Joe Blanton continues to excel and prove his worth in the Phillies pitching rotation. In his latest outing on Sunday, Blanton threw 8 strong innings, striking out 6, while walking just 1 and surrendering 2 earned runs, improving his record to 7-4. This season in July, Joe is 3-0 over four starts with 22 K's, 5 walks and a 1.21 ERA. Over his last 6 starts, Joe's ERA is 1.94. As a member of the Phillies, Blanton has a 3.84 ERA after the all star break with a 5-0 record. The Phillies are 20-12 (.625 winning percentage) in games that Blanton has started, since being acquired last July. Combined this season against other National League playoff contenders St. Louis, Chicago and Los Angeles, Blanton has a combined 1.67 ERA in 4 starts with a 2-0 record. Blanton is on such a sizzling run that the Bowling Green Hot Rods, a Tampa Bay Rays farm team, will host a Joe Blanton bobble head give away tomorrow. Bowling Green will host Joe's mother, father and sister for the event, as Joe...
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As for the Myers/Hamels main event, Ken Rosenthau claimed to be 5 feet away, heard the whole thing, and indeed it was just the two busting on each other. I'm buying into that. Hamels will start Game 7 but on a very short leash.
A lot of talk up here about how the Yankees own Pedro, and how they "got to him" in Game 2.
Let's look at his Game 2 start:
6IP, 6H, 3R, 3ER, 2BB, 8K, 2HR, 2.08 ERA.
Compare to CC in Games 1 & 4:
7IP/6.2IP, 4H/7 H, 2R/3 R, 2ER/3ER, 3BB/3 BB, 6K/6K, 2HR/1 HR, 1.52ERA/1.98 ERA
Pedro's numbers in Game 2 were nearly identical to CC's in Game 4, not that far off his numbers in Game 1. Granted, this will be his 2nd start against them, and there's going to be an adjustment, but someone as experienced and crafty as Pedro should make adjustments as well. Petitte will show up, I expect the two to go at it for at least six innings.
If Charlie gives the ball to Lidge with less than two outs again in this series, I may show up with an automatic weapon. Expect a ninth innings combo of Eyre, Meyers, Durbin or Lidge. Madson is possibly the best 8th inning man in the game, but does not have the mental stuff of a closer. 6th-7th innings belong to Park and Durbin. I have faith in all of them but Lidge. I would say the entire roster feels that way.
I have to say I am no fan of hip hop music. Maybe I am just too old.
But, I also have to say NeeKo and Jay Z's lyrics are like day and night.
1,000,000 times better, NeeKo's version, and nobody would have to "sanitize" it for a national audience.
We have a piece lauding NeeKo's lyrics - I enjoyed very much the historical and landmark references in addition to some of Philly's sports heros. He got in all four teams, too.
I understand Neeko's song is quite popular in Philly, which proves you don't have to rap about garbage to get some attention.
Good luck to NeeKo.