The 2012 Phillies have picked up right where the 2011 Phillies left off. Excellent starting pitching, anemic offense.
It's only four games of a long season, but the stats for the 1-3 Phils are alarming.
They've scored just eight runs while the team is batting .198 with one home run, three doubles, ten walks, 29 strikeouts and are 5-for-5 in stolen bases.
Rookie Freddy Galvis just got the first hit of his career yesterday, in 13 at bats, and is second on the team in RBI.
Carlos Ruiz is batting .400, Shane Victorino .308 and Hunter Pence is batting .267. John Mayberry Jr. and Jimmy Rollins are batting just .250, and Placido Polanco and Galvis are really struggling at .154 and .077 respectively.
The Phillies have used a different first baseman in each of their first four games; the first time any team has done so in MLB history.
It's certainly not time to hit the panic button, but there is certainly reason for concern. Tomorrow's match-up between Roy Halladay and Josh Johnson is sure to be an intriguing one that continues to the theme of a low scoring game.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Opening Day Roster is Set
The 25-man roster is set, and the biggest surprise is Joe Savery. Savery, who has just 2.2 career innings in the big leagues made the team and provides the Phillies with an extra left-hander out of the bullpen. Here's the roster:
Pitchers (12): Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley, Joe Blanton, Jonathan Papelbon, David Herndon, Kyle Kendrick, Chad Qualls, Mike Stutes, Antonio Bastardo and Savery.
Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schneider
Infielders (6): Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Freddy Galvis, Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton and Pete Orr
Outfielders (5): Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino, Juan Pierre, John Mayberry Jr. and Laynce Nix.
Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Michael Martinez, Jose Contreras and Justin De Fratus were all placed on the DL.
Roster hopefulls Scott Podsednik, Hector Lunas and Raul Valdes were optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. That's a tough break for Podsednik who had a great spring, and was clearly disappointed when Pierre was picked for the roster. Hopefully he can hang around long enough to earn a promotion when an inevitable injury strikes.
It apears Charlie Manuel will give Pierre a shot at the everyday left field position, and the lead-off spot; at least with Howard and Utley on the shelf. Here's my guess for tomorrow's Opening Day lineup against lefty Eric Bedard:
1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Placido Polanco, 3B
3. Jimmy Rollins, SS
4. Hunter Pence, EF
5. Shane Victorino, CF
6. John Mayberry Jr., 1B
7. Carlos Ruiz, C
8. Freddy Galvis, 2B
9. Roy Halladay, P
Victorino and Mayberry Jr. could potentially swap positions in Manuel's lineup. After originally stating Jim Thome could play in two games a week, Manuel recently stated that Thome is sore after playing six innings and would likely only play 20 games all season at first base. Hopefully, that's not the case and Thome grows more accustom to playing the field as he continues to get his work in.
This is a great time of year. Opening Day is one of the best days of the season! Hopefully tomorrow's contest is nearly as dramatic and exciting as last season's Opening Day was.
Pitchers (12): Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Vance Worley, Joe Blanton, Jonathan Papelbon, David Herndon, Kyle Kendrick, Chad Qualls, Mike Stutes, Antonio Bastardo and Savery.
Catchers (2): Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schneider
Infielders (6): Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Freddy Galvis, Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton and Pete Orr
Outfielders (5): Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino, Juan Pierre, John Mayberry Jr. and Laynce Nix.
Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Michael Martinez, Jose Contreras and Justin De Fratus were all placed on the DL.
Roster hopefulls Scott Podsednik, Hector Lunas and Raul Valdes were optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. That's a tough break for Podsednik who had a great spring, and was clearly disappointed when Pierre was picked for the roster. Hopefully he can hang around long enough to earn a promotion when an inevitable injury strikes.
It apears Charlie Manuel will give Pierre a shot at the everyday left field position, and the lead-off spot; at least with Howard and Utley on the shelf. Here's my guess for tomorrow's Opening Day lineup against lefty Eric Bedard:
1. Juan Pierre, LF
2. Placido Polanco, 3B
3. Jimmy Rollins, SS
4. Hunter Pence, EF
5. Shane Victorino, CF
6. John Mayberry Jr., 1B
7. Carlos Ruiz, C
8. Freddy Galvis, 2B
9. Roy Halladay, P
Victorino and Mayberry Jr. could potentially swap positions in Manuel's lineup. After originally stating Jim Thome could play in two games a week, Manuel recently stated that Thome is sore after playing six innings and would likely only play 20 games all season at first base. Hopefully, that's not the case and Thome grows more accustom to playing the field as he continues to get his work in.
This is a great time of year. Opening Day is one of the best days of the season! Hopefully tomorrow's contest is nearly as dramatic and exciting as last season's Opening Day was.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Pierre gets a spot
Juan Pierre received good news yesterday, one day before the Phillies needed to inform he if he'd have a spot on the Major League roster, or if he'd be given his release.
Pierre is a Phillie.
Good news for one inevitably means bad news for another, and that man is Scott Podsednik. Podsednik has outplayed Pierre this spring, but it appears he will not have a spot on the team.
Podsednik is batting .347 (17-for-49) with eight runs scored, five doubles, one home run, two RBI, four walks, eight strikeouts and five stolen bases in five attempts.
Pierre is batting .313 (15-for-48) with seven runs scored, one double, two RBI, five walks, three strikeouts and just three stolen bases on six attempts.
A year after stealing 68 bags, Pierre took a major step back last season. He swiped just 27 and was caught 17 times, just one fewer caught stealing than the previous year.
Both are veteran outfielders, but Pierre had the edge going into the spring. But, Podsednik really couldn't have done anything else to earn a spot on this roster which struggles to produce offense. So, if he had just about no chance of making the roster entering camp, why waste everyone's time?
Well, one factor in their decision could be that Podsednik signed a Minor League contract, meaning they can send him to Triple-A to start the season. They have until June 1 to offer him a Major League roster spot before offering him his release. He could be an insurance policy for a little while, in case of injury or someone struggles.
It's good to see a veteran like Pierre on the team, but the way Podsednik is playing, it'd be a shame for him to not make the team.
Pierre is a Phillie.
Good news for one inevitably means bad news for another, and that man is Scott Podsednik. Podsednik has outplayed Pierre this spring, but it appears he will not have a spot on the team.
Podsednik is batting .347 (17-for-49) with eight runs scored, five doubles, one home run, two RBI, four walks, eight strikeouts and five stolen bases in five attempts.
Pierre is batting .313 (15-for-48) with seven runs scored, one double, two RBI, five walks, three strikeouts and just three stolen bases on six attempts.
A year after stealing 68 bags, Pierre took a major step back last season. He swiped just 27 and was caught 17 times, just one fewer caught stealing than the previous year.
Both are veteran outfielders, but Pierre had the edge going into the spring. But, Podsednik really couldn't have done anything else to earn a spot on this roster which struggles to produce offense. So, if he had just about no chance of making the roster entering camp, why waste everyone's time?
Well, one factor in their decision could be that Podsednik signed a Minor League contract, meaning they can send him to Triple-A to start the season. They have until June 1 to offer him a Major League roster spot before offering him his release. He could be an insurance policy for a little while, in case of injury or someone struggles.
It's good to see a veteran like Pierre on the team, but the way Podsednik is playing, it'd be a shame for him to not make the team.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Bats falter once again in 2-0 defeat
With the regular season less than two weeks away, the Phillies are still struggling at the plate. Their Achilles heel the last two seasons, pun intended, have been silent bats. They haven't been all the loud this spring either.
The Phils managed just four singles in yesterday's 2-0 loss to Toronto. Carlos Ruiz, who is batting. 478 this spring, had two of them. Shane Victorino (.238), Hunter Pence (.275), Ty Wigginton (.237), Laynce Nix (.208), Juan Pierre (.257) and Freddy Galvis (.255) all went hitless; and those are some pretty brutal batting averages.
Cliff Lee tossed six strong innings, allowing a run on five hits, no walks and seven strikeouts. Jose Contreras made his second appearance of the spring and allowed one run in one inning.
But back to what is sure to be a hot topic all season: the offense. Hunter Pence, Jimmy Rollins and Hector Luna lead the team in home runs with two. Pence hit his two in the first two games of the spring and hasn't hit one yet, and also has a team high 14 strikeouts compared to one walk. Rollins is only batting .256 to accompany his two dingers and Luna isn't likely to make the team.
Amazingly, Galvis leads the team in RBI with eleven. The closest to him of players expected to make the team is John Mayberry Jr. with six.
Scott Podsednik leads the team with five stolen bases, and could beat out Pierre for that last spot. Podsednik is batting .378 with five doubles and has yet to been caught stealing. Pierre is batting .257 with no extra base hits, two steals and has been caught stealing three times. If the better play decides who gets a spot, Podsednik is clearly in the lead.
Fortunetly, Placido Polanco, who is batting .529 this spring, took batting practice and is close to returning.
The red hot Vance Worley takes the mound this afternoon when the Phillies host the Yankees. Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Stutes and David Herndon are also scheduled to pitch.
The Phils managed just four singles in yesterday's 2-0 loss to Toronto. Carlos Ruiz, who is batting. 478 this spring, had two of them. Shane Victorino (.238), Hunter Pence (.275), Ty Wigginton (.237), Laynce Nix (.208), Juan Pierre (.257) and Freddy Galvis (.255) all went hitless; and those are some pretty brutal batting averages.
Cliff Lee tossed six strong innings, allowing a run on five hits, no walks and seven strikeouts. Jose Contreras made his second appearance of the spring and allowed one run in one inning.
But back to what is sure to be a hot topic all season: the offense. Hunter Pence, Jimmy Rollins and Hector Luna lead the team in home runs with two. Pence hit his two in the first two games of the spring and hasn't hit one yet, and also has a team high 14 strikeouts compared to one walk. Rollins is only batting .256 to accompany his two dingers and Luna isn't likely to make the team.
Amazingly, Galvis leads the team in RBI with eleven. The closest to him of players expected to make the team is John Mayberry Jr. with six.
Scott Podsednik leads the team with five stolen bases, and could beat out Pierre for that last spot. Podsednik is batting .378 with five doubles and has yet to been caught stealing. Pierre is batting .257 with no extra base hits, two steals and has been caught stealing three times. If the better play decides who gets a spot, Podsednik is clearly in the lead.
Fortunetly, Placido Polanco, who is batting .529 this spring, took batting practice and is close to returning.
The red hot Vance Worley takes the mound this afternoon when the Phillies host the Yankees. Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Stutes and David Herndon are also scheduled to pitch.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Halladay, Galvis lead Phils over O's
Freddy Galvis is getting plenty of playing time in preparation for Opening Day. Charlie Manuel had him leading off yesterday against Baltimore in a 4-1 win. Galvis was just 1-for-5, but he made the 1 count.
Deadlocked in a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning, Galvis laced an RBI triple, bringing Michael Martinez around to score and putting the Phillies on top for good. Galvis also struck out twice.
Roy Halladay was solid after a very bad outing that led to speculation that something was wrong with him and his velocity was down. He went six strong, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon, Michael Stues and David Herndon each tossed a scorless inning.
The Phils are off today before visiting the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon. Cliff Lee will take the ball with Chad Qualls and Jose Contreras also expected to pitch.
Deadlocked in a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning, Galvis laced an RBI triple, bringing Michael Martinez around to score and putting the Phillies on top for good. Galvis also struck out twice.
Roy Halladay was solid after a very bad outing that led to speculation that something was wrong with him and his velocity was down. He went six strong, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon, Michael Stues and David Herndon each tossed a scorless inning.
The Phils are off today before visiting the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow afternoon. Cliff Lee will take the ball with Chad Qualls and Jose Contreras also expected to pitch.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A look at Freddy Galvis, your Opening Day Second Baseman
Freddy Galvis was thwarted into an even larger spotlight yesterday afternoon at Bright House Field as news of Chase Utley's departure from camp swirled. Unless Ruben Amaro Jr. can find the right deal in the next two weeks, Galvis is the Phillies' Opening Day second baseman.
It's not what anyone wanted, anyone not named Galvis anyway, but having him at their disposal is a luxury. Galvis is not going to be a liability for the club. He's an excellent defensive player and has great baseball sense. Naturally a shortstop, he made the transition to second base instantly and flawlessly. Everyone raves about his glove. But can he hit?
That's been the question. This spring he's been very good at the plate, going 11-for-39 (.282) with six runs, two doubles, one triple, one home run, ten RBI, two walks, three strikeouts, one stolen base and no caught stealing. Each of the previous two springs with the Phils, Galvis bat .182. It's certainly safe to say he's progressing as a hitter. But this is only spring training.
Last year, in time spent between AA and AAA, he had a career year, batting .278 with 78 runs, 28 doubles, five triples, eight home runs, 43 RBI, 23 steals and 13 caught stealing. Nearly every stat was a career high. He's a career .246 hitter in the minors.
Galvis is not likely to hit at the .282 clip in which he's currently batting in the big leagues during the regular season, but his ceiling is extremely high and he's clearly maturing as a hitter after every at bat. That bodes well for distressed Phillies' fans. There's a good chance we've all seen the last of the real Chase Utley. Start buying your Galvis T-shirts; he has the potential to become a fan favorite.
It's not what anyone wanted, anyone not named Galvis anyway, but having him at their disposal is a luxury. Galvis is not going to be a liability for the club. He's an excellent defensive player and has great baseball sense. Naturally a shortstop, he made the transition to second base instantly and flawlessly. Everyone raves about his glove. But can he hit?
That's been the question. This spring he's been very good at the plate, going 11-for-39 (.282) with six runs, two doubles, one triple, one home run, ten RBI, two walks, three strikeouts, one stolen base and no caught stealing. Each of the previous two springs with the Phils, Galvis bat .182. It's certainly safe to say he's progressing as a hitter. But this is only spring training.
Last year, in time spent between AA and AAA, he had a career year, batting .278 with 78 runs, 28 doubles, five triples, eight home runs, 43 RBI, 23 steals and 13 caught stealing. Nearly every stat was a career high. He's a career .246 hitter in the minors.
Galvis is not likely to hit at the .282 clip in which he's currently batting in the big leagues during the regular season, but his ceiling is extremely high and he's clearly maturing as a hitter after every at bat. That bodes well for distressed Phillies' fans. There's a good chance we've all seen the last of the real Chase Utley. Start buying your Galvis T-shirts; he has the potential to become a fan favorite.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Utley leaves camp, all but ruled out for opener
We've seen this story unfold before. Chase Utley not on the field. Utley says don't panic. Ruben Amaro Jr. says he's fine and will be on the field Opening Day. This has been the plan all along. Stop overreacting everyone. It all sounds great; until it doesn't.
Utley has left camp to go see a specialist regarding the tendinitis in his knee that has prevented him from even fielding ground-balls this spring. Amaro finally admitted it is unlikely that Utley will be on the field on Opening Day. Rookie Freddy Galvis is likely to start in Utley's absence.
It looks like Utley will start the season the disabled list for the second straight season. This was considered by many to big a big year for Chase, who had career lows in just about every statistical category, to see if he could bounce back from injury and return to the all star player he once was. That notion is in serious doubt. There's a good chance we've seen the last of Chase Utley; at least the Chase Utley we used to know.
Utley has left camp to go see a specialist regarding the tendinitis in his knee that has prevented him from even fielding ground-balls this spring. Amaro finally admitted it is unlikely that Utley will be on the field on Opening Day. Rookie Freddy Galvis is likely to start in Utley's absence.
It looks like Utley will start the season the disabled list for the second straight season. This was considered by many to big a big year for Chase, who had career lows in just about every statistical category, to see if he could bounce back from injury and return to the all star player he once was. That notion is in serious doubt. There's a good chance we've seen the last of Chase Utley; at least the Chase Utley we used to know.
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