Weekend Wins and Pitching Improvements Needed

Joe Blanton gave up 5 earned runs in 6 innings in a loss to the Marlins on Friday

Perhaps the Phillies don't realize that there are still reasons to win these remaining games. If they lose out this weekend and end up with the worst record among the division winners, they will go on the road to face the West division champions in the first round. And surely the Phillies must realize that the Marlins won't roll over, and still have something to play for...second place. For second place teams that don't make the playoffs, bonuses per team member can exceed $10,000. Marlins players and coaches want bonus money. Don't get it twisted.

The forecasted Phillies' first three starters for the post season are Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Joe Blanton. This group of fellows who had been awfully hot in the mid to late summer haven't been so hot lately. Here's a look at recent samples for the top three guys.

Cole Hamels is 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA in his last 5 starts.
Cliff Lee is 2-4 with a 6.13 ERA in his last 7 starts.
Joe Blanton is 3-2 with a 5.52 ERA in his last 5 starts.

Sure, the Phillies offense has carried them for stretches this season, but through August and into September many experts, analysts and fans thought the Phillies' starting pitching could match up to the strong Cy Young Award candidates, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, of the Cardinals. At this rate, the Phils' rotation would have to rely on the offense to carry the team.

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Be sure to check out this tribute video from Macho Row. Solid stuff.

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Comments

OBC said…

Yeah, don't be complacent. Still need winz!

October 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM

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...

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...

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...

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