Game chat: Phillies open 7-game homestand tonight

Joe Blanton (1-0, 4.34) faces Florida for the first time in his career tonight when the Phillies host Anibal Sanchez (2-3, 5.54) and the Marlins tonight at 7:05 ET.

Preview: This could be a nasty little series following a draining trip and doubleheader at Shea. The Marlins are technically still giving chase and hold the season series edge 7-5, looking in complete control of the Phils at times. The Phillies throw two of their three weakest starters into the fire this set with Blanton tonight and Kyle Kendrick tomorrow. The Phils have had success against tonight's starter, Sanchez, who is 0-2 with an 8.79 ERA in three career starts against the Phils. He’s also 0-1 with an 8.79 ERA in his last three starts. Tomorrow’s starter, Chris Volstad, shutout the Phils over six innings on Aug. 7, and I think Ricky Nolasco, Wednesday’s starter, is simply the most underrated pitcher in the National League this season. He matches up with Brett Myers, which is a good thing.

The Phils need something more from Blanton, who has not won since Aug. 2. The right-hander allowed four runs in four-plus innings his last start. Blanton was acquired to devour innings and hasn’t done it. He’s made it through the sixth inning just once in his last five starts. Worst of all, he’s contributing to losses, which is what they wanted to get away from when they removed Adam Eaton from the equation.

The Phillies are hoping Pat Burrell can get it going. He’s following a .181/.275/.343 August with a .133/.235/.133 September, and on the season, he’s hitting just .221/.335/.413 at home. Perhaps it’s time to switch up his Don Henley theme music.

Comments

[Andy]

{Response to last thread:}

And here I didn't even know rats had flexor pronators of their MCLs.

I didn't even know they had MCLs.

[Sophist]

BAP - Just to point out, the Astros situation isn't similar to the Rockies last year. Houston is 10 out in the division and 6 out in the WC (with the Cards, Phils, Brewers, and - to some extent - Mets in their way.

On Sept 8, 2007, the Rockies were 6 out of the division and 4 out of the WC. (the Phils were 6 games back of the Mets this time last year.)

The Astros situation is actually more like the Phils last year, only worse (since there are more teams in between them and the playoffs -- the Mets were the only team in the Phils way.) The Phils over-came incredible odds to win the East last year. The odds the Astros win the WC this year are even smaller: around 1% or 2%.

[The Truth Injection]

I wanted to comment on something in the previous thread about Cole and everything.

I agree he showed poise in the second. Also, you could really tell he was trying to gut through 5 or 6 innings without his best stuff.

The big moment to me, and one I may have missed being mentioned was Charlie's arguing of the catcher's interference. That let Cole stand on the mound for a long time and interrupted the flow of the game. I think it had a lot to do with the few pitches after that.

[TK]

I agree, JW. Pat Burrell's theme music, from Nickelback to Don Henley, has always annoyed me greatly.

[mike cunningham]

@TK -- when was it Nickelback?

The last few years before Don Henley it was

Holy Diver by Dio

[MPN]

TK: I'm glad you didn't bad mouth his selection of Ronnie James Dio's Holy Diver. Things might have had to have gotten, um, rough.

I find it amusing that Jason Werth is using Sammy Haggar's Heavy Metal as his at bat music now. My theory is that he uses that song, like Pat used Ronnie James Dio, due to its inclusion of a rather hilarious South Park episode.

[bay_area_phan]

"So BAP- You are with Clout in think the Phillies won't make it?"

PhillR: I'm not making a prediction. I'm merely saying that, from the standpoint of sheer odds, the WC is a slim possibility. To get into even a one-game playoff for the WC, all of the following would have to happen:

1. We ouplay Milwaukee by 4 games over the last 19;

2. St. Louis does not out-play us for the rest of the year;

3. Houston does not out-play us by more than 2 games for the rest of the year; and

4. We do not out-play the Mets by more than 2 games for the rest of the year (because if we do, then we win the division, not the WC).

The fact that we have 4 more games with Milwaukee certainly increases our chances at the WC, because it enables us to automatically pick up a game each time we win. But if you begin your calculations with the assumption that we're going to win all 4 of those games, or even 3 of 4, then you are simply allowing your hometown bias to creep into what ought to be a simple mathematical exercise of calculating odds. The Phillies & Brewers are fairly evenly matched. If anything, the Brewers are slightly better; after all, they didn't get 4 games ahead of us by accident. The odds, therefore, say that each team will win 2 games in that 4-game series. If we win 3 of our 4 games against them, it means we will have bucked the odds. And even then, we'd still be 2 games back.

[Len39]

Can anyone explain to me why Stairs is in RF instead of Werth? Shouldn't Stairs by in LF or am I totally underrating him defensively.

[Sophist]

Len - I'd think the most important skill-difference a RF and LF have is arm-strength (I'd think.) Does Stairs have a better arm than Werth?

[EastFallowfield]

Len39...have you followed Charlie's reign at all?

[Sophist]

It should at the very least be noted that Dobbs is once against starting against a RHP.

[TK]

in 04-05sh I remember Burrell's music being that lame nickelback 'someday, somehow' "how the hell'd we wind up like this?" song. That was by far his worst.

[clout]

PhillR: How does my saying that your view that the Phils have a good chance at the Wild Card is ridiculous equal "the Phillies won't make it"?

Let me spell it out: The only place the Phillies will win the wild card is in Brian G's mind, where they won it last year.

The Phillies will either beat the Mets in the division, which they have a good chance of doing in my opinion, or they will stay home. Your attempts to argue the opposite are laughable.

[CJ]

Sophist: I doubt anyone is surprised by that. In Pedro Feliz's last 23 games, he's posted a line of 154/188/231.

[CJ]

test

[CJ]

Sophist: I can't imagine anyone (even Jack) would be lobbying for Feliz to start against righties right now. In his last 23 games (69 PA's), he's got a line of 154/188/231. That means he's making an out more than 8 out of every 10 at bats. Ouch.

[CJ]

Hmm... I've typed a two posts now that haven't appeared.

[philsphan]

Why did the Phillies DFA Swindle when they could have DFA'ed Bohn? I don't think Swindle is going to help the big league club anytime soon (if ever) but he seems to be more useful than TJ Bohn. Are Gillick and Bohn butt buddies or something?

[Sophist]

CJ - They just appeared later. Feliz may be bad lately, but these things haven't stopped Manuel & co. before.

[Andy]

philsphan - Maybe they have a trade worked out - Swindle for Jose Mesa or something.

[clout]

philsphan: They had to keep Bohn so they have someone to DFA the next time.

[PhillR]

Because there isn't a big difference between getting the WC and winning the division.

-Milwaukee has a much harder schedule then the Mets. Brewcrew: 6 vs the Cubs, 4 vs the Phillies. Mets: 4 Vs. the cubs, the rest NL East trash.

-The Mets have played MUCH better baseball recently, and in general since the ASB then the brewers.

For these 2 reasons, I would guess that the Mets will win 1-2 more games then the Brewers over the next 19, making the difference between the Phillies and the Mets, and the Phillies and the Brewers, essentially equivalent.

So if one doesn't think they can catch the WC, in my opinion that means the division is out too.

[Sophist]

"The Mets have played MUCH better baseball recently, and in general since the ASB then the brewers."

Since the ASB

Brewers: 30-18
Mets: 29-19

[PhillR]

Sorry Sophist, I was looking since June 30th, not the exact date of the ASB.

[redbeard]

blantons cap is starting to resemble manny ramirez batting helmet.

[Sophist]

Good work, Blanton.

PhillR - It's simply easier to make up 2 games than 4. Additionally, under most cases in which the Phils make up 4 on the Brewers, they'll make up 2 on the Mets. It's that simple.

Yes, there are situations where the Phils can make up the 4 on the Brewers without catching the Mets (if the Mets win all the rest of their games), but those situations are simply fewer and, together, less likely than the former.

[PhillR]

The Mets are clearly a better team then the Brewers right now and they have a far easier schedule. Do you really think it will be easier to make up 2 on the Mets then 3.5 on the Brewers?

[PhillR]

Sophist, it has as much to do with their opponents as it does the Phillies performance. The Mets have 15 games against the bottom of the NL East barrel, the Brewers have 9 such games.

That will likely translate into more wins for the Mets and More losses for the Brewers. Thats worth at least one game.

It seems as likely/unlikely to me that the Mets will loose enough games against FL/WSG/ATL for the Phillies to catch them, as it does the Brewers will in 6 less "easy" games.

[diggitydave]

There's a start

[redbeard]

nice job chase, good steal james

[phlipper]

small ball.

[CJ]

Do the Phils lead the league in SBs followed by throws to the outfield?

[CJ]

Mets hangover?

I don't think so.

[redbeard]

ryno with another ribeye

[Phlipper]

You know, if I knew anything about baseball, I'd realize that despite having 40 dingers and leading the league in RBI, Howard should be traded for a couple a prospects. 'Cause, you know, only people who don't know anything about baseball think HRs and RBI mean anything.

[Andy]

clout - I like your answer better than mine to the "why'd they keep Bohn" question. Good job.

[Andy]

I see that Dobbs (by starting) is actively hurting the team.

[Sophist]

PhillR - Phils are down 4 games to the Brewers. They win tonight, they're 1.5 down to the Mets, 3.5 down to the Brewers, I believe.

You're right that the Brewers have a tougher schedule, which weakens that difference in losses. I wouldn't say the Brewers have been that much different than the Mets of late. I posted their records since ASB (and the Brewers lead despite losing 4 games to the Mets head-to-head.) Throw in the Mets troubles (no Maine, Wagner, etc.) and Sheets strong return, and I'd say they're similar teams.

[Phlipper]

Interesting that Burrell is sitting again tonight. Has anyone heard any comments from Cholly on this? Is this going to be something that happens more regularly as the season winds down?

[Sophist]

PhillR - The other thing is, because the Brewers have 6 games against the Cubs, they are in a good place not only to lose lots of ground but gain it. This is way the Cubs are more likely to win the WC than the Phils. If you don't think the Brewers have been playing well of late, how are the Cubs playing lately? They have some injury concerns as well (Zambrano, Harden.)

[PhillR]

Phlipper: RBIs don't mean much at all, in so far as evaluating the worth or performance of the player who accumulates them is considered. Its really hard to argue otherwise.

HR of course mean a great deal.

[donc]

This is coming up small by Blanton. When staked to a lead, go out and throw strikes.

[Ribbies]

Ugh, Blanton will you please throw a strike.

[CJ]

Hey Joe... thanks for showing up for inning #2!

[donc]

Does anyone else see the irony in a fat guy who nibbles. Broken bat bloopers can cause a lot of trouble when you are in the process of walking the ballpark.

[philsphan]

Blanton sucks! Bring in Eaton!

[EastFallowfield]

How many more years of Blanton are we stuck with?

[Ribbies]

Paging JA Happ

[redbeard]

yay blanton

[diggitydave]

Wow. What was that??

[phReed]

WTPh

[EastFallowfield]

Does Howard play worse defense at CBP than on the road or does it just seem that way?

[king0fprussia]

Ryno must have one helluva case of tunnel vision.

[redbeard]

blanton filled eatons shoes nicely

[Andy]

Why is that the Phils seem to surrender leads immediately with such frightening regularity? Why why why?!!

[donc]

Just assumed when Howard went after the hitter that Ugly didn't break for home. Putrid.

[Sophist]

Howard is not a master decision-maker. But the Marlins just scored 2 runs on 1 hit. Blanton has to throw strikes.

[eatonsucks]

Ryan Howard - Dumbest first baseman in the league.

[PhillR]

The Cubs have by far the hardest schedule. Given Houston's recent roll, one has to say that every single team the Cubs face here out is if not in the hunt, at least "Good".

The Mets and Phillies have two of the easiest schedules. These last couple of weeks could get really confusing.

[Andy]

Remember all those thoughts (because I do not believe I ever typed any retractions) I had about retracting my initial reaction to the Blanton trade? I (as purely a thought exercise) completely retract them.

I want my Car(denas) back!

[Sophist]

What should Howard have done?

[donc]

And a broken bat hit at that Sophist. Disgraceful. BTW; I found something good about Joe Morgan. I'm actually glad to hear Wheels. Never thought I'd say that.

[PhillR]

Blanton, Eaton, Kendrick. Its ugly. When people realize that Happ will be no white knight, its gonna get uglier.

Carrasco. Now he gives me hope.

[Sophist]

Ruiz is on fire.

[king0fprussia]

Howard should've tossed it home. Especially with the pitcher on the way.

Nice hit blanton.

[donc]

I'm actually getting to the point of optimism when Ruiz bats. Wow, my keyboard is spewing a lot of weird things tonight.

[Sophist]

Good work, Blanton. He learned a bit about situational hitting in the top-half.

The Phils crush this guy.

[diggitydave]

Man, Sanchez has fallen far since his no-hitter at the end of 2006...

[Sophist]

PhillR - Kendrick still holds his own against RHB, and is not as bad as he's shown since ASB. The Brewers should match up well for him, if he can find his command again. His WHIP hasn't been 1.4-1.5 territory these last few weeks. It's been over 2.

[donc]

Diigity: Just thinking the same thing. His arm hasn't been the same since he came back. He was the real deal.

[philsphan]

Blanton made up for one of those runs. Lets see if Howard can make up for the other.

[redbeard]

love that close up on jimmy right before he went, with lopes hand in the picture clickin the stopwatch

[Sophist]

If Rollins continues playing the way he has the last 10-20 games, this team is in good shape.

[redbeard]

later, annie. thanks for stopping by.

[donc]

Were Freddy Gonzalez and Manny Acta seperated at birth? I'd ask if anyone ever saw them together but I guess you would at any Marlins-Nats game.

[diggitydave]

Phils' hitting with runners in scoring position is out of control tonight

[Ribbies]

Say what you will but Howard knows ribbies.

[Sophist]

No matter what his BA/OBP numbers, the last 3 years Howard has consistently been a world-class hitter with men-on-base. There may be something more to that than sample-size, as that hit through the larger than usual gap to the right of second showed.

[AFish]

Does Cholly pull the left-handed bats this early?

[MG]

My favorite marginal middle reliever, "Big Stiff!"

[leclair]

Josh Outman sighting in oakland tonight.
Relieving another former phillie, Gio Gonzalez, who got absolutely shelled. 1.2 8er

[donc]

Must Blanton walk the leadoff hitter after every time we score?

[Andy]

Hmmm....
So the Phils get a lead and then Blanton walks the lead-off batter...

Where have I seen this before?

Oh. Right.

[king0fprussia]

Great. Just what we needed, Big Joe Blanton.

[redbeard]

blanton stinks

[baxter]

Eaton might really be able to help sometime. He doesn't have that pathetic look on his face anymore. If he comes to grips with pitching out of the pen, he could give our other guys a break. I'm not suggesting putting him in a close game, but I don't trust Clay Condrey much more.

[donc]

Blanton is quite the competitor isn't he? Guttless piece of slop.

[AFish]

Eaton could have done this.

[MG]

Can the "Innings Eater" even give the Phils 5 innings tonight? Man.

[joe l]

Not a good start by Stay Puft.

[Sophist]

4 runs on 2 hits. What was BB% in OAK?

[donc]

4 runs on 2 hits. That's how losers pitch.

[Ribbies]

Marlins have four runs on two hits. Thats efficient.

[king0fprussia]

Maybe he had too much for dinner and doesn't have any room for Innings.

or strikes.

[Tray]

Phlipper: RBIs don't mean much at all, in so far as evaluating the worth or performance of the player who accumulates them is considered. Its really hard to argue otherwise.

It's very easy to argue otherwise, so long as you hold opportunities to drive runners in equal. If you look at RBI/AB with runners on, Howard's still out in front. Of course the raw number doesn't mean anything, but then no raw number does, really.

[vegas]

Blanton has turned out to be a bust, and Happ can't cover both him and Kendrick. I have an bad feeling we have not seen the last of Eaton starting.

[Mick O]

Why don't the Phils recall Chris Snelling? Is he still hurt?

[Sophist]

Gillick seems to have used up all his pitching-moves karma on the Moyer acquisition and Kendrick's call-up last year.

[donc]

Blind squirrel....Acorn.

[Syler]

Blanton was terrible while in Oakland, what made you guys think he'd pitch any better in this BP?