Cliff Lee was dominant in game one shutting down the most powerful offense in the American League as if it was something of ease, Pedro Martinez was impressive in game two but was outdueled by mega millionaire A. J. Burnett who made the National League’s most superlative offense look passive in nature.   So, here we are back in Philly town with the series knotted at one game a piece and the fall classic now narrowed in scope to a best of five with the Fightins holding the home field “advantage”.

In New York the fans really didn’t have much impact, some have written that ticket prices kept the regular attendees away and “corporate america” fans were in their place instead…….hell even I was offered Yankee game tickets in that regard!   “Impact” of fans is debatable however, the chants to Pedro of “Who’s your daddy” are admissable but in his case really have no impact as the man albeit hears the words does not let them effect his performance.  Remarks made towards his family, personal being or of off colored flavor are not admissable though and are true signs of ignorance!  Any “fan” who takes that route is not one of intelligence and honestly has no place in the stadium.

I am hopeful that tonights game reflects the class of Philly Phans like last year’s NLDS did when Brett Myers coaxed a walk from C.C. Sabbathia and with each pitch the phan noise got louder resulting in a standing ovation for Myers as he trotted down to first base, that was a true reflection of phan baseball prowess and I was proud of my fellow Phillie devotees in how they showed that and oh by the way influenced Mr. Sabathia to hang a high fastball to Shane Victorino that he belted for a salami!

Stupid phan behavior is wearing a Manny hat that says he is a cheater and teaching your nine year old child that this is proper to chide another human being in such manner.  Yes, I believe that A-Rod will hear his share of comments tonight about his shortcomings within the steroid stupidity era of baseball as well but the more influential impacts of our phans are ones that influence the game itself, remember the Burt Hooten meltdown in the 70’s when the noise was so loud in Veterans Stadium that he lost concentration and walked in a run?  That was impact!

So Philly Phans let’s not sit on our hands during the moments when things are not going the Philly way and have announcers say, “this crowd has been really quieted by the Yankees” but rather keep the decible levels high and in the spirit of game impact, show the baseball world that phan impact aligns with baseball acumen and that Philly is the home where “phan advantage” is the true home field edge!

Chatter

Tim McCarver commented in game two that he did not understand why Charlie Manuel did not start the runners in the bottom of the eighth when Chase Utley subsequently hit into a double play, for the novice fan McCarver’s words place doubt however if TMac had done his homework he would have known that Utley hits into minimal double plays and that the bigger risk was getting the runners thrown out on the steal and/or a line drive.  

Interesting article in today’s Daily News about tonight’s starter Cole Hamels, it reminds us about the first time he faced the Yankees in 2004 Spring training as a 20 year old phenom.  Hamels dominated in that performance and opened our eyes on what he could become.  I truly believe that he will pitch a very good game tonight and erase our doubts about this young star.  Hamels is only 24 and needs to become Kid Cole again rather than Kid Cool!  He has it in him and I think he will shine tonight!

Reggie Jackson was quoted as saying this matchup was like the Varsity vs the Jr. Varsity, child please! This is the same genius that for years said that Richie Ashburn did not belong in the hall of fame, Reggie retired years ago as a Yankee player, he now needs to retire his mouth so as to avoid silly remarks coming out of it!

I predicted the Phillies in five albeit I thought they would sweep in NYC, am sticking to my prediction and looking forward to another parade here in the best “home field advantage” in the game…..let’s prove it once again tonight as a collective 10th man!

Anyone who thinks that Charlie Manuel doesn’t know his team should have watched the last two games of the NLDS.   Manuel puts players in positions to succeed and believes in them that they can do so.   Brad Lidge was put in save situations in both games three and four of the series and came thru in both…….yes, it caused us Phillie Phans angina but in the end the Fightins came thru!

Sunday nights game lasted till 2:30 AM EDT and it was a tense game throughout played in below freezing tempatures!   I, like many other faithful Phillie Phans watched every pitch and once again was amazed at the resiliency of this crew as big Ryan Howard drove in Jimmy Rollins with the game winner in the top of the ninth and the Mr. Lidge did his thing to end the contest.

Game Four saw Cliff Lee throw again like an ace should as he held the Rockies at bay thru seven and one third innings.  The young Rockies showed thier moxie as they scored three times in the home eigth to take a 4-2 lead.  I would be lieing if I said I had faith the Fightins could come back but this team doesn’t understand how to give up and J-Roll got them started with a one out single off of Huston Street, his third hit off of Street in three at bats in the series!  After Shane VIctorino forced Rollins at second for the second out of the inning one had to wonder if the series was indeed going back to Philly.   Chase Utley worked a truly professional at bat and walked on a 3-2 count to set the stage for Mr. Howard.   The big man did not disapoint and belted a two run double to score both runners and tie the game.  Jayson Werth then hit a clutch single to score Howard with the go ahead.

Scott Eyre started the ninth to get the lefties out and recored two outs but did give up two hits and then Mr. Manuel went to Lidge.  Brad Lidge threw some nasty sliders to Troy Tuliwitzki and as Harry the K would say “struck him out!”.    Series over and on to L.A. for the second tier of the playoffs, don’t count these boys out……… the Fightins are for freakin real!

Chatter

Shane Victorino actually overran the bag when he scored on the double by Howard and had to come back to get it before proceeding to score!  I think he thought it might leave the yard and he was watching the ball instead of the basepath.    After the game Charlie had the best quote of the season…… “Don’t be scared” is what he tells his team when they are in the pressure spots, Charlie is the man! 

Beat L.A. !!!!

With the Phillies winning over the visiting Houston Astros on the last day of September the team notched their third consecutive National League Eastern division title!  Pedro Martinez started the game and went four innings before yielding to Kyle Kendrick who pitched very effectively tossing three shutout innings and very possibly earning himself a post season roster spot.  The team had built up a seven run lead which set up the last inning and final out of celebration and also a tremendous touch of class by the skipper!

Scott Eyre got the first two outs in the final frame before skipper Charlie Manuel came out to waive in the closer  Brad Lidge to record the final out.  The symbolism was not missed by the sellout crowd as they loudly cheered Lidge as he trotted in from the centerfield bullpen.  Mr. Lidge has struggled mightingly this season with eleven blown saves but the skipper knows that the team success hinges on the big righthander regaining some form of his old self in the post season.  Lidge only needed one pitch to record the last out on a ground ball to first baseman Ryan Howard.  The stadium then erupted in recognition of yet another N.L. East title and the celebration began!

The champagne flowed in the clubhouse as team annoucer Chris Wheeler was doused in the bubbly as he interviewed the jubilant players.  In yet another class move the team returned to the field and in tribute to the legendary Harry Kalas went to the memorial marker in his honor on the left field wall and doused the sign with champagne as well, Harry along with Richie I am sure were very proud to see the Fightins win the title from their perch in the booth from heaven!

The work is not done yet as the players remarked, this is a very good baseball team which knows how to win, they now move on to the NLDS with a series victory in scope…..one game at a time, no highs or lows just like the even keeled skipper leads them!  A touch of class indeed.

Chatter

Jamie Moyer is done for the season as he injured his groin in the September 29th game, Moyer will have surgery in 7 to 10 days.  The veteran will be missed but indeed it was debatable whether he would have been put on the post season roster or not anyway.  J.C. Romero was activated and is available, I am sure that Charlie will get him some time in the next four games to see where he stands for post season.   It will be interesting to see who is placed on the playoff roster as the bullpen has been less than stellar this season.

Still the Fightin’s are in the playoffs yet again !  Great time to be a Phillies Phan folks!  Not so great time to be a Met eh!

As New York Mets fans know being in first place in the National League East in September is not the most secure place in recent years.  The mighty Mets fell out of the top spot and eventually relinquished the title to our Fightins each of the last two seasons.  The FIghtins presently hold that leadership perch this season and one would think that with a 5 and 1/2 game lead and a magic number of 16 as of the time of this writing that such lead would be relatively safe………. as the New Yorker’s would tell you, don’t count on it till the fat lady sings!

The Phillies have not played well in September this season, they were swept in a four game series in Houston by the Astros and albeit came back to win two of three against the Nationals in Washington struggled to do so.   Everyone knows that the team offense is predicated on the long ball but recent times have seen that reliance to become somewhat alarming.  The Fightins run production recently has been delivered 60% of the time on home runs !  Too often they have been unable to produce runs with runners in scoring position and less than two outs.   If the team holds on and wins their third straight division title, which I expect them to by the way, the playoff run will be short if they do not figure out how to get back to offense 101 and move runners to score the small ball way also.  Home Runs usually don’t fly against the pitchers you see in the playoffs.

On top of the offensive woes the bullpen has been a real worry, Brad Lidge blew another game in Houston and struggled so mightingly in a game in Washington that skipper Charlie Manuel had to go get him in the ninth in favor of Ryan Madson who eventually closed the win.   Madson, though is not a closer just yet as he displayed against the Mets in yesterday’s game by blowing his sixth save of the season.   Brett Myers also pitched poorly against the Mets yesterday giving up a two run blast himself in the eighth inning set up roll.   Bottom line is this, anyone who does not realize that the Phillies must get Lidge right in the closer roll is blind as a baseball fan, the skipper knows it and will attempt to take the last few weeks of the season to try and get him right. 

In today’s game against the Mets Kyle Kendrick stepped up in a spot start opportunity and threw very well leaving with a 5 to 2 lead.  Matt Stairs doubled in the home eighth and was plated by Andy Tracy with a single to score that fifth run in what may become one of the more important RBI’s of the season.   The skipper brought in Mr. Lidge to attempt to get the game done and he needed every one of those three runs to do so as he converted a save for the 5-4 win.   I truly think that even though he struggled once again with hanging sliders that were hit hard by two Met hitters the fact that he was able to convert with two strike outs may indeed finally be the bridge back to where we need him to be.

I repeat, this team needs Brad Lidge to close, he is the best option we have and the success of the season will hinge on his ability to recover. 

Chatter

Kudo’s to Phillie fans who gave Lidge a very nice ovation when he came into the game today, it was a show of class for a class act, Lidge has never ducked his responsibility this season and does not deserve any boo birds wrath for that, he has not performed on the field but as we saw last season the Phillies home crowd can be a great attribute to the home team if we are behind them, this is a very good team we have, no room to be negative now fellow Phillie Phans, not if we want another title which is indeed in reach!

Pedro Martinez goes tonight against his old teammates in the night portion of the day-night twin bill.  Pedro has been excellent thus far so let’s hope that streak continues.  Has anyone noticed that Jamie Moyer could actually have 15 wins this season if not for the last two games where he left with a lead and the bullpen collapsed, not bad for a spot starter eh!   J.A. Happ is still struggling with a strained obligue and may miss another start, good thing we have Moyer ready to take the ball.   Clay Condrey threw in Reading in a rehab assignment but no word if he is ready to resume big league service, the injury to his obligue has cost the valuable right hander a big chunk of the season, J.C. Romero is still struggling with elbow woes as is fellow lefty Scott Eyre.   If those two guys can’t get back in time to finish the season don’t be suprised to see Mr. Happ in the bullpen as the team has only inexperienced Sergio Escolona and Jack Taschner in the pen presently from the left side.

Magic number is at 16 and Marlins are losing right now to Nats 7-1 in the eighth so there is a possibility that can go to 14 if they lose and the Fightins win behind Pedro tonight.   Good time to be a Phillie Phan folks!

Note :  The Fighins have four guys with 30 or more home runs this season, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley……..  those four guys have more than many entire teams including those lowly Mets, indeed a great time to be a Phillies Phan !

September 3rd – Houston 5 Phillies 4

Charlie Manuel is perhaps the most patient and supportive manager in major league baseball but one has to truly wonder how much even he can take.  Brad Lidge was perfect last season and has, in spurts, this season shown some of that same form but tonight’s game against the Astros may indeed have broken the skipper’s patience !

The Phillies have been scuffling on offense and have been shut out twice in the last five games scoring a total of seven runs in those contests.  If not for pitching gems by Cole Hamels and Pedro Martinez against the Giants they most certainly would be riding a five game losing skid. 

That being said the  issue at hand tonight was even harder to swallow as the team had scuffled back from an early 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead into the ninth for our closer  to end it.  But problems occured when after getting Hunter Pence to strike out on some nasty sliders to start the inning Mr. Lidge could not find the plate !  He walked Geoff Blum and then Chris Coste sat on a first pitch fastball and lined it to center, he then walked Lance Berkman to load the bases !  Get the theme, no control in the zone will usually get you beat no matter what you throw!    With the bases juiced Michael Bourne helped Lidge out by first pitch swinging which resulted in a force out at the plate for out number two but a patient Kaz Matsui worked a 3-1 count and lined a fastball to center to end the game for Lidge’s 10th blown save!

It is true that the Fightin’s are in first place by nine games in the loss column at game’s start but it is also true that the constant failure of the closer is a real concern.  It had appeared that Lidge had righted the ship having saved his last three chances but once again in this once a recurring theme occurs, teams are laying off of the slider out of the zone as he has been unable to throw it for a strike, they sit on the fastball and have been able to hit it hard consistently this season, fittingly the phrase……. Houston we have a problem!

Chatter

Cliff Lee has also mightingly struggled his last two outings after appearing to be Superman in his first five starts for the Fightins,  Houston tagged him for six runs in only three innings last night and the Braves lit him up for nine in the start before, hopefully just a hiccup in a long season.  Cole Hamels has pitched exceptionally well in his last two outings so that is a great sign.  Joe Blanton has perhaps been the steadiest pitcher all season as he once again gave the team a quality start in tonight’s Houston debacle.

Not for nothing but with Raul Ibanez struggling the way he has since coming off the DL his offensive numbers bear a striking resemblence to those that Pat Burrell put up for the team year after year, not bad but for all those Burrell knockers Mr. Ibanez has not been that much distinctively better on offense when it comes down to it.

Rosters expanded on September 1 and the Fightin’s added Jack Taschner and Brett Myers to the pitching staff and Paul Hoover as a third catcher.  Expect John Mayberry Jr. to join the team as well when the Iron Pigs triple A season is over later this week.

Chase Utley did not play tonight against the Stro’s as he has a foot injury from a foul ball, the team reported x-rays were negative.  Shane Victorino left the game early tonight with a noticable limp.  Can’t afford the injuries!

Still in first place folks so no need to panic but the team must figure out the back end of the pen else we will be watching either St. Louis, L.A., the Rockies or Giants in the series this year.  Still a good time to be a Phillies fan!   Could be the Mets with no hope this year eh!

On Sunday I witnessed, along with many other fans, a true rarity in Major League Baseball.  Eric Bruntlett pulled off an unassisted triple play to end the game and give the FIghtin’s a 9 to 7 win over the Mets in New York !  It was only the 15th time in major league history that an unassisted triple play has occured and the second time in history that it has occured to end a ballgame!  The last and only other time in major league history that an unassisted triple play occured to end a game was May of 1927!   The feat is so extraordinary that the Baseball Hall of Fame asked Bruntlett to provide a piece of memorabilia to be added as part of the Hall of Fame collection,  Eric the Great donated his jersey to the hall as a momento.

Prior to the trip the New York the Fightins completed a three game sweep of Arizona as Joe Blanton tossed eight innings in a 12 to 3 win.  Blanton could have went nine but Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel chose to give Chad Durbin an inning of work to close the game.  Jayson Werth, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard each homered in the game as the Fightins pounded 12 hits.

The four game series in New York began on Friday night with a loss as the Metropolitans beat the Phillies 4 to 2 behind Mike Pelfrey.  Cole Hamels continued to struggle as he was able to only go five innings giving up ten hits, Chan Ho Park and Ryan Madson pitched scoreless relief behind Hamels.  The Phillies had ten hits in the game but left 11 runners on base.  Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard had six of the hits, each with two hits apiece.

On Saturday the Phillies bounced back with a 4 to 1 win over the Mets as J.A. Happ went seven innings to earn his 10th win of the season.   Madson earned hold number 21 on the season and Brad Lidge tossed a perfect ninth to earn save number 24.  Chase Utley belted a two run home run to provide the game winner in the sixth inning.  Old nemesis Tim Redding started for the Mets and once again held the Fightins at bay by only giving up one hit thru five frames, Redding was on a pitch count and was taken out after five else this may have been a loss!

On Sunday Pedro Martinez made his Citi Field debut and was given a six run cushion before he even took the hill as Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each belted three run home runs in the first inning to chase Mets starter Oliver Perez.  Perez was so bad that his own manager showed him up by pulling him with a 3-0 count to batter Martinez rather than let him finish out the at bat!   Martinez earned his second Phillies win of the season as he tossed six frames and was relieved by Durbin and Madson before Lidge closed to earn his 25th save on the Bruntlett triple play!  It must be noted that if Bruntlett had not committed two errors prior to the Triple play it would not have been needed!  Strange game is baseball sometimes.

In the series Finale on Monday staff ace Cliff Lee tossed seven strong innings and Ryan Howard belted two home runs to lead the Phillies to a 6 to 2 win.  Chan Ho Park earned his 8th hold in relief of Lee who is 5 and 0 as a Phillie and 12-9 overall as he won his ninth consecutive start!  Sweet!

Chatter

Greg Dobbs was put on the disabled list on monday and  Miguel Cairo was brought back up from Triple A.  Clay Condrey and J.C. Romero made rehab appearances in Clearwater and may rejoin the team in early September.  Brett Myers made a rehab start at single A Lakewood and is also on target to join the team in September.  It will be interesting to see whom the team recalls when rosters expand on September 1, e.g. will folks like Michael Taylor and Kyle Drabek be given major league service time ?  It may depend on how close or far the race is at that time.    With the win on Monday and prior to other results the team heads to Pittsburgh with a seven game lead in the division and two games in hand.  Great time to be a Phillies Fan!

With Howard’s homers on Monday he once again eclipsed 100 RBI in a season, the big guy has hit at least 30 bombs and driven in 100 or more for four consecutive seasons ! 

The Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks last evening by a count of 8 to 1 as Cliff Lee tossed his second complete game for the FIghtins since joining the team.   Back in the day when “Lefty” Steve Carlton used to pitch for the Phillies whenever his turn would come in the rotation his teammates would call the day “Win Day”.   I think that Mr. Lee has earned that same regard as he is 4-0 for the Phillies, 7-0 in his last seven starts and has four complete games in that stretch !   He is a true throwback pitcher in a day when complete games are very rare, he makes the Fightins a prohibitive favorite, in my opinion, to return to the World Series!  

Lee was supported by home runs by Chase Utley, Ryan Howard  and two by Jayson Werth.  Lee had two hits himself.   The previous night Jamie Moyer showed why he has now won 257 career games as he came in relief of Pedro Martinez in the fourth frame and pitched two hit baseball in leading the Phillies to a 5 to 1 win over Arizona.  Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel brought Moyer into the game after a 56 minute rain delay rather than push Pedro back onto the mound after the delay.  Martinez, himself pitched a very effective first three frames and looked as is he was also gonna deal a good one until Mother Nature cut short his night.  Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz each hit bombs in the game.

Prior to the two games at home against Arizona the Phillies beat Atlanta two games to one in a three game set in HotLanta.   Joe Blanton threw seven strong innings against the Braves in game one but pitched to a no decision as he left the game in a tie with Braves starter Jair Jurrjens.  Jurrjens threw a gem at the Phillies but his bullpen took the loss when Ryan Howard belted a solo home run in the top of the ninth to put the Fightins ahead.  Brad Lidge saved game number 22 and Ryan Madson was credited with the win.   Lidge blew a save in game two of the series in relief of Cole Hamels who went six innings and yielded only three hits and two runs to the Braves.  Lidge’s bullpen mates Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin and Madson held the Braves at bay in relief of Hamels  but Lidge gave up two runs in the ninth to suffer the loss.

The Phillies bounced back in the series finale to claim the series with a 4 to 1 win.  Ryan Howard belted two home runs to supply all the runs rookie J.A. Happ would need as Happ went 7 and 2/3 innings to earn win number 9 on the season.  Brad Lidge notched save number 23 behind holds by Ryan Madson and Scott Eyre.

Chatter

When Pedro Martinez and Jamie Moyer pitched in the same game it marked the first time that two pitchers with over 200 career wins each both pitched in the same game for the Phillies.   The last time it happened in Major League Baseball was when Minnesota Twins teammates Bert Blyleven and Steve Carlton both appeared in a contest.  The Phillies duo fared much better as they won while the Twins duo suffered a lop sided loss!   Big Ryan Howard has once again reached the 30 home run threshold and appears to be heating up in the later part of the season as has been his pattern in his brief career thus far.  Howard tied and then surpassed my favorite all-time Phillie Dick Allen on the team all time home run list.   If Howard stays according to past pattern he can single handedly carry the team on his broad shoulders offensively. 

Brett Myers admittedly lied about how he suffered a black eye recently, at first he said he got it while playing with his son who inadvertenly hit his daddy, he later changed his story to say that he suffered it stumbling out of his truck.   As it turns out he was at a bar with his wife and buddies of his, some of his buddies got into an altercation but all accounts say Myers was not part of the scuffle and in fact left to avoid the issue.   Mind boggling to me that folks even put themselves in those positions!  Will never understand that.

The Fightins have a 5 and 1/2 game lead over second place Florida as of this writing and are only 2 games behind the Dodgers for best record in the National League.  After tonights game against Arizona the team hits the road again for three games against the Mets and then three more against Pittsburgh before concluding the month with a home series against the Braves.

GM Ruben Amaro today pulled off his first major blockbuster deal as he acquired Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians for minor leaguers Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson and Jason Donald. 

Lee, the 2008 A.L. Cy Young Award winner gives the Phillies a true 1-2 punch when coupled with Cole Hamels that should rival any top of the rotation competion they will face.  While the team had seemed focused on acquiring Toronto ace Roy Halladay  terms could not be reached with the Canadians as they insisted on the Phillies inclusion of top prospect Kyle Drabek in any deal for Halladay. 

I think that Amaro has pulled a coup in getting Lee instead and from what I have read about Francisco is that he may indeed be the right handed bat off the bench that the team is lacking.  He has 10 home runs thus far this season and hit 15 last year.   Skipper Charlie Manuel is familiar with both Lee and Francisco from his days in the Cleveland organization and seems very pleased with the deal! 

Good going Mr. Amaro, shows this team is for real about winning now !  Good time to be a Fightin Phillies fan!

Chatter

Amaro was interviewed on Comcast Sportsnet after the trade became official and indicated that the team may indeed be more open for further moves.  The Phillies have sevenMajor League starters  in tow now with Pedro Martinez tuning up in Triple A and believed targeted as soon to join the big club.  Rodrigo Lopez is undefeated as a starter,  J.A. Happ is 7-1 and Jamie Moyer has won 10 games!  Joe Blanton has pitched distinctively well over the last two months and Cole Hamels had an excellent outing this week by outdueling Arizona’s Dan Haren. 

Could be that Happ may still be dangled as bait for another bullpen arm………. Heath Bell, Chad Qualls or George Sherrill come to mind as potential Phillies before the deadline passes! 

In any regards we are loaded for Bear, watch out ………… maybe we have another parade forthcoming!

The Phillies pounded the Cincinatti Reds for 22 runs on Monday night as the offensive flood gates opened!  They pounded 21 hits including four home runs while setting a team record with a ten run first inning!  Reminds one of the big explosion they had in St. Louis last year.  Cole Hamels was the recipient of the great run support and got the mound win.   In the second game of the series Brad Lidge took the loss as he was tagged for the go ahead run in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss.  On Wednesday Shane Victorino knocked in the game winner in the ninth for the Phillies making a winner out of Ryan Madson in a 3-2 win.

Injury Updates

Raul Ibanez is in Triple A Lehigh Valley on his rehab assignment, he hopes to be activated this weekend for the Pittsbugh series prior to making his first All Star start in the game on Tuesday.  Clay Condrey is also close to going on a rehab assignment himself and should be activated a week or so after the all star game.  Rodrigo Lopez strained his shoulder in his start on Wednesday but reportedly was ok on Thursday, the Phillies wont need a fifth starter till 7/20.

All Stars

Shane Victorino was voted in as the fan’s reserve to the All Star game, the Fightin’s faithful did a great job of putting the flying Hawaiiin in the game… speaking of Hawaii the Governor there and our PA Governor made a friendly wager on which state would generate the most votes for Shane, not sure which one won!  Victorino joins Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Chase Utley along with skipper Charlie Manuel in St. Louis for the game.   Howard will also participate in the home run derby contest.

Chatter

Pedro Martinez anyone ?  According to reports he will be signing with the Phillies and added to the starting rotation after the All Star break.  Martinez apparently threw consistently in low 90’s in a private workout for the Fightins.   Roy Halladay is apparently also on the team’s radar as Toronto has announced it is willing to listen on trade offers, will take a boat load of talent to pry him loose from the Jays but the Phillies may have it to do so, minor leagues are steep with talent for the Fightins and the Jays were scouting the big club this week, perhaps J.A. Happ and Jayson Werth may be part of the asking price.  Halladay is 32 but is perhaps the best right handed pitcher in baseball and sure would make the Phillies a tough crew to beat in a playoff series when coupled with Cole Hamels!  I know that we gotta get there first and that everyone loves offense but it has long been proven that pitching is what wins in the playoffs and world series.  Just look at what potential staffs the Fightins may face in the playoffs and series, the Sox roll out studs as do the Yanks….. if the Phillies can put up Hamels/Halladay at top of rotation I will take my chances against anyone!

In western North Carolina and am listening to games on Fox Ohio, interesting perspective hearing the Reds announcers talking about how dangerous the Phillies lineup is throughout, that being said we could pry a bat loose to get another stud pitcher!

As June  has closed and July has begun the Fightins keep us fans on an up and down ride thru the 2009 season.   The team looked like it had righted the ship with two straight wins against Toronto to end interleague play for the year but then they go to Hotlanta where they did not lose at all last season and get swept in a three game series!    After the Atlanta sweep the Phillies were in a NL Eastern Division first place tie with the Florida Marlins and were staring at a three game stint with the not so Amazin 2009 version of the Mets………guess what, they sweeped the Mets and now have a one game lead over Florida.

Mets Series

The Mets are banged up, have been for awhile so it is to thier credit that they have stayed in the race.  In this series we saw Joe Blanton outduel the game’s best pitcher Johan Santana for a 2-0 win, the return of Brad Lidge to saving form and Jimmy Rollins starting to hit like J-Roll!   All good things which the optimist in me says is great but the pessimist in me says what comes next, a downward slope of the roller coaster!   Here is hoping that we are on the incline for awhile.

All Stars

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez got voted into the All Star game as starters and Ryan Howard has been named by skipper Charlie Manuel as a reserve.  Shane Victorino is up for vote as the fan’s choice as reserve, knowing the Philly faithful I think Shane is headed to St. Lous also!

Starting Pitching

Rodrigo Lopez made his Phillies debut as he was recalled from Triple A to replace an ailing Antonio Bastardo in the rotation.  Lopez at one time was a coveted trade prospect of the Fightins when he was a member of the Orioles, I remember rumblings that Pat Burrell was dangled in exchange for Lopez a few years ago.  Lopez beat the Mets in his debut and showed a Greg Maddux like pitching savvy,  he will apparently be given every chance to prove he belongs.

Rumors

Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Kendrick, Drew Carpenter and Sergio Escalona are all names that the Phillies consider to be either big league ready or close to it.  Add folks like Kyle Drabek, Joe Savery and others and the Fightin’s have some surplus to offer up in trade, rumors are they are still looking for a big name starter and have interest in Roy Oswalt and Erik Bedard still………. as the July 31 deadline gets closer we will see what shakes loose.

Chatter

Sorry for the infrequent posts, my day job got in the way a bit!  I am on vacation now traveling the east coast of the U.S. , presently in the Outer Banks.   Still keeping up with my Fightin Phillies though and will post comments when I have them…….. Scott Eyre is back from the D.L. and perhaps Clay Condrey is soon to follow.   Looks like Chris Coste has been designated solely a pinch hitter by Charlie lately as Paul Bako has logged all the backup catcher innings, with Carlos Ruiz mired in another slump Bako has caught very often in the latest stretch of games.