Phillies vs. Braves: Series open thread

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[Cyclic]

Come on, don't let them be the only ones to strike with 2 outs!

[WSJ]

Yesterday, someone mentioned that Ruiz was on pace to play over 130 games. I was going to make a joke that at least we'd know Nieves would bat 7th, since that's where Sandberg bats catchers in the lineup.

Chooch moves to the 2 hole last night, and today, Nieves bats in the 2 hole. You cannot make this up.

[Replacement Level Poster]

Not the real bittel.

[GBrettfan]

When you're 7 games under .500 but only 5-6 games back, there's never a good time for a clunker.

[Cyclic]

Hell yeah, Chase is the man

[Cyclic]

Popped that one up right over the second baseman

[Cyclic]

The good old days!

[GBrettfan]

Very happy I was wrong about Harang shutting us down the rest of the game.

Great job, Howard! Howard's hot streaks are a wonderful thing.

[bay_area_phan]

For clout's benefit: Howard seems to be heating up.

[Jeffrey]

We will need 9 runs to win this one.

[GBrettfan]

Well, how 'bout that!

[the ghost of nonamePHame]

Dom Brown will strike out here

[the ghost of nonamePHame]

color me surprised.

[GBrettfan]

Even Dom with a good hit.

We can only hope that Hernandez somehow doesn't suck the rest of the game.

[bay_area_phan]

The offense worked all year to catch up to the pitching in terms of statistical ineptitude. 2 days ago, it finally caught up. This game is going to single-handedly set back all that hard work.

[bullit]

a harang harangue.

[the ghost of nonamePHame]

9 runs may not be enough.

[GBrettfan]

LOL, BAP.

Herandez seems like he'll do his part to pad the pitching's bad stats, too, though.

[clout]

BAP: I know it pisses you off.

[bay_area_phan]

"I know it pisses you off."

Not really. I'm still so pissed off about Kendrick's good start last night that Howard's hot streak pales by comparison.

[clout]

If they can get 5 IP out of Fausto it has to be considered a positive.

[Cyclic]

And a shut down inning. Wow.

[Five-4-One]

I heart diversity so long as it doesn't include any straight, white people.

[GBrettfan]

Hernandez must have decided it's too hot to run. Jamie Moyer, he is not.

[Reality]

Offense is showing some life here guys

[Cyclic]

Pitching and defense!

[GBrettfan]

If Hernandez keeps pitching scoreless innings, then I'm mostly OK with him not even pretending to run out grounders.

[MG]

Haha. Nice play Pena.

[MG]

Why did they give Brown a green light three 3-0?

[MG]

The chances you don't score with nobody out and bases loaded is 10%

[Jeffrey]

He's been hitting better and Harang threw it right down the middle. I don't have a problem with being aggressive against a struggling pitcher.

[GBrettfan]

10%, MG? For the Phillies, it's gotta be 50% or greater.

[Cyclic]

Of course with these players and this lineup, they score 8+ runs.

OF COURSE

[GBrettfan]

At least Hernandez hasn't walked in a run today. Yet. Knock wood.

[MG]

Braves have been quite charitable this series.

[GBrettfan]

Matt Gelb ‏@magelb 25s
Phillies must be stealing so many signs this afternoon. No other explanation for Aaron Harang's day.

[Jeffrey]

Moyer just said he'd rather give up a solo home run now instead of a walk.

I once respected this guy.

[GBrettfan]

I know it's only the 4th, but please don't let the game get away before replacing Hernandez, Sandberg.

[MG]

Two mediocre veteran starters who have had nothing today from the get go.

[bay_area_phan]

Why on earth would Harang be batting here?

[GBrettfan]

Because the Braves' BP is apparently not in good shape and it's only the bottom of the 4th, I guess.

[clout]

Fausto has now given up 9 HRs in 71 IP

[bay_area_phan]

"Because the Braves' BP is apparently not in good shape and it's only the bottom of the 4th, I guess."

Not a good enough reason for me. Even a bad bullpen has a better chance of giving you a couple of clean innings than a starter who has allowed 8 runs and 11 hits in the first 4 innings.

[bullit]

off topic:

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office canceled six federal trademark registrations for the name "Washington Redskins" on Wednesday on the grounds that the football team’s name is “disparaging to Native Americans” and thus in violation of federal trademark laws banning offensive or disparaging language.

can the tomahawks be far behind?

[bay_area_phan]

And, once again, the sacrifice does exactly what it's supposed to and the team still doesn't score. Just mind-numbing stupidity to have Harang bat there.

[MG]

Phils have scored 8 runs today too without a HR and only 3 XBHs (all doubles so far)

[bay_area_phan]

bullit: I don't know anything about trademark law, but I imagine the PTO is well within its rights to deny trademarks for offensive language. Banning offensive speech at a baseball game is a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

[MG]

Nice seeing another team that is defensively challenged for a change.

[WSJ]

The division leaders are about to get swept by a last place team that started Reid Brignac for all three games, and Caesar Hernandez for two. Unimpressive, Braves.

[GBrettfan]

I was pleasantly surprised that Hernandez got out of that inning without giving up more runs, the way it started.

[Andy]

God grant just one thing:
please let adam harang pitch
to us all season

[MG]

Behind on a 1-0, 88 MPH nothing fastball right down the plate.

Pitch that Howard would almost certainly crush to deep right or right CF in his prime.

[clout]

That's how you beat the shift.

[MG]

Take it. Howard OPS is now .747 and he came into this series with a .703

[clout]

MG with a very BAP-like post denigrating Howard after he does something good.

[Cyclic]

Anyone seen Albert Ross?

[RK]

This looks like a very good time for RAJ to send Howard packing to St. Louis his home town. Pay his salary and take 2 of the best prospects ST. Louis has. We won't regret it. Howard will shine there and probably hit another 100 HRs while there and get another WS ring but he won't be able to get another ring in Philly and we need a new team.
Of course we can keep him in Philly and he can set records but it will not bring us a WS ticket.

[MG]

For as close as Gattis stands on top of the plate and his stance, I'm surprised pitchers don't pound him in more.

[Cyclic]

Oh yeah! Howard being hot right now is great timing. He always hits well in STL right?

Get him to the plate, boys!

[Reality]

clout: MG is absolutely clueless about certain things like hitting and always blames the hitter and never gives any credit for a pitcher maybe catching someone off guard.

He had a relative though who scouted so he feels he has nothing but credibility.

[MG]

Cards have Adams at 1B who doesn't have Howard's power but is a better overall hitter at this point. Why would they want Howard regardless?

Phils are stuck with Howard through this year and at least next year too. Need to hope he can stay healthy, hit ~30 HRs (which he is on pace to do again), and end up with an OPS ~.800 OPS.

[clout]

I'd rather see Hollands or Martin in the 6th than tempt fate with another inning from Fausto

[GBrettfan]

Why would STL want Howard when they have Matt Adams?

[pblunts]

Hernandez is at 85 pitches, seems like he's at 150.

[Cyclic]

Tall enough for 3B!

[MG]

Brignac has been far and away the best defender at 3B the Phils have trotted out there this season especially his arm. Strong and accurate and he doesn't hesitate like Asche

[clout]

RK's post is so idiotic it really requires no response.

[GBrettfan]

pblunts - I checked the pitch count, too, and was similarly surprised.

[Five-4-One]

Clout, I thought the same thing.

[Five-4-One]

Man, Gattis is a stolen base turnstile back there.

[GBrettfan]

Why is Hernandez batting?

[clout]

This is a mistake.

[Reality]

Now see- RK is trolling.

[bay_area_phan]

Sandberg is showing far more confidence in Hernandez than he deserves.

[Five-4-One]

That made ZERO sense.

[clout]

I'd have 2 guys warming right now.

[GBrettfan]

Me, too, clout.

[pblunts]

That should be it, first guy on, get him the F- out of there.

[clout]

Amazing.

[MG]

Really nice by Nieves. Get out from behind the plate nearly as well as Chooch which is a real compliment on his defense.

[RK]

Who need World Series tickets?

Who selling World Series tickets?

[clout]

Nieves is like a cat back there.

[bay_area_phan]

Freddie is out-stupiding Sandberg. Bunting with a 3-run deficit?

[GBrettfan]

Lucked into a bad bunt DP there, but now he's plunked a guy, let's get him out.

[pblunts]

Wow. And what's t the point of a bunt there, exactly? We'll take it!

[clout]

And yet I respond to RK anyways calling him an idiot, because I am douchey like that.

[crout]

I feer the rove for Nieves.

[Elaine Benes]

La STELLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAA

[Reality]

MG must be kvetching about Nieves today after railing against him and calling him a "stiff" for a while.

[GBrettfan]

Is there some reason Sandberg is so reluctant to pull Hernandez?

[Five-4-One]

I am offended too BAP. Want to french kiss?

[GBrettfan]

Sandberg's faith is rewarded. I did not expect it, but I'll take it.

[pblunts]

This is like "Dumb and Dumber" (or Dumb vs. Dumber") managing against each other.

[MG]

Reality - Offensive stiff yeah. Still doesn't have a single BB and .649 OPS after 2 hits today.

Been surprised how good defensively Nieves has been and even his arm is at least still average.

[pblunts]

Freddie is out-stupiding Sandberg. Bunting with a 3-run deficit?

Posted by: bay_area_phan | Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 02:31 PM

Only thing stupider is bunting with a four-run deficit.

[Reality]

MG: Please indicate for us what you think is the appropriate slash line for a back up catcher who is average to above average defensively.

[bay_area_phan]

"Only thing stupider is bunting with a four-run deficit."

Right. I guess I out-stupided both, with my bad math. That's what I get for barely paying attention on Gameday.

[RK]

Because Adams is no Howard. And Howard does have 3 more good years (coaching is better at St. Louis than in Philly)Adams is young they can get good value for him and Howard will be free. He will give them at least 100 HRs over the next three years and he will produce more than twice the RBIs Adams will produce.
We will regret it when he comes to Philly and smashes the ball but St. Louis is well stocked and if we pay Howard's freight the price will be at least 2 prospects of our choice (of course the downside is that RAJ will make that decision).

[Five-4-One]

I am offended too BAP. Want to french kiss?

Posted by: Five-4-One | Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 02:35 PM

Hahaha. Not me but definitely funny. Good show.

[bay_area_phan]

RK thinks the Phillies all suck until he goes to trade them away. Then they turn into superstars who will bring elite prospects in return.