In the Clear in August
The Phillies don't have to play the Mets or Marlins until the end of the month. That's a good thing.
In the Clear in August
Todd Zolecki
Cole Hamels pitched well, but took the loss because of a lack of run support. (JUSTIN MAXON / Associated Press)
The good news is that the Phillies don't have to play the Mets or Marlins again until the end of the month.
That could mean smooth sailing for much of August.
The Phillies just can't beat their National League East rivals. They are 4-9 against the Mets and 5-7 against the Marlins, including yesterday's 3-0 loss to the Fish at Citizens Bank Park. They are 9-16 (.360) against those two teams, but 55-36 (.604) against everybody else.
They don't play the Mets or Marlins again until they play the Mets in a two-game series Aug. 26-27 at the Bank. The bad news is that they play those two teams 11 times in their final 31 games. That could mean a lot in a NL East race that could go down until the final day of the season again. But after that two-game series against the Mets, the Phillies play four at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, who are 43-16 at home. They play three on the road against the Nationals, which shouldn't be a problem, but then play 10 consecutive games against the Mets, Marlins and Brewers (a four-game series against the Brew Crew, which means there's a pretty good chance they'll be facing CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets).
That's a 19-game stretch with 16 games against the Mets, Marlins, Cubs and Brewers.
If the Phillies can get through that in good shape, you'll have to like their chances heading into their final 12 games of the season. If they don't, Phillies fans will have to hope the Mets and Marlins didn't pull too far ahead to give them a chance.
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Jim Salisbury wonders how many times Cole Hamels is screaming in frustration these days.
Hamels has had poor run support this season. It started April 2, when he pitched eight innings against the Nationals and lost, 1-0. But it has really caught up to him lately. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts. He is 1-3 with three no-decisions.
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In the Phillies Notebook: the Scott Eyre trade, injuries to Tom Gordon and Pedro Feliz, Ryan Howard's defense and more.
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Pitching match ups for this weekend's series against the Pirates.
Comments (54)
Thank you Norma, you know I've been saying from the start to give Blanton a few starts before judging him but most people were writing him off after the first start (and the 2 innings of a rain delayed game). I've had faith in the move and thought it was a good one. If Blanton continues to pitch well the rest of his time in a Phillies uniform, everyone that was crucifying the ownership for the move will be the first ones to say it was a good move.
On another note, I may be starting to come around on Carrasco. He's done pretty well in AAA. Last night 10Ks in 6 innings and 3 unearned runs...not bad. I may try to catch a Pigs game this week while I'm in Allentown for business on Monday.— cg- My question to all of you insightful bloggers: here is a team with two MVPs, the second coming of Ryn Sandberg, a potential Cy Young winner, a good bullpen with arguably the league's best closer ( the games best closer?)...a pitching staff that is turning out better than advertised including a 45 year old pitching guru and a kid who is doing it with mirrors...and yet they are barely holding on the the lead in a mediocre division (and sinking fast), they can't hit and are singularly one-dimensional...finally they play like zombies and have an ownership group that is a disgrace..why is Boston so major market while this bunch aka "the teflonics2" tries to emulate Kansas City, et al...plz oh wise ones...tell me what the hell is wrong with this group of stiffs???— jachanin
- cg....Blanton was a GREAT pick-up! Granted, Chase had a terrible game. But.....He was ROBBED of an extra base hit that would have tied the game! Not that it wasn't a base-running error, but my guess is Shane never expected that ball to be caught.— Norma
- What are these "runs" of which you speak? How do you obtain them?
- Yes, the baserunning blunder was a key mistake, but it is not the sole reason why this team lost. Really, the chances weren't too good that Ryan would have gotten a hit, but I still want to see him have a chance in that situation. From day one I thought Blanton was a huge upgrade over Eaton...but I didn't necessarily think it was a "difference-making move." Actually, as it is playing out, it wouldn't have made a difference if the Phils had picked up Sabathia or Harden because in the game of baseball, you have to score runs to win.— MrPhillie
- Ok, I have a few items for you guys:
1) I want you guys to own up to the fact that Blanton was a pretty good pick up.
2) Truth, you will like this...Why in the world does Utley come to the plate swinging when the guy is missing the strike zone in that final at bat?
3) I noticed earlier in the game that Victorino was playing with fire on the base paths when he was closer to second then he should have been on a pop fly and it came back to bit him. I'd rather take my chances with Howard and 2 outs then hitting the showers after a HORRIBLE base running blunder to end the game.— cg - Anyone want my tickets for tomorrow night's game?— Norma
- BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Embarrassing...pathetic...what else can you say? Well, I'm sure if Rollins gives his take he will say it's no big deal 'cause the Phils are still in 1st place. I was about ready to jump through the TV screen when I heard Wheels say how well Maholm was pitching. It is freaking amazing the luck of these Phillies...opposing pitchers are Always pitching great against them.— MrPhillie
- Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo— Clinton, NJ
- Milt Thompson ? Milt Thompson ? Milt Thompson ?— pat h
- Walk off solo shot coming right up!!!— Clinton, NJ
- Oops! I meant blog.. lol Great game by Blanton! But guess what, he wont get the win because the Phils cant score!!!!!!!!! Im sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sick of this team!— Clinton, NJ
- Love the blog Zo, but when are you going to get to the bottom of the funk the offense is in? We the fans need some serious reporting here!!! Get to the bottom of this garbage ZO!!!!!!!— Clinton, NJ
- Love the blob Zo, but when are you going to get to the bottom of the funk the offense is in? We the fans need some serious reporting here!!! Get to the bottom of this garbage ZO!!!!!!!— Clinton, NJ
- I know there's time, so I'm TRYING to be optimistic. A lot of people said, in the beginning of the season, that it would be a tight race in the East. Guess they were right. I'll start worrying around Sept. 15. Glad I have my tickets for Sept. 28th already! It may come down to the last game of the season, again!— Norma
- My kingdom for a .380 OBP from my leadoff hitter.— acerulli
- You got to be kidding me. A potential rival gives up a "Major League Pitcher" for a Class A pitcher? It is the end of this BS world as we know it. The trading off of mediocre players, the 25-30 year wait for the next group, the total bad package they have today. It's to fill seats people, this team has no real desire to win anything.— SPBilly
- I think they need a new hitting coach, some one that can teach them to hit ground balls insted of trying to hit home runs all the time. If not do like the mets did fire Charly and the piching coach.— colon1951
- Why cant we have a Prince Fielder? Perhaps Hamels should kick Ryan in the GNADS and say go back to hitting and fielding 101 big boy.— mondonj
- Truth, you're pretty close to dead on today...and yes isn't it refreshing to find the rest of us working our way down the negativity scale closer to you!......Unfortunately, it starts at the top and while ownership can't make the plays for us on the field, they do set the organizational "tone"....and then philosophy, implementation, etc all runs downhill to the players......they have been burned numerous times with big money, long duration contracts...anybody remember Greg Jefferies?......I would love to see them make a statement and go after Sheets or Sabbathia this winter, because the Brewers sure can't afford both.....will they spring for another big contract, long duration? I highly doubt it.....— Mark1npt
- Whoa with all the negativity. When I'm negative the blog erupts when YOU are negative its okay. Either way I have strong reservations about how the Phils will hold up during that 10 gm stretch. Hitorically the Phils swoon somewhee around that time of yr. I hope that Eyre can pitch b/c that that stretch of gms will probably correlate with Durbin/Romero coming back to earth, Moyer remembering he is 45, Gordon trying to pitch again and Blanton making his first stop by the tastykake factory and eating himself into an oblivion.— Truth
- Bobby, thats partially my point. Who cares about the appearance of doing something? I care about results. Substance over style. Its like the Redskins in football, they are always doing something, but rarely going anywhere. The keys are a good GM, solid scouting, health, and a lot of luck. We can't change ownership, its just a fact. But we can affect who they hire or fire for the GM spot.— RG
RG: I do agree that it's amazing what that franchise has been able to acheive. They basically have taken a counter approach that says dump all the big salaries and load up with young, hungry players. Sprinkle in a few key veterans when it counts and bingo, a couple of World Championships. They're able to get away with that in FL because they don't have any fans to speak of. And while I hate the Mets, they are at least willing to make it look like they will do whatever it takes. Signing Santana and firing Randolph, plus the off-season trades, etc. But they also have a lot more money than the Phils. I agree with you that it all comes down to the play on the field, but I also believe that underperforming goes all the way up to the owners.— bobby- Stop with the ownership nonsense. HeyZeus people. look at our own division, do you think floridas ownership cares? No, so why aren;t their fans/players using that excuse? What about the Mets? Their owners "care" and "go for it", and to what recent result? The bottom line is too many guys are having substandard seasons at the plate.— RG
- And as long as we are ranting...what's up with Chase not being on third on that dropped fly ball to right with 2 outs? Nice hustle, from a guy I thought would never mail it in. I see no difference in that play from Rollins gaffe, hope Charley had a few XXX words for him after the game.— jimmymack
- I think the "window is closing" talk is overblown. The window is wide open and it will be for a while. This club will have a good core for the next 2-3 years and that's more than most clubs can say. But that doesn't change what most fans feel and is being said repeatedly on this blog: The ownership has shown a clear lack of interest in doing what it takes to win a championship. It's that simple. When you have detached owners who are not involved in the team and have no baseball motivation, this is what happens. You can't tell me that doesn't filter down through the entire organization. Right to the players. We've seen it before. Before last year the team was nothing but pure complacency. And why not? If I'm a ballplayer getting paid millions, what's my motivation? The thrill of winning it all, that's what. But once it becomes clear that your ownership is not interested in that, why bother? Now, I'm not saying guys are out there dogging it, but there's a fine line between success and failure in any pro sport, particularly baseball. Just a slight drop in morale and motivation can turn a team from 1st place to 3rd. What does it say to the best players on this team when management makes the moves they made at this year's trade deadline? I hate to think that last year was an aberration, and this year's a long way from over. But I seriously question whether the Phillies will ever even get to the World Series with current ownership. Yes, it's a business, but it's a sport first. And the mission of any sports team must be to win it all.— bobby
- Memo to pretty boy 'Ace Hamels"...thriow 3 or 4 shutouts, maybe you'll win one....— Mark1npt
- Karen A blogged about 'talented players with such SPIRIT ??????????????? I need to call my CableGuy......no such "spirit' comes thru in HDTV. Poker faced robots lately.— mick314
- Memo to Cole Hamels.......Stop taking the blame for losses. It's not YOUR fault!— Norma
- They are barely holding on, clinging to that 16-5 record against the Braves and Nats which is padding their overall W-L record... and they only have 15 games remaining against those two. 16-5 (.762) against ATL and WAS, 46-47 (.495) against everyone else. That should properly scare everyone else as much as it scares me.— acerulli
- Check your math, Zo... they are 62-52, so that's 9-16 vs. the Mets and Marlins, 53-36 (.595) against everyone else... and 27 of their final 48 games are against teams currently at or above .500, and this team has something like a .435 winning percentage against .500+ teams this year.— acerulli
- Jmack...you are right....most of us who know this team well have said for quite a while that "something's missing"....I hate to be a true cynic here, although my wife has been calling me one for 25 years, but what if the message has gotten out to the players that this really IS the Cubs' year? Could this acceptance of another team being already annointed the title, be the cause of the malaise, the complacency, the inconsistency we're all witnessing? Or, is it merely a reflection of the type of modern day players we have on our roster who feel disrespected or disappreciated at every turn, by ownership? Or, is it these guys really weren't who we thought they were the last few years and merely played above their heads back then?....I hate with every fiber of my being to bring this topic up again, but can anyone have envisioned this type of behavior with Aaron Rowand here? Please tell me he alone was not the answer....— Mark1npt
Comment removed.- Pitching isn't even an issue, it's the offense. Stop adding the Scott Eyre's of the world and get a good hitter. Anyone else see that Boston put in a claim for Brian Giles? They're willing to bench Ellsbury and move Drew to center. But it's not like RF on the Phillies is a weak spot. No, our outfielders are fine... What a joke.— scotty82
- MrPhillie: Very well said. I can only get to a couple games a year as well. You have encapsulated what so many of us feel.— bski
- ...Ryan Howard's defense... Ryan Howard HAS a defense?— Deb in Dixie
- Anybody counting on a sweep of the Pirates is going to be disappointed. Russell has the Pirates playing at a high level and they aren't going to lay down in this series. The "I don't care Phils" are ripe for a butt kicking from an up and coming Pirates team. It may be too late to change things this season but this team better be real active this off season. A lot of wakeup calls are needed or we will be looking at this bunch of overpaid stiffs again next year. goodbye Stand Pat and hello to somebody with the guts to make some changes.— bigtbone
- Maybe they are complacent this year, because they are used to chasing the division lead, and this year they have held it most of the way.— Gary Varsho
- It's a bit heartbreaking to see that this talented group of players who had such spirit, fight, success last season seem to be either resting on last year's laurels or just having an up & down year. It's kinda interesting how the pitching & offense have flipped flopped this year.— KarenA
- I don't necessarily see the window closing - at least not for a few more years (2010-2011) - the core are still fairly young, and likely to be around at least until that time.— Gary Varsho
- I don't see any games that are in the clear this month, especially the way they have played the last few weeks. Something's missing with this group this year (beside hitting). I think they are delusional that they beleive they can "turn it on", "we'll start hitting", "we're a second half team". They may have become just a little too comfortable in their success last year. We are very, very ordinary against good teams. But as long as the sellouts continue, this ownership has no reason to spend anymore money to make this team a champion. Like the Eagles, the window is closing on this group and ownership, once again comes up clueless.— jimmymack
- The window of oppourtunity with Rollins, Utley, and Howard is slowly closing. What did the organization do to ensure that the three best players at their position in Phillies history have a shot at winning a World Series... They went out and got Blanton and some guy thrown to the garbage by the Cubs. That is really frustrating as a Phillie fan because soon eneough we will be back to losing seasons and disgruntled players. This ownership group should have done whatever it took to get Manny or a frontline starting pitcher. I guess they figure as long as they stay competitive they will fill the seats at "The Bank". Why mess with that formula when it fills your pockets. It's a disgrace.— Theo1980
- They looked like zombies yesterday. No emotion. It's sad, really.— kev
- They looked like zombies yesterday. No emotion. It's sad, really.— kev
- In all honesty, does it really matter?— Mark1npt
- From different thread: bski...I only get to one or two games a year so it's difficult to just stay away, but watching a 3-0 shutout where the Phils showed absolutely no life, well, that is not a good time. The Phils had one of the largest crowds ever at that park and the fans were just itching to have something, anything positive happen...we wanted so badly to cheer, but the offense just stinks. When your pitcher gets the first hit for your team in the fifth inning...for the second time recently...you just KNOW it is not going to be a good day. It's so different "hoping" your team can do something as opposed to "knowing" or "expecting" that your team will do something. So I think that going to games is a Catch-22...if fans stay away, the team will not get good players becasue they say there is no money; if fans go, they are at the mercy of the owners/front office to make good moves and unfortunately, the Phls have a long history of inadequate moves.— MrPhillie
- They have no heart.— mondonj
- It's these 'In the Clear' games that worry me, it's the games that the Phillies can't seem to win.... We'll see, if the Phils sweep the Bucs - I'll be a happy camper, if not ... I am frowning and think the team doesn't have enough heart to make it.— phillywebcast
- advanced scouting report:walk manny a lot !— oz
- This really has nothing to do with today's topic, but I thought I'd pass on two excellent OpEd that are in the NYTimes. The first is by Buzz Bissinger (of Friday Night Lights fame) entitled "Where Losing is Everything". It talks about the Philadelphia sports championship draught. The 2nd is from former Phillies Doug Glanville (a UofP engineering grad!)who has been writing columns all through the season about his experience of being a professional baseball player. They've been wonderful. Here's the link to Buzz Bissinger's http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/opinion/02buzz3.html?ref=opinion and here's the link to Doug Glanville's http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/08/opinion/08glanville.html?ref=opinion. I highly recommend both!— KarenA
- It's time to seriously consider a new manager and new coaching, particularly a new hitting coach. Do not change the pitching coach. If the Phillies don't take two out of three from the Pirates this weekend, Charlie needs to know his job is in jeopardy.— JayW
- I think that roller coster is at the peak and you know what happens then. Just put your hands up and smile for the picture.— Beef69
- No chance against good pitching....if they were any good they'd have a 10-15 game lead by now over all these terrible NL East teams....this team is mediocre at best....everyone who was going to have a career year has done so....gaping problems exist in every player up and down this lineup.....everyone needs to stop candy coating it thru rose-colored glasses and call this spade a spade....wait, I used that line already......way back in April!— Mark1npt
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