On Lee, Hamels, the Wild Card race and more
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On Lee, Hamels, the Wild Card race and more
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Good morning. I ducked out of New York City a day early. Marcus Hayes will be filling in on the beat today as I prepare to fly to Pittsburgh. Here's what's percolating this morning:
1) While yesterday's game-ending triple play was really just a confluence of bizarre circumstances that happened to result in one of the rarest moments in the game of baseball, it was also a reminder of how much went right for Brad Lidge last season when he saved all 41 of his opportunities during the regular season. Don't get me wrong - it would be a huge mistake to credit the success of last season to luck and the struggles of this season to misfortune, but it is important to keep in mind how much went right last year. Remember Shane Victorino's throw-out at home to save a save in Atlanta? And Jimmy Rollins' diving stop/double play to clinch the division. Lidge suggested yesterday that the karmic balance of his universe might be correcting itself. We'll see. . .
2) Paul Bako, who has caught each one of Cliff Lee's four starts this season, appeared on Daily News Live last week. During the interview, I asked him to name the pitcher that Lee reminded him most of. Bako has caught some great ones in his time. He was on the Braves with Greg Maddux, and last season caught the Reds' two young stars, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto. But Bako answered with a pitcher whom he has never caught before.
"He reminds me of a left-handed Roy Halladay," Bako said.
It was an interesting comparison, given the Phillies' immense pre-trade-deadline interest in the Blue Jays ace. But it fits. Lee does not look like your typical lefty. He pounds the strike zone, throws effectively to both sides of the plate, and brings to the mound the attitude of a right-handed power pitcher. He is also a bona fide ace, which the Phillies have not had since perhaps Curt Schilling. As good as Cole Hamels was last season, let me ask you this question -- did you ever feel the way prior to Hamels' start that you do on a day like today when Lee is scheduled to take the mound against the Mets?
3) That last question I wrote is unfair to Hamels. But only because the expectations that fans and media placed on him may have been a tad unrealistic. I won't say the expectations were unfair, because when a guy wins the World Series MVP and then signs a multi-year contract, they come with expectations. But as I wrote in my game story on Friday night, Hamels is still just 25 years old, and he is still maturing into the type of no-doubt-about-it, top-of-the-rotation pitcher that Lee has become over the past two years.
Some perspective:
In 2005, at the age of 26, anothing young lefty had what looked to be a break-out season. He went 18-5 with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 143 and walking 52 in a career-high 202.0 innings of work. The next year, he posted a 4.40 ERA and his opposing batting average rose from .251 to .278. Then in 2007, his ERA jumped to 6.29, his BAA to .284, and he found himself relegated to the minor leagues.
That lefty was Cliff Lee.
4) Brett Myers is scheduled to throw his second rehab outing today in Lakewood. Yesterday's was rained out.
5) The Mets are now 15.5 games out of the National League East lead.
6) Charlie Manuel has admitted over the past couple seasons that it sometimes feels as if someone else has to pry Chase Utley out of his cold, dead hands to get him out of the line-up. But Manuel knows how to pick his spots. Eric Bruntlett was 6-for-11 off of Oliver Perez heading into yesterday's game, while Utley had struggled. I'd say it worked out.
7) The Phillies enter today's action one game behind the Dodgers for the best record in the National League. While that would be significant if the two teams met in the NLCS, it could be irrelevant in deciding the first round playoff pairings. Currently, the Rockies lead the Wild Card race. Because the Rockies and Dodgers both play in the NL West, they can not meet in the first round. So if the Wild Card does come out of the West, the Dodgers will end up playing the Cardinals regardless, assuming St. Louis holds on for the NL Central crown. For what it's worth, the Dodgers are 2-5 against the Cardinals this season, while the Phillies are 4-2 against the Rockies.
@ Hazy: I agree with you 100%. Even though Holliday and a few others aren't there, I still would like to have payback. I don't fear any team; even the Yanks. A Phils/Yanks World Series would be a dream come true. Especially if Ryan Howard wins the WS MVP.— PhillyHouse JayDuce- "did you ever feel the way prior to Hamels' start that you do on a day like today when Lee is scheduled to take the mound against the Mets?" YES.. THIS GUY SHUOLDA WON 20+ GAMES LAST SEASON.. TOO BAD HE DIDNT GET THE RUN SUPPORT. The thing about hamels is that he dominated in the playoffs. no nerves for a 24 year old pitching, in rain snow and wind in GAME 5.. my question to you.. is.. can Lee win every post season game like COLE HAMELS?— Apollo Creed
Comment removed.- Hard to believe our starting pitchers are doing so well and Hamels isn't among that group yet, huh? IF he ever turns the corner this season, it'll be scary come playoff time...also a great dilemma for Cholly. pk— PhillyTheKid
- Forget the season stats against the Rockies. 4-2 against "those" Rockies, not the ones who've caught fire lately. Remember: 2006? And, the Dodgers are much weaker now than when the Phils faced them earlier. Without Juan Pierre messing up the opposing pitchers by getting on base quite often, the Dodgers might now hold on to first place. Had "those" Rockies not played horribly against the Dodgers earlier, these Rockies would be in first place. Remember: the Bosox dominated "those" Yankees early in the season. Now, they are being smacked around. That's why they're 7 1/2 back and not likely to get to the post-season unless it's via the wild card. Bottom line: Rockies/Cardinals and Phillies/Dodgers.— VANDERGRAAFK
- I'm glad you pointed out Hamels age. He had a great year in 2008 but he's been due for some ups and downs. He still has great stuff and hopefully he'll still put it together the rest of the year. Lidge looks to be the key and maybe the karma's going his way again - triple-play, although there wouldn't have been that drama if there weren't 2 errors proceeding it. Myers could be a big help in the pen and getting Condrey and Romero back would be right on time. BTW my son really enjoyed wearing his General Lee Phillies jersey his 1st day in HS down here in Maryland. What a great trade!!!— Phillyexp
- The real question about the post season with the way Hamels has been pitching is do you give him one of those front two spots? Obviosly you have to give either the first or second start to Lee, but then with the way Happ and Blanton have been pitching that makes a serious 1 2 3 punch in a best of 5 series. However, we know how Hamels dominated in the post season last year after having a pedestrian regular season. The thing about last year was we didn't have as many options as this year. All in all it's a very nice problem to have!— PhillySportsPhan007
- Since Roy is getting pounded nowadays, the Phils should make a pitch with 5-6 guys in the minors who they don't need. After all, they stole Cliff.— KGKoons
