My Fellow Phans,
I am sure many of you saw the news already, but incase you haven’t. The Cardinals clinched the NL Wild Card last night sealing the Phillies date with the Cardinals in the opening round of the MLB postseason.
The series is set to start Saturday.
I will do a full preview last on, but this is just the basics! Stay tuned!
Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy readings and Go Phillies!
My Fellow Phans,
There are a lot of things I could say about this recent string of games for the Phillies. However, this is not the time for such talk. The Phillies haven’t played a meaningful game since last Saturday, and ironically enough that was the last game that they won.
Yes, there is a little concern from some, but I will touch on that in a few days depending on the results of this upcoming series with the Mets.
Here is your preview:
Phillies (98-58: 1st NL East) @ New York Mets (74-82; 4th NL East)
Friday, September 23:
7:10 @ Citi Field, NY – PHL17
Cole Hamels (14-9 2.80) vs. R.A. Dickey (8-13 3.35)
Saturday, September 24:
1:10 @ Citi Field, NY – CSN
Kyle Kendrick (8-6 3.04) vs. Dillon Gee (12-6 4.48)
Sunday, September 25:
1:10 @ Citi Field, NY – PHL17
Roy Halladay (18-6 2.41) vs. Mike Pelfrey (7-12 4.58)
Series Notes: The Phillies are trying to stop their 6 game losing streak. They haven’t won a game since clinching the division last week and were manhandled by the Nationals in the final four home regular season games of their season.
How do they look to break it?
Well, some new additions would help. The Phillies were playing with Ryan Howard and a few games without right fielder Hunter Pence during this mini free fall. Now both are slated to return to action in this series.
It would also help the Phillies for their 1-2-3 guys in the order, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, and Chase Utley, to return to form. The three went an abysmal 0-for-36 in this series against the Nationals. Yes, 0 hits in 36 trips to the plate. In fact all three are having horrendous Septembers as well. Rollins, Victorino, and Utley are hitting a miserable .174 combined in September with just 3 homers and 10 RBIs.
Tonight may be Cole Hamels’ final start of the regular season. It should be an interesting one. He looks to bounce back from a rocky stretch (9 runs in his last 12 innings) although it won’t be easy. Hamels has a history of rough starts against the Mets. In his career, Cole is 3-10 with an 4.69 ERA against the Metropolitans. Against the Mets just this season alone, Hamels has an 9.64 ERA.
Regardless, the Phillies will look to turn the page with the playoffs looking just 7 days away.
Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy readings and go Phillies!
My Fellow Phans,
I know many of you were watching the Mets and Braves today hoping for a New York victory so that the Phillies could have their title. However, the Braves won so the Phillies had everything in their own hands tonight against the Cardinals.
And the Phillies took full advantage.
Roy Oswalt pitched 7 stellar innings in a playoff like setting and the offense exploded for 9 runs as the Phillies won their 98th game of the season and clinched the 2011 National League East title.
The Phillies started the offense early as Hunter Pence knocked in an 1st inning run. They added a pair of runs throughout the early innings thanks to a pair of Shane Victorino RBIs on a walk and a long home run to centerfield.
The Cardinals pulled a bit closer with a pair of runs off of Michael Stutes in the 8th inning, but the Phillies sealed the game in the bottom of the 8th with a 6 spot. The key blow; a Grand Slam off of the bat of Raul Ibanez!
Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless 9th to finish off the Cardinals and send the town of Philadelphia into a frenzy!
I would like to thank these Phillies for a wonderful season and I cannot wait until October! It’s been a total team effort and everyone has played some role in the success of this season. It’s been a great run boys, but it is far from over, far from over!
We all remember Brett Myers way back in 2007 throwing his glove his in the air in celebration and that fantastic double play turned in 2008 against the Nationals. We can add the brilliant barehanded stab by Chase Utley to that memorable list.
I also can’t imagine how tonight must feel for the newer guys on the squad. Players like Hunter “Lets go Eat” Pence, Michael Martinez, Michael Stutes, Vance Worley, John Mayberry must be having the time of their lives at this very moment. I tip my hat to you guys as well.
Kudos to the veterans as well. The players that have been here over the past several season. Now there are too many to name, but they know who they are. Thank you all so much!
Tonight is a night to rejoice, but there is still a long way to go.
Growing up in the 90s with those terrible teams, I still cannot believe what I have seen over the past several years. Although, I have also learned to keep my excitement down since we still have work to be done.
So, lets get that work done and finish this thing off Phillies, lets get it done.
Until we meet again Phillies fans; happy readings and GO PHILLIES, your 2011 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!
My Fellow Phans, My Fellow Phans,
A few weeks ago, today would be an off day and we would have a breather from the tough September schedule. Thanks to our ol’ buddy Hurricane Irene, the Phillies have a game today, and not just 1 game, but a doubleheader against those pesky Florida Marlins. This double billing marks the start of the Phillies final home stand where they will play 10 games in just 8 days.
Here is your preview:
Phillies (95-51 – 1st NL East) vs. Florida Marlins (67-81 – 5th NL East)
Game 1:
Kyle Kendrick (7-6, 3.29) vs Anibal Sanchez (8-7, 3.64)
Game 2:
Cliff Lee (16-7, 2.44) vs Alex Sanabia (0-0, 0.00)
Note: Both games are at Citizens Bank Park and are broadcast on CSN / 1210 AM.
Notes: The Phillies are fresh off of clinched a playoff berth and are eagerly looking at the declining magic numbers for both the division (4) and best record in the NL (5).
Thankfully, there are no hurricanes on the horizon and we should get both of these games in. Kyle Kendrick will make, what may be his first of two spot starts this week with another doubleheader looming next Tuesday. Cliff Lee will follow in the nightcap. This assures that all starters stay on their normal rest and there is not scrambling to fix the order.
There is also talk of Chase Utley returning early on during this home stand so watch out for him as well.
Until we meet again Phillies fans; happy readings and go Phillies!
My Fellow Phans,
For the second straight season, Roy Halladay stepped to the mound with a chance to put the Phillies into the postseason, and for a second straight year, he did not fail at his mission.
Just like in 2010, when the good doctor delivered a shutout of the Nationals to clinch the NL East and a playoff berth for the Phillies, Halladay again showed his mastery and propelled the defending NL East champs back into the postseason.
The Phillies scored early, but unfortunately not often, against the Astros yesterday. A first inning double by Shane Victorino followed by a first inning single off of the bat of Placido Polanco plated the Phillies an 1-0 lead. A lead that Halladay would not relinquish. Halladay, who won his 18th game of the season, scattered 6 hits in a complete game shutout. He allowed just one walk and really only had one tough inning when the Astros loaded the bases with 0 outs in the bottom of the 2nd before wriggling out of trouble.
The win puts the Phillies back in the postseason for a 5th straight season and edges them ever closer to a division title as well as home field in the NL. Those magic numbers sit at 4 and 5 respectively. It also avoided the Phillies first 3 game sweep of the season.
The Phillies open up a 10 game-8 day home stand with the Marlins riding into town for a double header starting today.
Until we meet again Phillies fans; happy readings and go Phillies!
My Fellow Phans,
It’s reunion time for the Phillies as a number of old faces meet up with each other during this three game set in Houston. The Astros and Phillies have seemed to be very compatible trading partners over the past few years. I guess it helps when the Phillies’ former GM Ed Wade is sitting in the Astros’ front office.
Former Phillies J.A. Happ, Brett Myers now dawn Astros uniforms either through trade or free agency. Not only will these two get to see former teammates, they will get the chance to prove something to the Phillies when they get to start in this series.
On the other side, this series give Hunter Pence his first series back in Houston, but this time wearing a Phillies uniform. Former Astros Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge are also returning to their former confines.
They met to open the season with the Phillies sweeping out the Astros at Citizens Bank Park. Now they travel to Houston.
Here is your series preview for the family reunion of a baseball series occurring in Houston these next three games:
Phillies (94-49 – 1st NL East) @ Houston Astros (49-97 – 6th NL Central)
Monday, September 12:
8:05 @ Minute Maid Park – CSN
Roy Oswalt (7-8 3.72) vs. Brett Myers (4-13 4.66)
Tuesday, September 13:
8:05 @ Minute Maid Park – Phl 17
Cole Hamels (14-7 2.60) vs. J.A. Happ (5-15 5.77)
Wednesday, September 14:
2:05 @ Minute Maid Park – CSN
Roy Halladay (17-5 2.44) vs. Bud Norris (6-9 3.78)
Astros Series Notes:
The Astros have had a dismal season. Their opening day starter has lost 13 games and their newest addition to the rotation has lost 15. They are well on their way to being the first team to lose 100 games this season.They traded their top two offensive stars before the trading deadline and seem to have switched to rebuilding mode.
On a more positive note, Brett Myers has posted a 1.93 ERA in 2 starts against the Phillies during his career. His latest start was opening day which resulted in a quality start for Myers, but a walk-off win for the Phillies causing him to lose his chance at a win.
The Astros are led by outfield Carlos Lee (.276-15-81) whom, thanks for the recent trades, is the overwhelming leader in AVG, HR, and RBIs on the team.
Pitching-wise, the Astros best pitcher has been lefty Wandy Roriguez (11wins, 3.51). Bud Norris is the only other starter with an ERA under 4 at 3.51.
The Astros come into this game losing 7 of their last 9 games.
Phillies Series Notes:
The Phillies come in hot winning 6 of their last 7 against a pair of prominent National League contenders. They come in with a bit of a cushion. Their magic number for a postseason spot is just 2. Their number for clinch their division sits at 6.
Pitching wise, the Phillies are anchored by 3 Cy Young candidates and two of whom are pitching this series. They lead the league in ERA, Shutouts, and wins. The return to Houston allows Roy Oswalt to return to his old stomping grounds. He is the all-time leader in wins at Minute Maid Park with 73.
Offensively, Ryan Howard has been the primary power guy leading the Phillies in homers (33) and RBIs (112). Outfielder Raul Ibanez actually ranks 2nd in both categories (18-72). Centerfielder Shane Victorino has been the most consistent Phillies hitter hitting at .295 with 16 homers.
Howard has homered in 3 of his last 6 games and Hunter Pence has been hitting a lot for the Phillies as he has hit safely in 5 of his last 6 games.
Injury Note: The Phillies will again be without second basemen Chase Utley, whom is still sitting out due to the aftermath of getting hit in the head by a pitch during the Atlanta series.
Until we meet again Phillies fans; Happy readings and go Phillies!
