Skip to main content

Say Hello To the Phillies' Best Pitcher

Four full weeks into the Major League Baseball season, the Phillies have a surprise star on the mound. While Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge and Jamie Moyer all have ERA's ranging from 5.65 to 8.41. And while Chan Ho Park, Brett Myers, Hamels and Blanton have all combined for just 1 win, righty reliever Clay Condrey has 3 wins, and a 1.26 ERA in 14 appearances. Clay's 0.77 WHIP and .167 batting average against also put him far ahead of his team mates. Condrey has undoubtedly become the most reliable pitcher on the staff. His excellent performance so far in 2009 may not be surprising to some. Condrey's statistics after the all star break last season were quite solid as well. During the 2nd half of the Phils' 2008 campaign, Condrey had a 2.73 ERA in 26 appearances.

Not convinced that Clay is worthy of real praise? Still thinking, "Eh, he just looks better 'cause everyone else is off to a poor start"? Check out Condrey's combined numbers against division rivals Washington, Atlanta, Florida and New York in 2008- 35 1/3 innings pitched in 29 games with a 2.29 ERA. And on top of that, in his career against the arch rival Metropolitans, Condrey has appeared in 14 games, pitched 20 innings, and has a 1.80 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP.

So, phans, while Clayton Lee Condrey continues to hold it down in the Phillies' bullpen, be sure to give the man his due.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...