Howard just missed crushing that one.

[bay_area_phan]

Morbid curiosity took me to the website with the Reading box score. Eaton allowed 5 runs in the first inning.

[Sophist]

AFish - May be true. The Phils are facing a bunch of RHP in a row here. With the off day yesterday, may not be a bad idea to give Dobbs a short rest.

[JMS]

What's happening to my Moyer? I'm not pulling the age joke (right now), but he seems very worn-out lately.

[Sophist]

Did Baker made any attempt to move there?

[Steve Jeltz]

FWIW, the Marlins announcers said Manuel said he started Bruntlett for defense because Moyer is pitching.

[Sophist]

Pitcher should help get him out of this, JMS.

[AFish]

If moving out of the way were really required, Chase wouldn't get a lot of his HBP.

[CJ]

Worn out?

In his last 7 starts, he's average 6.1 innings per start with a 2.84 ERA. In none of those starts did he allow more than 3 runs and in only two he failed to get out of the 5th inning.

[Sophist]

AFish - I'm not blaming the player for trying to pull one over on the ump. Good play by Baker if he did try not to move. Doesn't mean I don't want the call going the Phils' way.

[EastFallowfield]

Utley at least moves, if not moves out of the way. If there is a rule that the batter must make an effort to move it certainly applied there. Moyer's junk comes in around 70 mph.

[JMS]

Are you watching the same game I'm watching?

What are his stats for his last two starts?

[redbeard]

sigh, that stinks

[Steve Jeltz]

Nice job by Moyer to minimize the damage. With his pitch count, this may be the night we finally see a few innings of Happ.

[CJ]

JMS:

July 30th: 6 innings, 3 runs
July 24th: 7 innings, 1 run

Doesn't seem worn out to me.

[CJ]

Steve Jeltz: I'm guessing Moyer settles in and gets some quick innings. He's good for 95+ pitches every night.

[Iceman]

You can just smell the DP coming here.

[Steve Jeltz]

I wouldn't let Bruntlett take the bat off his shoulder until Johnson throws 2 strikes by him.

[Sophist]

Yes, Dobbs is up with 2 men on and nobody . . . oh

[Iceman]

Well, that might as well have been a DP. At least they're getting the pitcher out of the way.

Ruiz really looks like he's blind up there.

[Batter's Eye]

I can't tell if Ruiz is "making the pitcher work" or if he's just scared to swing.

[Steve Jeltz]

The Marlins announcers are brutal. They're telling us who picks out their clothes.

Bruntlett/Chooch/P = Blackhole 2008 V 2.0

[mb]

Jenkins, Bruntlett, Ruiz, Moyer

Not sure its possible to have a worse hitting bottom half than that. averages .245, .225, .213, and .118 respectively.

[Iceman]

Moyer just put together a better AB than Ruiz. Not that this should surprise anyone.

[mb]

i take that back... the padres put out a 6-9 of .233, .224, .175, .059.

yippee

[AFish]

At least Ruiz doesn't take the bat off his shoulder until he takes a strike. He should have swung at the 2-1 pitch.

[bay_area_phan]

Make it 2 innings, 7 runs allowed for Eaton, including 2 homeruns.

[Reed]

Tough to win ballgames with this bottom-of-the-order.

What are the odds of Rollins getting on base in the bottom?

Looks like Jamie has heartburn.

[phlipper]

Eaton may well turn out to have earned the distinction of being the worst pitcher in the majors and the minors in one season.

[curt]

Ruiz = waste of roster spot.
Blows my mind that he keeps hanging around long week after week..

[Reed]

I think Happ will finally get some work tonight.

[AFish]

Ruiz has hit .290 with a .333 OBP since the All Star break

[THe Dude]

i got Sirius...anyone know when Sirius and XM channels are going to be put together so I can start listening to MLB on my Sirius receiver?

[phlipper]

Looks like the pen is going to get some work tonight. Maybe Happ, although you'd think they'll try to go righthanded when Moyer comes out.

[mb]

LMAO @ Eaton... what a loser

[THe Dude]

yeah its a condrey night first then maybe they'll got back to a left in Happ.

[phlipper]

A question. On the radio they said that the infield fly rule wasn't called when Utely caught a shallow pop up with runners on base.

Has anyone seen a player, recently, let one of those drop to get a double play?

[Iceman]

Pappy doesn't have it tonight. Hopefully he can gut his way through 5 or so.

[bay_area_phan]

Moyer isn't sharp at all.

[JMS]

...that's what I was trying to say earlier.

[bay_area_phan]

Time to get Happ warmed up. If Moyer stays in, this isn't going to be pretty.

[MWO]

This is your ACE? Thats horible! I can imagine Hamels going down and your 3 pitchers in the NLDS will be

- Moyer
- Kendrick
- DOnut Eater

Should be another 3 and out series for your Phils this year against a WC team

[AFish]

What could Dubee be telling Moyer? My impression is that Moyer is the shadow pitching coach.

[Reed]

The Marlins have put together great at-bats. That's the problem with Moyer-he's gotta be perfect.

Plus, he ain't getting calls.

[Batter's Eye]

Maybe there's more to it (e.g. Moyer prefers to pitch to Ruiz), but if Charlie insists on starting Bruntlett when Moyer is pitching, doesn't he have to consider starting Coste to offset the loss in offensive production at 3b?

And, especially when we're facing a RHP and Jenkins is starting, which removes Werth from the lineup (another loss to offset), and puts his bat on the bench (reducing the need for Coste's bat as a PH).

[NEPhilliesPhan]

So Joba has been referred to James Andrews after his initial MRI on his shoulder...I'm not sure but I believe that that is a very bad sign usually.

[phlipper]

What's that annoying buzzing? Is there a mosquito in here?

[AFish]

When Moyer doesn't get the calls, this is what happens.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Hate to beat a dead horse here, but it really appeared that Johnson could have gotten Ruiz out any number of ways, including a pitch right down the middle.

Watching Moyer tonight I'm reminded of the old Heart song, "Magic Man." Pat Benatar wails: "Try to understand, he's a magic man."

I'm trying Pat. He has a lot of tricks, but not much of it is passing for "magic" tonight.

[phlipper]

Pretty classic Moyer in that he doesn't give in, and gets out of a lot of jams. Is there any way to prevent a BL reverse, reverse jinx?

[Reed]

Marlins - great at-bats, but 8 LOB

C'mon Jimmy!

[Sophist]

Moyer's not exactly getting hammered. He's just not throwing strikes.

[AFish]

Moyer is the anti-Myers. He never freaks out.

[Steve Jeltz]

Moyer has been Houdini out there stranding runners, but at 67 pitches Cholly should be happy to get 5 out of him tonight and turn it over to someone else.

[Iceman]

Jeez, this guy is Houdini. 1 run through 3 and he has absolutely nothing tonight.

[EastFallowfield]

Mets losing 1-0 on Kouzmanoff HR.

[NEPP]

Don't F#(*# with the Old Man.

[JMS]

AFish-I'll agree with you on that one. The man's been pitching longer than I've been alive for a reason.

[Inside/Outside the Parker]

Sophist: Hammered or not hammered, it only takes a bloop single when you are walking the bases loaded consistently.

[NEPhilliesPhan]

Did you realize that Moyer has 240 career wins...damn.

[bay_area_phan]

Moyer knows how to work the high-wire act. Still, 67 pitches through 3 innings is not a great sign. Maybe he can give us 5, but if Cholly tries to push it beyond that, he's crazy.