The 2011 Phillies Killers
As colleague Ray Parrillo mentioned in his story from Wednesday night's 7-5 Washington victory over the Phillies, Danny Espinosa can lay claim to the title "Phillies Killer of the Year." That's for sure.
The 2011 Phillies Killers
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
As colleague Ray Parrillo mentioned in his story from Wednesday night's 7-5 Washington victory over the Phillies, Danny Espinosa can lay claim to the title "Phillies Killer of the Year." That's for sure.
Espinosa has the third highest OPS against the Phillies in 2011 for anyone with 20 or more at-bats. He hit three home runs off Cliff Lee, who did not allow more than one to any other hitter in the majors. He also homered off Roy Halladay, who has surrendered all of 10 long balls the entire season. Then he took old college teammate Vance Worley deep for a go-ahead blast Wednesday.
Ten of Espinosa's 20 hits against the Phillies are for extra bases. A third of his home runs this season were hit in 17 games against the Phillies. Take away his hits against the Phillies and he's a .227 hitter in 2011, not .238.
All are characteristics that crown Espinosa as Phillies Killer of the Year, with no disrespect to Lance Berkman or Michael Morse, who are having terrific seasons against everyone -- not just the Phillies.
The list of other Phillies Killers (minimum 20 at-bats in 2011):
| Player | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Berkman | 38 | 30 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | .467 | .579 | .700 | 1.279 |
| Michael Morse | 46 | 38 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | .395 | .500 | .658 | 1.158 |
| Danny Espinosa | 71 | 60 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 6 | 17 | .333 | .414 | .733 | 1.148 |
| Lucas Duda | 26 | 23 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | .348 | .423 | .696 | 1.119 |
| Lyle Overbay | 24 | 22 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 7 | .364 | .417 | .682 | 1.098 |
| Prince Fielder | 32 | 26 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | .423 | .531 | .538 | 1.070 |
| Carlos Lee | 24 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | .318 | .375 | .682 | 1.057 |
| Jose Lopez | 29 | 27 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .333 | .357 | .667 | 1.024 |
| Jay Bruce | 38 | 35 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 10 | .343 | .395 | .629 | 1.023 |
| Jose Reyes | 43 | 42 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .405 | .419 | .595 | 1.014 |
| Cameron Maybin | 28 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | .385 | .429 | .577 | 1.005 |
| Albert Pujols | 28 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | .385 | .429 | .577 | 1.005 |
| Yadier Molina | 31 | 30 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .400 | .400 | .600 | 1.000 |
| Carlos Pena | 29 | 24 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | .333 | .448 | .542 | .990 |
| Matt Kemp | 26 | 26 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | .385 | .385 | .577 | .962 |
Espinosa's trophy is in the mail, so long as Rod Barajas used the correct postage.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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How is Ross Gload not on this list?— dennis14- Not employing "small ball" strategy is the #1 Phillie Killer. Cost them 15 wins--at least.— Seegs
- Why oh why is this town filled with whiners and complainers?— JBinPA
- @dennis14--HAHAHAHA. Though I might have gone with Michael Martinez.— monty142
- Hey Matt, have you heard of anything "special" the Phils may do today before the game for Fan Appreciation Day? I was wondering since some of the regulars won't be playing will teh organization send them out in the park to mingle with the fans before the game like they did at the start of the season before the exhibition game. Do you have any insider knowledge?— parkwood
- This shows exactly why I don't want to see the Cardinals in the playoffs— kjcontri
- Espinosa was a main contributor for the Nationals in at least 5 Nats wins over the Phillies this year. Seven home runs against one team! Unheard of! This is unbelievable for a .237 hitter. Do the Phillies employ advance scouts? If they do, they should all be canned for unsatisfactory performance. If the pitchers are just not listening to the reports, shame on them.— PortCity
- Any Phillies batting over .300 against any teams?
— Joe Lis lives - Beware Seegs for making such an insulting comment in this board. You will be lambasted by the school principals (cheerleaders/bandwagon jumpers with no knowledge of baseball) in this board.— EL Zorro
- yo, so molina, pujols, and molina are the only cardinals i see. any others? also, pujols and molina are amazing at cutting grass. fyi.— PhillyCheeseSnake
- Berkman* Pujols, Molina — PhillyCheeseSnake
- What a waste of ink!— mike 1717
- How about Wilson Valdez? How many rallies (or potential rallies) has he killed by hitting into a double play?— phillyinsd
- None lately.— EL Zorro
- I'll tkae the Braves above the Cardinals any time when it comes to the Phils chances. They have got to get the offense going if they want to win the World Series because as this rate they aren't winning anything.— Pooh
