As if the 2009 season couldn't get any worse for the Metropolitans, Pedro Martinez had to go and embarrass them on national television last night. While Tim Redding (who I can't stand) pitched his ass off for the Mets, their anemic offense couldn't help him out. The Phillies' famously potent lineup was held to just one run...
Philadelphia Phillies
14 September 2009
4 April 2009
NL Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies; NL Champion: New York Mets; World Series Champion: Boston Red Sox
3. MVPS: Josh Hamilton and David Wright. The young phenoms have taken different paths to greatness, but at the end of the ’09 season, their numbers will be very similar. Hamilton and Wright are both young enough that they haven’t reached their ceilings, and they will both finish with 35 plus home runs, 130 plus RBI and batting averages well over .300. It wouldn’t be a shocker if both spent the season in the running for the Major’s first triple crown winner in hitting since Carl Yastrzemski. While Wright will lead his team to the playoffs as either the NL East victor or via the wildcard, Hamilton and his Texas Rangers will be on the outside looking in unless the Rangers’ staff turns out to be a lot better than the entire world predicts. Hamilton’s numbers will be just too spectacular to ignore. Other potential AL winners: Mark Teixeira, Justin Morneau, Alex Rodriguez, Grady Sizemore and Jason Bay. Other potential NL winners: Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Braun and Chase Utley.
Posted by Christian Mielcarek | No comments yet
Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the New York Mets and incumbent champion Philadelphia Phillies are the league’s elite. The Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves should have respectable seasons while the Washington Nationals battle with the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates for the label of most horrendous team in the league.
Posted by Christian Mielcarek | 2 comments
1 April 2009
(Note: originally posted on February 25.)
Each year, prior to the start of the MLB season, I use a unique mathematical system (one that I will not get into, because it's boring) to project the performance of every player and team. This season, in lieu of their significant offseason additions, I expected the Yankees to come out on top. Surprisingly, my expectations were wrong...
Posted by John Frascella | No comments yet
ack in as a closer last year, and Shields is as steady as they come in setup situations.
2-Philadelphia Phillies: Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge.
This group has excellent balance. Durbin found a home for himself in Philly's pen last season, which is odd considering the hitter-friendly dimensions of Citizens Bank park. Eyre is a fearless, reliable lefty to go along with a more explosive lefty in Romero. Madson is a top-notch setup guy with a nasty overhand hook, and of course Lidge is a premier closer.
Posted by John Frascella | No comments yet
Mike Fontenot has defeated Aaron Miles in the heated battle for the starting second base job.)
2-Philadelphia Phillies: 1B-Ryan Howard, 2B-Chase Utley, 3B-Pedro Feliz, SS-Jimmy Rollins, and C-Carlos Ruiz.
Posted by John Frascella | No comments yet
2 November 2008
In the past week, we have ended the 2008 Major League Baseball Season, begun the 2008/2009 NBA Season, ended a 33 year streak of Bowl Appearances by Michigan, ended the Calaveras Redskins string of MLL Championships and started the second half of the NFL Season.
Posted by Tom | No comments yet
26 October 2008
After another scary roller coaster ride on Wall Street last week, we at least have the weekend and sports to bring back some sanity to our life. Unless of course your motto is "Go Blue" and you hail from the great state of Northern Ohio or as most of you know it, Michigan. Who says there's no such thing as karma?
Posted by Tom | No comments yet
22 October 2008
Who is going to win the World Series, the Phillies or the Rays? The best thing about this series is that I can be fairly neutral as to who wins and just root for some good ole' fashioned baseball.
Posted by Tom | No comments yet
I know, I know, you're as sad and distraught as I am about the elimination of the Red Sox at the hands of the tampa Bay Rays. Actually, if that is true, then you must be feeling ok, because I'm really not that torn up about it. If this were five years ago, I'd still be in bed crying myself to sleep and cursing the universe for conspiring against me and playing such a cruel joke on a desperate fan.
Posted by David Trageser | No comments yet
16 October 2008
Last night the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the World Series. All congratulations to the Phillies, but I am disappointed. I am a Red Sox fan, so even
Posted by Seth Mott | 1 comment
14 October 2008
You can tell the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays,Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers are all in it to win it. Not being satisfied with reaching the Championshp Series. They re bringin
Posted by Alex Guzman | No comments yet
5 October 2008
Pats, I love you guys...but today is a baseball day.
Honestly, I have so much trouble watching football in October. Right now the New England Patriots are losing at half time, and I haven't even watched a kickoff. That's because when I flip my calendar to October, it's baseball time. If the Sox aren't in it, well then, I certainly won't object to watching football. But today is a baseball day. I was very happy to see the Phillies advance to the NLCS. I personally don't want Manny Ramirez anywhere near another championship ring, so we'll see how that goes.
Posted by Tony Rossi | 2 comments
30 September 2008
With the MLB playoffs set to begin, there is a subtle difference in the air compared to start of any other postseason. In the NHL, fans can potentially look forward to a great Canadians/Bruins series that is not only exciting, but has a historical kick to it. Likewise basketball fans always have the chance to see if the Suns can finally get past the Spurs and football fans love seeing the rivalry of the Eagles Vs the City of Philadelphia when the Eagles so much as get tackled for a loss.
Posted by Karol Kudyba | No comments yet
15 July 2008
It’s the annual midpoint of the baseball season, and for the brief span that is the All-Star break, all eyes are upon the Bronx. As everyone is well aware of, this campaign is the last go around for the world’s most famous, largest, and most prominent ballpark, Yankee Stadium. It seems hard to believe, and even more sacrilegious that this living legend’s days are numbered. Built in 1923 and christened by the greatest ballplayer to ever live, Babe Ruth, the cathedral of baseball will never truly be replaced. Although the Bombers will move a block to Yankee Stadium’s heir, the Mecca of America’s Pastime will still live on in our hearts. Whether you’re a diehard Yankee fan, or Yankee-hater, you still can respect the history and awe that the stadium brings. So when the All-Stars take the field Tuesday night, sit back on your couch, crack open a cold one and soak up the history of Yankee Stadium, as its final chapter is unveiled to all of us.
Posted by Michael Castillo | No comments yet
One of the All-Star Break traditions: Reassessing our predictions from the first half of the season. Some of mine have changed, some have stayed the same—and some were just damn wrong. Living in the West, I will take the contrarian position and roll from west to east in my choices.
Posted by Street Reporter | 3 comments
4 May 2008
On the other site I write for, I got into it with a Phillies fan over the way Phils fans ride players right out of town. After defending Dick Allen, the irascible 60s slugger who earned nothing but scorn from Philly fans in spite of his powerful numbers, I offered some more modern examples of guys who have earned the scorn of Phillies fans. First was Abreu, a nice enough guy with a good eye and little pop and whose biggest flaw seems to be his tendency to take a walk, rather than swing at a pitch outside the zone. Phillies fans ran him out of town on a rail.
Posted by Street Reporter | No comments yet
27 March 2008
dly need to acquire more pitching in season if they expect to redeem their collapse of last year.
Philadelphia Phillies
Can Brad Lidge nail down the closer’s role?
The first thing is getting Lidge healthy. He had offseason surgery on his knee but looks to be back in the bullpen early in April. His struggles since giving up that monstrous home run to Albert Pujols in the playoffs has been well documented and he even lost his job as the closer with the Astros last season. He did regain the role in June and went on to rack up all 19 of the saves he had last season after the All-Star break. With Lidge in the closers role, the Phillies bullpen stacks up fairly well led by Tom Gordon in the setup role. Gordon is an excellent second option to close games however that greatly affects the bullpen depth unless Philadelphia wants to return Brett Myers to closer, but that leaves a gaping hole in the starting rotation.
Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: National League East"
Posted by Joe Sauer | No comments yet
28 February 2008
Now, to the big three. The Philadelphia Phillies are defending East champions after their historic comeback last September. Have you gotten over the loss Met fans? This team brings back basically the same squad who made the playoffs last year. The line-up is a monster for the Nation League with three superstars, Ryan Howard (105 homers last 2 years), Chase Utley (would have won the MVP if not for injury last season) and Jimmy “J-Rol” Rollins (who won the MVP last year). With Pat Burrell and Geoff Jenkins also in the mix this team should hit a lot of homers. Shane Victorino is a big time spark at the top of the line-up. He can bunt his way on, sacrifice people over and steal bases when needed. The big question mark, as you will see it is with the big three is, can they find a third starter. Brett Myers and Cole Hamels will be great but after those two the rotation looks like this, Kyle Kendrick (who you only know because he got pranked by Myers and the rest of the team a few weeks back, this was the funniest prank I have ever seen by the way), Jamie Moyer and Adam Eaton. Their bullpen is solid, though they need Brad Lidge to come back and be half of what he once was. If Kendrick can step his game up and Lidge can stay healthy and be effective this team should win the division.
Continue reading "First of a Seven Part Series-NL East Preview"
Posted by Jeff Dufour | No comments yet
