The Phillies are down 3-0 in the fourth inning of game two. It seems like after dominating the Rockies in game one, that they've taken this game for granted thus far. With Cole Hamels on the mound and their success against Aaron Cook in the past, it'd be easy to possibly look past this match-up and prepare to take care of business in Colorado. Hopefully they get something going offensively, and fast.
Chase Utley has been the early disappointment of the postseason so far. His terrible September was well documented, but he's looked bad through a game and a half. He's struck out looking three times. The team can't afford that from their number three hitter in the playoffs. If he doesn't turn it around, it may be time for Charlie to make a move in the lineup. It's time to put the best possible lineup out there which gives you the best chance to win. If Utley's struggles continue, Jayson Werth could fill in the three hole nicely and either Raul Ibanez or Utley could occupy the fifth spot. The third hitter in the lineup is a crucial position and is supposed to sport the team's best hitter. Right now, that's not Utley.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Postseason is here; What's your lineup look like?
The postseason is upon us. Charlie Manuel has plenty of choices to make regarding his pitching staff and his lineup. Hopefully J.A. Happ gets the opportunity to start at least one game. He earned it and he deserves it. Also, splitting time between Carlos Ruiz and Paul Bako during the regular season is fine, but not in the playoffs.
Chooch was a rock behind the plate for the Phils last October. He was a massive part of their success and a team needs a steady catcher back there for every game. To the best of my recollection, Chris Coste didn't start a postseason game except as a DH in Tampa. Bako did a decent job behind the dish this season, but the only time he should strap on the pads this October is in a blowout.
While Ubaldo Jimenez is not your typical game one ace, he presents a challenge for the Phils this afternoon. He'll likely be tough on our right handed batters, but he can mix it up and pitch well against lefties as well. If I were to fill out the lineup card, here's how it'd look:
1. J. Rollins
2. S. Victorino
3. C. Utley
4. R. Howard
5. R. Ibanez
6. J. Werth (Werth drops to the six hole against the tough right handed pitcher.)
7. P. Feliz (If Greg Dobbs were to start a game at third, this would be the one to do it. But I doubt it'll happen and I don't think I would have made that move either.)
8. C. Ruiz
9. C. Lee
I think Charlie will leave Werth in the five hole, but I'd attack Jimenez with a left handed heavy lineup and worry about how they use their bullpen later. Hitters 1-5 would be batting left handed against Jimenez which could allow the Phillies to build an early lead. As we've seen, Cliff Lee has pitched much better with a lead than he has trailing or in a tie game.
Chooch was a rock behind the plate for the Phils last October. He was a massive part of their success and a team needs a steady catcher back there for every game. To the best of my recollection, Chris Coste didn't start a postseason game except as a DH in Tampa. Bako did a decent job behind the dish this season, but the only time he should strap on the pads this October is in a blowout.
While Ubaldo Jimenez is not your typical game one ace, he presents a challenge for the Phils this afternoon. He'll likely be tough on our right handed batters, but he can mix it up and pitch well against lefties as well. If I were to fill out the lineup card, here's how it'd look:
1. J. Rollins
2. S. Victorino
3. C. Utley
4. R. Howard
5. R. Ibanez
6. J. Werth (Werth drops to the six hole against the tough right handed pitcher.)
7. P. Feliz (If Greg Dobbs were to start a game at third, this would be the one to do it. But I doubt it'll happen and I don't think I would have made that move either.)
8. C. Ruiz
9. C. Lee
I think Charlie will leave Werth in the five hole, but I'd attack Jimenez with a left handed heavy lineup and worry about how they use their bullpen later. Hitters 1-5 would be batting left handed against Jimenez which could allow the Phillies to build an early lead. As we've seen, Cliff Lee has pitched much better with a lead than he has trailing or in a tie game.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Playoff roster is in with some surprise moves
Your Phillies playoff roster:
Catchers:
Paul Bako
Carlos Ruiz
Infield:
Ryan Howard
Chase Utley
Jimmy Rollins
Pedro Feliz
Greg Dobbs
Miguel Cairo
Outfield:
Raul Ibanez
Shane Victorino
Jayson Werth
Ben Francisco
Matt Stairs
Pitchers:
Cliff Lee
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
J.A. Happ
Pedro Martinez
Brad Lidge
Ryan Madson
Brett Myers
Scott Eyre
Chad Durbin
Kyle Kendrick
Antonio Bastardo
The biggest surprise player to not make the roster is Eric Bruntlett. Charlie likes Bruntlett because of his ability to run the bases and play defense at multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. Tyler Walker had a great season but was left off the roster and Clay Condrey was left off, most likely due to all the time he missed.
Catchers:
Paul Bako
Carlos Ruiz
Infield:
Ryan Howard
Chase Utley
Jimmy Rollins
Pedro Feliz
Greg Dobbs
Miguel Cairo
Outfield:
Raul Ibanez
Shane Victorino
Jayson Werth
Ben Francisco
Matt Stairs
Pitchers:
Cliff Lee
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
J.A. Happ
Pedro Martinez
Brad Lidge
Ryan Madson
Brett Myers
Scott Eyre
Chad Durbin
Kyle Kendrick
Antonio Bastardo
The biggest surprise player to not make the roster is Eric Bruntlett. Charlie likes Bruntlett because of his ability to run the bases and play defense at multiple positions in the infield and the outfield. Tyler Walker had a great season but was left off the roster and Clay Condrey was left off, most likely due to all the time he missed.
Phils tab Lee for game one, Hamels for two
Cliff Lee will start game one tomorrow against Ubaldo Jimenez and the Rockies, while Cole Hamels takes the ball for game two, the Phillies announced this morning.
Although Hamels only threw 47 pitches on Saturday, it didn't make sense to bring him back on three days' rest for the first time in his career. Lee is well rested and ready to go, and Hamels can pitch the following day while adhering to his normal routine. No word on whether Joe Blanton takes the ball for game three or if Charlie sends J.A. Happ to the mound to throw another lefty at Colorado.
Although Hamels only threw 47 pitches on Saturday, it didn't make sense to bring him back on three days' rest for the first time in his career. Lee is well rested and ready to go, and Hamels can pitch the following day while adhering to his normal routine. No word on whether Joe Blanton takes the ball for game three or if Charlie sends J.A. Happ to the mound to throw another lefty at Colorado.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Lidge adds a cutter; Good time or bad time?
In what is likely a move of desperation, Brad Lidge adds a third pitch, a cut fastball, to his arsenal just in time for the postseason. Is now the best time to experiment with a new pitch?
The postseason is all about establishing a consistent effort every day. Maybe a cut fastball could give hitters something else to think about, other than just his fastball or slider. Generally, a third pitch is a good idea for a pitcher to use, if for nothing else than to keep hitters from sitting on your other two pitches and to keep them guessing. But Lidge used the pitch for the first time on Saturday. Now the postseason is starting.
One wild pitch in the eighth or ninth inning of a game with a non-established pitch could make the difference between a playoff win or loss. It's frightening that he will be throwing a pitch that he hasn't mastered yet when a playoff game is on the line. Here's to hoping the cut fastball is filthy and just what he needs to stifle batters again, but I doubt it.
Check out Todd Zolecki's blog for more about Lidge's cutter.
The postseason is all about establishing a consistent effort every day. Maybe a cut fastball could give hitters something else to think about, other than just his fastball or slider. Generally, a third pitch is a good idea for a pitcher to use, if for nothing else than to keep hitters from sitting on your other two pitches and to keep them guessing. But Lidge used the pitch for the first time on Saturday. Now the postseason is starting.
One wild pitch in the eighth or ninth inning of a game with a non-established pitch could make the difference between a playoff win or loss. It's frightening that he will be throwing a pitch that he hasn't mastered yet when a playoff game is on the line. Here's to hoping the cut fastball is filthy and just what he needs to stifle batters again, but I doubt it.
Check out Todd Zolecki's blog for more about Lidge's cutter.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Lineup intact for Saturday's duel with Florida
The lineup, which will likely get its share of rest for tomorrow's season finale just as it did last season, will get one final tuneup against the Marlins this afternoon.
Today's lineup via Todd Zolecki's twitter:
1. Rollins SS
2. Victorino CF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Ibanez LF
6. Werth RF
7. Feliz 3B
8. Ruiz C
9. Hamels P
Today's lineup via Todd Zolecki's twitter:
1. Rollins SS
2. Victorino CF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Ibanez LF
6. Werth RF
7. Feliz 3B
8. Ruiz C
9. Hamels P
Two games to go with plenty to worry about
The Phillies clinched their third consecutive NL East title on Wednesday and Phillies' fans across the Delaware Valley were left in a state of jubilation once again. But, being the worriers that we are, concerns are ubiquitous across Phillies' Nation.
Charlie Manuel, while trying to get his players some rest, tinkered with the lineup the last two nights to give certain players the night off. The results have not been good. The offense was not competitive while Cliff Lee and Joe Blanton went on to pitch sub-par games. There's not much time left to figure out the pitching situation on this team. Pedro Martinez didn't pitch well in his final regular season tuneup, but will likely will the fourth rotation spot anyway because with J.C. Romero lost for the season, J.A. Happ will likely been the trusted lefty out of the 'pen.
Who is the ace of the staff? Just two months ago the obvious answer was Lee, but he's been struggling almost every time he takes the mound. Cole Hamels, who pitches today, has been much better of late but would be pitching on just three days of rest if he were to take the mound for game one of the NLDS. The rotation will likely be Lee, Hamels, Blanton, Pedro. A month ago, that seemed like a damn strong rotation. Now, no one is sure what those guys are capable of this postseason.
The team has not announced a pitcher for tomorrow's season finale against Josh Johnson and the Marlins. It will likely be either Kyle Kendrick or someone who won't even be on the playoff roster.
Unless Charlie plugs all the starters back in there today, they will take the field in game one without playing a competitive game as a team in a week. The extra rest could be detrimental to the team if they come out lackadaisical in the playoffs.
The Colorado Rockies are on fire and stand just one game behind the Dodgers. While LA is overall a more talented team, the Rockies are red hot and maybe the Dodgers would be a better first round match-up for the Phils. If Colorado takes the next two from the Dodgers, the Rockies would win the NL West and the Dodgers would take the wild card. The records are so close between the Phils, Dodgers, Rox and Cardinals that the Phillies could finish anywhere from first through third. It will be interesting to see how these last two days play out and where the Phils will finish in the National League.
Charlie Manuel, while trying to get his players some rest, tinkered with the lineup the last two nights to give certain players the night off. The results have not been good. The offense was not competitive while Cliff Lee and Joe Blanton went on to pitch sub-par games. There's not much time left to figure out the pitching situation on this team. Pedro Martinez didn't pitch well in his final regular season tuneup, but will likely will the fourth rotation spot anyway because with J.C. Romero lost for the season, J.A. Happ will likely been the trusted lefty out of the 'pen.
Who is the ace of the staff? Just two months ago the obvious answer was Lee, but he's been struggling almost every time he takes the mound. Cole Hamels, who pitches today, has been much better of late but would be pitching on just three days of rest if he were to take the mound for game one of the NLDS. The rotation will likely be Lee, Hamels, Blanton, Pedro. A month ago, that seemed like a damn strong rotation. Now, no one is sure what those guys are capable of this postseason.
The team has not announced a pitcher for tomorrow's season finale against Josh Johnson and the Marlins. It will likely be either Kyle Kendrick or someone who won't even be on the playoff roster.
Unless Charlie plugs all the starters back in there today, they will take the field in game one without playing a competitive game as a team in a week. The extra rest could be detrimental to the team if they come out lackadaisical in the playoffs.
The Colorado Rockies are on fire and stand just one game behind the Dodgers. While LA is overall a more talented team, the Rockies are red hot and maybe the Dodgers would be a better first round match-up for the Phils. If Colorado takes the next two from the Dodgers, the Rockies would win the NL West and the Dodgers would take the wild card. The records are so close between the Phils, Dodgers, Rox and Cardinals that the Phillies could finish anywhere from first through third. It will be interesting to see how these last two days play out and where the Phils will finish in the National League.
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