Wins against the Cubs, Astros and Padres don’t mean much, but for a team that’s only been above .500 once since opening day,it means everything.
Last night’s win against the Boston Red Sox is yet another chance for the Phillies to find out what kind of team they have. And nothing has changed. It’s all above the pitching rotation.
Joe Blanton gets his turn tonight. If he can continue his great start, keep the middle relievers in the bullpen, and get the ball to Papelbon to close the ninth, we might be seeing a team with more fight than we expected.
With the exception of Rollins and Victorino, both who seem to be pressing, the offense has found ways to score.
With one quarter of the season behind us, the Phillies have another 40 days to figure out if Howard or Utley will contribute this season. Tonight being the second quarter of the season.
Joe Blanton joined the Phillies at the 2007 trade deadline. He’s been both a workhorse and a disable list problem.
After missing most of 2011 to elbow stiffness, Blanton has rebound nicely since the beginning of the season. He and Worley have done a great job at the end of the rotation.
Blanton’s complete game shut out couldn’t come at a better time. The offense has been on a roll for almost a week. The defense has settled in. And the starting rotation has been strong with a few exceptions.
Kendrick, Worley and Hamels will face the Nationals beginning tomorrow night. Let’s see if they can get above the .500 mark.
Even if they win tomorrow night, the Phillies will finish the month of April under .500. It’s the first time since they did it in June 2009.
These Phillies won’t make the playoffs. The core, without Utley and Howard of 2008, can’t produce runs.
The pitching staff has done remarkably well considering the lack of run support. And 9-11 isn’t a bad record considering who’s on the disabled list.
But the Phillies play the Braves and Nationals this week. How will the players respond?
The Phillies took the last two games of the series from the Miami Marlins and return to .500. Better offense, 10 runs over the past two games, and sharp defense and pitching allowed the Phillies to outscore the Marlins 10-2.
Joe Blanton gave the Phillies seven innings with three strikeouts, one walk and one run scored. Couldn’t ask for more from Joe.
Shane Victorino and Ty Wigginton both hit solo homers and John Mayberry added an RBI in last night game.
Phils host the Mets for a three game series beginning tonight. Go Phils.
The Phillies have 158 games to play. 158.
In the first four games, they managed to score eight runs. They will hit better. They have to hit better.
1-3 is a bad start. But, surprisingly the Phillies have won one or less five times over the past 10 years.
There’s not much a manager can do. Over the first four games, Charlie Manual used four different first basemen. That’s never happened before in the history of the game.
Leftfield has been split between Juan Pierre, Lance Nix and John Mayberry. Charlie Manual is trying to find some offense. Give it time. Maybe all of April.
It’s a bad start. The Phillies will hit. There are 158 games to play. There will be plenty of ups and downs. Strap yourself in Phillies fans. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
The Phillies have set their 25-man roster to begin the 2012 season. No big surprises here. Unless you missed the fact that Utley, Howard, Martinez and Contreras will start the season on the disabled list.
The only surprise on the pitching staff is Joe Savery. He’ll be the second lefty in the bullpen following Antonio Bastardo.
Juan Pierre and Pete Orr fill out their bench that includes Thome, Nix, Schneider and Wigginton.
The Phillies will be challenged to score runs. The pitching will carry them, but you’ve got to score runs to win. Maybe Pesky Juan Pierre can help at the top of the line-up.
Let play ball!
The Phillies played a little small ball when Rollins walked, stole second, stole third and scored on a single up the middle by Polanco.
It’s the third inning. Phils lead 1-0.
The Phillies lose the opener 8-5 to the New York Yankees.
The Phillies managed eight hits and five walks on a windy day in Clearwater.
Hunter Pence hit a two run homer in the first inning. Kevin Frandsen hit a two run homer in the ninth.
Hamels, Bush, Papelbon and Willis pitched well. Chad Qualls surrendered three runs in the seventh and Michael Stutes gave up two in the ninth. Not good.
The Phillies got 19 players in the game. Many are fighting for a backup role.
Tomorrow, the Phils play the Yanks in Tampa.
The Phillies have a warmup on Wednesday vs. Florida State but you won’t likely hear about the regulars in this game. The Phillies have posted the pitchers for the Seminoles game. Austin Hyatt is start the game followed by Jake Diekman, Jeremy Horst, Michael Schwimer, Joe Savery, J.C. Ramirez, B.J. Rosenberg and Phillippe Aumont.
Ryan Madson will sign a one-year deal for between $8.5 and $10 million with the Cincinnati Reds.
In November, rumors had Madson signing a four-year, $44 million deal with the Phillies. Nice job Scott Boras.
Madson will replace Francisco Cordero who became a free agent when the Reds declined a $12 million club option. Cordero received a $1 million buyout.
Good luck in Cincy.
