Game chat: Phillies settle series with Marlins today

Cole Hamels (9-7, 3.37) tries for his first win since July 3 this afternoon against rookie right-hander Chris Volstad (2-2, 3.25) and the Florida Marlins. First pitch is 1:05 from Citizens Bank Park.

Summary: The Phils try to follow a solid 5-0 victory last night. Afterward, the talk centered around Kyle Kendrick; there were a couple of good articles on KK in the morning papers. The right-hander allowed four hits and five walks, but pitched around danger and benefited from some sharp defense. Like he’s done many times throughout his short career, he was able do bear down when he needed to. One of the articles compared him with Jamie Moyer and said they were the unappreciated heroes of the season. It's true, and they're also similar pitching-wise. Obviously, they don’t throw electric cheese. Although he walked five, Kendrick, like Moyer, can hit the mark when he needs to, and he usually avoids the middle of the plate. For someone who has not yet turned 24, his maturity is perhaps his greatest asset.

Hamels, who’s gone off track in his last two starts, could learn a little from Kendrick. Hamels has been overthrowing lately and was tagged for four runs on eight hits and two homers in Friday night’s start in St. Louis. Hamels’ fastball, which is straight to begin with, was out over the plate all night, as was his change-up. When it happens, he’s prone to the long ball.

Hamels' mediocre 9-7 record would look a lot better if he received the kind of run support Kendrick’s been getting. Hamels has received only nine runs of support over his last five losses. In those losses, he’s posted a 3.25 ERA.

Best of the press notes: Chad Durbin has a 0.65 ERA in 21 appearances against NL East. Jimmy Rollins is hitting .394 (13-33), 2 2B, HR, 2 RBI in his last eight home games. Since the All-Star break, Shane Victorino leads the team in batting average (.310), hits (22), homes (6), RBIs (14), runs (15) and slugging percentage (.620)

Comments

[curt]

July 3rd? Wow.

Vic. Wow. Durbin. Wow Wow.

[MG]

Hamels is like Bizarro Superman. If he were a vampire, sunlight would just kill'em. Instead the yellow sun just weakens his power and elevates his changeup.

Here is hoping the bats show up against a guy (Volstad) who has some really good raw stuff. If he can settle in a bit and find his rhythm, it will be a tough afternoon for the Phils.

[MG]

No questioning Durbin's value this year (and I bet he actually holds up fairly well down the stretch because he was a starter last year), but he is a prime candidate to have a down year next year because of the heavy workload/reversion to the mean. Happened to Geary in a big way to start last year after his workload in '06.

[mvptommyd]

Hamels + Day= Me Nervous

[doubleh]

I'm just hoping this black is white week continues. Moyer loses his first to game to the Fish, which we thought would be a sure/likely win--perhaps Cole finally comes through in a day game?

Phils pattern lately has been win game one of series, drop next two...but lose game one, win next two. I'd like to see that continue today.

[J. Weitzel]

Vic's surge coincides with the time I made him my desktop wallpaper. He was "Mr. July" in the Phillies.com "Go for it!" series. Which reminds me I'm due for new wallpaper. Maybe Geoff Jenkins is Mr. August.

[johnnysanz3]

Good point about Kendrick's age. He's still only 23, and plenty of pitchers learn a thing or two and improve past that age. Who knows, he may become even better.

[Bubba]

Way to Go MG- With the BeerLeaguer reverse action Cole will look like Jim Bunning on Fathers Day!

[MG]

JW - I bet that Jenkins has one last gasp in his yet this season. Just a question if he will last more than 7-10 days.

[AWH the RBP]

Is it fair to say that since the All Star break Shane Victorino has carried the team?

[king myno]

Big conflict today - start Volstad in my fantasy league? I never root against the Phils (of course), but I figure if they're going to frustrate the crap out of me with another poor offensive showing, I might as well benefit in a secondary way from it. At the same time, the top of this lineup could pound this young righty into oblivion by the fourth.

[Willard Preacher]

With an otherwise up and down offense, you'd get no argument from me, AWH.

[mvptommyd]

AWH: I don't think carry is the right term. I think what he has done is Jimmy Rollins' job for him.

[Kegel_C]

I wonder how Durbin's #s compare to all other RPs in the East?
That stat alone tells the importance to this ballclub.
I think Hamels needs to get bitten by a wolf so that way he is capable of pitching well during the day.
Go Philthies!

[The Truth Injection]

Chase Headley goes yard on Santana. 1-0 Padres

[CJ]

Kyle Kendrick is one lucky mo-fo!!!!

I also love that when someone disagrees with Jack they are labeled "clout's minions." Since clout declared I "don't know sh-t," I'm not sure I could really be one of his minions. And mike cunningham a clout minion!??!?! That one made me laugh out loud!

[mvptommyd]

There have been alot of things that have happened and to say just one person "carried" the team isn't right. Espically after Dobbs has been a maniac coming off the bench, Lidge still hasnt blown one yet this season, Howard still hitting dingers.

[CJ]

By the way... someone mentioned Kendrick was a #5 pitcher pitching like a #4 this year.

Pitcher, ERA+
Hamels, 132
Moyer, 118
Kendrick, 102
Blanton, 93 (with the Phils)
Myers, 84

Anyone got a read on how that compares with the rest of the league?

[CJ]

Bruntlett and Ruiz in the lineup for the Phils vs. a lefty today.

[mvptommyd]

CJ: He is not lucky. He is a good pitcher, look at all hiss tarts since he came in the MLB last year. 85% have been quality. You are wrong.

[Colin_K]

Why the 12pm start for Mets v. Fathers, are they playing the game in Bermuda?

[bay_area_phan]

KK's most similar veteran analogy would be Jon Garland. They're both durable, consistent starters who give you about 6 to 7 innings a game, and keep their teams in the game. They also have reasonably similar GO/FO ratios, WHIPs, strikeout totals, and ERAs.

Garland has had a pretty nice career, including double digit wins 7 years in a row & back-to-back 18-win seasons. That's about the type of career that I see Kendrick having. If he can develop another pitch or improve the command of his sinker, he could actually be somewhat better than Garland. He's still only 23.

[CJ]

mvptommy: Please forgive my sarcasm. I'm one of Kendrick's biggest supporters on this list. I love what the guy does for us game in and game out. He crushes righties and he deals well during trouble. I can't wait until he harnesses a change up to get lefties out more consistently.

[mvptommyd]

CJ: Hate to correct you again but Marlins pitcher is a righty.

[bay_area_phan]

I never thought my keyboard would type the following words, but: We need Feliz back.

[CJ]

bap: According to b-r.com, KK compares most favorably to John Denny at this age. Denny, of course, won a Cy Young for the Phils in 1983. He had a career winning percentage of .532 with an ERA of 3.88 and a WHIP of 1.336.

Interestingly, he also compares well with Roy Hallady at this age. We can only hope... ;-)

[CJ]

mvptommyd: Typo. I meant righty. Actually checked to see since I wasn't familiar with the guy. Not sure why I typed lefty.

[mvptommyd]

CJ: Ok sorry didn't pick up on the sarcasm. I am just sick of BL bloggers saying he is so lucky the past 2 days. When clearly he isn't.

[doubleh]

Game Day is so lame; it hasn't even registered the Pads/Mets game yet.

[mvptommyd]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hamels late showing up to todays game, when he is freaking pitching!!!!!!

[Brian G]

Sophist: That was some interesting stuff on Kendrick last night. It's frustrating that you can't analyze something that is a pretty clear outlier without people questioning your motives. I can enjoy and appreciate Kendrick's success while at the same time trying to figure out how the heck he does it.
The stats you showed pretty much blew up Clout's theory of "Kendrick is successful bc of his drastic lefty/righty splits". I think Tray said it well in that "he gets slightly better against righties and then turns into Cole Hamels vs lefties when men are on". Any other pitchers out there who have been able to sustain such incredible bases empty vs RISP split differences? Was his formula for success the same last year?
Whatever it is, it's certainly nice to have a guy on the team who is the anti-Eaton, and actually steps up the going gets tough.

[CJ]

Relating to my earlier post about the Phils staff and their ERA+, I present this comparison:

Hamels 132/Santana 144
Moyer 118/Pelfrey 107
Kendrick 102/Maine 100
Blanton 93/Perez 100
Myers 84/Martinez 71

[curt]

BAP - If your keyboard typed that, I want me one of them.

[CJ]

Brian G: I'm not sure the lefty/righty split theorty has been "blown up."

Kendrick's success has been largely based on his ability to shut down righties while enduring base runners who are lefties. That he can also bear down on lefties with men on is nice... but it's hardly the secret to his success.

[mvptommyd]

To add on to my BREAKING NEWS post a couple minutes ago. Sources say he left a Center City hotel with his wife at 11:30 AM when gametime is 1:05. Also, he set to have a meeting with Manuel upon arrival. Nothing else is known at this point.

[TK]

Is Dobbs Hurt? Why wouldn't he start today over Bruntlett?

[curt]

Anyone try to catch Baseball Tonight last night? No time for sports; it was a round-the-clock Favrethon.

[CJ]

Another, not so flattering, comparison of ERA+:

Hamels 132/Harden 215
Moyer 118/Zambrano 163
Kendrick 102/Dempster 154
Blanton 93/Lilly 104
Myers 84/Marquis 95

[CJ]

curt: Yeah, it was pretty lame... although they moved Baseball Tonight to the Deuce.

[NEPP]

Will they bench Hamels?!? If the reigning MVP is benched for being late...shouldn't Hamels be too?

[CJ]

Santana has 51 pitches through three innings vs. the Padres.

[mvptommyd]

Agreed. Could it beeee, JA Happ get the start.. hhhhhmmmmmm?

But doubt it.

If what I said is in fact how I heard and read it, then the phillies will be hypocrites not to bench him.

[CJ]

NEPP: Not so simple there... who are you suggesting start in his place?

[Kegel_C]

Has anybody seen the Fathers lineup lately?

Geez, talk about injuries/ineptitude ravaging your team.

S. Hairston CF 0-2
T. Iguchi 2B 0-2
A. Gonzalez 1B 0-1
K. Kouzmanoff 3B 0-1
C. Headley LF 1-1
J. Gerut RF 0-1
N. Hundley C 0-1 (Todd Hundley's brother?)
L. Rodriguez SS 0-1
J. Banks P 0-0

If that isnt a case study for -VORP I dont know what is...

[Indiana Sarge]

mvp: Where did you hear this?

[Dave X]

I thought the Rollins benching was from multiple infractions of which arriving late was the final straw.

[pb]

Was that Kurt Angle throwing out the first pitch?

[CJ]

JA Happ threw 44 pitches just two days ago.

Are you trying to injure him???

[Brian G]

CJ: I think it does blow it up. The argument was that his success was due to the split. Well what would the difference be if he pitched the same against both with bases empty(say .850 ops), therefore having the same number of runners on, but then still was able to have amazing succes with RISP? Nothing.

[Bridoc10]

Why would Hamels and his wife be at a Center City hotel for a home game?!?

[Jack]

Does anyone know if its at all true what someone is saying about Hamels showing up late?

[Brian G]

Don't know if mvp is making this up, but if they bench Hamels they're fools.

[curt]

I'm living for the day when ballplayers stop kissing their finger and pointing to the sky each time they reach base.

[CJ]

Brian G: You're overstating things. His success is built on the fact that righties (whom he faces more often than lefties) just flat out can't hit against him. That he bears down on lefties as well with men on is great... but it's hardly the secret to his success.

[Steve Jeltz]

All I know is that if I were married to Heidi, I'd probably want to spend some extra time in bed too.

[doubleh]

I don't like knowing these things about athletes on my teams. It's akin to seeing the Wizard behind the Curtain.

Maybe now we know why he sucks in day games...just left the hotel at 11:30pm, eh? hmmmm...

It's all circumspect, of course, but it if indeed turns out to be true, that stinks. This is a big game in a big series.

[The Theory]

"If what I said is in fact how I heard and read it, then the phillies will be hypocrites not to bench him."

Not today. You can't bench him today. I could see missing his next start if this is another case where something breaks the camel's back. But definitely not today.

[Bubba]

Any source for the rumor that Cole was a late show?

[BobbyD]

Right. You bench Hamels today, you screw your team much more than benching Rollins.

[NEPP]

Could you theoretically use a reliever in the first inning and then allow Hamels to come in as a reliever starting in the 2nd?

Or possibly just move up tomorrow's starter a day?

I'm not saying I'd agree with a benching but there's no excuse for being late when its a home game and you're STARTING.

[Brian G]

CJ: His success is that NO ONE can hit against him when they need to. Not bc he manages a game around his splits so that he only faces righties with men on base (it was shown he actually has faced lefties more), which is what I took clout's argument to be (and at the time it certainly sounded plausible to me).

[Steve Jeltz]

NEPP: Then you waste a reliever for 1 inning. If it ends up going to extras, you're really shooting yourself in the foot. The way to handle it (if this is actually true) is to just fine him, especially if this is the first time he's ever done this.

[GreggyD]

Looking good for Cole already...

[Sophist]

I don't think it blows up the theory as much as lessens its impact. It still partially explains his high WHIP despite the success. Most of the WHIP damage comes from LHB, which is predictable and therefore easier to pitch around.

CJ - Halladay wasn't the same pitcher his first few years in the league. He was sent back down to the minors where he developed into what he is today.

No comments about Hamels in the pre-game. Don't know where that rumor is coming from. I do believe Hamels lives in West Chester, a good 30-40 minutes from the park, so staying at a hotel downtown makes sense.

[joe l]

Assuming the Hamels is late story is true... perhaps he asked for permission to show up late. His track record in day games speaks for itself. Could it be that his natural sleep schedule gets him up later than most players?

[NEPP]

To Jeltz: I agree completely...the fine idea would be the best way to handle it. I'm at work with about 40 case files on my desk so my mind isnt exatly working 100% right now.

[The Truth Injection]

No offense to mvp but I'll believe it when it's confirmed by someone legitimate.

Also I hope it isn't true or else we'll be subjected to weeks of Parker saying how Hamels is a problem- always has been and we should trade him to acquire someone like Jose Contreras because he's a winner and Hamels isn't.

[Sophist]

I mean, it's certainly not true that LHB just don't face him when men are on base. For the theory to be more affirmed his splits with RISP and bases empty wouldn't be so different against LHB -- he'd just have far fewer PA with RISP against LHB than RHB. That is not the case. He actually has more PA with RISP against LHB.

[PorkyFace]

What happened to Hamels on his march to the CY-Young award? He acts like he is the second coming of Carlton. He isn't even a number one on many teams. He doesn't even have the best record on the Phillies. I would trade him before he starts asking for big bucks. He is not durable. Trade him for some rubber armed latin players. The Phillies just love the tall, strong armed white boys who get injured and never reach their potential. The Phillies are clueless regarding pitching prospects.

[MG]

Question is can "Team B" (Jenkins/Bruntlett/Ruiz) actually do anything offensively today. I say 2-11 and 1 BB (throw in 3 Ks too) or in other words a hole lotta nothing.

[EastFallowfield]

Why the Mets game is so early: they have games in the summer at 1205 for huge groups of kids from local camps to come out and help fill up old Shea.

Probably won't need to do that in the new stadium, at least for a few years.

[GreggyD]

Jimmy's new nickname is Three Pitch.

I swear everytime the guy's at the plate he swings on the third pitch and gets himself out. Why is it so hard to understand he shouldn't be our leadoff man?!?!

[NEPP]

So you're mad that our top pitcher and only Ace is arrogant and thinks he's a great pitcher?

Newsflash: All great pitchers think they are great pitchers...its called a killer mentality. Would you rather he act scared like Eaton or like an 8 year old girl who lose her doll like Myers?

Give me a freaking break. He's got a 3.39 ERA and has had a great year. look at his ERA+ for this year and last...he's been our best pitcher since Schilling left.

[Porky Face]

Hamels is spoiled. He thinks he is the man. He is not half as good as he thinks. He has the swagger but not much else. He couldn't carry Carlton's jock. He is another Christianson or Ruthven.

[clout]

Brian G: You're the king of bizarre statements, but this is extra bizarre: "The stats you showed pretty much blew up Clout's theory of "Kendrick is successful bc of his drastic lefty/righty splits"."

How did Sophist contradict that? Are you saying KK's success vs. RH ISN'T important to his success? Sophist certainly didn't say that. Please explain.

[NEPP]

Ahh...a young pitcher who the Phillies have never seen and who has good stuff...its gonna be a long afternoon.

~gets back to work~

[Sophist]

Porky Face- You are a moron. I'll let someone else do the leg-work to show you why. Didn't yesterday's game start with some idiot claiming Utley was an average 2B?

[Colin_K]

So they start early for kids in Bermuda? How lame is that...no wonder they play in a town called Flushing.

[PorkyFace]

Wow....he is like 9 and 7 with a 3.39 era? I am so impressed. Let's sign him for 100 million for 5 years...he is the man.

[BobbyD]

Anyone who criticizes Hamels doesn't want to win. I guess we prefer not ever having an ace. I guess we miss the days when Robert Person was our best starter.

[NEPP]

So did you catch Hamels in bed with your wife or something, Porkyface?

Try to make your arguments based in facts or even statistics. You sound like an ass otherwise.

[Colin_K]

Hey Robert Person swung a mean stick!

Too bad the job he was being paid for was to pitch...he never figured that one out.

[GreggyD]

I'll take an ERA of 3.00 anyday, plus he's near the top of the league in strikeouts. His record would be a lot better if he got some support. He gave the Phillies a ton of quality starts that they didn't cash in on or his record would be much, much better. I'm not saying he deserves Johan money right now, but he has been very good this season, minus the last two starts.

[MG]

What are the odds that Hamels has as at least as many hits today as Jenkins/Bruntlett/Ruiz? Would love to see Vegas com up with crazy stuff like this. I would put it at 35-1. A long shot for sure but a realistic remote possibility.

[Bubba]

Unsubstantiated rumors & bashing of our man Cole. Anyway to trace postings to see if they came from North Jersey / NYC?

[Batter's Eye]

I am not a Charlie basher by any means, but it's frustrating to see him pencil in this lineup against a RHP again when we saw its offensive futility firsthand just two days ago.

I understand starting Jenkins, however, keeping Dobbs & Coste on the bench together for two games in this series is hard to understand. Starting Coste last night made Dobbs a must start option today since Ruiz would be catching.

This isn't "Team B" - this is Team D or E. If Team A is Werth/Dobbs/Coste, then this is the opposite end of the spectrum. Why not something in between? Charlie?

[GreggyD]

I heard the rumors on WIP and reported on my blog about it too, but also mentioned that all of the rumors were not confirmed.

[BobbyD]

No need to give up a hit to the 8 hole hitter with the pitcher on deck. Bad sign.

[msb]

Haven't posted here since last year, but love the site, Jason.

Is it me, or does Dan Uggla's pic on MLB Gameday remind anyone else of a serial killer?

[curt]

One again Hamels is missing his spots.

[Dave X]

Is Hamels our best pitcher since Schilling left? As we learned from earlier today, the only way to judge a pitcher is by results.

Hamels has a carer .623 wining percentage. This makes him better than Greg Maddux at .613. Schilling is only at .597, so Hamels is better than him too. Carlton? He only had .574. But Kendrick clocks in at .690. That makes him better than Hamels, Maddux, and Carlton. Also thats higher than Lefty Grove, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Christy Matthewson, Warren Spahn, and Pedro Martinez. Guess those other guys just don't know how to turn up the heat when they need to.

[joe l]

@msb - it certainly does.

[MG]

You could throw a long list of Phils' "aces" after Carlton's long reign ended in the mid-80s. Some enjoyed a nice season or two (including Terry Mulholland) but the only real "aces" the Phils have had since then are Schilling and Hamels.

[PorkyFace]

Hamels will be out of baseball by the age of 30. He is injury prone. So far it is 'only" his back. But back injuries become arm problems and the Phillies will be saddled with a huge contact and no results. Wait and see. Hamels is only better than average......he didn't even make the All-Star team.....

[MG]

Here is hoping the bottom of the lineup proves me wrong. Phils really could use a big day from one of these guys including a long ball.

[TK]

So is Dobbs hurt? Why the heck wouldn't he start against a righty today?

[PorkyFace]

An ace can pitch 300 innings.....Hamels is good for maybe 200.

[Matt]

TK, I believe Nolan Ryan was the last 300 innings guy. Noone pitches 300 anymoe. The league leader last year was around 240.

[BobbyD]

I'm not saying it's a good reason but the only reason I can think of for Dobbs being on the bench again is that Charlie wants a lefty on the bench.

Porky: your 300 innings comment is assinine.

[from the district]

porkyface you're out of your league here, bud. Try the Philly.com comments section . . . help boost a struggling industry.