If the MLB Season Ended Today:
With approximately 125 games played so far this season, what would happen if the MLB playoffs began this week? Who would be a definite lock-in for the postseason, who would be on the bubble and which teams would be watching the playoffs on television? American League: Division Leaders: Houston Astros-West, Cleveland Guardians-Central, New York Yankees-East […]
The Phillies have their sights on the Postseason
After the end of this past April, if anyone in the baseball world mentioned the Philadelphia Phillies and the playoffs in the same sentence, people would think that they were crazy or living in an alternate baseball universe. Under the leadership of now-fired manager Joe Girardi, the Phils sat at 22-29 early in the 2022 […]
Kyle Schwarber: Heating up the Summer for the Phillies
Within Major League Baseball, there are really three distinct seasons: the first two months which seem like extended winter, after Memorial Day to the 4th of July and most importantly after the All-Star break. For Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber, the second season has been an appropriate time to show why the Phillies picked him up […]
Mark Appel: Patience truly is a Virtue
We’ve all heard the old adage that ‘good things come to those who wait.” For Phillies relief pitcher Mark Appel, the wait, struggles, grief and frustration all vanished in a simple moment on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Ballpark. The first thing that really jumps out is simply saying Phillies relief pitcher Mark Appel. Appel’s […]
Philadelphia Phillies: Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back
We all know the drill about moving forward and when things are going great, we stumble and fall back and have to start over again. Just as the Philadelphia Phillies were building up momentum with interim manager Rob Thomson (who may be in the running for NL Manager of the Year if he keeps this […]
What is going on with the Phillies Bullpen?
Right now, the million-dollar question in Major League Baseball isn’t whether or not the Yankees will make the playoffs (unless a meteor takes out our planet, yes, they will) or if the A’s are moving out of Oakland (when and where, not if) but what is going on with the Phillies bullpen? In a season […]
Early Look at 2022 Cy Young Races
Last year we had several outstanding Cy Young Award candidates hailing from the National League with Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes getting the well-deserved nod in a race that included Zack Wheeler, Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler, Brandon Woodruff, Kevin Gausman, Adam Wainwright, Julio Urías, and Jacob deGrom. However, the American League was more like picking the prettiest […]
Book Review: Free Byrd
Paul Byrd was a journeyman Major Leaguer who played 14 seasons for 7 different teams, but just like everyone, he has a story to tell. This story is told in his book Free Byrd: The Power of a Liberated Life. This 219-page work details the life of the major leaguer as well as how his […]
The Phillies Only Bright Spot in the 1930s
Hey baseball fans! Fun fact: all of the players who won the batting Triple Crown in the 20th century have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, before I knew this fun fact, there was one person who won the Triple Crown who I had never heard of. I researched this player and it turns […]
Michael Young trade is official and it is a good deal for Phillies
I guess Michael Young’s wife, Cristina, or, I mean, Michael Young agreed to waive his no-trade clause and accept a move from the Texas Rangers to the Philadelphia Phillies. As I mentioned in the last article discussing the possible acquisition of Michael Young, this is Ruben Amaro’s second positive trade in a row (I’ve been […]
Ruben Amaro disrespects Charlie Manuel by hiring and firing coaches
The day after the conclusion of a disappointing 2012 season, all eyes focused in on two chairs in the press room at Citizens Bank Park. On the right sat a man who won the most managerial games in Philadelphia Phillies’ history, earned the city a desperately needed championship, and turned a hapless 2012 team into […]
Bet on Phillies reaching the postseason
Sam Donnellon posted an article today proclaiming the Phillies postseason dreams finished. In the article, Sam references the website coolstandings.com, who gives the Phillies a 1 in 1,000 chance of making the playoffs. If that’s what Vegas is offering, TAKE THE DEAL. Sure, that dollar you spend is probably worth less than Monopoly money, but throw down […]
The Bourn Disaster: Why the Philies Must Not Sign Michael Bourn
With the Philadelphia Phillies’ recent trades of Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence, and Joe Blanton, general manager Ruben Amaro now has roughly $40 million to spend during the off season. That’s about as dangerous as handing over your money to Bernie Madolf. Given Amaro’s propensity for overspending on players (Raul Ibanez, Jonathan Papelbon, and Cliff Lee […]
Take a Ride on the Kyle Kendrick Roller Coaster
If Kyle Kendrick’s baseball career was a movie, it would be the second remake of “Total Recall,” where up is down and down is up. The Kyle Kendrick story begins with a young, seemingly talentless pitcher who bursts onto the scene with stones of steel and without whom the Philadelphia Phillies do not win their […]
Phillies prospects looking good…for other teams
Ruben Amaro’s tenure with the Phillies has brought some big, big, names to Philadelphia since he took the reigns from Pat Gillick over three years ago. Amaro landed Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence in hopes of bringing another championship. Well, that didn’t pan out and the Phillies are now in a […]
Phillies Should Retool At Trading Deadline
The time has come for the Phillies to take a look in the mirror – a long, hard look using one of those 50X mirrors that shows every blackhead, wrinkle, ingrown hair, and imperfection you don’t want to see. The image staring back in the reflection may determine the success of the Phillies franchise in […]
Another Phillies Phatality: The Real Story Behind Cliff Lee’s 2012 Campaign
I originally wanted to title this piece “The Curious Case of Cliff Lee,” but then realized that would upset some baseball bloggers and a certain Mr. Benjamin Button. there first. Clichéd headline aside, the Phillies’ super starter has had quite a topsy-turvy season thus far, one of many Philadelphia players to underachieve this year. Pitching […]
New York Yankees Acquire Chad Qualls from Philadelphia Phillies
This article was written by Dan Benton via Feed Crossing. The New York Yankees have acquired reliever Chad Qualls from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Qualls, 33, was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Thursday after posting a 4.60 ERA in 35 […]
Are the 2012 Phillies starting to resemble the 2009 Mets?
I know this is a crazy thought. And perhaps it is too early to make this assumption. A couple of things the 2012 Philadelphia Phillies have that the 2009 New York Mets did not was starting pitching. Going back to 2009, the Mets had a staff led by Johan Santana and a younger Mike Pelfrey. […]
Phillies 2012 Predictions
Opening Day is upon us, so it is time for our 2012 Phillies predictions. If you haven’t already, check out the predictions for pitching and hitting. Phillies Run Differential Wins and losses generally come down to run differential: how many more(or less) runs did you score than you gave up? Last year, the Phillies had […]
Cole Hamels Ready to Win 2012 Cy Young Award
National League Cy Young winner for 2012 Cole Hamels? Why not? In 2011, his 2.79 earned run average ranked sixth in the NL, his walks plus hits per innings pitched ranked second at 0.99, and he finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting. I looked like a genius for a while when I picked Hamels […]
Jimmy Rollins Signs 3 yr $33 Million Contract With Philly
News of the Rollins signing has had negative comments rising up in Philly Phans, who wished to see a faltering SS who had a horrible playoff and has a history of lackluster effort in jogging to first, go to another team for a cheaper option. However, Rollins has had positive contributions to this team […]
Partial Papelbon Press Conference in Philly
Former Red Sox Closer (since 2005 with 219 saves, most by any Boston pitcher) recently signed a 4 year (with a vesting option on a 6th) deal with the Phillies for $50M…
Hamels Pitched A Remarkable Game, In Case Anyone Noticed
With Cole Hamels on the mound Tuesday night, I bet you couldn’t keep your eyes off the little blue batter’s box on TBS with a teeny pitch count above it. We watched Hamels’ pitch count climb higher and higher, while Garcia finished his innings quicker than a trip to the bathroom. By the third […]
Remember Michael Stutes?
When did Michael Stutes all of a sudden become Adam Eaton? Michael Stutes had one bad month in August and all of a sudden everyone is ready to toss him aside like yesterday’s sports page. This weekend I heard two reporters (David Murphy and some other guy) agree that essentially Stutes is no […]
Analyzing Phillies in the Playoffs
It’s playoff time, and if the past is any indication the Phillies are ready. Since 2007 (we can forget getting swept in 2007, right?), the Phillies are 25-13 in the postseason, have reached the NLCS in three straight seasons, and have only lost two series in three years. We can learn much more about the […]
The Importance of Kendrick and Worley to the Phillies
The Phillies clinched the division with 12 games left and should still (we hope) have the most wins ever for the franchise. Now imagine where they would be without Kyle Kendrick or Vance Worley. Kendrick and Worley’s contributions to this Phillies team aren’t just nice stories; they changed the entire complexion of the […]
Who can Phillies least afford to lose: Rollins, Utley, or Howard?
The injury bug has infected practically anything wearing a Phillies uniform this season. Rollins is the 11th player to join a DL club that includes 5 position players, 3 starters, and 3 relievers. Heck, even the Phanatic got knocked on his keester this year. With the best record in baseball and a nice little cushion […]
Vance Worley Shows Us Scouts Can’t Predict Everything
As Vance Worley dominates the Mets on an otherwise quiet Thursday night, one cannot help but look at his stats in amazement: 8-1, 2.33 ERA, 74 K, 31 BB, and a 1.139 WHIP. In fact, as I type this he has just struck out his 9th Met on the night, in only the 7th inning. True, […]
Dear Ruben, Just Say No to Carlos
Attention Ruben Amaro and anyone of the Phillies top brass: DO NOT BRING CARLOS BELTRAN TO THE PHILLIES I beg you, please don’t bring Carlos Beltran to the Phillies Trading for Carlos Beltran would be an awful idea for the Phillies. Would adding him to the roster help the Phillies this year? Probably. Is he […]
