Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Halladay vs. Toronto; Moyer, Lidge update

In a less than surprising announcement, Jamie Moyer is officially the fifth starter entering the season. Moyer did have a very strong spring. Hopefully it carries into the season.

Roy Halladay makes his final start of the spring today, opposing Toronto, his former team. He will have the opening day lineup backing him up, with the exception of Brian Schneider behind the plate and batting eighth. After today's final tune up, the next time you see Halladay will be on the mound in Washington on Monday to start the season against the Nationals.

Brad Lidge had a cortisone shot in his elbow which will delay his return, but not significantly. Ryan Madson is expected to close in his absence, but if he struggles in the closer role as he did last season, Danys Baez might get a look.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Jamie Moyer will be 5th starter

No, it's not official. But Moyer made it all but official last night, when he took on a Yankees lineup which featured most of their everyday players.

All Moyer did was pitch 6.2 innings, allowing just one hit and no runs. He struck out six and didn't walk a batter. In two Grapefruit League starts, his ERA is 0.77. The Phils won 3-0 after Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson finished the shutout with a hold and save respectively.

After this performance, there is no way the Phillies select Kyle Kendrick over Moyer, though Kendrick is very deserving of the spot as well. Kendrick will have every opportunity to continue to pitch well out of the 'pen for the Phils.

Moyer's leash will likely be a bit short this season. If he falters, Kendrick is obviously in line to step in, much like J.A. Happ did over Chan Ho Park last season.

The MLB regular season is just eight days away, and Moyer's spectacular outing last night cemented himself in the rotation, for now, and set aside any roster questions the team has heading into 2010.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Myers to face Phils today

Here comes Kenny Powers.

The Phillies are set to square off with the Houston Astros this afternoon with Brett Myers starting on the hill for Houston. This will be the Phillies' first look at Myers in an opposing uniform. Here's a look at Brett's spring thus far.

The Good: 3-0 with 14 innings pitched which leads the team. His 15 strikeouts also lead the team.

The Bad: 6.43 ERA, 19 hits, 11 runs (10 earned), 3 home runs and 10 walks.

The Ugly: Well, with Myers, that goes without saying.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Moyer responds with strong outing

Jamie Moyer pitched very well in his first official spring start against Baltimore yesterday. After a lengthy rain delay, Moyer took the hill needing a strong outing with Kyle Kendrick breathing down his neck for the fifth starter's spot.

Moyer responded. He allowed five hits and one run while striking out six. He didn't walk anyone. It was a major statement from Moyer after he struggled in his last 'B' outing.

If Moyer continues to pitch well or even average, the spot is likely his to start the season. Kendrick would start in the bullpen and look to take the spot during the season, a la J.A. Happ over Chan Ho Park last season. Kendrick's only chance to win the spot out of camp is to continue to pitch great, and have Moyer falter.

It will be interesting to see if Moyer pitches against the better lineup before camp breaks. Regardless, he is still facing Major League lineups. Hopefully he continues to pitch well as his veteran presence in the rotation could benefit the club.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

O's one-hit Phils

The Baltimore Orioles threw a combined one-hitter at the Phillies last night in a 2-0 victory over the Phils. John Mayberry Jr. singled to break up the no-hitter in the eighth against reliever Dennis Sarfate.

Starter Brian Matusz pitched 5.1 hitless innings for the O's, fanning six and walking two. Will Ohman finished out the sixth and Jim Johnson pitched a hitless seventh before Sarfate entered the game.

Kyle Kendrick continued his strong spring, despite allowing his first run last night. In five innings, Kendrick allowed two runs on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts. His spring ERA jumped from 0 to 1.29.

These Phillies hitters went hitless with at least two official at bats: Jimmy Rollins (.257), Cody Ransom (.263), Shane Victorino (.250), Dewayne Wise (.286), Chase Utley (.389), Juan Castro (.200), Wilson Valdez (.500), Raul Ibanez (.133), Dane Sardinha (.000), Greg Dobbs (.250) and Brian Schneider (.353).

Roy Halladay will pitch against Detroit this afternoon and Jamie Moyer pitches against the Orioles tomorrow in what should be a start with this job on the line.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Polanco injured, Moyer roughed up in 'B' outing

Placido Polanco was helped off the field in the third inning of today's game against the Pirates after going after a pop-up on the mound. They are calling it a right knee strain and nothing serious. He proclaimed himself as day to day.

Jamie Moyer, who has yet to make a Grapefruit League appearance this spring, was roughed up in a 'B' outing today. In just three innings, he allowed eight hits and five runs. Moyer makes his Grapefruit debut on Saturday. If he struggles in grapefruit play as well, the fifth spot should fall into Kyle Kendrick's lap.

Kendrick has been outstanding this spring, as he's yet to allow a run. If Moyer is struggling in a simple 'B' game appearance, it's tough to imagine him doing much better against Major League quality talent.

Friday, March 12, 2010

No baseball today, Pitchers doing well

The Phils were scheduled to face Detroit and Tampa Bay today in split squad games. Both games were cancelled due to flooding rain.

J.A. Happ, who'd been scheduled to pitch today, will face the Twins tomorrow in a game which can be seen on MLB.TV. Kyle Kendrick will pitch Sunday against the Orioles and Roy Halladay will pitch Monday against the Pirates.

The starting pitching has been excellent this spring. Joe Blanton, (1-0 6 innings, 3 runs) Cole Hamels, (5.2 innings, 2 runs) Roy Halladay, (5 innings, 0 runs) Kyle Kendrick (5 innings, 0 runs) and J.A. Happ (2.1 innings, 0 runs) have all been very effective. Jamie Moyer has yet to appear in an "A" game and has no official stats. It'd be nice to see him move up to the "A" competition, if he is the leading candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Kendrick pitching very well, Halladay to pitch tonight

If Jamie Moyer was the front runner for the fifth spot in the rotation entering camp, Kyle Kendrick isn't making it easy on Moyer or the Phillies. After a very strong start against the Yankees yesterday, Kendrick is putting himself in as prime a position to win the spot as he could.

His five innings pitched leads the team this spring. He's yet to allow a run, and even more importantly, he hasn't walked a batter. He's struck out two and allowed just two hits. Both of his outings have come against a formidable lineup, the New York Yankees.

Meanwhile, Moyer has only made one appearance in a "B" game in which he pitched three scoreless innings. He has no official spring stats because he hasn't officially pitched in a spring game yet.

It's only fair to compare the two based on what they do in the "A" games. Hopefully Moyer will make an appearance against a major league ready squad soon so we can see how he fairs.

Roy Halladay will make his second spring appearance tonight against the Braves at 7pm. Andrew Carpenter, Danys Baez and Ryan Madson will also take the hill for the Phils. Kenshin Kawakami and new closer Billy Wagner are scheduled to pitch for Atlanta. The game will be broadcast on MLB.TV

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Happ strong in first spring test against pros

J.A. Happ, who was strong against Florida State on Wednesday, pitched well today against the Rays in his first test against a MLB team. In his 2.1 innings, he allowed no runs and two hits, while walking two with two strikeouts.

Jimmy Rollins hit his first homer of the spring, snapping a scoreless tie in the fifth. The Rays eventually won 5-3 in ten innings.

Dominic Brown continued his strong spring, going 3-5 with a double, two RBI and an outfield assist. He is hitting .538 this spring.

Pat Burrell went 0-2 with a walk for Tampa with an inning ending double-play with the bases loaded.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Hamels' second pitch of sping is a home run

Cole Hamels started spring training today right where he left off in 2009. He threw an 0-1 fastball to lead-off hitter Jose Bautista which was hit for a solo home run. He walked the next batter, Aaron Hill, but got out of the inning. He pitched two innings, allowed two hits (homer and a double to Bautista), struck out two and walked one.

The Phils tied the game at one in the third after newly acquired Ross Gload tripled and was knocked in by Brian Schneider.

Toronto currently leads 2-1 in the bottom of the third after J.C. Ramirez allowed the Blue Jays to recapture the lead.

Halladay dominates, Moyer pitches well, Hamels next

As you know by now, Roy Halladay was spectacular in this two innings of work against the Yankees yesterday. His sinker looked excellent and was located very well, as he struck out three batters and induced several weak ground balls.

Placido Polanco had two assists, including one to open the game. He made a nice play on a short hop in the first inning but his throw was high and pulled Cody Ransom off the first base bag for an error. Polanco responded by smoking a base hit to left in the bottom of the first.

Jamie Moyer pitched in a "B" game against the Blue Jays this morning and allowed three hits while striking out three in three scoreless innings.

Cole Hamels will pitch against Toronto in the "A" game this afternoon with this lineup:

J. Rollins- SS
P. Polanco- 3B
C. Utley- 2B
R. Howard- 1B
J. Werth- CF
R. Ibanez- LF
D. Brown- RF
R. Gload- DH
B. Schneider- C

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Today's lineup vs. NY

1. J. Rollins- SS
2. P. Polanco- 3B
3. B. Francisco- CF
4. J. Werth- RF
5. J. Mayberry Jr.- LF
6. C. Ransom- 1B
7. J. Castro- 2B
8. B. Bocock- DH
9. C. Ruiz- C

Roy Halladay takes the mound for the first time as a Phil, opposing him will be Yankee ace CC Sabathia. Too bad Chase Utley won't be in the lineup after he dominated Sabathia in the World Series.

Following Halladay will be Kyle Kendrick, Jose Contreras, Drew Carpenter and Sergio Escalona.

The game is at 1pm and can be seen on Comcast Sportsnet or MLB.TV

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Aumont roughed up as Phils trail

The Phillies are trailing early to the Florida State Seminoles as top prospect Phillippe Aumont was roughed up in his first appearance in a Phils' uniform. There was plenty of interest in this appearance, as Aumont is being counted on to help supplement the loss of minor league talent in Philly's farm system.

But, facing a college team, Aumont was pretty brutal. He lasted just 0.2 innings in which he allowed five earned runs on two hits and three walks, the big blast being a three-run home run. His early spring ERA stands at 67.50.

Lineup tonight vs. Florida State

The Phillies lineup for tonight's game vs. Florida State is very similar to the product they will put on the field for the 2010 season. The lineup is as follows:

1. J. Rollins-SS
2. P. Polanco-3B
3. C. Utley-2B
4. R.Howard-1B
5. J. Werth-RF
6. R. Ibanez-LF
7. G. Dobbs-DH
8. John Mayberry Jr.-CF
9. Carlos Ruiz-C

Phils kick things off against Florida State tonight

Tonight marks the unoffical start of spring play for the Phils as they take on Florida State in their first exhibition game of 2010. J.A. Happ gets the start and will be followed by Phillippe Aumont, Yohan Flande, Drew Naylor, Joe Savery, Jesus Sanchez and David Herndon.

Aumont, who was acquired in the Cliff Lee deal over the winter, will be watched most closely. While the Phils gave up a ton of young talent to land ace Roy Halladay, they feel they also acquired some top prospects in return for Lee. Should Aumont get lit up by a college team, fans will be worried. Sure, it's early, both in the spring and Aumont's career. But fans would still like to see something encouraging from Aumont who now lines up to be their top pitching prospect.

It'd be nice to see Happ put these kids away easily but this is just a tune up start for him. No word yet on which regulars will start the game for the Phillies.

The spring officially kicked off yesterday with an afternoon affair between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves, with the Mets knocking off Atlanta 4-2. Gary Matthews Jr. went 0-3 with one strikeout for NY, while Chris Coste went 0-2. Braves' prospect Jason Heyward went 1-1 with two walks and a stolen base as he looks to secure right field with the big league club this season. He hit third in the lineup and looked impressive at the plate.