Does it Matter ?

Does it really matter who the Phillies play in the World Series ? The Phillies will either play the New York Yankees or the Anaheim Angels. The Phillies were 2- 1 against the Yankees this year. After going right through the Dodgers like they were nothing, Phillies fans are saying bring on the Yankees. The Yankees and their 208,097,414 payroll is the highest in the MLB. The Angels rank 6th with the highest payroll at 118,964,000. Most say the Yankees are a bought team which they pretty much are, with Burnett, Sabathia, Teixeira and A Rod.The Phillies are 8th on top salary list with 111,209,046. Even with a big payroll we still have the most heart. Thinking about the series between Angels and the Yankees, I was thinking who I would like to see us play. Neither team really scares me. But when talking with friends about the series one made a good point. The angels coming back to win the series after being down 0 an 2 could take everything out of them. The Angels winning game 7 could be like winning the World Series to them. Leaving the Angels tired in the World Series. My belief about the Yankees is this, beating the Yankees in the World Series would fully legitimize the Phillies. Many fear the Yankees lineup, I do not. I fear our starting pitching. Besides Cliff lee are starting pitching is not too trustworthy. This is why I propose this take a chance and start Martinez in Game 1. It will not faze Martinez to pitch game 1, like it would the other young starters. By the time the World Series starts on Wednesday night, it will have been a week since the Phillies played. The Phillies are scheduled to play a simulated game today (Sunday) at the bank, but does that do much ? If you let Martinez go in game 1 and the Phillies bats are cold, I think were OK. We come back at Game 2 with our ace ready to go. For game 3 through 5 were back in Philly.

Let me know what you think about this!

Cole Hamels : Yes I am giving Cole Hamels his own section in this Blog. As one person can tell you I became a conspiracy theorist during game 5. I was so angry at Hamels that I was seeing things that were not there. I still am not high on Hamels and this quote does not help him, “I had no clue where the ball was going, I was missing my spot by about 3 feet, and that’s troublesome.” Listen I think it would be hard for Happ who is out of his starting pitching routine to come in and start. So Hamles will probably have to start in the World Series. So the best thing we can hope for is that either the old Hamels shows up because the last time we saw him was the World Series last year or the offense has a big night when he pitches. No matter what I would not let Hamels pitch on the road. Especially at Yankee stadium, with their small dimensions, at left and right field.


Eagles: After that performance in Oakland last week, all I got to say is Wow! Horrible performance all around. With a big Monday night game tomorrow night against the Redskins, It should be a victory. The Eagles will have a new middle Linebacker in Will Witherspoon starting. Omar Gaither is out with a Lisfranc sprain. Witherspoon has played the Redskins already this season while he was with the Rams, which help since he only had a week to study the defense playbook.

Welcome to the Bandwagon: Redsox fans and others. We know especially if we play the Yankees you will be cheering for the Phillies. Since the Redsox will once again miss the World Series we encourage you to cheer on our World Champion Phillies.


That is it for Now

I am JH Jr and I am out.

Resilient to the End !

Good evening all decided to write this blog a little bit later in the evening. So if you’re sitting down to read this with a cold brew in your hand or coup of coffee, I hope you enjoy.
Sometimes you sit down to write something and it writes its self. This is pretty much what this blog will do. There have been a couple of times; I wanted to use this blog to lash out at the Phillies, during the series. But if last year proved anything is you have to have faith. You have to have faith with 2 outs and 1 man on in the bottom of the 9th, you have to show faith in Brad Lidge for an out or two.

This series seemed like it had plenty of everything. First we got screwed by MLB and TBS for game times. Cliff Lee opened up game 1 with a dominate game. Lee dominated the Colorado Rockies, tossing a six-hitter and only gave up 1 run in the ninth. The Phillies used base hits and a big 5th inning to put the Rockies away for game 1 .

In game 2 Phillies fans were confident with Mr. October Cole Hamels on the mound. Hamels only gave up 4 runs on 7 hits in 4 innings, but it was very un Hamels like. Now not to make excuses for the man but his wife was pregnant with their first child. In game 2 we saw 2 starting pitchers used in Joe Blanton and J.A Happ. Happ was in for 1 pitch before getting hit on the knee. We saw rookie Antonio Bastardo get Pinch hitting Jason Giambi out. But unfortunately our Phillies fell in game 2 and breaking the 8 consecutive wins streak at home for the postseason.

Game 3 was delayed because of freezing temperatures, and a chance of snow. When it was played on Sunday night, half of the Philadelphia region could not stay awake because it started at 10 pm. Most who had work or school fell asleep early in the game. With the series tied at 1 to 1 visions of winning game 3 played in our head. When we awoke we all got see Ryan Howard hitting a ball, and Jimmy Rollins running home with glee. Brad Lidge had closed there was no need to worry. All we could think was 1 more game to go, with Cliff lee on the mound it would b over in a hurry.

Game 4 What a game! Cliff lee pitched 7 an 1/3 giving up 1 run on 5 hits. Lee left with two men on and Tulowitzki up next. Ryan Madson relieved Cliff Lee in a double-switch that also brought in left fielder Ben Francisco to replace Raul Ibanez. Right away we saw the switch pay off as Francisco dove for and caught a fly ball, that Ibanez would have never gotten. Unfortunately we saw Francisco not be able to catch Jason Giambi’s bloop single. With the game tied at 4 we saw Yorvit Torrealba send a two-run double to right-center for a 4-2 Rockies lead. At this point I felt like I was watching an Eagles NFC title game. But luckily the Phillies are not the Eagles and they don’t give up. After the game we heard that Ryan Howard said, “Just get me up to the plate boys.” The Phillies did get Howard up to the plate, and he delivered in a big way with a two out double. With the score tied at 4, Jayson Werth singled in Howard for the go ahead run. Scott Eyre came out to get 2 outs and left with runners on first and second. When Brad Lidge came out I was not the only one in my house making death threats to him. Lidge got Troy Tulowitzki to strike out, to end the ball game . Thank god we did not have to talk about bases load twice and not scoring, or Shane Victorino not tagging 3rd . Miguel Cairo finishing the game in left field did not hurt us. There are some things to question but for now there is no need to.

Houston Street you are now a fan favorite here in Philadelphia. After your 2 blown saves in this series you are welcomed here anytime. I guess you will not be hanging out with Chase Utley though, because you looked scared to death facing him.

The Phillies truly proved how important it is to play until the 27th out, in this series.


Random Thoughts: Best signs for the series go to the ones that read, “Incase of emergency use Stairs,” and “Street lights out.” If Cole Hamels does not pitch well, he will see a whole city turn on him. Phillies these games have been super exciting but I am getting ulcers at the end.

My duds of the series are: Brett Myers and Pedro Feliz’s bat.

Stars of the series: Cliff Lee, Scott Eyre, Jayson Werth and Ryan Howard.

On the Dodgers : I will try and do another post before the series starts on Thursday night. I am sure there will be plenty of stuff to write about. In case you haven’t heard Thursday night’s game will be at 8:07 and Friday will be at 5:07 pm both on TBS. This series will be tough; the dodgers had extra time to put their rotation to together. For us Cliff Lee won’t be available until game 3. It is very important we get to the Dodgers starting rotation. There bullpen is a lot better this year.

Last note: The Eagles moved their November 1st game against the Giants to 1 pm. Because that night would be a World Series home game for the Phillies.

Thanks I am JH JR, and I’M OUT.

Let's Repeat for Harry

So here we go again another post season ride. The Phillies are looking to repeat as World Series champions just like the Yankees did in 98, 99 and 2000. The last National league team to repeat was the Cincinnati Reds in 75 and 76. The Phillies led the NL east for 141 days this year and are looking good for same results as last year. It is going to be much harder this year for several reasons. Brad Lidge is far from perfect this year. Lidge has 11 blown saves this year with a 7.21 era. To be fair though a lot of people were waiting for lidge's first blown save in the playoffs and it never happened. So can  Lidge turn it on again? Our team has suffered many injuries this year so let's take a look at how the rosters differ.

Here is a comparison from the roster last year and this year. 

Will start with the obvious  

 The Same         

  

Posistion players                      Pitchers                               Bench players

SS Jimmy Rollins                        Cole Hamels                       Matt Stairs

CF Shane Victorino                    Joe Blanton                        Greig dobbs

2B   Chase Utley                          Brett Myers                       Eric Bruntlett

1B   Ryan Howard                        J.A Happ

 RF  Jayson Werth                       Clay Condrey

3B Pedro Feliz                              Ryan Madson                                              

  C Carlos Ruiz                              Scott Eyre

                                                       Brad Lidge

                                                       Chad Durbin

Players  on the DL but were on WS team 

Jamie Moyer         JC Romero 

Players who left

LF Pat Burrell         RF  Geoff Genkins

So Taguchi                C Chris Coste 

The new additions for this year 

LF Raul Ibanez                Utility Ben Francisco                Pedro Martinez

C Pail Bako                       P Cliff Lee

The rosters have to go back down to 25 for the play offs. The  play off roster has to be set by 10 am Wednesday (tom). As of this posting the rosters had not been set yet.  All we know right now is that Cliff Lee will start game one and Hamel’s will start game 2.   I know we want to keep Cliff Lee on 4 days rest but Cole Hamel’s deserves game 1 in my opinion. The guy was MVP in every stage of the playoffs last year. Let’s hope this does not back fire.

So with rosters not being set yet here is my prediction: 

 Once again the obvious:                         Pitchers:                                  Bench:

Jimmy Rollins                                        Cole Hamel’s                             Greg Dobbs              

Shane Victorino                                     Cliff Lee                                      Ben Francisco

Chase Utley                                            Joe Blanton                                 Matt Stairs

Ryan Howard                                        Pedro Martinez                           Eric Bruntlett

Raul Ibanez                                           J.A Happ                                      Paul Bako

Jays Werth                                           Clay Condrey

Pedro Feliz                                           Chad Durbin

Carlos Ruiz                                         Scott Erye

                                                              Ryan Madson

                                                              Brad Lidge

                                                            Brett Myers

                                                            Sergio Escalona

Kyle Kendrick has really proven himself and deserves a roster spot this year. But we would only have 1 lefty in the pen, and I really don’t like the idea of having Happ in the pen . Pedro Martinez Should be put in the pen, he showed he could pitch well in relief in the World baseball Classic. Sergio Escalona name above  surprise a lot of people but he should make it. First of all the Rockies have a hard time hitting left handed pitching,The Rockies hit just .253 against lefties this season as opposed to .264 against righties. Escalona is hard throwing lefty and the Rockies have never seen him before.  And as much as I don’t think they should do it, Happ can pitch in game 1 in relief and still be on 5 days rest for game 3or 4 . Miguel Cairo deserves a roster spot but because of numbers will probalby be left off. Bruntlett can play more positions and is a little faster.

Now to notes for game 1 :        Do not underestimate Rockie starter Ubaldo Jimenez.

In  Game 3 of the 2007 NLDS  he struck out Aaron Rowand on three straight pitches — a 74-mph curveball, a 97-mph fastball and an 81-mph slider. Jimenez 97 mph fastball is consistent all game which could be bad for the Phillies.

During day games at the Phillies stadium especially around 3pm, there are shadows at home plate. These shadows make it really hard to see the ball and when you have a guy that has good hard and off speed stuff that can lead to trouble for the batters.  The Rockies are coming in hot like in 2007.

If the Phillies offense is not on their game it could be a quick first round exit by the hands of the Rockies again.

My Prediction Phillies win it in 5

Random Thoughts:  If you notice I left Chan Ho Park off of every thing above, I did not forget him. Park might be back if the Phillies make it to the divisional round.

Screw you TBS and MLB thanks for putting the defending WS champions first 2 games at 2:37 pm where most of our fans including me  can’t watch it. I know you want everyone to see Pat Sajak reading the lineup for the Dodgers, but like Utley said we are “World F ing Champions” we deserve the night game .  It is going to be 12:37 pm in Colorado; I don’t get how at least a 4pm start would have hurt. Then the Dodgers could start 8:30 or 9. The Phillies always get screwed and even if we win the Yankees or Redsox will still have the later time slot.

Rockies honestly you guys are sticking to “ Rocktober” for your slogan. I mean I get why you’re using it, but come on “Rocktober’ is the slogan  those Midwest classic rock stations use every year to in October.

That is it for right now I will try to do updates along the way.

Thanks and Go Phillies do it for HK 

I am JH Jr. and I’m out