Motivation in generaly has never been my strong suit. The only reason I'm not the fattest person in the world is because I'm often too lazy to get off the couch to eat. I'm barely motivated enough to go to the bank to deposit my paycheck. And the only reason I need to go to the bank to deposit my paycheck is because I still have not motivated myself enough to get direct deposit.
So when the Phillies have a series against the Nationals, it is tough to find true motivation to go very in-depth or get very creative with a preview. There are still a lot of topics that I want to cover and ideas that I have for this blog, but a Nationals preview with 2 hours before game time does not feel like the time nor the place for something extravagant. There is one thing, though, that seems to be a hot topic right now that I want to at least briefly address before breaking down the upcoming series: protecting catchers.
If you haven't heard or seen, Buster Posey is now out for the season after a collision at home plate that left him with a fractured leg. There has been a disgusting amount of discussion about this topic throughout baseball, including an entire inning Saturday night during which they only showed the pitches being thrown to Phillies batters and in between had to continuously show us Joe Buck and Tim McCarver talking to each other about catchers. Honestly, who cares? It sucks that a guy broke his leg and all, but this can't seriously be the most interesting thing to talk about in sports right now. Are we seriously talking about changing the rules of baseball because one great young player will miss the 2011 season? This must be a joke. It's clearly something that's only being talked about to have something to talk about, and for that I am so angry at myself for addressing it. Jayson Stark, normally my hero, wrote an article about this issue. Why is he wasting his glorious baseball knowledge to write about something so pointless? The good news is, he actually shows in the article how stupid it all is. He talks to former catchers, and they seem to think people are as stupid as I do. "When you put on the shin guards and chest protector, you know that if there's a play at the plate and you're blocking the plate, you could take a hit at any moment." "See, everyone thinks you can control all these variables. But you can't."
So why is this a real discussion? Because an awesome 24-year-old rolled the wrong way after getting nailed at the plate? Can we please just get over this?
Game 1: Roy Halladay (6-3, 2.35 ERA) vs. Livan Hernandez (3-6, 3.71 ERA)
Halladay is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA against the Nats this year, including 1 complete game and 19 strikeouts in 16 innings. Hernandez is the only pitcher to beat the Phillies this season, but that was without Baseball. He has a .375 career batting average against Hernandez. Chase also has a .300 average against the Nationals over the course of his 111 games against them. Expect a dominant Halladay and a scared-as-crap Nationals team with Chase Utley back in the lineup.
Prediction: Phillies 4 Nationals 0
Keep an eye out for: double digit strikeouts from Halladay in another complete game
Game 2: Cliff Lee (4-4, 3.50 ERA) vs. Jason Marquis (5-2, 4.26 ERA)
Cliff is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in his career against the Nationals, which includes a complete game, 3-hit, 12-strikeout shutout earlier this season. So we shouldn't need to worry about our pitching. Marquis, much like many Nationals pitchers, has struggled against the Phils and, more specifically, Chase Utley. The Phils have a .311 batting average against him, and Chase is batting .464 against him with 7 RBI in 28 at-bats.
Prediction: Phillies 9 Nationals 2
Keep an eye out for: Utley being a triple away from the cycle in this game
Game 3: Roy Oswalt (3-2, 2.60 ERA) vs. John Lannan (2-5, 4.40 ERA)
Oswalt is the only starter to not yet face the Nationals this season. But our starters have done extremely well against them as a whole. As a matter of fact, our bullpen totally sucks against the Nationals, compiling a 7.71 ERA in 6 games. The good news about that, though, is that they have done so in only 7 innings. Seven innings from our bullpen in 6 games. Three complete games (including one shutout) will do that. Let's hope that Oswalt can follow the lead of the other starters, especially against John Lannan. Lannan continues to set records against the Phillies, but not the kind that he wants to. He's now 0-10 against us in his career with a 6.44 ERA. Our hitters have a combined .327 batting average against him with 8 home runs and 28 RBI in just 168 at-bats. That means we drive in a run every 5-6 at-bats against him. And, you guessed it, Chase Utley is nasty against this guy. He's a .440 hitter with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in 25 at-bats. Is this series even fair?
Prediction: Phillies 8 Nationals 3
Keep an eye out for: a multi-home run game from Utley
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Mets Preview
*Note: I posted a recap to the Reds series just before this. Be sure to check it out if you care*
As the season has progressed, I've been able to compile a very flattering list. I don't want to go around bragging about the popularity of this blog, but I feel it very directly relates to this upcoming series with the Mets. Some of it may veer slightly off course, but there are some clear connections here as well.
So, here it is, the list of players who read my blog (and how I know they do):
Jon Niese
-As stated in my last Mets Preview, Jon is definitely one of my readers. After making fun of him for spelling the name Jonathon in an incredibly stupid way, he decided to let MLB.com know that he would only be going by "Jon" from now on. ESPN.com has yet to get the memo, but he is definitely only Jon according to Major League Baseball's official site. Jon-A-Thon? I guess he was tired of sounding like some fraternity-run fundraiser that collects change at intersections to help install toilets in needy areas of the country to justify their debaucherous weekends (too far? Sorry fellow Penn Staters. Sorry I'm not sorry)
The Arizona Diamondbags
-This was also addressed in the last Mets Preview. Those D-bags took personal offense to my relentless hounding of them as a franchise despite them never doing anything to harm me in any way. I will apologize to you guys once again. But, once again, it doesn't mean you're off the hook for my pointless disrespect.
Raul Ibanez
-Something that has gone on with me for years now with the Phillies is a tough love relationship. They do not respond well to me encouraging them. In some disgusting masochistic way, they enjoy hearing me tell them how terrible they are. The truly feed off of my anger and disdain. Raul Ibanez is our latest example of this. After hitting .161 in the month of April, I really started getting on Raul about how horrible he is. His response? The month of May. I have yet to let up on how much I hate this guy (because he's worthless), and he has responded by attempting to show some worth, hitting .337 in May. Too bad I still hate you. I even have been saving this link for 10 days now, waiting to show everyone that it's not just me that hates you, but Dave Schoenfield goes so far as to call you "maybe the worst defensive player in the NL." And I know what you're thinking now Raul. "Cam, you used the term 'tough love.' Does that mean you actually love me, and you're only doing this for the benefit of myself and the team?" Good question, Suckhole. Here's my answer.
In the past, I have tried to use these powers for good, but they often don't work unless my feelings are at least somewhat-to-mostly genuine. Players can't help but want to win me back, but, what can I say, I'm the most transparent thing since I left a Five Guys bag full of fries sit around for 2 hours. They can see right through to my true feelings. The most famous example of this was in 2008 while Chase Utley was in an 0 for 24 slump. I started my "Forget the Past: Start Hating Utley" campaign, but to no avail. I can't actually hate him. Baseball held out for too long on his slump and never regained his .320-hitting form he was at before said slump. (Although, .292 isn't half bad)
Jimmy Rollins
-The opposite of what is true for Raul is true for Jimmy. I used to use the blog basically only as a center for pure Jimmy-bashing. However, since I posted once last season saying that Jimmy was one of my top-3 Phillies players, he has clearly become complacent. I'm about to hit you with some serious statistics to show this, so get ready.
Since this post on June 13th of 2010, Jimmy has had 544 at-bats (including postseason). Over the course of his career, Jimmy has averaged 541 at-bats per season. We're gonna call that even. So, in his career, he also averages a .272 batting average with 31 doubles, 8 triples, and 13 home runs over the course of those 541 at-bats. In the 544 since I called him my favorite, he is hitting just .241 with 22 doubles, 1 triple, and 9 home runs.
The problem with this is, there's really no quick fix. Jimmy was a majoke before I started hating him. It was only when I admitted to loving him, though, that he actually started reading the blog and believing he was good enough despite how much he sucked. So, Jimmy, please stop reading this. Pretend it doesn't exist, much like it didn't in 2007. Go get 'em Tiger.
And now for a list of people who definitely do NOT read my blog:
Christopher Wheeler
Thomas McCarthy
The people who hired them
If any of the above actually do read it, what they are doing to me is just downright cruel. Preview time!
Game 1: Roy Oswalt (3-2, 2.77 ERA) vs. Chris Capuano (3-5, 5.36 ERA)
Oswalt is our only starter that has yet to face the Mets this season. His numbers in his career against the Mets are nothing to get too excited or depressed about. Capuano has overall bad numbers this season, but most of the damage has been done to him by righties, who are hitting .312 on the season against him. Our lineup, though, has become pretty lefty-heavy. I would expect this game to stay pretty close, and our bullpens will hold up much better. This season, the Mets bullpen has a 4.50 ERA against us, and ours has a 1.96 ERA against them. I like our chances
Prediction: Phillies 4 Mets 2
Keep an eye out for: Wilson Valdez driving in a few runs. He's hitting .429 against the Mets this season, and he will probably get the start at second over Utley with a left-handed pitcher
Game 2: Cole Hamels (6-2, 3.06 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (3-4, 5.37 ERA)
Cole will be looking to avenge his only bad start of the season, which also happened to be his first start of the season. He lasted only 2.2 innings and gave up 6 earned runs. He's only given up 17 since then in 65 innings. Mike Pelfrey, on the other hand, is more than likely dreading this game. He has a 14.21 ERA against us in 2 starts this season, both games in which we put a 10-spot up on the scoreboard. Howard eats this guy for breakfast, and he has a homer off of him in each of his first 2 starts against the Phils.
Prediction: Phillies 10 Mets 2
Keep an eye out for: another Ryan Howard home run. Since that prediction feels too easy, I'll also say that Cole lasts 8 innings.
Game 3: Vance Worley (2-0, 2.14 ERA) vs. Jon Niese (3-5, 4.33 ERA)
Worley is getting his second start against the Mets, and he pitched very well the first time around. He went 6 and gave up just 2 hits. Normally, I might be worried that they are getting a second look at him, but it doesn't seem like any of their hitters got much of a look the first time since we took him out after 6. Niese is also 0-2 against us this season, but he gave up 6 runs the first time and only 2 the second. This game will more than likely be a battle as well, once again possibly coming down to bullpens.
Prediction: Phillies 3 Mets 2
Keep an eye out for: a big day from Polanco. He is 6 for 16 with 4 doubles in his career against Niese, and is hitting .407 against the Mets this season
As the season has progressed, I've been able to compile a very flattering list. I don't want to go around bragging about the popularity of this blog, but I feel it very directly relates to this upcoming series with the Mets. Some of it may veer slightly off course, but there are some clear connections here as well.
So, here it is, the list of players who read my blog (and how I know they do):
Jon Niese
-As stated in my last Mets Preview, Jon is definitely one of my readers. After making fun of him for spelling the name Jonathon in an incredibly stupid way, he decided to let MLB.com know that he would only be going by "Jon" from now on. ESPN.com has yet to get the memo, but he is definitely only Jon according to Major League Baseball's official site. Jon-A-Thon? I guess he was tired of sounding like some fraternity-run fundraiser that collects change at intersections to help install toilets in needy areas of the country to justify their debaucherous weekends (too far? Sorry fellow Penn Staters. Sorry I'm not sorry)
The Arizona Diamondbags
-This was also addressed in the last Mets Preview. Those D-bags took personal offense to my relentless hounding of them as a franchise despite them never doing anything to harm me in any way. I will apologize to you guys once again. But, once again, it doesn't mean you're off the hook for my pointless disrespect.
Raul Ibanez
-Something that has gone on with me for years now with the Phillies is a tough love relationship. They do not respond well to me encouraging them. In some disgusting masochistic way, they enjoy hearing me tell them how terrible they are. The truly feed off of my anger and disdain. Raul Ibanez is our latest example of this. After hitting .161 in the month of April, I really started getting on Raul about how horrible he is. His response? The month of May. I have yet to let up on how much I hate this guy (because he's worthless), and he has responded by attempting to show some worth, hitting .337 in May. Too bad I still hate you. I even have been saving this link for 10 days now, waiting to show everyone that it's not just me that hates you, but Dave Schoenfield goes so far as to call you "maybe the worst defensive player in the NL." And I know what you're thinking now Raul. "Cam, you used the term 'tough love.' Does that mean you actually love me, and you're only doing this for the benefit of myself and the team?" Good question, Suckhole. Here's my answer.
In the past, I have tried to use these powers for good, but they often don't work unless my feelings are at least somewhat-to-mostly genuine. Players can't help but want to win me back, but, what can I say, I'm the most transparent thing since I left a Five Guys bag full of fries sit around for 2 hours. They can see right through to my true feelings. The most famous example of this was in 2008 while Chase Utley was in an 0 for 24 slump. I started my "Forget the Past: Start Hating Utley" campaign, but to no avail. I can't actually hate him. Baseball held out for too long on his slump and never regained his .320-hitting form he was at before said slump. (Although, .292 isn't half bad)
Jimmy Rollins
-The opposite of what is true for Raul is true for Jimmy. I used to use the blog basically only as a center for pure Jimmy-bashing. However, since I posted once last season saying that Jimmy was one of my top-3 Phillies players, he has clearly become complacent. I'm about to hit you with some serious statistics to show this, so get ready.
Since this post on June 13th of 2010, Jimmy has had 544 at-bats (including postseason). Over the course of his career, Jimmy has averaged 541 at-bats per season. We're gonna call that even. So, in his career, he also averages a .272 batting average with 31 doubles, 8 triples, and 13 home runs over the course of those 541 at-bats. In the 544 since I called him my favorite, he is hitting just .241 with 22 doubles, 1 triple, and 9 home runs.
The problem with this is, there's really no quick fix. Jimmy was a majoke before I started hating him. It was only when I admitted to loving him, though, that he actually started reading the blog and believing he was good enough despite how much he sucked. So, Jimmy, please stop reading this. Pretend it doesn't exist, much like it didn't in 2007. Go get 'em Tiger.
And now for a list of people who definitely do NOT read my blog:
Christopher Wheeler
Thomas McCarthy
The people who hired them
If any of the above actually do read it, what they are doing to me is just downright cruel. Preview time!
Game 1: Roy Oswalt (3-2, 2.77 ERA) vs. Chris Capuano (3-5, 5.36 ERA)
Oswalt is our only starter that has yet to face the Mets this season. His numbers in his career against the Mets are nothing to get too excited or depressed about. Capuano has overall bad numbers this season, but most of the damage has been done to him by righties, who are hitting .312 on the season against him. Our lineup, though, has become pretty lefty-heavy. I would expect this game to stay pretty close, and our bullpens will hold up much better. This season, the Mets bullpen has a 4.50 ERA against us, and ours has a 1.96 ERA against them. I like our chances
Prediction: Phillies 4 Mets 2
Keep an eye out for: Wilson Valdez driving in a few runs. He's hitting .429 against the Mets this season, and he will probably get the start at second over Utley with a left-handed pitcher
Game 2: Cole Hamels (6-2, 3.06 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (3-4, 5.37 ERA)
Cole will be looking to avenge his only bad start of the season, which also happened to be his first start of the season. He lasted only 2.2 innings and gave up 6 earned runs. He's only given up 17 since then in 65 innings. Mike Pelfrey, on the other hand, is more than likely dreading this game. He has a 14.21 ERA against us in 2 starts this season, both games in which we put a 10-spot up on the scoreboard. Howard eats this guy for breakfast, and he has a homer off of him in each of his first 2 starts against the Phils.
Prediction: Phillies 10 Mets 2
Keep an eye out for: another Ryan Howard home run. Since that prediction feels too easy, I'll also say that Cole lasts 8 innings.
Game 3: Vance Worley (2-0, 2.14 ERA) vs. Jon Niese (3-5, 4.33 ERA)
Worley is getting his second start against the Mets, and he pitched very well the first time around. He went 6 and gave up just 2 hits. Normally, I might be worried that they are getting a second look at him, but it doesn't seem like any of their hitters got much of a look the first time since we took him out after 6. Niese is also 0-2 against us this season, but he gave up 6 runs the first time and only 2 the second. This game will more than likely be a battle as well, once again possibly coming down to bullpens.
Prediction: Phillies 3 Mets 2
Keep an eye out for: a big day from Polanco. He is 6 for 16 with 4 doubles in his career against Niese, and is hitting .407 against the Mets this season
Recapping the Reds
Recapping a series is normally not a priority of mine, but this 5-game series (you read that right…game 3 was over 2 games long) against the Reds is definitely worthy of some thoughts. There is plenty to talk about – Utley’s return, the offense’s return, Cliff Lee coming up big when we needed him, the offense actually scoring when Cliff is on the mound, Hamels staying perfect against the Reds, Madson and Bastardo being slightly human, etc. Specifically, though, I guess I should talk about the 19-inning game on Wednesday night.
First of all, I did stay up to watch the whole game. That’s what sick days are for, right? (Note: I did not take a sick day because I watched the whole game. I watched the whole game because I took a sick day. Not as cool, but I cannot tell a lie). I dozed off during the 11th/12th maybe, but overall caught most of it.
So here are some random thoughts about the game:
-I might as well just get this out of the way, and it’s all already been said, but Wilson Valdez is the man. Seeing a non-pitcher pitch is pretty cool/weird, but I feel like it happens enough in baseball to not freak out about it too much. Especially because it usually means the game has become very crappy. For example: When Tomas Perez pitched for us in 2002 or whatever, it was a game we lost 17-3. But this one I definitely thought was super cool because Valdez actually got the win. There are a handful of position players that can say they’ve pitched in a game before, but how many have actually gotten a win? Awesome. Now on to the rest of the stuff that everyone has forgotten about.
-Roy Halladay is obviously an unbelievable pitcher, but I think he got a little lucky in this one. At a time when our offense was just figuring out how to score again, he gave up 11 hits in 7 innings. Although that only resulted in 3 runs, that is still scary for an offense trying to find itself. But it wasn’t all luck for him, because it takes some serious skill to only give up 3 runs on 11 hits.
-I should’ve turned the radio on at some point rather than listening to Christopher and Thomas talk for 13 STRAIGHT INNINGS. Ugh. They are the worst. What a field day Christopher Wheeler had with this one, too. He got to give a history lesson with every passing pitch. I hate him.
-Why is JC Romero a major league pitcher? Seriously, is there any reason for this? Is there any reason at all? If you played in the National League, would you EVER swing at a pitch from JC Romero? Screw taking one strike. My dad suggested that each hitter take until they have 2 strikes. I’ll go a step further and say take until he gets 3 outs. That inning would last forever.
-I will address my feelings towards Ibanez in the next post. We should’ve won the game way before he was up, and I still can’t stand him.
-We really shouldn’t have given up that run in the 9th inning. I told my mom after the 8th inning that Howard was going to hit a walk-off home run to lead off the 9th anyway so it didn’t matter that we didn’t score then. Then Jay Bruce (fantasy team!!) hits a home run and forces Ryan to only tie the game instead of win it.
-Back to Valdez for a second. Two of his three outs were the reigning NL MVP and a guy who had 11 RBI in this series. Say whaaattt?!
-Can you imagine leaving that game early? That just feels embarrassing to me to even think about. I really don’t understand leaving any sporting event early, but ESPECIALLY baseball. There’s no time limit in baseball. It is your fault if you lose. There is no running out of time. You had 27 opportunities in which you couldn’t get the job done. So until you waste all 27 (or 57) of them, the game is not over. So leaving before 9 innings was over would seem crazy to me. But leaving at any point after that makes very little sense. Where do you draw the line? At what point do you say, “Okay, I think we’ve had enough.” It doesn’t make sense to me. Something could always change right after you leave. Every pitch has an opportunity to change the game. So what if it’s 1 in the morning? Get over it, it’s one sleepy day in your life. You could be witnessing history.
-Lastly, Christopher Wheeler kept talking about how tired the other pitcher looked and how that’s the most exhausted he’s ever seen a pitcher. Oh Christopher. You know nothing of Mel Clark’s pain.
(I would say something to wrap up this post down here, but anytime an Angels in the Outfield clip is included in a post, it will not get any better from then on)
First of all, I did stay up to watch the whole game. That’s what sick days are for, right? (Note: I did not take a sick day because I watched the whole game. I watched the whole game because I took a sick day. Not as cool, but I cannot tell a lie). I dozed off during the 11th/12th maybe, but overall caught most of it.
So here are some random thoughts about the game:
-I might as well just get this out of the way, and it’s all already been said, but Wilson Valdez is the man. Seeing a non-pitcher pitch is pretty cool/weird, but I feel like it happens enough in baseball to not freak out about it too much. Especially because it usually means the game has become very crappy. For example: When Tomas Perez pitched for us in 2002 or whatever, it was a game we lost 17-3. But this one I definitely thought was super cool because Valdez actually got the win. There are a handful of position players that can say they’ve pitched in a game before, but how many have actually gotten a win? Awesome. Now on to the rest of the stuff that everyone has forgotten about.
-Roy Halladay is obviously an unbelievable pitcher, but I think he got a little lucky in this one. At a time when our offense was just figuring out how to score again, he gave up 11 hits in 7 innings. Although that only resulted in 3 runs, that is still scary for an offense trying to find itself. But it wasn’t all luck for him, because it takes some serious skill to only give up 3 runs on 11 hits.
-I should’ve turned the radio on at some point rather than listening to Christopher and Thomas talk for 13 STRAIGHT INNINGS. Ugh. They are the worst. What a field day Christopher Wheeler had with this one, too. He got to give a history lesson with every passing pitch. I hate him.
-Why is JC Romero a major league pitcher? Seriously, is there any reason for this? Is there any reason at all? If you played in the National League, would you EVER swing at a pitch from JC Romero? Screw taking one strike. My dad suggested that each hitter take until they have 2 strikes. I’ll go a step further and say take until he gets 3 outs. That inning would last forever.
-I will address my feelings towards Ibanez in the next post. We should’ve won the game way before he was up, and I still can’t stand him.
-We really shouldn’t have given up that run in the 9th inning. I told my mom after the 8th inning that Howard was going to hit a walk-off home run to lead off the 9th anyway so it didn’t matter that we didn’t score then. Then Jay Bruce (fantasy team!!) hits a home run and forces Ryan to only tie the game instead of win it.
-Back to Valdez for a second. Two of his three outs were the reigning NL MVP and a guy who had 11 RBI in this series. Say whaaattt?!
-Can you imagine leaving that game early? That just feels embarrassing to me to even think about. I really don’t understand leaving any sporting event early, but ESPECIALLY baseball. There’s no time limit in baseball. It is your fault if you lose. There is no running out of time. You had 27 opportunities in which you couldn’t get the job done. So until you waste all 27 (or 57) of them, the game is not over. So leaving before 9 innings was over would seem crazy to me. But leaving at any point after that makes very little sense. Where do you draw the line? At what point do you say, “Okay, I think we’ve had enough.” It doesn’t make sense to me. Something could always change right after you leave. Every pitch has an opportunity to change the game. So what if it’s 1 in the morning? Get over it, it’s one sleepy day in your life. You could be witnessing history.
-Lastly, Christopher Wheeler kept talking about how tired the other pitcher looked and how that’s the most exhausted he’s ever seen a pitcher. Oh Christopher. You know nothing of Mel Clark’s pain.
(I would say something to wrap up this post down here, but anytime an Angels in the Outfield clip is included in a post, it will not get any better from then on)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Quick and Crappy Reds Preview
I'm updating this from my friend Dert's iPhone right now so I can't go as in depth as I normally would. Plus I am learning very quickly that I suck at typing on an iPhone. We're on our way to scout a playoff baseball game. Don't tell anyone though. We're being inconspicuous.
Since this is a very limited post, I will only say the only 2 things that matter about the series:
1) Cole Hamels is nasty against the Reds. I can't do my normal research, but if memory serves, Cole made his MLB debut against the Reds and has never lost to them, compiling a 1.07 ERA.
2) Chase Utley is back. Prediction: We win every game he plays in.
Let's go Phils!
Since this is a very limited post, I will only say the only 2 things that matter about the series:
1) Cole Hamels is nasty against the Reds. I can't do my normal research, but if memory serves, Cole made his MLB debut against the Reds and has never lost to them, compiling a 1.07 ERA.
2) Chase Utley is back. Prediction: We win every game he plays in.
Let's go Phils!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
This Is Our Rotation
What's happening this season is, in fact, real. Were our preseason expectations realistic? Probably not. But what is currently going on in the day-to-day life of the Philadelphia Phillies is definitely real.
We did just play more than 3 straight series' without scoring more than 3 runs in a game. We actually do place 23rd in runs scored and 18th in batting average. It is true that we only have 2 regulars hitting above .262, one of whom is on the DL right now. Yes, we really have been missing arguably our best offensive player for all 46 games thus far this season. All of that is extremely factual information.
What is not seen in those numbers, though, is the fact that we ended up winning one of those series' against a first-place AL team without scoring more than 3 runs. And we have the 2nd best record in all of baseball. And we do happen to have a player who is 4th in the NL in batting average and another who is 3rd in RBI. And that player we've been missing so much? Well, he'll be back tomorrow.
So how have we gotten to this point? How can we be this successful despite being this bad? Well...
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee
Roy Oswalt
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
If you haven't taken a look at that list in awhile, please take a second to do so. Even if you have, look again. These are our real starting pitchers. Somehow, this is not made up. It's true that they've been through a lot already in this young season. Injuries, horrible outings, bad umpires, no run support, family troubles. No individual has been spared of his hard times this season. But, together, they have been unbelievable. And it hasn't even just been the starters. Our bullpen has made it happen so far as well.
Our staff ranks 2nd in the majors with a 3.03 ERA. The starters are 3rd among starters at 3.14, and the bullpen (this team's biggest weakness?) are 3rd among bullpens with a 2.76 ERA. We now have 33 quality starts this season in 46 games. That's us as a staff.
Although the starters get all the pub, we've gotten a few great (and unexpected) things out of our bullpen. Before going on the DL, Jose Contreras had yet to give up an earned run. Antonio Bastardo, the left-hander that we didn't have in our bullpen according to everyone prior to the start of the season, has a 1.17 ERA. Michael Stutes, a minor-leaguer at the beginning of April, has a 2.70 ERA. Ryan Madson, who could never cut it as a closer, has 9 saves and a 0.47 ERA. This is our bullpen.
As for the starters? Well, this is our rotation:
Roy Halladay - 6-2, 2.21 ERA, 9 quality starts in 10 total starts, 80 Ks in 77.1 innings
Halladay has done everything we could expect him to do and more. How much so? He had 2 straight complete game losses. I think we too often take the things that Halladay does for granted. The incredibility of his numbers this season are way too unnoticed. He had a game in which he threw 18 pitches before he threw a ball. This is our rotation.
Cliff Lee - 3-4, 3.38 ERA, 8 quality starts in 10 total starts, 78 Ks in 66.2 innings
Lee had higher expectations than anyone I think. He was seen as a huge hero coming back to Philadelphia for a shorter contract and less total money. We loved him in his time here, and, apparently, he loved us. And this season, unfortunately, he may be seen as the worst of the 4 aces. He has the highest ERA of the 4 and the lowest win total. But why is that? In Cliff's last 6 starts, we've scored 9 runs. And 5 of those were in one game in which he got a no-decision. He struck out 16 in 7 innings while giving up just 3 runs and got a loss. This is our rotation.
Roy Oswalt - 3-2, 2.77 ERA, 5 quality starts in 7 total starts, 27 Ks in 39 innings
Oswalt was very under-the-radar at the beginning of the season. I pointed this out in my season preview. We were definitely excited to have him, but the return of Cliff Lee, the greatness of Roy Halladay, the 4th-starter-greatness of Cole Hamels, and the let's-not-forget-Joe-Blanton attitude left Oswalt in the dust. But he started out the season as possibly our best pitcher, going 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his first 4 starts. Then he had back and family issues and used his own personal bulldozer to clean up Mississippi. Then he came back and gave up just 2 runs in his next 2 starts, pitching 12 innings while being limited in the number of pitches he could throw. This is our rotation.
Cole Hamels - 5-2, 2.92 ERA, 7 quality starts in 9 total starts, 64 Ks in 61.2 innings
Hamels has gone through a lot of scrutiny since he won the playoffs for us in 2008. Injuries and some attitude problems have plagued him and made people question his ability to be truly dominant. Since Halladay's arrival, though, he's kept his mouth shut and done everything in his power to match the best pitcher in baseball today. After his first start of this season, people were calling for his head. Take out that first start and Hamels is 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Sometimes criticized for being too much of a fly ball pitcher in a small park, he has 92 ground ball outs as opposed to his 70 fly ball outs this season. And he has a stand-up triple this season. This is our rotation.
Joe Blanton - screw it...just look at the first 4 guys. This is our rotation.
What did we expect coming in? A bit too much. What have we gotten? A bit more.
We did just play more than 3 straight series' without scoring more than 3 runs in a game. We actually do place 23rd in runs scored and 18th in batting average. It is true that we only have 2 regulars hitting above .262, one of whom is on the DL right now. Yes, we really have been missing arguably our best offensive player for all 46 games thus far this season. All of that is extremely factual information.
What is not seen in those numbers, though, is the fact that we ended up winning one of those series' against a first-place AL team without scoring more than 3 runs. And we have the 2nd best record in all of baseball. And we do happen to have a player who is 4th in the NL in batting average and another who is 3rd in RBI. And that player we've been missing so much? Well, he'll be back tomorrow.
So how have we gotten to this point? How can we be this successful despite being this bad? Well...
Roy Halladay
Cliff Lee
Roy Oswalt
Cole Hamels
Joe Blanton
If you haven't taken a look at that list in awhile, please take a second to do so. Even if you have, look again. These are our real starting pitchers. Somehow, this is not made up. It's true that they've been through a lot already in this young season. Injuries, horrible outings, bad umpires, no run support, family troubles. No individual has been spared of his hard times this season. But, together, they have been unbelievable. And it hasn't even just been the starters. Our bullpen has made it happen so far as well.
Our staff ranks 2nd in the majors with a 3.03 ERA. The starters are 3rd among starters at 3.14, and the bullpen (this team's biggest weakness?) are 3rd among bullpens with a 2.76 ERA. We now have 33 quality starts this season in 46 games. That's us as a staff.
Although the starters get all the pub, we've gotten a few great (and unexpected) things out of our bullpen. Before going on the DL, Jose Contreras had yet to give up an earned run. Antonio Bastardo, the left-hander that we didn't have in our bullpen according to everyone prior to the start of the season, has a 1.17 ERA. Michael Stutes, a minor-leaguer at the beginning of April, has a 2.70 ERA. Ryan Madson, who could never cut it as a closer, has 9 saves and a 0.47 ERA. This is our bullpen.
As for the starters? Well, this is our rotation:
Roy Halladay - 6-2, 2.21 ERA, 9 quality starts in 10 total starts, 80 Ks in 77.1 innings
Halladay has done everything we could expect him to do and more. How much so? He had 2 straight complete game losses. I think we too often take the things that Halladay does for granted. The incredibility of his numbers this season are way too unnoticed. He had a game in which he threw 18 pitches before he threw a ball. This is our rotation.
Cliff Lee - 3-4, 3.38 ERA, 8 quality starts in 10 total starts, 78 Ks in 66.2 innings
Lee had higher expectations than anyone I think. He was seen as a huge hero coming back to Philadelphia for a shorter contract and less total money. We loved him in his time here, and, apparently, he loved us. And this season, unfortunately, he may be seen as the worst of the 4 aces. He has the highest ERA of the 4 and the lowest win total. But why is that? In Cliff's last 6 starts, we've scored 9 runs. And 5 of those were in one game in which he got a no-decision. He struck out 16 in 7 innings while giving up just 3 runs and got a loss. This is our rotation.
Roy Oswalt - 3-2, 2.77 ERA, 5 quality starts in 7 total starts, 27 Ks in 39 innings
Oswalt was very under-the-radar at the beginning of the season. I pointed this out in my season preview. We were definitely excited to have him, but the return of Cliff Lee, the greatness of Roy Halladay, the 4th-starter-greatness of Cole Hamels, and the let's-not-forget-Joe-Blanton attitude left Oswalt in the dust. But he started out the season as possibly our best pitcher, going 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in his first 4 starts. Then he had back and family issues and used his own personal bulldozer to clean up Mississippi. Then he came back and gave up just 2 runs in his next 2 starts, pitching 12 innings while being limited in the number of pitches he could throw. This is our rotation.
Cole Hamels - 5-2, 2.92 ERA, 7 quality starts in 9 total starts, 64 Ks in 61.2 innings
Hamels has gone through a lot of scrutiny since he won the playoffs for us in 2008. Injuries and some attitude problems have plagued him and made people question his ability to be truly dominant. Since Halladay's arrival, though, he's kept his mouth shut and done everything in his power to match the best pitcher in baseball today. After his first start of this season, people were calling for his head. Take out that first start and Hamels is 5-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Sometimes criticized for being too much of a fly ball pitcher in a small park, he has 92 ground ball outs as opposed to his 70 fly ball outs this season. And he has a stand-up triple this season. This is our rotation.
Joe Blanton - screw it...just look at the first 4 guys. This is our rotation.
What did we expect coming in? A bit too much. What have we gotten? A bit more.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Rangers/Interleague Preview
Interleague play begins tonight!
Exclamation points can be interpreted in many different ways when simply put into writing. In this case, an exclamation point probably provokes anger in the minds of Phillies (and, generally, National League) fans. It says something like "Interleague play starts tonight. Crap." Compare that to the reaction of any American League fan, and it will probably be read as "Interleague play starts tonight. We can look like actual contenders for a few weeks."
Interleague play is most definitely a flawed system. Throughout the season, we play the same teams that the teams we are competing against play. Everyone in the NL East plays everyone else in the NL with the same frequency, give or take a game or maybe 2 at the most. Interleague play, though, matches teams up with unfair opponents. This season, we play the Rangers, Mariners, A's, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. I would say that we should definitely win one of those series (Mariners) and definitely lose 2 (Rangers, Red Sox) ("should" being said because these are actually considered good teams and we suck against the AL). The other 2 are pretty much toss ups. The Braves (commonly thought of as our biggest competition in the East) play against the Angels, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Orioles. Who cares?
I do. The Angels for A's swap is a push to me. Both series can be considered a toss-up. The Orioles, though, are not very good. This means the Braves should win this series. Meanwhile, we get to play the Red Sox, a team picked by every baseball mind in America to go to the World Series prior to this season beginning. Is this a joke? 'Cause it's not funny.
The Phils are 106-129 all-time against the AL in the regular season. Under Charlie Manuel, they have the 6th-worst record against the AL of any National League team. Last year, however, we did manage to have a winning record at 10-8. Can that success continue? Let's hope so.
The Rangers are a tough team. The good news is, they are not at their toughest. Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton, 2 power-hitting outfielders, have been out for what assuredly seems like years to my brother-in-law who has them both in fantasy baseball. The other goods news is, we still have the sweetest rotation ever.
The bad news is, we have never really faced any of their pitchers. And the Phillies suck against a pitcher the first time around. Yikes.
Game 1: C.J. Wilson (4-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (5-3, 2.21 ERA)
As I've kind of already hinted at, everything is going wrong for the Phillies right now. This game is a perfect microcosm of that. Bad things:
We suck in interleague play
We've (basically) never faced C.J. Wilson
We can't hit for crap right now
Howard can't hit lefties
Halladay has a 5.36 career ERA against the Rangers, his highest against any team
I want to be positive, and the calling up of Domonic Brown to replace our newest addition to the DL (Shane Victorino) has me thinking much more positively, but he won't play against a left-handed starter. There's not much to get excited about here other than a hopefully solid outing by Halladay.
Prediction: Rangers 4 Phillies 1
Keep an eye out for: John Mayberry getting the start and hopefully some revenge against his former team (although he never played in the Majors for them). Also, keep an eye out for the hate mail that I get sent by people who are tired of reading about how great John Mayberry is. Sure, the second coming is happening tomorrow, but it isn't in the form of the Jayberry.
Game 2: Colby Lewis (4-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (2-4, 3.84 ERA)
This will be my first Phillies game of the season. Well, you know, as long as the rapture doesn't prevent it*. I feel pretty good about this one, and, yes, that is most likely just because I really want them to win when I'm there. I think we do have some things going for us, though. There is an OK-to-decent chance that Domonic Brown gets a start here, and nothing would please me more. Also, Cliff Lee will be getting his first shot at his former team. Although we don't have experience against Lewis, he's not as good as Wilson, and he's not a lefty. That makes me feel encouraged by this matchup. I think Lee turns it on this game and our bats show some type of life. Also, this would be a good time for a win because it's my parents' 33rd wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Hope you enjoy your present (a shoutout in the blog)!
Prediction: Phillies 5 Rangers 0
Keep an eye out for: Cliff getting double-digit strikeouts against his old teammates
Game 3: Matt Harrison (3-4, 4.27 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (3-1, 3.09 ERA)
Another matchup that does not excite me. Is Oswalt OK to just be able to pitch without limiting him to a certain number of pitches? Who the heck is Matt Harrison? Am I going to hate getting the answer to that question? Hopefully his limited and not-so-great career statistics will show up in this game rather than the Phillies' tendency to suck hard against inexperienced left-handed pitchers that they've never seen before. I hate to think that the latter is going to happen here. But I love that I just got to use the word "latter."
Prediction: Rangers 3 Phillies 2
Keep an eye out for: All of the Rangers' runs coming off of our bullpen
*Students have been asking about this May 21 malarkey for weeks now. Today it was a hot topic of conversation in my 5th period class. It also somehow came up that I was going to the Phillies game. One student asked, "What if it's a really good game and then all of that stuff happens before it ends? How disappointed would you be?" Are you kidding? If Jesus is taking me home, I don't really think I'd be willing to complain to him about me missing the possibility of a no-hitter or a walk-off home run. I mean, maybe my first question to him would be something about how the game was going to end, but I cannot imagine the word "disappointed" will be a part of my first face-to-face encounter with the Prince of Peace. Call me crazy.
Exclamation points can be interpreted in many different ways when simply put into writing. In this case, an exclamation point probably provokes anger in the minds of Phillies (and, generally, National League) fans. It says something like "Interleague play starts tonight. Crap." Compare that to the reaction of any American League fan, and it will probably be read as "Interleague play starts tonight. We can look like actual contenders for a few weeks."
Interleague play is most definitely a flawed system. Throughout the season, we play the same teams that the teams we are competing against play. Everyone in the NL East plays everyone else in the NL with the same frequency, give or take a game or maybe 2 at the most. Interleague play, though, matches teams up with unfair opponents. This season, we play the Rangers, Mariners, A's, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. I would say that we should definitely win one of those series (Mariners) and definitely lose 2 (Rangers, Red Sox) ("should" being said because these are actually considered good teams and we suck against the AL). The other 2 are pretty much toss ups. The Braves (commonly thought of as our biggest competition in the East) play against the Angels, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Orioles. Who cares?
I do. The Angels for A's swap is a push to me. Both series can be considered a toss-up. The Orioles, though, are not very good. This means the Braves should win this series. Meanwhile, we get to play the Red Sox, a team picked by every baseball mind in America to go to the World Series prior to this season beginning. Is this a joke? 'Cause it's not funny.
The Phils are 106-129 all-time against the AL in the regular season. Under Charlie Manuel, they have the 6th-worst record against the AL of any National League team. Last year, however, we did manage to have a winning record at 10-8. Can that success continue? Let's hope so.
The Rangers are a tough team. The good news is, they are not at their toughest. Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton, 2 power-hitting outfielders, have been out for what assuredly seems like years to my brother-in-law who has them both in fantasy baseball. The other goods news is, we still have the sweetest rotation ever.
The bad news is, we have never really faced any of their pitchers. And the Phillies suck against a pitcher the first time around. Yikes.
Game 1: C.J. Wilson (4-2, 3.38 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (5-3, 2.21 ERA)
As I've kind of already hinted at, everything is going wrong for the Phillies right now. This game is a perfect microcosm of that. Bad things:
We suck in interleague play
We've (basically) never faced C.J. Wilson
We can't hit for crap right now
Howard can't hit lefties
Halladay has a 5.36 career ERA against the Rangers, his highest against any team
I want to be positive, and the calling up of Domonic Brown to replace our newest addition to the DL (Shane Victorino) has me thinking much more positively, but he won't play against a left-handed starter. There's not much to get excited about here other than a hopefully solid outing by Halladay.
Prediction: Rangers 4 Phillies 1
Keep an eye out for: John Mayberry getting the start and hopefully some revenge against his former team (although he never played in the Majors for them). Also, keep an eye out for the hate mail that I get sent by people who are tired of reading about how great John Mayberry is. Sure, the second coming is happening tomorrow, but it isn't in the form of the Jayberry.
Game 2: Colby Lewis (4-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (2-4, 3.84 ERA)
This will be my first Phillies game of the season. Well, you know, as long as the rapture doesn't prevent it*. I feel pretty good about this one, and, yes, that is most likely just because I really want them to win when I'm there. I think we do have some things going for us, though. There is an OK-to-decent chance that Domonic Brown gets a start here, and nothing would please me more. Also, Cliff Lee will be getting his first shot at his former team. Although we don't have experience against Lewis, he's not as good as Wilson, and he's not a lefty. That makes me feel encouraged by this matchup. I think Lee turns it on this game and our bats show some type of life. Also, this would be a good time for a win because it's my parents' 33rd wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Hope you enjoy your present (a shoutout in the blog)!
Prediction: Phillies 5 Rangers 0
Keep an eye out for: Cliff getting double-digit strikeouts against his old teammates
Game 3: Matt Harrison (3-4, 4.27 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (3-1, 3.09 ERA)
Another matchup that does not excite me. Is Oswalt OK to just be able to pitch without limiting him to a certain number of pitches? Who the heck is Matt Harrison? Am I going to hate getting the answer to that question? Hopefully his limited and not-so-great career statistics will show up in this game rather than the Phillies' tendency to suck hard against inexperienced left-handed pitchers that they've never seen before. I hate to think that the latter is going to happen here. But I love that I just got to use the word "latter."
Prediction: Rangers 3 Phillies 2
Keep an eye out for: All of the Rangers' runs coming off of our bullpen
*Students have been asking about this May 21 malarkey for weeks now. Today it was a hot topic of conversation in my 5th period class. It also somehow came up that I was going to the Phillies game. One student asked, "What if it's a really good game and then all of that stuff happens before it ends? How disappointed would you be?" Are you kidding? If Jesus is taking me home, I don't really think I'd be willing to complain to him about me missing the possibility of a no-hitter or a walk-off home run. I mean, maybe my first question to him would be something about how the game was going to end, but I cannot imagine the word "disappointed" will be a part of my first face-to-face encounter with the Prince of Peace. Call me crazy.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Logo and Tagline Revealed!
This should be a recap of the Cardinals series as well as a preview of the Rockies series. But both of those things suck - that is, one already sucked and one is about to. So more exciting and fun news. As you can see, the blog now has an official logo. In said logo, there is an official tagline. Before I provide any explanation, I would like to give a shoutout to those who provided their own input in helping for me to come up with a tagline.
Making Mountains Out of Anthills - Lori Hellmann
-I like this one because it is a nod to the song "High Hopes" and its saga of an ant trying to move a rubber tree plant. I think it's also a nod to my generally positive attitude towards the Phillies (baseball team, not broadcast team). Very creative
Where Harry the K Lives Forever - Mike Costello
-This was a good idea because, without realizing it, I really do talk a lot about how much I miss Harry. Most of it is indirect, though, because it's largely just me complaining about our current play-by-play disaster that is Thomas McCarthy. The idea of incorporating the actual song or Harry were very high on my list of how I was going to come up with a tagline. Well done, Costello.
Play Like a CAMpion (among other things that involved my name as some type of pun) - David Cressman
-Hilarious because I'm sure Dave was being intentionally corny on this one. If you don't know Dave, sorry you're missing out on this joke.
And there were no other recorded suggestions. If you gave one, sorry I missed it. If you didn't, thanks a lot jerk. All I wanted was a little help and the ability to not do this completely on my own. Indirectly, however, you did lead me to my solution for the tagline. How, might you ask? Well...
I hear about people reading the blog a decent amount. People tell me that they send it to friends and family members. Some have even inquired about sending it to Phillies management in (high) hopes of making a change. Some people talk to me about it every single day. Some once a week. Some haven't said a word since last season or maybe won't say a word until next season (talk about high hopes...). Some people will say nothing about it until I see them in person and then go crazy talking about all different stuff they read on the blog. Overall, though, the trend is that people don't say much. And the reading seems to be the same. I know some who just read every once in a while. I know people who check every day. I know people who used to but now tell me that they haven't had a chance this season. There's a wide variety of reaction to me writing this.
I hope this isn't coming across as bitter because it definitely is not. I don't need you to change anything that you personally are doing in terms of reading or your feedback to me. Obviously I would always love more, but I can also manage with the current level of response. And who am I to blame any of you for only responding to this and reading at your leisure? Haven't I essentially only written it at my leisure since the start of the 2009 season? Yes, I am very guilty of that accusation. So, as dedicated as I say (and truly truly feel and believe) that I am right now, aren't I really just doing this as I feel like it? And aren't you reading just because you feel like it right now?
This post could take a big turn to negative town very quickly, but I'm not trying to go that way because I do not think in as depressing a way as it has sounded like for the past 350 words. I think the carefree-ness of this blog is what makes it so awesome for everyone. If I had to write this every day or week or series or whatever, eventually it would be a job to me (not that that is not my true deep down dream job). And let's look at the logic behind calling something a job that I love. Oh wait, there is none.
Job = Work
Work ≠ Play
Play = Fun
I don't think you can deny any one of those equations individually (Don't argue the Work ≠ Play...we all know that work is almost exclusively the referred to as the opposite of play). Now, I'm no math teacher, but that set of statements would lead me to the conclusion that something being a job means it is not fun. (Of course that's not true all the time, but go with me on this one).
So what do we have here? The Phillies...When You Feel Like It. When you feel like it, when I feel like it, and when they feel like it (which is clearly not now). There's nothing wrong with doing something because you love it. I stopped playing basketball after 9th grade because it became too much of a job to me. I didn't feel like playing. I was Cam the Ram for 3 years because I could do things whenever I felt like it. There were no expectations. It was just doing something because I loved it.
The same applies to everyone reading (or writing) this right now. You do it because you love it. And because you feel like it. So do I. Maybe that ends. Then we stop. Some people think that's a bad attitude and that produces quitters. I don't think so. I think it produces happy people. It's not like one day will make a huge difference in whether or not I still love this. There won't be one series or one small event that says to me "Wow. I'm never writing this again." Just like I'm hoping that this one way-too-serious post isn't making you think "Wow. I'm never reading this again." It's a process. And one that, if I go through, I can make the right decision to be as happy as possible. So don't feel guilty about not reading or responding. Just like I won't feel guilty about not writing. If that's the way you feel, then, please, be happy!
Thank you again to those of you who are giving me feedback. Thank you as well to those who read and don't give feedback. And thanks to those who don't read at all anymore. It honestly, from the bottom of my heart, makes me happy to know that you're making the decision that makes you happy. And, if that decision is reading this, I will try to keep you happy as long as I possibly can. Making everyone happy is not an easy thing to do, especially when you're trying to include yourself within that "everyone." But I guess those are my "High Hopes" for this blog.
********************
I love the point in a book (or at least both of the books I've ever read in my life) where it will randomly have some asterisks that sort of tell you, "Hey, I know it's not the end of a chapter, but, if you need a break, now's a pretty good time." So those asterisks above should tell you that, although this isn't a new post, things are getting away from the seriousness that's been expressed thus far. I really hope you could read that with a positive look at what I was saying because it was honestly meant in the most positive way. If you find mistakes in there, it's because I don't plan on going back and editing it for fear that I may take things out that I shouldn't or that I will add things that I just force in there. This whole post was very spur-of-the-moment and unplanned, so congrats on getting an accidental look into the depths of my soul.
********************
That logo took me forever to make. I found a picture of Harry Kalas that I like to think is one of his more famous photos, and I decided to set it up like the MLB logo. If you don't like it, deal with it. I think it's awesome. And it lets me put the title and tagline right within the logo. Now, though, on to the preview for this 2-game series with the Rockies
Game 1: Jorge De La Rosa (5-1, 3.70 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (4-2, 3.19 ERA)
I don't need to look at any stats for this game other than the numbers from the Phils' past 4 games or so. And I don't even need to look at them because I remember them all too well from them haunting my dreams the past few nights. The bottom line is: We can't hit. I don't know that I can, with a good conscience, pick us to win another game until Chase Utley comes back. Am I serious? Definitely not. Am I close? I think so.
Prediction: Rockies 3 Phillies 1
Keep an eye out for: Charlie Manuel himself stepping up to the plate to get something started
Game 2: Jhoulys Chacin (4-2, 2.89 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.50 ERA)
I am very excited to watch this game for one reason and one reason alone: To hear how the heck you pronounce Jhoulys. Like, honestly, what is that? Also, since we're going to lose anyway, I am hoping that Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez supply all of the runs for the Rockies. They are on my fantasy teams. (This sounds negative, I know. But Joe Blanton is pitching and we aren't hitting. What can we expect from this game other than a loss? A bad loss? Good call.)
Prediction: Rockies 8 Phillies 0
Keep an eye out for: Chase coming back sooner than people think simply because he can't stand the sight of this anymore. How's THAT for a silver lining?
Making Mountains Out of Anthills - Lori Hellmann
-I like this one because it is a nod to the song "High Hopes" and its saga of an ant trying to move a rubber tree plant. I think it's also a nod to my generally positive attitude towards the Phillies (baseball team, not broadcast team). Very creative
Where Harry the K Lives Forever - Mike Costello
-This was a good idea because, without realizing it, I really do talk a lot about how much I miss Harry. Most of it is indirect, though, because it's largely just me complaining about our current play-by-play disaster that is Thomas McCarthy. The idea of incorporating the actual song or Harry were very high on my list of how I was going to come up with a tagline. Well done, Costello.
Play Like a CAMpion (among other things that involved my name as some type of pun) - David Cressman
-Hilarious because I'm sure Dave was being intentionally corny on this one. If you don't know Dave, sorry you're missing out on this joke.
And there were no other recorded suggestions. If you gave one, sorry I missed it. If you didn't, thanks a lot jerk. All I wanted was a little help and the ability to not do this completely on my own. Indirectly, however, you did lead me to my solution for the tagline. How, might you ask? Well...
I hear about people reading the blog a decent amount. People tell me that they send it to friends and family members. Some have even inquired about sending it to Phillies management in (high) hopes of making a change. Some people talk to me about it every single day. Some once a week. Some haven't said a word since last season or maybe won't say a word until next season (talk about high hopes...). Some people will say nothing about it until I see them in person and then go crazy talking about all different stuff they read on the blog. Overall, though, the trend is that people don't say much. And the reading seems to be the same. I know some who just read every once in a while. I know people who check every day. I know people who used to but now tell me that they haven't had a chance this season. There's a wide variety of reaction to me writing this.
I hope this isn't coming across as bitter because it definitely is not. I don't need you to change anything that you personally are doing in terms of reading or your feedback to me. Obviously I would always love more, but I can also manage with the current level of response. And who am I to blame any of you for only responding to this and reading at your leisure? Haven't I essentially only written it at my leisure since the start of the 2009 season? Yes, I am very guilty of that accusation. So, as dedicated as I say (and truly truly feel and believe) that I am right now, aren't I really just doing this as I feel like it? And aren't you reading just because you feel like it right now?
This post could take a big turn to negative town very quickly, but I'm not trying to go that way because I do not think in as depressing a way as it has sounded like for the past 350 words. I think the carefree-ness of this blog is what makes it so awesome for everyone. If I had to write this every day or week or series or whatever, eventually it would be a job to me (not that that is not my true deep down dream job). And let's look at the logic behind calling something a job that I love. Oh wait, there is none.
Job = Work
Work ≠ Play
Play = Fun
I don't think you can deny any one of those equations individually (Don't argue the Work ≠ Play...we all know that work is almost exclusively the referred to as the opposite of play). Now, I'm no math teacher, but that set of statements would lead me to the conclusion that something being a job means it is not fun. (Of course that's not true all the time, but go with me on this one).
So what do we have here? The Phillies...When You Feel Like It. When you feel like it, when I feel like it, and when they feel like it (which is clearly not now). There's nothing wrong with doing something because you love it. I stopped playing basketball after 9th grade because it became too much of a job to me. I didn't feel like playing. I was Cam the Ram for 3 years because I could do things whenever I felt like it. There were no expectations. It was just doing something because I loved it.
The same applies to everyone reading (or writing) this right now. You do it because you love it. And because you feel like it. So do I. Maybe that ends. Then we stop. Some people think that's a bad attitude and that produces quitters. I don't think so. I think it produces happy people. It's not like one day will make a huge difference in whether or not I still love this. There won't be one series or one small event that says to me "Wow. I'm never writing this again." Just like I'm hoping that this one way-too-serious post isn't making you think "Wow. I'm never reading this again." It's a process. And one that, if I go through, I can make the right decision to be as happy as possible. So don't feel guilty about not reading or responding. Just like I won't feel guilty about not writing. If that's the way you feel, then, please, be happy!
Thank you again to those of you who are giving me feedback. Thank you as well to those who read and don't give feedback. And thanks to those who don't read at all anymore. It honestly, from the bottom of my heart, makes me happy to know that you're making the decision that makes you happy. And, if that decision is reading this, I will try to keep you happy as long as I possibly can. Making everyone happy is not an easy thing to do, especially when you're trying to include yourself within that "everyone." But I guess those are my "High Hopes" for this blog.
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I love the point in a book (or at least both of the books I've ever read in my life) where it will randomly have some asterisks that sort of tell you, "Hey, I know it's not the end of a chapter, but, if you need a break, now's a pretty good time." So those asterisks above should tell you that, although this isn't a new post, things are getting away from the seriousness that's been expressed thus far. I really hope you could read that with a positive look at what I was saying because it was honestly meant in the most positive way. If you find mistakes in there, it's because I don't plan on going back and editing it for fear that I may take things out that I shouldn't or that I will add things that I just force in there. This whole post was very spur-of-the-moment and unplanned, so congrats on getting an accidental look into the depths of my soul.
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That logo took me forever to make. I found a picture of Harry Kalas that I like to think is one of his more famous photos, and I decided to set it up like the MLB logo. If you don't like it, deal with it. I think it's awesome. And it lets me put the title and tagline right within the logo. Now, though, on to the preview for this 2-game series with the Rockies
Game 1: Jorge De La Rosa (5-1, 3.70 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (4-2, 3.19 ERA)
I don't need to look at any stats for this game other than the numbers from the Phils' past 4 games or so. And I don't even need to look at them because I remember them all too well from them haunting my dreams the past few nights. The bottom line is: We can't hit. I don't know that I can, with a good conscience, pick us to win another game until Chase Utley comes back. Am I serious? Definitely not. Am I close? I think so.
Prediction: Rockies 3 Phillies 1
Keep an eye out for: Charlie Manuel himself stepping up to the plate to get something started
Game 2: Jhoulys Chacin (4-2, 2.89 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.50 ERA)
I am very excited to watch this game for one reason and one reason alone: To hear how the heck you pronounce Jhoulys. Like, honestly, what is that? Also, since we're going to lose anyway, I am hoping that Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez supply all of the runs for the Rockies. They are on my fantasy teams. (This sounds negative, I know. But Joe Blanton is pitching and we aren't hitting. What can we expect from this game other than a loss? A bad loss? Good call.)
Prediction: Rockies 8 Phillies 0
Keep an eye out for: Chase coming back sooner than people think simply because he can't stand the sight of this anymore. How's THAT for a silver lining?
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