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Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo __________________________ AP Photos Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE . Share on Facebook

Prior to the 2010 season, PhoulBallz.com checked in with various baseball heads...broadcasters, writers and bloggers alike...and got everyone's take on how the MLB season would play out. Each participant gave his thoughts and predicted the various awards given to outstanding performers, which teams would advance to the post-season and some Phillies related matters. Click here to read the original post. The panel of fortune tellers included me, Bill Baer of Crashburn Alley , former Phillies beat reporter Mike Olshin, Joe Giglio & Mike Krenek of Millennium Radio's The Shore Sports Report , Carson of We Should Be GM's , Kevin McGuire of Macho Row and Justin Evans of Red Pinstripes are Cooler . Without over analyzing, I'll offer a quick tip of my cap to Joey Votto (.314 avg, 22 HR, 60 RBI) and Robinson Cano (.336 avg, 16 HR, 58 RBI) who have outperformed players in their respective leagues and would be considered the Most Valuable Players of the first half, if there w...

After the BlueClaws' loss to Delmarva on Monday, I spoke with manager Mark Parent. I asked Mark about Jiwan James' 20-game hitting streak and James' progress toward becoming an offensive leader for the club, about Jonathan Pettibone's recent success (2.36 ERA & .156 batting average against over his last 6 games) and about Jonathan Singleton's slump. I also asked him about Brian Gump's injury and recovery progress. Gump's forearm was fractured when he was hit by a pitch on Independence Day last week. Check out the media player below to listen to all of Parent's comments. _____________________________________________ Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE . For BlueClaws tickets click here . Upcoming promotions include a Phillie Phanatic & World Series trophy appearance on the 21st and a Dusty Wathan SAL Championship bobble head giveaway on July 22nd. Share on Facebook

The Lakewood BlueClaws rallied in the 9th inning on Monday afternoon, but fell short, losing to the Orioles affiliate Delmarva Shorebirds 3-2. The teams had split the first 4 games of the series that began Thursday, and the loss in the 5th and deciding game locked in the first unsuccessful series that the defending South Atlantic League champions experienced all year. BlueClaws righty Jonathan Pettibone, who will turn 20 years old next week, made the start and continued his stretch of solid outings. Pettibone held the Shorebirds scoreless through 4 innings, but let up 2 earned runs in the 5th inning, when Point Pleasant, NJ resident TJ Baxter led off with a single and was driven home on a double by shortstop Garabez Rosa. Second baseman Mike Mooney moved Rosa over with a sacrifice bunt, and Rosa scored on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Brian Conley. Pettibone, who allowed just those two earned runs over 6 2/3 innings, didn't necessarily feel pleased with the outing. "I didn...

Jim Lonborg was a pitcher with the Phillies from 1973-1979. Lonborg began his career with the Boston Red Sox in 1965 at age 23. Initially, the righty hurler struggled, posting a 9-17 record in his rookie campaign, but by year three Longborg was an elite pitcher. He went 22-9 with a 3.16 ERA in 39 starts in 1967 on his way to winning the Cy Young Award. Unfortunately for Longborg, a skiing accident the following off-season resulted in ligament damage that would trouble him going forward, as he won just 17 games over the next 3 seasons. In 1971, Lonborg got back on the winning track when he went 10-7 in 27 games for the Red Sox, but the team traded him to the Brewers in a 10-player deal following the season. In 1972 with Milwaukee, Longborg got things back on track when he won 14 games, posted a 2.83 ERA and completed 11 games. After that season, the Brewers sent Lonborg to the Phillies with Ken Brett, Ken Sanders and Earl Stephenson for John Vukovich, Don Money and Bill Champion. Longbo...

Carlos Ruiz spent the past couple days rehabbing from concussion symptoms with the Phillies Class A affiliate Lakewood BlueClaws. The stop was a success, as Ruiz went 4-for-8 with 2 doubles in two games played for Lakewood. "Chooch" is expected to be activated to the Major League roster this weekend. I had the opportunity to speak with the man they call "Chooch" about his return to his minor league roots, the Phillies pitching staff, his feelings on the phans as well as his feelings on frozen treats. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview. ______________________________________ Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE . Share on Facebook

Friday night, rehabbing Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz posted a 2-for-4 night and helped the A-Level Lakewood BlueClaws win against the Orioles affiliate Delmarva Shorebirds. Starting pitcher Brody Colvin, who had been excellent over his last 9 starts (1.90 ERA) pitched 5 innings without allowing an earned run, but earned a no decision in the match up. Colvin nearly worked out of a bases loaded jam in the 5th inning, when Delmarva first baseman Tyler Townsend dribbled what should have been an easy ground out back to Colvin, but the right-handed hurler failed to make an accurate throw to "The Boss" Jonathan Singleton and sent a throw sailing high over the first baseman's head. Two runners scored on the play. Colvin struck out the next batter Kieron Pope to escape without further damage. Catcher Sebastian Valle drove home designated hitter Ruiz with a single in the 6th inning to cut the deficit in half. The BlueClaws tied things up in the 7th when Jonathan Villar tripled home...

Months ago a source close to the team (some said Milt Thompson) disclosed that the Phillies were very close to reaching a contract extension with outfielder Jayson Werth. Later reports stated that the Phillies would lock Werth up by the All-star Break. Common sense also told the public that if neither of those were the case, the Phillies could likely deal Werth soon after the Break, as the non-waiver trading deadline comes up quickly, at the end of July. When Chase Utley's thumb diagnosis (surgery, likely to miss 8 weeks while recovering) was announced to the world, some phans were ready to tap out for the season and swiftly suggested the Phillies deal Werth to get what they could for him, as July and the realization of the Phillies not coming to terms with Werth were drawing near. Other folks began to equate a possible trade of Werth with the Phillies waving a white flag this season. That does not have to be the case, especially with baseball's top prospect Domonic Brown waiti...

Charlie Manuel is off the hook. The Phillies manager was subject to loads of ridicule after Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was initially left off of the National League all-star team. Manuel, as the manager of the NL team that made it to the World Series last year, will manage this year's NL all-star team and has some say in which players make the roster. Manuel had been critiqued heavily for selecting his own first baseman, Phillie Ryan Howard, and Atlanta utility man Omar Infante over Votto to the team. Thanks to online fan voting to fill the final spot on the all-star rosters, Votto made the team and prevented what could have been the most stunning all-star snub in recent memory. Votto leads the National League in homeruns and OPS (on base percentage + slugging percentage). Additionally, he ranks among the top 5 in the league in RBI and batting avg. Upon learning of the news, Votto stated that he was relieved the final vote was over. Votto also told reporters, "I’...

The National League Central Division leading Reds (49-37) visit Philadelphia to start a 4-game series against the NL East's third place Phillies (43-40). The Reds have won 7 of their last 10 games, while the Phillies have dropped 7 of their last 10 games. Philadelphia has struggled with injuries all season long. The expected potent offense, that experts were convinced would return them to a third straight World Series, has only taken the field together 5 times in 83 chances. Currently, 3 of the Phillies' 8 projected everyday offensive stars are on the disabled list. The Reds, on the other hand, have suffered injuries to their pitching staff, seeing 3 of their 5 starters miss time. Homer Bailey and Aaron Harang have been sidelined recently, while another starter Edinson Volquez, who won 17 games for the Reds last year, is to miss the entire season following elbow surgery. Somehow, Cincinnati has stayed afloat, while the Phillies have sunk in the standings. Kyle Kendrick, fresh o...

Sebastian Valle is ranked as the Phillies #6 prospect by Baseball America, according to rankings released last off-season. Currently the starting catcher for the Lakewood BlueClaws, the 19-year-old Valle is emerging as a potential team leader as he handles his pitching staff extremely well and shows his offensive talents regularly. With 44 RBI since the start of May and 6 of his 9 homers in June, Valle was somewhat of a slow offensive starter this season. Coaches and pitchers speak highly of the Mexico native Valle, giving him credit for plenty of the success the Lakewood pitching staff has achieved this season. Valle himself gives props to his managers for helping him become a real professional catcher. Valle has spent time over the past couple seasons playing for former big league catchers Dusty Wathan and Mark Parent in the Phillies' system. I had the opportunity to speak with Sebastian last week. As I often find when I speak to some of the younger foreign-born players, language...

With the Phillies on the road last weekend, I began to wonder why there isn't a scheduling rule in place for the team from Philadelphia to be home each year on Independence Day. It's the holiday that celebrates the birth of our nation, so why wouldn't Major League Baseball wish to allow the city where our forefathers initiated the start of the World's greatest country to host its national pastime, in celebratory fashion, on the most important federal holiday- America's birthday? Each year in Massachusetts, Red Sox baseball action is scheduled in accordance with a regional holiday. For decades, the Red Sox have played at home on Patriots Day, the day to honor the events that led to the American Revolution, on an annual basis. In addition, the Boston Marathon is slated for Patriots Day each year. Also, every preseason the Phillies are given 2 final spring training games in Philadelphia, known as the On-deck Series. So obviously, the MLB schedule can be made to accommo...