Sell the Ball Park...Phillies Need to Stay on the Road!

After an awful home stand where the Phillies went 1-8, the defending champs bounced back on Tuesday night with a 10-1 victory against the Rays. The win for the Phillies improves their road record to a Major League best 24-9 (.727 winning percentage), while their home record is second worst in the majors (13-22). I'm pretty sure most phans would be in favor of the Phillies relocating some of their home games, going forward.

Despite Jimmy Rollins' 0-5 effort out of the lead off spot, in game 1 of the series in Tampa, he scored a run. Since the Phillies won the game, that improves the team's record to 28-7 (.800 winning percentage) in games that Rollins plays and scores at least one run. In games that Rollins plays and does not score a run, the Phillies are 8-23 (.258 winning percentage). That's surely proof that Rollins is key for the Phillies as a table setter and a leader.

J-Roll's struggles reflect the Phillies' issues at home. His batting average is 44 points higher on the road than it is in Philadelphia. The 2007 NL Most Valuable Player is not playing like his former self, but if he returns to form, the team will benefit greatly. Rollins scored at least one run in 102 games in 2007. If Rollins could get going on that MVP/139 runs scored pace, and the Phils continue to win at the same rate when he scores, they'd easily be looking at another division title.

John Mayberry Jr. hit a big homer in the rout of the Rays. The 3-run blast in the first inning put the Phils up by 6 and allowed them to sail the rest of the way.

Here's your MLB contribution comparison for Mayberry Jr. and the guy he was traded for in the offseason, Greg Golson...

Junior- 7-for-24 (.292 avg), 2 doubles, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 runs.

Golson- 0-for-1, 1 K.

Golson is in the Rangers organization and was called up for a cup of coffee in May, but was sent back down. With triple A Oklahoma City, Golson is hitting .277 with 1 homer, 25 RBI and 6 steals.

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The South Atlantic League All Star game was played Tuesday night in West Virginia, and friend of Phoul Ballz Justin De Fratus was the winning pitcher for the Northern Division all stars! After giving up the tying run on a homer in the top of the 9th inning, De Fratus got the win when the North team scored the walk-off victory following two singles and a throwing error by the South team.

More of your BlueClaws contributed to the win. Professional baseball's steals leader, Anthony Gose, stole two bags, had two hits and scored twice. Travis D'Arnaud, who played on the North team with his brother, West Virginia short stop Chase D'Arnaud, had a hit in one at bat. Tyler Cloyd pitched a scoreless inning and struck out 2. Second baseman Harold Garcia was hitless in 2 at bats. Reliever BJ Rosenberg did not pitch.

Lakewood manager Dusty Wathan was the manager for the victorious North Division team.

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be. He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line. And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line. He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly. On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne. The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska. In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage. Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August. Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH. Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve

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