Written by Mike Mariano | 18 July 2010

Forget what little momentum the Phillies had going into the break because tonight cements a series loss against the Cubs losing three out of four.  Not only that, the had the one game they lost in hand and practically gave it to us.  So the Phillies were a few breaks away from being swept and gave the Mets back second place.  Not good.

Roy Halladay got hit around from the first inning on and when Herndon came in to relieve him, the wheels fell off completely.  The Cubs put up double digit runs for the second time this series and it seems like all those guys they'd been waiting for all got hot.  Not all Doc's fault with the poor outing as the wind was blowing balls all over the field, but Tim Gorzelanny didn't have too much trouble.  This was his second start against the Phils this season and he was great again.  Also, the table-setters for the Cubbies, Colvin & Castro had three hits each which is leads to constant pressure on the pitcher and the defense.

On the offensive side, these days if Ryan Howard doesn't bring all the juice then the team doesn't score too much.  He hit a solo home run late in the game, but they were too far back for it to make a dent.  It was an impressive opposite field shot that went to the same exact spot that Ben Francisco's dinger too batters later went, and Francisco pulled his.

Continuing in the NL Central, the Phillies have four against the Cardinals coming up and have the ESPN game again tomorrow night -- must see match-up: Hawksworth v. Kendrick!

Written by Mike Mariano | 17 July 2010

(Note: When we did that Q&A with the Cubs blogger yesterday, they also interviewed me.  So to see me avoid accepting trades for Carlos Zambrano and what we might need to do during the deadline, run over there to see my answers: Talking Chicago Baseball)

Blanton and Lily put forth matching efforts through 7, allowing three runs each.  Difference is that Blanton was pitching with the lead on two different occasions and neither time could he hold it -- including walking in a run with TED LILLY hitting. From there it was a battle of the bullpens and theirs did what ours couldn't and threw two shut-out innings to finish the game and get the win.  Carlos Marmol struck out the side in the ninth, something that Phillies fans have more than likely not seen in years from a closer.

Offensively, Ryan Howard and newly found power monger Shane Victorino hit jacks to help the cause, but nobody could find one in the late innings when it was needed.  Marlon Byrd and Aramis Ramirez provided the power for the Cubbies -- Marlon's tied it as a two-run job and Aramis' was the go-ahead winner in the eighth.

First off, who the hell does Marlon Byrd think he is?  He was a marginal player at best as a Phillie and all of a sudden he's all-star caliber and playing his ass of elsewhere around the league.  Not that I'd trade any of our outfielders now for him, but stuff like that always grinds my gears.

Can't afford to start the break on a sour note (well we can, but I really don't want to), so let's see what Hamels bring to the table this afternoon: 1:05 start out in Chicago.

Written by Benny B. | 15 July 2010

The second half of the season begins for the Mets in San Francisco tonight and it is with much anticipation and delight that Carlos "Voltron" Beltran returns and bats cleanup after missing nearly a full year of playing time.  There is sure to be a significant amount of rust for Carlos, and I don't expect him to start wacking homeruns from the get-go.  However, his mere presence is sure to change the way pitchers approach the Mets lineup, and that should surely equate to better production.

Unfortunately, we may not get to see a complete Mets lineup as there are questions relating to Jose Reyes' oblique. It would have marked the first time if over two years that the Mets fielded a fully healthy lineup.  There has been countless articles like here & here written about how unbelievably stupid it was to have Jose in the lineup the last week before the all-star break, so all I will say is that there is something obviously wrong with Mets management & the training staff when they put a star player of Reyes caliber needlessly in danger...especially when their rallying cry to begin the season is PREVENTION & RECOVERY, and it is David Wright that has to call out the manger/trainers to have Reyes removed from a game.  All we can hope is that Reyes heals quickly and that the injury the trainers said couldn't be made worse, hasn't been made worse.

The Mets will be tested right off the bat with a grueling 11 game road trip, and then match-ups versus St. Louis, Atlanta & Philly.  Thats the bad news, the good news is that the Mets schedule gets significantly better as they have been rated to have the 4th easiest in the second half.  Nevertheless, the Mets still need to win and simply take series. I don't put too much stock into schedule ratings anyway.  After all, Florida was supposed to be easy wins for the Mets in 2007 & 2008, and they knocked us out of the playoffs two years in a row.

So lets take a quick look back at what the Mets did right and what they still need to be a legitimate playoff contender:

• They cut loose Gary Matthews Jr. & Mike Jacobs in favor of Angel Pagan & Ike Davis.  It is a travesty that GMJ got the starting nod over Pagan who is rated 5th overall in hitting.  I could bash Jerry & Omar, but they ultimately did make the correct choice (even if was a simple choice at that).  Ike Davis has been good and has hit for significantly more power than I would have ever imagined.  He is going through his rookie learning curve, but I expect him to be a solid offensive player.  His defense is already the best we have seen at that position in a long, long time.
• Oliver Perez & John Main were removed from the rotation in favor of R.A. Dickey & Hisanori Takahashi.  It is no coincidence that after this move the Mets went on multiple long winning streaks.  The big question is, what happens when they are healthy and are required to be returned to the roster?  Maine may have some value, but at this point, I don't have any confidence in either.  They can stay in AAA purgatory as far as I am concerned. Dickey has been a revelation.  He is the only Knuckleballer I have ever seen that can vary speeds on his knuckler from low 70's to low 80's and sport a mid-80's fastball.  He had a couple of bad games, but for the most part has been outstanding.  Takahashi on the other hand, enjoyed early success but after a couple time through the order, he becomes very hittable.  Regardless, both have been HUGE upgrades.
• Manuel has indicated that Pagan will get the lion's share of playing time in RF over Francoeur when Beltran is in the lineup.  Again, an easy decision that was portrayed as difficult in the media.  Frenchy has been super hot and super cold this year, but that is the type of player he is.  But Pagan has been consistently great all year. All four outfielders are going to see playing time regardless as Beltran will not be ready for every-day play for a month or so.  That will be plenty of time to determine who will fill what roles.  I am firm believer that competition is a good thing and will bring out the best in them all.

Here's what the Mets still Need:

• A solid starting pitcher.  Period.  With Lee off the board, the drop-off is steep.  However, there are still pitchers out there that can really help this team.  The Cubs Lilly is the name that has been thrown around the most. He's a solid #3, has experience in NY, and would come considerably cheaper than Lee  (as a side note, Omar should be applauded for not getting dragged into the Lee sweepstakes.  Lee's a great player, but Ike Davis plus 3 other prospects for a player who has already said he would test free agency I felt was severely overpriced). With the acquisition of a Lilly-type, that would allow Takahashi to be moved back, and solidify the bullpen.  He can pitch anywhere from 1-4 innings and remain effective.
• Carlos Beltran to play like Carlos Beltran.  He needs to remain healthy.  Even if he is not the Carlos that hit 346 homeruns in a 7 game series.  A healthy Beltran at 75-80% is just as good if not better than any other outfielder at 100%.  The team needs you, we need you, and my Carlos Voltron icon needs you Beltran.  Don't let me down!
• Another Bullpen arm.  Not a necessity especially if Takahashi is moved back, but it would afford the Mets some breathing room should any injury crop up.  If they do acquire another arm for the pen and if Igarashi can work on some secondary pitches, that coupled with the re-emergence of Bobby Parnell (who is throwing upper 90's nastiness) would form one of the best bullpens in the league.
• Solid 2nd Basemen.  Again, not necessary and probably a pipe dream.  Castillo's horrible contract is still hamstringing the Mets. However, there is a huge list of available 2nd Basemen out there. If the Mets could figure out a way to get cheap rental 2nd basemen, it would really go a long way to solidify the offense and defense.  The young Tejada has been great defensively, but he is being exposed at the plate.  Even though it's a long-shot, 2nd base should be an area Omar takes a hard look at.

Written by Mike Mariano | 16 July 2010

First series after the break:  Chicago Cubs.  Instead of our usual Phillies perspective, let's take a glance in at how the enemy is doing:

Justin Bridgman, writer for Talking Chicago Baseball -- a fantastic writer for a great blog.  Needless to say we were excited to get his insider info.  And what better way to get over our own struggles then to talk to Cubs fans!

Written by Gino Ferretti | 15 July 2010

All Star Week makes me miss baseball.

True. Competitive. Baseball.

When batters aren't smiling at pitchers as duels play out at the plate.  When right fielders yell at greedy fans for ruining a chance to make the last out in an inning of a must win game.

This week, I can do without the rock and jock game. I can do without hearing "back back back back" more than a Kim Kardashian photo shoot.

Besides, when its all said and done, does anyone really care about how good Evan Meek's four seam fastball is?

Who the hell is Evan Meek anyway?

On top of that, my own all star team is hot right now. Winning four straight games entering the all star break, this little interlude could cause a shift in momentum. For a team that sits 4.5 games out of first place in the NL East, these are hopeful times that need no interruption. But who am I to argue with baseball history.

So as I watch that band, that sings that annoying song about calling on angels, I will be saying my own prayers as the day dies down. Please please please keep the Phillies hot!

After an up and down first half of the 2010 season, the Phillies entered the All Star break coming off of a sweep of the sizzling Cincinnati Reds in four games. Three of those games were won in extra innings, and the last two games of the serties were won 1-0. With a lineup full of hefty hitters, you expect to see this team outscore opponents massively. But they haven't been doing too much of that. In fact, they're manufacturing wins.

And that's something new for Phillies fans to witness. But something well needed for the better of the team.

The usual suspects have become victims to their unusual injuries and surprisingly inconsistent plate appearances. The Phillies so far have relied on stellar pitching and sometimes sheer luck since starting off the season rather hot winning 8 out of their first 10 games.

At times the team has been frustrating for the fans. And the fans have been frustrating for the team. Between Shane Victorino's disdain for booing and Jayson Werth's fondness for the F bomb, its been a trying first half of the season for those preserving the current Phillies legacy and those who pay to witness it. We as fans are not use to the clean up hitter hitting .294 and in the top 20 in both doubles and triples. When he's suppose to be hitting home runs. Damn sure not used to Shane Victorino having 14 home runs at the break when he only hit 10 all of last season. When he's suppose to be getting on base with singles and doubles.

But even with Chase Utley on the disabled list until Labor Day and Placido Polanco expected to return this weekend, the big dogs like Werth, Rollins and Ibanez have lost all their bark and bite. These are weird times for those in the line up with roles.

Jimmy singles. Chase doubles. Howard homers 'em all in. That's how it goes. But that just hasn't been the case.

But you know what? They're winning again. And right now, they're hot. With those extra inning game heroics, the Phillies are starting to show flashes of a team determined to win by any means necessary.

Hard working miracle workers grinding through steel tight games, stringing together wins and weaving their way through the ranks of the division. And in a division where the competition is now more firm than in the past three years, the time is now to start pulling rabbits out of their batting helmets. 

Even if the fireworks and ass kicking isn't there.

As a true Phillies fan, you know this team is more capable of winning by owning the opponent opposed to squeaking by rigidly. Hell, they've done it before.

But right now, for a team trying to piece together some inspiration, a win is a win.  By 1 run or 10 runs. In 9 innings or 19. Just win baby.

And come hell, high water, or 17 games down and out, this Phillies team has the second half domination to run away from the playground with the competitions ball.

So as the four game series at Wrigley begins vs. The Cubs tonight, I'm reminded why at least the All Star Game may have not been so bad after all. Especially since now the Phillies own home field advantage for this years World Series.

Wink, Wink.

Written by Benny B. | 13 July 2010

I missed a lot of opportunities to Phillie bash while I was away, but I don't want to let this one slide:

Jayson Werth was caught on camera cursing out a Phillie fan while his son looks on in stunned disbelief.  Now, there will be a lot of "heat of the moment"defenses.  But you know what, Werth should know better.  That's foul territory my friend--outside the boundaries of fair play.  That's something that every player has to deal with.  When a player dives into the stands and crashes into a fan, does the fan start cursing out the player?  No, they are usually applauded for their hustle.  Maybe the father was distracted by looking out for his Son's well being?  Maybe he's never gotten a foul ball in his life (I never have).  Either way, what Werth did was wrong...and as he was walking back to his position, apparently he didn't dish out enough embarrassment for that father because he kept jawing in his direction.

I never thought I would ever say this, but I truly feel bad for that Phillie fan.   Perhaps Werth knows this is his final year as a Phillie and doesn't give a rat's ass for his home fans.  One thing is for sure, if that was me, while I would feel bad that my team didn't get the out that maybe would have been caught, the Player who cursed me out in front of my son would have gotten a piece of my mind.  You suck Werth.  Maybe if you didn't have such a disgusting scraggly beard weighing you down, your would have gotten there earlier and made the play.  Don't blame the fans.

UPDATE:

Speaking of indiscretions by Werth, there is a rumor going around that he banged Cole Hamels Chase Utley's wife.  That could explain some of the disharmony....

http://www.phightinphils.com/2010/07/jayson-werth-and-jennifer-utley-having-an-affair.html

Written by Mike Mariano | 12 July 2010

4 games, 3 walk off wins, 1 tight game win, still 4.5 games back.  That last one is a bit of a buzzkill, but who cares.  Getting a sweep with these types of wins is fanastic for team and fan morale.  Winning is always great but doing it in this fashion is decidedly more fun.  The confidence it gives a ball club to win like this is immeasurable.

In the finale, Cole Hamels went 7.2 strong scoreless and all he needed was a third inning Jimmy Rollins RBI single and some light work from Contreras, Romero & Lidge to seal the deal.  The Reds staff including young starter Matt Maloney threw well, but their offense was asleep today.  Most likely they were a little downtrodden from all the walk-off loses -- that kills a team's confidence, most notably in the pitching staff.  Offensive gets start to feel like nothing is ever enough.  The pitchers are going to blow it no matter the score and that breeds a toxic environment -- tough to win that way.

So, here we stand 4.5 back going into the All-Star Break, but for the first time in a while we've got a leg of solid momentum to stand on.  The break is welcomed and it's good to reach it on a high note.

Written by Mike Mariano | 10 July 2010

It ain't been pretty, but it's been fun.. yesterday we saw the second walk-off win in two days.  Ryan Howard took Arthur Rhodes deep with a man on second in the bottom of the tenth to steal another from the Reds.  Not only did they walk it off in the tenth, they put together a six run ninth to force extras.  Two home runs, one from Dobbs and one from Ransom and all the momentum was ours.

Somehow Joe Blanton gave up 12 hits in 5.1, but the bullpen was good enough to keep it close enough for the late inning heroics.  Also, Mike Leake's performance can't be short changed.  He went eight unbelievably strong until things imploded in the ninth.

• Cliff Lee thoughts:  Everything Benny B wrote this morning about the Phillies being the losers of the Cliff Lee situation is absolutely true.  Granted he helped get us to the World Series, however everything after that was botched by the Phillies.  I'm so upset (still) that the Phillies didn't keep him that it hurts.  I don't even want to talk about it anymore, too many words have been split about it already.

Written by Benny B. | 10 July 2010

Don't be fooled by imitators!  Just because Mike decided to change his ink color doesn't mean he speaks for Mets Fans.  I've said this before, the NY Post & Daily News are clearly biased Yankee newspapers on par with with the national enquirer when it comes to actual news reporting.

The best part of the Lee saga is how all the Yankee loving media are crying foul because they feel "used".  Boo Hoo.  Sorry Yanks, but you just got a taste of your own medicine:

Yankees know how the game works. General Manager Brian Cashman — echoing the sage of the organization, Yogi Berra — often says a deal is never final until it is final. After all, George Steinbrenner once signed David Wells over Christmas Eve cheeseburgers, persuading Wells to back out of an agreement with theArizona Diamondbacks.

But nobody likes to feel used, and privately, that was the Yankees’ prevailing sentiment on Friday, when the Seattle Mariners traded the All-Star left-hander Cliff Lee to the Texas Rangers for a four-player package headlined by Justin Smoak, a switch-hitting first baseman the Mariners had coveted for weeks.

Furthermore, the current Lee trade highlights just how bad and how little Philly got in return when they traded Lee.  From the same article:

The Phillies traded four players to Cleveland last July for Lee, who was dominant down the stretch and beat the Yankees twice in the World Series. But with no progress on a long-term deal, the Phillies moved quickly to trade for a different ace, Roy Halladay of Toronto, and simultaneously ship Lee to Seattle to replenish a thinning farm system.

In doing so, the Phillies passed on a chance to have an overwhelming duo at the top of their rotation. Instead of keeping Lee and dumping the veteran Joe Blanton — if not for prospects, then for savings — the Phillies signed Blanton to a three-year, $24 million contract.

Blanton had a 6.27 earned run average before Friday, and the prospects the Phillies received for Lee have been disappointing. The former first-round draft choice Phillippe Aumont, 21, had a 7.43 E.R.A. in 11 Class AA starts this season and is now a reliever at Class A.

Buster Onley has dubbed the Phillies one of the biggest losers of the Lee trade:

Losers: The Philadelphia Phillies. They're currently looking for starting pitching, after deciding to trade Lee, and the Mariners' haul for the left-hander demonstrates once and for all that Philadelphia didn't get as much as it could have in a trade for one of the best starters on the planet.

So instead of having arguably the best pitching tandem in baseball history, the Phillies opted to swap one ace for another and sign 6.27 ERA Bleh-ton for 3 years.  And now they are scrambling to find pitching while injuries are piling up.  Go figure. The phillies really shot themselves in the foot...I mean kicked a concrete step and broke a toe on this one. The verdict is in: The Phillies are Losers.

Written by Mike Mariano | 09 July 2010

I thought when things were going well the Mets writers were going to step it up around here!  Silly me for assuming such tomfoolery.  So I'll give some Mets snacking for your feasting this afternoon:

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... playing in New York must be so hard.  There's only 8 million people there and the Mets can't find anybody to root for them.  And nobody cares and the team is a bunch of lollygaggers and waaaah waaah waaah....

Things are finally looking remotely positive in Metsville and all this is what comes of it?  I understand that everyone pretends to be "middle class" and gravitates towards the middle, but don't sit on a payroll that size and give the "woe is me" sentiment.  Let me fill that writer in on a little secret (as I'm sure most of the Mets faithful would like to do the same):  Players don't want to come to the Mets and fans don't want to watch because of how bad the team most recently was and not only that, because of the thick mismanagement smog that suffocates the team at every turn.  Why the hell would you go to New York where no one knows who's running the show when you could go elsewhere to a better team, with better management and the same money?

Well, that's my Mets rant of the day.  Per the usual, Mets suck -- enjoy your days Mutsfans.