Phillies Parade

[clenz]

I remember that game very well

on of the best f'ing games of the year, that one.

(right up there with Thome's walkoff MONSTER off Thornton)

I really hope he can carry what he had last year to this year. Bring Morneau back and healthy....The Twins may actually beat the Yankmees

[TwinTownBisonFan]

on of the best f'ing games of the year, that one.

(right up there with Thome's walkoff MONSTER off Thornton)

I really hope he can carry what he had last year to this year. Bring Morneau back and healthy....The Twins may actually beat the Yankmees

won't have to - they aren't seeing october baseball...

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Phils and Yanks today in Tampa on MLB Network (using the YES feed)

seriously - how can yankee fans STAND their booth crew... oy - they are awful.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Phils beat Yanks 5-4.

[93henfan]

MRI reveals Chase Utley has patellar tendinitis in his right knee.

[bluehenbillk]

Well maybe Utley will get any injuries out of the way in February this year....

[GannonFan]

Well maybe Utley will get any injuries out of the way in February this year....

Agreed - hard to get too worked up over missing some Spring Training games in late February. I'd actually rather he didn't play too many Spring Training games anyway - just get him some at bats to get his timing down, and then let him play when the games matter. Besides, I thought they were planning on keeping his innings played down this year - maybe even only have him start no more than 140 games so that he's fresh for the playoffs. No point rushing anything - that's the benefit of this starting rotation - it can smooth out a lot of bumps along the way.

[93henfan]

Well maybe Utley will get any injuries out of the way in February this year....

Agreed - hard to get too worked up over missing some Spring Training games in late February. I'd actually rather he didn't play too many Spring Training games anyway - just get him some at bats to get his timing down, and then let him play when the games matter. Besides, I thought they were planning on keeping his innings played down this year - maybe even only have him start no more than 140 games so that he's fresh for the playoffs. No point rushing anything - that's the benefit of this starting rotation - it can smooth out a lot of bumps along the way.

I dunno. With all the injuries and games he's missed the last three seasons and his dwindling numbers in three successive years, you certainly have to be concerned about this.

Lots and lots of 1-0 and 2-1 games coming this year.

Paging Wilson Valdez. Take extra BP. Mr. Valdez to the batting cage.

[GannonFan]

Agreed - hard to get too worked up over missing some Spring Training games in late February. I'd actually rather he didn't play too many Spring Training games anyway - just get him some at bats to get his timing down, and then let him play when the games matter. Besides, I thought they were planning on keeping his innings played down this year - maybe even only have him start no more than 140 games so that he's fresh for the playoffs. No point rushing anything - that's the benefit of this starting rotation - it can smooth out a lot of bumps along the way.

I dunno. With all the injuries and games he's missed the last three seasons and his dwindling numbers in three successive years, you certainly have to be concerned about this.

Lots and lots of 1-0 and 2-1 games coming this year.

Paging Wilson Valdez. Take extra BP. Mr. Valdez to the batting cage.

If it's something where Utley is never good all year, especially at the end and in the postseason then yes, I'd be worried as that would be a major problem. But the Phils aren't relying on a healthy Utley to win the division and go to the playoffs this year - plenty of other injuries and down seasons would need to also happen for the Phils not to be playoff bound this year. And really, last year was the only year of the past 3 where he missed any time - he played 156 games or more in the two years before that. No reason for him to have to play that much, really, it's just asking for trouble for a player at any age. 140 games is more than enough.

[Ivytalk]

I'm more worried about Howard. If he has another off year, those predictions of 1-0 and 2-1 games will likely be accurate.

[GannonFan]

After just 3 games the race for starting RF may already be decided - Brown looks lost so far and is hitless through 3 games (about 12 AB's) while Francisco is sprorting a 1.429 slugging percentage with hits in every game. You had the feeling they had to be overwhelmed by Brown to keep him up here at the start of the year and he's gots a ways to go to get to that point.

On another topic, Phillies starting pitchers have yet to give up an earned run so far this Spring.

[free7694]

After just 3 games the race for starting RF may already be decided - Brown looks lost so far and is hitless through 3 games (about 12 AB's) while Francisco is sprorting a 1.429 slugging percentage with hits in every game. You had the feeling they had to be overwhelmed by Brown to keep him up here at the start of the year and he's gots a ways to go to get to that point.

On another topic, Phillies starting pitchers have yet to give up an earned run so far this Spring.

I wouldn't put too much stock in the first few games of spring, on a positive or negative end. I watched Ubaldo Jimenez' first spring start the other day and he was sitting at about 89-91 with his fastball, when we all know he throws close to 100 in the regular season.

[GannonFan]

After just 3 games the race for starting RF may already be decided - Brown looks lost so far and is hitless through 3 games (about 12 AB's) while Francisco is sprorting a 1.429 slugging percentage with hits in every game. You had the feeling they had to be overwhelmed by Brown to keep him up here at the start of the year and he's gots a ways to go to get to that point.

On another topic, Phillies starting pitchers have yet to give up an earned run so far this Spring.

I wouldn't put too much stock in the first few games of spring, on a positive or negative end. I watched Ubaldo Jimenez' first spring start the other day and he was sitting at about 89-91 with his fastball, when we all know he throws close to 100 in the regular season.

Oh, I agree. Heck, Halladay said he only threw fastballs and changeups out there. But with Brown, the Phils are probably looking for any reason to have him start the season in AAA to get more at bats. He's giving them plenty of reasons at this point.

[bluehenbillk]

Nice days work against maybe the best lineup in baseball & it was against Boston's "A" lineup:

"Cole Hamels is done. 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3K"

Best 4th starter baseball has seen in a long, long time.

[GannonFan]

Nice days work against maybe the best lineup in baseball & it was against Boston's "A" lineup:

"Cole Hamels is done. 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3K"

Best 4th starter baseball has seen in a long, long time.

Yeah, with the way Cole is looking and all the praise he's getting, this could be a huge breakout year for him - even more so than his '08 postseason performance. Might end up being the best guy on the staff, Halladay included (okay, maybe that's a bit much, but not by much).

Francisco keeps hitting the ball as well. Hard to see him not winning the RF spot and 5th hole if this keeps up.

[bluehenbillk]

Even a better bet in Vegas - O/U for wins from the "Phour Aces" sits at 59.5

[Ivytalk]

Even a better bet in Vegas - O/U for wins from the "Phour Aces" sits at 59.5

That's "over easy"!

[Ivytalk]

Phils beat Bucs. Howard goes yard!

[GannonFan]

Phils lose to Bucs, but Halladay and the best of the bullpen (Contreras, Lidge, and Madson) all looked great. And Francisco keeps having a great Spring. With Brown now out with a boken bone, there's no question that Brown will start the year in Lehigh Valley. Delwyn Young having a nice Spring as well.

[93henfan]

Brown now out with a boken bone

He needs to break bones more often. He actually got a hit on the next pitch.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

wish i could draw a single conclusion about the Twins this spring, but other than some pitching and Nishioka locking down 2B and Casilla at SS - most of the Twins aren't even playing yet.

No Mauer, Morneau, Young or Cuddyer yet...

though Joe Nathan has looked sharp and Jim Hoey is doing his Rick Vaughn impression...

[bluehenbillk]

Lidge starts season on DL with shoulder pain.

[GannonFan]

Lidge starts season on DL with shoulder pain.

As long as he's healthy around say August timeframe - should give him enough time to get ready for October.

[Ivytalk]

I have queasy feelings about the upcoming season with all these injuries. I feel confident about the NL East again, but beyond that..?

[93henfan]

I have queasy feelings about the upcoming season with all these injuries. I feel confident about the NL East again, but beyond that..?

Agreed. You lose your three and five hitters from last year, so your run production is going to be down. That could be a wash with the Lee pickup, so then it all comes down to your bullpen. Ours sucks, plain and simple. I just watched Madson get rocked the other day in the ninth, and we all know he doesn't have a closer mentality. He's so much better in the setup role. You really have to hope Lidge can get back and have another second half like he did last year.