We're going to see the right-handed relievers tonight - you can bet on that - be we're not going to see Jimmy Rollins.
Rollins is not in the lineup Wednesday for the Phillies' rubber match with the Rangers in Arlington, Texas. Instead, the shortstop is headed back to Philadelphia to be with his wife as the couple is expecting its second child. Instead, Jayson Nix is making his Phillies' debut at short. Kyle Kendrick makes his season debut on the bump. Ryan Howard will DH. The John Mayberry Jr. experiment at first continues into the 2014 season, and I know you're excited about that.
Nice GIDP to end the inning.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:32 PM
Kyle Kendrick - ML Pitcher.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:32 PM
Mayberry is not a CF and he sure as hell isn't a 1B.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:32 PM
Hey now...maybe KK's issues in the 2nd half were related to the shoulder issue and concussion issue.
Just maybe.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:33 PM
If the Phils are going to use Mayberry as a part-time player who plays primarily 1B/LF and starts LHP, then yeah I would rather see Ruf in that role.
Give up some defense in LF but Ruf is a better 1B and I bet would give them a bit more offense including a higher OBP
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:33 PM
Chooch in the 2-hole > JRoll in the 2-hole
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:36 PM
Or even Utley 2-hole with Chooch 3-hole
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:36 PM
Utley should always hit in the 2 hole with either Ruiz or Byrd batting 3rd.
Utley is a far better 2 hole hitter than 3 hole guy at this point in his career now that his power has declined a bit.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:39 PM
I'll hit 50 home runs & strike out 180 times. Deal with it.
Posted by: Ryan Howard | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:40 PM
Dom is a complete mess right now.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:41 PM
Brown, when he hits the ball, is a groundout.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:42 PM
Revere makes those plays look easy!
Posted by: Unikruk | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:45 PM
That was one hell of a catch and TMac acted like it was a lazy pop fly.
Posted by: Iceman | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:46 PM
Revere has no arm but his range was never in question.
Posted by: clout | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:47 PM
Well, it's like 6 ABs Dom has had all season.
But yeah, Dom is honestly not a very good baseball player. His defense is horrible, and if you regress his power some from the surprising year he had last year, the truth is that his average and OBP are not very good.
Everyone knows I've always liked and supported Dom. I thought he got a raw deal from the organization his first couple years. But he's just not all that good, and I'm not really sure he's going to be anything more than this.
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:48 PM
Revere looks more comfortable this year in CF...good to see him settle in. I think he was pushing a bit too hard last year and it affected him negatively.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:48 PM
24 innings into the season and I'm pretty happy with what I see.
No more "it is what it is" mentality. Ryno is ruffling feathers and it's working.
Posted by: SeanofDead | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:49 PM
"Well, it's like 6 ABs Dom has had all season."
Well, he was a mess throughout spring training, as well. I didn't watch the games, but I think it's a pretty safe inference that a guy with a .185/.302/.259 stat line over 63 PAs was probably not having great PAs.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:51 PM
Im a streaky power hitter. Deal with it.
Posted by: Dom Brown | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:51 PM
Beltre can play Schmidt style 3rd Base.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:54 PM
Beltre wishes he was half the 3B that Schmidt was in his prime.
And Beltre is a great defensive 3B.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 09:58 PM
Geez, Nix, KK deflected it right to you.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:03 PM
(hopefully no Beerleaguer jinx; reverse or otherwise...)
Good KK rocks the world!!
Posted by: Rally Red '67 | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:04 PM
Look at how versatile Mayberry is!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:10 PM
You mean he can make errors at any position, NEPP? ;)
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:13 PM
Yes, quite versatile!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:15 PM
I think ROE karma is catching up with Mayberry.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:15 PM
414 comments on tgf's game thread already. and it started at 7:58.
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:17 PM
Geez, Howard smoked that but Prince got his glove up in time.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:21 PM
TGF shows a DITHL-less mug shot of Kyle? I think not. Kendrick is the Intimdiator.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:25 PM
KK done?
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:26 PM
espn guys think kk should get more aggressive at this point in the game since he shouldn't be fearing the solo hr.
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:29 PM
LA thinks KK's starting to elevate pitches. Jamie thinks he's getting a little tired but if he focuses at a time can get through.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:31 PM
> 414 comments on tgf's game thread already. and it started at 7:58.
> Posted by: bullit
Your comment is off topic. Please, post your own thread if you wish to discuss other topics. :-)
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:31 PM
KK got screwed out of a called strike 3 earlier in the inning. But he's earned the chance to get out of this one.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:32 PM
Come on, KK!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Very happy to have Byrd in RF.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Man our outfield D looks so much better now.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Helluva game by KK. Helluva game.
Posted by: BobbyD | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Delmon would've turned that into a triple.. somehow
Nice to have a real right fielder again.
Posted by: Jake | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:34 PM
You're right, Phillibuster, KK pitched well and earned the right to get out of the inning - - at least/especially when you consider our BP.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:35 PM
Worth every penny of that $8MM/year.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:35 PM
Damn... if we get another dozen starts from his Kyle-ness - just like this one - who knows?
Who does Ryne run out there for the 8th?
Posted by: Rally Red '67 | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:36 PM
***Delmon would've turned that into a triple.. somehow***
I just posted almost exactly the same thing on TGP.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:36 PM
The big question now is whether Bastardo can pitch for the third day in a row. This is a perfect time for him to be our 8th inning guy.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:36 PM
Row-zeen? Is that really how it's pronounced?
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:37 PM
Matt Gelb (@magelb)
Looks like Justin De Fratus will have the eighth. Choo, Andrus and Fielder.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Hit it kid! Your Cowboy love means nothing to us!
Posted by: Rally Red '67 | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:39 PM
DeFratus against Choo and Fielder, two guys who destroy righties.
That should work out well for us.
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:40 PM
Nope, it's Holland.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:42 PM
No way this backfires on us.
Did Brad Lincoln die or something?
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:42 PM
whoo boy
Posted by: Rally Red '67 | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:43 PM
MARIO HOLLANDS?!!!
Posted by: Steven A. Smith | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:43 PM
Tmac said Hollands for the 8th? Really?
Posted by: bittel | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:44 PM
Holland?!? Are you fvcking kidding me???
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:44 PM
What's an eighth inning guy?
Posted by: Pitching coach | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:44 PM
I'm a Mario fan. I'll venture my BL reputation on this outing.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:44 PM
Maybe for the lefties.
Posted by: bittel | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:44 PM
At least Hollands has a 2-run lead this time.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:45 PM
It's like Sandberg uses the exact opposite of the reliever he should be using in every situation. Don't get it.
Posted by: BobbyD | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:45 PM
I could have sworn we signed someone named Brad Lincoln this offseason.
Was I mistaken?
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:45 PM
Hollands again. Perhaps Sandberg's mentality is as follows: Either a couple of these young arms step up and fill crucial roles, or this bullpen will ruin any chance of a successful season. Let's throw them right in and see what we have.
Posted by: Jake | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Good. One down.
Posted by: bittel | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:46 PM
It makes more sense than a RHP v. the top of the order lefties.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Dickie: that's what tmac was calling him yesterday. the guy is from fargo, nd. he doesn't look hispanic.
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Hollands against a RHB....no way this is a mistake.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:46 PM
To be fair, Hollands isn't good, but the situation does call for a lefty. So it's not a completely terrible decision.
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:46 PM
I'm not ready to say Hollands isn't good. He clearly has a live arm.
Posted by: bittel | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:47 PM
Yeah I was just thinking that Jack. This is more like Sandberg having nothing to work with than a bad decision.
Posted by: BobbyD | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:48 PM
I should've said "Hollands probably isn't good."
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:48 PM
nice!
Posted by: Rally Red '67 | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:48 PM
Nicely done, Mario! Impressive!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:49 PM
Piece of cake. Would really help if he can reliably throw strikes with that kind of stuff.
Posted by: bittel | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:49 PM
Great decision...huge move by Sandberg!!!!
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:49 PM
Hollands reminds me of a left-handed Ubaldo Jimenez.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:49 PM
Posted by: Jake | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:50 PM
Chris Branch @ChrisBranchTNJ 50s
Mario Hollands: redeemed.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:50 PM
Wow guys. Just a lucky guess again.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:50 PM
lincoln was last seen going to see "our american cousin."
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:50 PM
watching the Rangers broadcast because I was having trouble with the Phillies one earlier. broadcasters, Comment was Phillies have an eight-man bullpen but with the way they've been using them you have to wonder why. LOL
Posted by: mm | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:50 PM
For those watching on TV, how does Hollands look? It sounds like he's just pumping mid 90s FBs almost exclusively. Any movement there? LA is just talking about his "funky delivery"
Good job there.
Posted by: UBIK | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Weitzel seems to like it.
Beerleaguer @beerleaguer 9s
Favorite move of the season so far - Mario Hollands tonight AND last night. Have to find out.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:51 PM
*lincoln was last seen going to see "our american cousin."*
LOL, bittel!
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:52 PM
Pretty much flat mid-90s fastballs with an odd delivery.
Probably not something that will keep working long-term once teams get a book on him but it worked tonight.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:52 PM
I think Lincoln is busy hunting vampires tonight.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:53 PM
How come the Phillies can't find a guy like Rosin? It seems like other teams have all the luck.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:55 PM
Jamie said Hollands was feeling for it last night and showing more aggression tonight. And that he can throw his fastball in to a lefty (Fielder swung mightily and got nothin') which will stand him well if he can do that repeatedly.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:55 PM
bullit gets the credit for that gem.
Posted by: bittel | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:56 PM
There is zero chance that giving up Rosin for nothing was a mistake.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:56 PM
Oops, you're right, bittel. Thanks.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:57 PM
these will be pap's first pitches of the season that are thrown in anger. will be interesting to see his velocity.
Posted by: bullit | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:58 PM
Rosin's success is paradoxical, as it's wonderful to see a a Rule 5 guy taken from our system do well, while infuriating because it decreases the odds of us getting him back.
Posted by: Juums | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:58 PM
I wasn't paying attention before the season started. Why did the Phillies let him go? Was there a reason?
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:58 PM
Defensive replacement in LF - Tony Gwynn Jr.
Posted by: GBrettfan | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:59 PM
We didnt have room to protect him on the 40 man because we were too busy keeping guys like Michael Stutes (gone now), Joe Savery (gone now) and Tyson Gillies.
Posted by: NEPP | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:59 PM
Mario doesn't need Jamie Moyer for support. He needs Sandberg.
Posted by: Meyer | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 10:59 PM
@GBrettfan: Because they had to protect Lius Garcia, I believe.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 11:00 PM
That's a ridiculous piece of hitting by Beltre.
Posted by: Jack | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 11:01 PM
Seems like Rios has gotten a hit every time he's been up. Not this time please.
Posted by: bittel | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 11:02 PM
Strap in, folks - it's gonna be a wild ride.
Posted by: ColonelTom | Wednesday, April 02, 2014 at 11:02 PM