On a day where some questions about Cole Hamels appeared to be answered, other questions concerning Brad Lidge remain. Hamels pitched six innings and gave up just two earned runs Saturday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves on his way to what should have been his eighth win of the season, but when it came time for the Phils to turn the game over Brad Lidge, he gave up two runs in the ninth, and the Phillies lost 4-3.
Saturday’s outing by Hamels put to rest (at least until his next start) questions as to where the Phillies ace falls in the rotation as the season draws closer to the playoffs. In his previous two starts, Cole has only pitched 10 innings total, and he has also given up 10 earned runs and walked six batters while only striking out six. Throughout the season, Hamels has had a few quality starts followed by a few sub-par performances. The Phillies desperately need Hamels to string together four or five consecutive good starts not only to build his confidence going into the playoffs but to also provide the Phillies with the much-needed wins necessary to clinch the division.
Saturday’s game also saw another blown save by Phillies closer Brad Lidge, his eighth of the year. This comes just a day after Lidge looked so effective in saving Friday night’s 3-2 victory for the Phillies, earning him his 22nd save of the year. Sure, you could blame the defense for why the Phils lost on Saturday, but Lidge contributed to that by committing two costly errors on the same play to allow the tying run to score and put the winning run on third with nobody out. After two walks and a strikeout, Lidge eventually gave up a single to Omar Infante to complete the Phillies’ collapse.
With the season inching ever so closely to September and October, the question as to what to do with Brad Lidge looms over the defending world champs. His sole job is to record three outs, shut the door on the opposing team, and secure victory for the team, but throughout this year, he just hasn’t been getting that done at all. Even in his saves, Lidge has looked shaky, giving up home runs and walks.
But what can the Phillies do? They already know Ryan Madson can’t be their closer based upon how he performed in that role earlier this season, and J.C. Romero is not only on the disabled list but I’m sure the Phillies don’t want to take him out of his setup role. That only leaves Brett Myers as the only other viable option to pitch the ninth inning if Lidge continues to struggle. Myers already has a history of closing with the Phillies. In 2007, Myers moved from the rotation to the bullpen to fill that much needed vacancy. Myers, however, is still on the disabled list recovering from hip surgery, and suffered another setback. He was supposed to pitch one inning for the Phillies Clearwater minor league team, but he reportedly was scratched today because he injured his eye.
As the 2009 regular season draws to an end, the Phillies are going to need an effective Cole Hamels as well as a closer in which they have confidence, whether it is Brad Lidge, Brett Myers, or someone else. The rest of the staff is pitching just fine and the bats have started to come alive again, and the Phillies need that to continue if they plan on repeating in October.
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Showing posts with label Atlanta Braves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atlanta Braves. Show all posts
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Phillies/Braves Series Pitching Preview
The Phillies missed a prime opportunity to put some distance between themselves and their NL East competitors when they got swept by the Florida Marlins over the weekend. However, the team appears to be mostly back on track after completing a sweep of the Cubs in Chicago this afternoon. Now, the Phillies will have another opportunity to pull away from an NL east opponent when they travel to Turner Field this weekend for a three game series with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves currently sit 4.5 games (tied with Florida) behind the Phillies in the NL East. However, the Braves hold a 7-2 edge in the season series and swept the Phillies in Atlanta in their most recent series in early July. Let's take a look at the pitching matchups in an important series for both clubs.
Friday, August 14th: Joe Blanton vs. Jair Jurrjens
When Blanton allowed 3 runs in 6.2 innings in his most recent start against Florida, it represented the most runs he had allowed since June 30, coincidentally against Atlanta. Since Brett Myers went down with a hip injury and the 2008 Cole Hamels has yet to report for duty in 2009, Blanton has stepped up nicely as the number 2 starter for the Phillies behind the recently acquired Cliff Lee. In his 13 starts since May 21st, Blanton has a 2.46 ERA. He will face tough opponent in Jair Jurrjens, who in two starts against the Phillies this season has not allowed a single earned run. Jurrjens ERA has 3.01 for the season, however, he has been unable to pitch into the 6th inning in each of his last two starts.
Saturday, August 15th: Cole Hamels vs. Kenshin Kawakami
While he's shown flashes of his 2008 self at times this year, Cole Hamels has been largely inconsistent in 2009. Though he has at times been the victim of some bad luck (his batting average on balls in play is .318, 5th worst in the NL), he has also struggled with his command and his inability to develop and consistent third pitch to get hitters off of his once lethal fastball/changeup combo. In short, the league has adjusted to Hamels and Hamels has yet to make counter adjustments. Hamels was very good as recently as July 28th versus Arizona, but his last two starts have been disappointing. He will face Japanese right Kenshin Kawakami, who has steadily improved after a disastrous start. Kawakami's most recent start may have been his best of the season, as he shut out Los Angeles through 7 innings. Since a very poor month of April, Kawakami has a respectable 3.46 ERA. In his only start against Philadelphia, he gave up 2 runs in 6 innings to earn the win.
Sunday, August 16th: JA Happ vs. Javier Vazquez
JA Happ has weathered losing a tight battle for the final rotation spot in spring training, more than a month of Roy Halladay rumors, and more speculation about his starting spot as Pedro Martinez got ready to make his return to the Major Leagues. And all he's done is post an 8-2 record and a 2.75 ERA while making himself a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate. Happ bounced back from a shaky start against St. Louis on July 24th and allowed just 4 earned runs in his last 3 outings. While Happ may have just average Major League stuff, he makes up for it with excellent poise and command of his fastball. He faces veteran Javier Vazquez, who has done quite well for himself in his first season in Atlanta. Like Happ, Vazquez lacks above average stuff, but he baffles hitters with a variety of arm angles and his everything-but-the-kitchen-sink pitch selection. In his most recent start, Vazquez allowed just one run in eight innings against the Dodgers. His victory over LA was his 10th of the season, and he sports a 2.90 ERA.
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Friday, August 14th: Joe Blanton vs. Jair Jurrjens
When Blanton allowed 3 runs in 6.2 innings in his most recent start against Florida, it represented the most runs he had allowed since June 30, coincidentally against Atlanta. Since Brett Myers went down with a hip injury and the 2008 Cole Hamels has yet to report for duty in 2009, Blanton has stepped up nicely as the number 2 starter for the Phillies behind the recently acquired Cliff Lee. In his 13 starts since May 21st, Blanton has a 2.46 ERA. He will face tough opponent in Jair Jurrjens, who in two starts against the Phillies this season has not allowed a single earned run. Jurrjens ERA has 3.01 for the season, however, he has been unable to pitch into the 6th inning in each of his last two starts.
Saturday, August 15th: Cole Hamels vs. Kenshin Kawakami
While he's shown flashes of his 2008 self at times this year, Cole Hamels has been largely inconsistent in 2009. Though he has at times been the victim of some bad luck (his batting average on balls in play is .318, 5th worst in the NL), he has also struggled with his command and his inability to develop and consistent third pitch to get hitters off of his once lethal fastball/changeup combo. In short, the league has adjusted to Hamels and Hamels has yet to make counter adjustments. Hamels was very good as recently as July 28th versus Arizona, but his last two starts have been disappointing. He will face Japanese right Kenshin Kawakami, who has steadily improved after a disastrous start. Kawakami's most recent start may have been his best of the season, as he shut out Los Angeles through 7 innings. Since a very poor month of April, Kawakami has a respectable 3.46 ERA. In his only start against Philadelphia, he gave up 2 runs in 6 innings to earn the win.
Sunday, August 16th: JA Happ vs. Javier Vazquez
JA Happ has weathered losing a tight battle for the final rotation spot in spring training, more than a month of Roy Halladay rumors, and more speculation about his starting spot as Pedro Martinez got ready to make his return to the Major Leagues. And all he's done is post an 8-2 record and a 2.75 ERA while making himself a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate. Happ bounced back from a shaky start against St. Louis on July 24th and allowed just 4 earned runs in his last 3 outings. While Happ may have just average Major League stuff, he makes up for it with excellent poise and command of his fastball. He faces veteran Javier Vazquez, who has done quite well for himself in his first season in Atlanta. Like Happ, Vazquez lacks above average stuff, but he baffles hitters with a variety of arm angles and his everything-but-the-kitchen-sink pitch selection. In his most recent start, Vazquez allowed just one run in eight innings against the Dodgers. His victory over LA was his 10th of the season, and he sports a 2.90 ERA.
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Saturday, July 18, 2009
Streaking Phillies look to bust division wide open
The Philadelphia Phillies are hot right now. They seem to be clicking on all cylinders and have picked up after the All Star break exactly where they left off. The team is a winner of seven games in a row and nine out of ten as they head into Saturday night’s contest against the second place Florida Marlins, a team whom the Phillies hold a six-game edge over in the division.
Even Mother Nature can’t cool off the Phillies. During Friday night’s 12-inning victory over the Marlins, the game was delayed one hour 18 minutes for rain. The rain, no doubt, contributed to the Marlins tying the game late on the Phillies. The Phillies were up 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when the Miami skies opened up. Phillies starter Cole Hamels looked like his old self, allowing only four hits and one run in five innings prior to the rain. After the rain delay, Hamels was replaced and the bullpen couldn’t hold on to the lead, but with clutch hitting and the services of Brad Lidge, the Phils were able to squeak out a 6-5 victory.
This series with the Marlins could prove to be crucial as the second half of the season begins. Since Florida is in second place, every win for the Phillies further extends their lead in the division over them. If the Phillies can take at least one more game in this four game set, that would stretch their lead to seven games over the Marlins, a team who some think have what it takes in young talent and pitching to at least make a run at the Phillies for the division title this year.
Meanwhile, the Braves are probably the only team with a legitimate chance to challenge the Phillies for the division crown. They have quality pitching, talented hitters, and a manager who knows how to win. They also swept the Phillies in Atlanta a few weeks ago while the Phillies were struggling mightily. The Braves, who are also six games back in the division, are currently beating up on the AAA club that is wearing the New York Mets uniforms. The Mets, who are now 8.5 games behind the Phillies, lost Friday night 11-0 in Atlanta and due to key injuries, are all but finished this season.
A six or seven game lead may not seem like a big lead in the division, and in July it isn’t, but it would take a near meltdown (like the Mets in 2007) for the Phillies to actually give up that lead. The Phillies are playing great baseball currently, and now is the time for them to open up their division lead to double digits. They just acquired former three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez to fill their fifth starter position and are still the top team to land Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. If the Phillies land Halladay, the question isn’t “Will the Phillies win the division?” The question will be “By how many games will the Phillies win the division?”
Even if the Phils don’t land Halladay, they are still the favorite to win the division. Granted they do have a lot of games left to play against the Braves and Marlins which could make things interesting down the stretch, but the Phillies are typically a strong second-half team and they certainly know how to finish off the competition. Read more!
Even Mother Nature can’t cool off the Phillies. During Friday night’s 12-inning victory over the Marlins, the game was delayed one hour 18 minutes for rain. The rain, no doubt, contributed to the Marlins tying the game late on the Phillies. The Phillies were up 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning when the Miami skies opened up. Phillies starter Cole Hamels looked like his old self, allowing only four hits and one run in five innings prior to the rain. After the rain delay, Hamels was replaced and the bullpen couldn’t hold on to the lead, but with clutch hitting and the services of Brad Lidge, the Phils were able to squeak out a 6-5 victory.
This series with the Marlins could prove to be crucial as the second half of the season begins. Since Florida is in second place, every win for the Phillies further extends their lead in the division over them. If the Phillies can take at least one more game in this four game set, that would stretch their lead to seven games over the Marlins, a team who some think have what it takes in young talent and pitching to at least make a run at the Phillies for the division title this year.
Meanwhile, the Braves are probably the only team with a legitimate chance to challenge the Phillies for the division crown. They have quality pitching, talented hitters, and a manager who knows how to win. They also swept the Phillies in Atlanta a few weeks ago while the Phillies were struggling mightily. The Braves, who are also six games back in the division, are currently beating up on the AAA club that is wearing the New York Mets uniforms. The Mets, who are now 8.5 games behind the Phillies, lost Friday night 11-0 in Atlanta and due to key injuries, are all but finished this season.
A six or seven game lead may not seem like a big lead in the division, and in July it isn’t, but it would take a near meltdown (like the Mets in 2007) for the Phillies to actually give up that lead. The Phillies are playing great baseball currently, and now is the time for them to open up their division lead to double digits. They just acquired former three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez to fill their fifth starter position and are still the top team to land Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. If the Phillies land Halladay, the question isn’t “Will the Phillies win the division?” The question will be “By how many games will the Phillies win the division?”
Even if the Phils don’t land Halladay, they are still the favorite to win the division. Granted they do have a lot of games left to play against the Braves and Marlins which could make things interesting down the stretch, but the Phillies are typically a strong second-half team and they certainly know how to finish off the competition. Read more!
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