The Wilmington Chicken

SIX WINS IN A ROW. PHILS TURN POSITIVE.

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:34:29 -0400

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.

BLANTON WINS. SAVE SERIES AFTER WEDNESDAY NIGHT DISASTER.

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:51:33 -0400

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.

PHILS TO FINISH APRIL WITH LOSING RECORD.

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:21:52 -0400

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?

PHILS BACK TO .500

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:39:05 -0400

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.

FOUR GAMES. EIGHT RUNS. OUCH!

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:54:48 -0400

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.

PHILS SET ROSTER. NO BIG SURPRISE.

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:29:59 -0400

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!

JIMMY WALKS, STEALS AND SCORES ON POLANCO SINGLE.

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:01:00 -0500

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.

PHILS LOSE SPRING TRAINING OPENER TO YANKS.

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:32:27 -0500

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.

PHILLIES VS. YANKEES ON SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1:00 PM

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:47:12 -0500

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.

MADSON TURNS RED THANKS TO SCOTT BORAS.

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:19:41 -0500

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.

THE BEN FRANCISCO TREAT IS GONE. TIME TO CATCH THE D-TRAIN.

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:40:00 -0500

The Phillies traded Ben Francisco to the Toronto Blue Jays for a minor league lefty in a move to clear money and a spot on the 40 man roster.

That spot will be filled by Dontrelle Willis, known as the D-Train. A former rookie of the year in 2003, the D-Train has been off track as a starter ever since. The Phillies plan to make him a reliever who may fill the lefty specialist role.

Stay tuned.

PHILS STRIKE DEAL WITH LAYNCE NIX.

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:10:33 -0500

The Phillies are coming close to finalizing their roster for 2012 with the signing of Laynce Nix. Nix had a .750 OPS with 16 homeruns in 351 plate appearances for the Nationals.

Nix played both corner outfield positions and 9 games at first base.

The Phillies have signed Thome, Wigginton, Schneider and Nix and have one position on the bench to fill, likely Wilson Valdez.

Starting shortstop is still open and the return of Rollins is still unknown.

There are likely three stops in the bullpen open.

Winter meetings begin tomorrow. Ruben is on a roll.

NO REST FOR RUBEN. PHILS SIGN TY WIGGINTON.

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:25:21 -0500

The Phillies have been interested in Ty Wigginton for years. He’s a career .265 hitter with power from the right side. He plays third base, second base, first base, leftfield and rightfield. So he has the versatility the Phillies were looking for. During his ten year career he’s played for the Mets, Pirates, Rays, Astros, Orioles and Rockies.

This probably ends the Phillies interest in Michael Cuddyer who is reported to be looking for a three year deal around $10 million per year.

The Phillies will split Wigginton’s $4 million salary with the Rockies and the Phillies have an option for 2013.

Looks like a good fit. He’ll probably fill in for Howard to start the season. He can also spell Polanco and Utley during the season as well as play left and right field when needed.

Don’t rest now Ruben. Next…shortstop.

PAPELBON, PAPELBON, PAPELBON!

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:40:10 -0500

The Phillies made the right decision. Period.

After Madson’s agent, Scott Boras, leaked to the media that the Phillies offered four years at $44 million, that deal was off the table. The leak is Boras’s way of letting the rest of the teams in the league know what they had to offer to get Madson. Ruben Amaro and David Montgomery don’t play that game.

So…when the Levinson brothers, who represent Jonathon Papelbon, heard the news they knew the Phillies would make a similar offer for Papelbon, the better, more experienced closer.

You may be missing Madson now, but next October you’ll be screaming, Papelbon, Papelbon, Papelbon!

FREE AGENCY BEGINS. PHILS SIGN THOME FOR SECOND TOUR.

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 12:18:46 -0400

Jim Thome will join the Phillies to play his 22nd season in the big leagues continuing his quest for a World Series ring.

A career .277 hitter with 604 home runs and 1674 RBIs, Thome is Hall of Fame bound. During his first tour with the Phillies, from 2003 to 2005, he hit 96 homeruns and had 266 RBIs. His Phillies days were over when he injured his right elbow, had surgery and was replaced by Ryan Howard.

Thome will be the primary lefty off the bench and may see some time at first base. Thome has played a total of 28 at first base since 2006.

Welcome back Big Jim.

THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR. DON'T YOU JUST HATE THAT?

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:09:33 -0400

Phillies management will have its work cut out trying to improve this team. With the current budget limitations and long-term contracts with its core players how do you improve?

There’s been a lot said about three positions. Shortstop, third base and leftfield. Lets not forget the bullpen and closer Ryan Madson. And the bench will need to be rebuilt.

Guess what? That’s next year.

DEJA VU.

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:13:23 -0400

Three hit shutout. What a disappointing end to a season.

SERIES TIED. PHILS NEED BIG GAME FROM HALLADAY.

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:24:00 -0400

Do or Die.

It all comes down to one game. The Phillies will need a big performance by Roy Halladay. The line-up needs to perform. Pence, Howard and Victorino must show up.

Lets get’er done.

102 WINS. A SEASON TO REMEMBER.

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:06:06 -0400

Phillies in four over the Cardinals. Can wait until Saturday.

Predictions?

PHILLIES WIN AFTER WEEK OF LOSING.

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:42:32 -0400

The Phils scored nine runs in the first four innings, winning 9-4. Their first win since clinching the NL East.

Halladay was sharp in his warm up for the playoffs. The starting eight all had hits.

The Phillies end the season with a three game series in Atlanta. The Braves have won four games over the last ten while the Cardinals have won six over the last ten.

The Braves will be ready to play. Lets hope the Phillies can get on a roll.