Posted: Thursday, July 3, 2008, 4:47 PM | 17 comments |
 

Happ Happ Happy
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The Phillies have a starter for tomorrow night's series opener against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.

Lefthander J.A. Happ.

Happ is 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 17 starts for triple-A Lehigh Valley. In 101 2/3 innings, he has allowed 91 hits and 38 walks. He has struck out 104, which leads the International League.

Happ started for the Phillies on June 30 last season against the Mets at the Bank. He lasted just four innings, and allowed seven hits, five runs, two walks and three home runs. He struck out five. But Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Happ is a different pitcher than last season.

"I feel good about it," Dubee said. "I was impressed with J.A. this spring. I thought we saw a little bit of a different guy. I thought he carried himself much better. His presence, his poise were much improved. I think a lot of that has to do with some elbow tenderness last year. I think he's over those hurdles and is pretty healthy and feeling pretty good about himself."

Happ faces Mets lefthander Johan Santana.
Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 4:47 PM  Permalink | 17 comments
17
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:00 PM, 07/03/2008
    jahapp? and my the gods have mercy on him and on our, heretofore, hapless souls. for sure, he can't be worse than the newest iron pig. has anybody established an over/under on the number of thousands of words to be published describing in anguishing details the trials and tribulations of a ten-cent head playing as an iron pig. guess I'll take the over.
    — defg0003
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:12 PM, 07/03/2008
    Dubee may not be the best pitching coach in the world but he didnt assemble that pitching lineup. There is only so much a guy can do with money hungry bums.
    — davemarsh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:18 PM, 07/03/2008
    So you want to build the confidence of a borderline major league pitcher. What do you do? Well, if you are are Uncle Charlie, you throw him out against Johan Santana. Why not move Moyer up to Friday (still on 5 days rest) and start him Saturday... Just one man's opinion.
    — Josh M
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:45 PM, 07/03/2008
    He can only benefit from being thrown to the wolves.(Happ) Separate the men from the boys so to speak.
    — joedugan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:54 PM, 07/03/2008
    Once again zero vision-Their is a 75% nthe Phils lose this gm anyway no matter who is pitching(possible exception Hamels) Throw the kid out there and let him get the experience andset up the staff for the next few gms WAKE UP
    — Truth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:58 PM, 07/03/2008
    It may not be that bad. Not like he's gonna fight Santana, just pitch against him. And the Mets have only seen this kid once. Besides, if you change the lineup for him, what messages that that send to him. "Gee kid, we like ya but you're not ready that that yet" Way to build confidence.
    — Deb in Dixie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:49 PM, 07/03/2008
    Does Truth type with mittens on? Don't know what's worse - his mindless rants or his poor grammar. Slow down, buddy. Collect your thoughts. Do some research. And then try and say something worth reading.
    — John in LA
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:02 PM, 07/03/2008
    Great to have another sweep of the Braves under our belts. Let's hope Happ can hold his own and that the Phils offense continues to heat up. Go Phils--beat the Mets!!
    — KarenA
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:16 PM, 07/03/2008
    Yes-let's enjoy the sweep. Moyer needs the extra day's rest- we need to try and keep him fresh for the stretch run. Hamels did what an ace is supposed to do tonight, give almost all of the bullpen a well-deserved night off. Let's put away the Mets this weekend.
    — KMG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:32 PM, 07/03/2008
    Santana has pitched pretty well so far this year, he has been a victim of poor defense and a bad bullpen. I hope the Phils beat him tomorrow, but I doubt it happens. Good sweep, lets hope they keep up the good work!!
    — Clinton, NJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:56 PM, 07/03/2008
    Anyone else see Happ staying in the rotation and Myers being recalled as a reliever? I know the Phillies company line is that Myers is remaining a starter, but if Happ is lights out, they have no other reasonable options. Of course, they might be working a trade with KK, which would be bad...
    — maximusud
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:19 PM, 07/03/2008
    Ha ha ha, type with mittens on. That's the funniest line I've heard in a while...lol. On a serious note, let her rip Happ.
    — cg
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:45 PM, 07/03/2008
    I'm OK with saying bye bye to KK if we get EB (Eric Bedard) back in return.
    — KMG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:13 AM, 07/04/2008
    No way.......look at Kendrick's numbers in his first full year something like 19-9.....sinkerball pitcher, big tall guy, young, no injuries......Bedard- a 5 for 1 player, injury prone, throws same game as Hamels, jeezzzzzz, how many changeup throwing lefties do we want or need to have in our rotation? In this bandbox?
    — Mark1npt


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