Tuesdays with Murphy
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Tuesdays with Murphy
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Just a few thoughts as I await my plane to Atlanta this morning. . .
1) Jayson Werth's "team of necessity" quote continues to stick with me. I tried to build my story in today's paper around it. The general thrust of it is this: no one can argue that this Phillies team has come up big in some critical junctures of the season. After -- A) Losing four straight to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, B) Losing a series to the Nationals heading into the Mets series C) Losing a series to the Marlins headed into the Brewers series, D) Losing two straight late-inning leads to the Cubs in Chicago -- they responded with huge victories. Problem is, the Phillies have no more "big games" on their schedule, at least in terms of games that bear playoff implications for both teams. They need to handle these games, which they haven't always done in the past, with a sense of necessity as well.
2) Here's a question: which is more important for these final 12 games -- pitching or hitting? From a pitching standpoint, the good news is that at least eight of the final 12 games will be started by either Jamie Moyer, Cole Hamels or Brett Myers. Since the All-Star break, those three are a combined 17-6 with a 2.62 ERA. Meanwhile, the Phillies hit .325 in their sweep of Milwaukee, scoring six runs or more in four straight games for just the second time all season.
3) You could argue that the Phillies have led to the firing of two managers this season. First, Willie Randolph, whose late-season slide last season was certainly a factor in his dismissal earlier this year. And now, Ned Yost. Turns out I wasn't the only one scratching my head over his decision making late in the game one loss to the Phils. I'm not here to dance on a man's grave, but when an entire VISITING stadium is wondering why you are intentionally walking Ryan Howard with a lefty, and then leaving that lefty in to face Pat Burrell, it's probably not a good idea.
4) The difference between legitimately contending for World Series and winning a game or two in the division series just might be Joe Blanton. It'll be interesting to see if he can string together some good starts now that he apparently has worked through some biceps tendinitis.
5) We should know today who is starting tomorrow. I've got to think it'll either be J.A. Happ or Kyle Kendrick, or some combination of the two.
6) DeSean Jackson is legit. But the Eagles continue to lack the big-bodied receiver that can get the job done in the red zone. Settling for field goals against a team like the Cowboys is a death wish. You saw the difference between having a possession receiver and not having one when Tony Romo hit Terrell Owens on that slant in the end zone, while Donovan McNabb and the Eagles couldn't punch the ball in from inside the 10 in the second half. As good as Jackson is, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound wide receiver is going to disappear inside the 10-yard line.
7) Speaking of Jackson: he'd be wise to check out some game tape of Marvin Harrison. Not for any route-running or pass-catching help, but for some pointers on how to avoid contact and get to the turf without getting a linebacker's shoulder in the quad. Rich Hofmann said it best in his column today: the only thing that can stop Jackson is an injury, or himself. Harrison has done a wonderful job of keeping his diminuitive frame intact throughout his career, largely by his wise decision-making when it comes to taking a hit versus getting to the ground, and Jackson would be wise to follow his lead.
8) My least favorite part of any ride to the airport: telling the Cab Driver I am going to pay with a credit card, then watching his face drop like I just informed him that Angelina Jolie has been disfigured in a car crash. Why do these guys hate credit cards so much?
9) Was Terrell Owens pretending like he was a sprinter crossing the finish line or was he Super-manning Dat You-know-what after his long touchdown?
10) If Jay Cutler's fumble is awarded to San Diego, the Chargers run out the clock and win by seven. Instead, the Broncos win by one. San Diego was favored by two points. I'm just sayin'. . .
David - if cab drives are like waiters, they can take their tips home in cash right away, but must wait for days to get the money from credit cards. I also wouldn't be surprised if the cab owners who rent the cars to the drivers stick them with the credit card fees too. Consider paying the bill with your credit card and tipping with bills, if the person who reimburses your expenses will allow it.— joestern- Murph always pay your taxi with cash and get a BLANK receipt. Haven't you learned this yet, rookie?— HappyPete
- I usually pay with credit card and tip with bills. I was a waiter once -- some think I never should have left the profession -- and understand the tipping thing. But credit cards are a way of life. If you don't want people to use them, why have a credit card swipe thinger in the back of the cab? By the way, one of the great things about flying US Air is that they'll often delay flights, which allows you to spend a lot more time hanging out in the comfortable and spacious terminal, drinking $2.29 bottled water and commenting on various blogs. I love flying.
- Too bad you don't write as well as you drink. Please notice item 2 where you write, "Since the All-Star break, those three are a combined 17-6 with a 2.62 ERA since the All-Star break." Find anything wrong here??— jeff gross
- jeff gross, it's a blog (no offense there Murph) not a front page article, mistakes happen. Get a grip. I think they'll pitch Happ tomorrow, any thoughts? Kendrick has just been awful of late/second half.— phairmount
- I know mistakes happen. I could handle a spelling mistake, or bad grammar, but to write a sentence that would have a first grade teacher up in arms? He's supposed to be a profesional writer (unlike us. The least he could do is re-read what he writes before posting.— jeff gross
- Happ and Kendrick both scare me at this point. Kendrick just does not have his stuff. But to throw Happ in there in a under these circumstances. That could ruin a young pitchers confidence. I really don't know. But if I had to choose I go with Happ. They threw him in there against the Mutts and thought he did a nice job. And you know who he pitched against.— Beef69
- Jeff Gross doesn't have a lot going on.— BTH
- Jeff always has an axe to dring with Murphy. The problem for the taxi drivers is they are charged something like 5% for the credit card transaction. So by using a cc, you automatically take 5% out of their pocket. And they are required to have the credit card machine in the car.— Gary Varsho
- Gary, I have the same ax to grind with Murphy as I have to grind with Rollins and the rest of the Phillies. Give me 100% effort, if not result. I accept mistakes, but try to bring something new, and for God sakes, write a cohesive sentence— jeff gross
- Back to baseball. I'm afraid of a letdown against lesser competition. The Phillies seem to lose focus against inferior teams sometimes, especially Washington, and play better against tougher teams. It’s time to go for the kill, now that we have the Mets and the Brewers on the ropes.— EL Zorro
- My flight was scheduled to leave at 9:35 a.m. I am still sitting at the gate. Maybe they meant 9:35 a.m. Mountain Time. . . FWIW: In four starts against the Braves this season, Kendrick has allowed nine runs, and hasn't allowed more than three in an outing. 5/13: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER 6/7: 5 1/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER 7/1: 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER 7/25: 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER
- Dave you think you could bring me back one of those rap video chicks from Hotlanta?— Beef69
- Maybe pitching away from CBP will help Kendrick. He had success against the Braves as you pointed out, Murph. Charlie should throw him in there then, with a short leash nevertheless. The bullpen should be fine.— EL Zorro
- jeff gross, you are a clown. go back to teaching english class— main liner
- also, regarding the cabbies. i doubt they have to pay CC transaction fees, that's probably just what they tell you - truth is, they have to pay taxes on all CC transactions, whereas you don't have to report cash transactions.— main liner
- Dave: Thanks for teh info on Kendrick. THAT is something I haven't sen elsewhere and is important. It would have been nice if it was in your blog to begin with. Hope you are enjoying your wait at the gate— jeff gross
- Kendrick's splits vs LH batters are abysmal. And Atlanta's best hitters are all lefties (C Jones from left side, McCann, K Johnson, Kotchman). Another reason to start Happ.— CyHamels
- those are some "reasonable" numbers against the Braves. I may change my mind given those stats. the offense undoudtedly will have to score more than 5 for a win, the key I feel is the hitting - crazy to imagine (that it's not the pitching)— phairmount
- Best reason I've seen yet to start Kendrick - nice insight, Murph. As for Jeff's request that you "bring something new" - maybe I'm just slow, but that was the first time I'd seen the Moyer/Myers/Hamels W-L/ERA stat, so that's new to me. And again, the Kendrick line vs. the Braves is a nice find, and likely will be the reason KK gets the start. Anyway, kudos to you for your blog - after a slow start, it seems to have picked up a nice readership. And I appreciate the fact that you regularly will answer reader questions in the comments section. Safe travels to the Dirty-Dirty (South).— tjc
- Good insight on the Eagles, Dave. Have you ever thought about writing for Eagles Digest?— TommyK
