Some Phillies Links For You, August 20, 2010: Hamels Falls, Howard's Rehab, Rocket's Pals

by WholeCamels on Aug 20, 2010 8:07 AM EDT

Hamels, Phillies' bats unable to get in gear
You know, Cliff Lee...

Phillies to find out if Strasburg is hype or historical
I say 80% historical, 20% hype!

Phillies' Howard to rehab in Lakewood, have his No. 29 retired tonight
Mr. Singleton, here comes Mr. Howard to show how it's done.

2010 Philadelphia Phillies Top 20 Pre-Season Prospects in Review - Minor League Ball
John Sickels looks at a mixed bag season on the Phillies' farm.

Aeros blast by R-Phils

[Austin] Hyatt, who was promoted from Single-A Clearwater last week, was touched for seven runs (five earned) and six hits over five-plus innings.

Welcome to Double-A!

Cards gets thid baseman Pedro Feliz from Astros
BAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!

Phillies react to Clemens ordeal
His former teammates are sad and think it's a waste of time and selective prosecution. Hmm...

Paul Hagen: Inside an unbalanced Phillies bullpen
The awful truth is that most teams have crappy bullpens to at least some degree.

The Fightins " Mike Sweeney and Dom Brown Embrace, Meech and I Swoon.
A deeply unsettling digital media thing for you.

SF@PHI: Manuel thanks the fans for their support
A public speaker, he is not. But we still love him.

Smith: Manuel one of finest baseball men around
A nice tribute to Uncle Charlie.

Washington Nationals 6-2 Over Atlanta Braves On Unlikely Heroes Day In Atlanta. - Federal Baseball
The Nationals did their part. Oh well.

Carlos Lee Is A Manly Man, Astros Win 3-2 - The Crawfish Boxes
Oh Mets...

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Comments

Repeated here for anyone in last night's game thread.

Imagine my surprise when I check the game thread this morning. Damned stupid was-supposed-to-be-fixed-but-now-its-wireless-card-doesn’t-function computer.

Thanks to all for the wishes, and especially to WL for thinking of me. A philosophical question: was Cole’s night the baseball equivalent of going to a skeevy strip club?

by PhillyFriar on Aug 20, 2010 9:16 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I doubt it— unless the girls at said strip club are pretty ugly!

by dannijd on Aug 20, 2010 10:17 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Well, he did say skeevy.

by Cormican on Aug 20, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

True.

by dannijd on Aug 20, 2010 12:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Cole’s outing last night was the bachelor party equivalent of getting so drunk during your pre-gaming that you projectile boot on the stripper during a lapdance.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 20, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Ewwwwwwwww.

by dannijd on Aug 20, 2010 12:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I will make this a goal of mine this weekend.

by PhillyFriar on Aug 20, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

(Also, if Mrs. PF ever reads this blog, what he meant to say is that he’ll be researching flower arrangements this weekend.)

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Men aren’t needed for that kind of thing; they just muddy the waters with their opinions. Just get your tux and show up on time.

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by doubleh on Aug 20, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I was late to my wedding. I would tend to advise against that.

by Cormican on Aug 20, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

proving a point on the internet again

by j reed on Aug 20, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Duly noted.

by PhillyFriar on Aug 20, 2010 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Sickels prospect update doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies I get from Phillyfriar’s. It’s a shame he doesn’t mention any of the surprises who have excelled, but I understand it’s just revisiting his previous Top 20, not creating a new one.

by Cormican on Aug 20, 2010 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Since Cosart, Colvin, and Singleton rocketed up the rankings (and are probably 2-3-4 in some combination, assuming Brown is still #1), any preseason rankings are going to look kind of weird right now, especially given the disappointing seasons turned in by Lee’s Three.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 20, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

That and the new faces (Biddle, Rizzotti, Dugan, etc.)

by Cormican on Aug 20, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I know PF’s going to do a Top 30 in the offseason so I don’t want to steal too much thunder or anything, but what would the Top 5 be as of now? Obviously the Top 3 would be Brown-Cosart-Singleton or Brown-Singleton-Cosart, but then who? I’m guessing 4. Colvin 5. May?

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

At this juncture, I’d probably consider May, Gillies and Biddle for that spot. Would probably have been Gose if he were still around.

by PhillyFriar on Aug 20, 2010 10:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I see you already mentioned Colvin in there. I need to read more carefully. But anyway, that still leaves #5.

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I dont get those letter grades. C+ for Colvin? B+ for Domonic? I kind of have to assume that these were the pre-season prospect grades.

by Nikk.m on Aug 20, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Ok maybe I should have read the first paragraph in that article

by Nikk.m on Aug 20, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Good save!

Yeah, Brown would absolutely have to be an “A” now, Colvin a B at the very worst, Cosart B+/A-

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 20, 2010 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Clemens

has no one to blame but himself! And I am not talking about using PEDs.

He didnt have to go in front of the grand jury…he wanted to do it. I am really baffled at the amount of arrogance he has shown in thinking that he is above lying to a grand jury!

by PSUcup1 on Aug 20, 2010 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

He is charged with perjury before Congress, not a grand jury. You are thinking of Bonds.

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

correct

my bad. But the fact that he did this on his own accord is really mind boggling!

by PSUcup1 on Aug 20, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

He confused his lawyer with his PR guy.

by j reed on Aug 20, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

What do you mean he wanted to do it?

by phatj on Aug 20, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

yes

he was never issued a subpeona and had no obligation to testify. he did it to try and lear his own name.

by PSUcup1 on Aug 20, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

^^clear his own name

by PSUcup1 on Aug 20, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I had forgotten the circumstances. I was thinking Clemens was one of the players (along with Palmeiro et al) who appeared before Congress a couple of years earlier. Not sure if they were subpoenaed either but even if not, declining the invitation would have been damaging to their reputations.

by phatj on Aug 20, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

weekend pitching matchups (era/fip/xfip/siera)

Fri: Roy Halladay (2.24/2.64/2.82/2.82) vs. Jason Marquis (14.33/8.66/6.19/5.44)
Sat: Kyle Kendrick (4.45/4.99/4.70/4.82) vs. Stephen Strasburg (2.97/2.21/2.26/2.15)
Sun: Roy Oswalt (3.08/3.62/3.93/3.70) vs. Scott Olsen (5.14/4.48/4.40/4.52)

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

credit where due to kk

His stats are below average, but they are not horrible and they are legitimately not horrible. He is doing what he needs to do to survive this year, which is keep his walks down. Ranked #22 among qualifying pitchers in MLB for lowest walk rate.

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

indeed

I gotta say, I was convinced coming into the season that he wasn’t even an acceptable #5. He’s proven me wrong, although I’m still amazed he’s able to do so with a 4.5 K/9 and a .484 SLG allowed.

by SethC on Aug 20, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow. I am impressed. I would love to see how Kendrick’s production stacked against bottom of the rotation starters from other teams— as a fifth starter, it is predictable that he would be below an average that included every teams ace(s)- How does he stack against pitchers that are truly comparable?

by dannijd on Aug 20, 2010 12:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He’s 84th among 100 qualifying MLB pitchers in xFIP. 43rd out of 49th in the NL.

Obviously 30 teams x 5 starters/team > 100. The worst pitchers tend to be unqualifying pitchers for one reason or another. On the other hand, there are also good pitchers who don’t qualify because of injuries, being called up mid-year, etc. So make of those numbers what you will.

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

braves pitching matchups

Fri: Jair Jurrjens (3.92/3.81/4.41/4.33) vs. Ryan Dempster (3.62/4.20/3.98/3.79)
Sat: Tommy Hanson (3.41/3.07/4.01/3.58) vs. Tom Gorzelanny (3.85/3.59/4.35/4.22)
Sun: Mike Minor (not enough data) vs. Randy Wells (4.44/3.80/3.96/4.01)

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

Anything can happen this weekend but I’m feeling Phils are .5 out after this weekend. Maybe the Phils show Strasburg wtf’s up and sweep. Braves only win 1 this weekend, being away and all… Wonder what Derek Lee will do going back to Chicago all of 3 days after being traded

or once Howard comes back, win out, win division but 15 games

by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Aug 20, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I think with Strasburg, the trick for this team may be staying patient. He has not been allowed to throw over 85 pitches in a start since his return from the DL, and last I heard his absolute max was 90. If the Phillies take patient at bats (even if they take a few more Ks early to get them), he will be out of the game sooner, and that could make all of the difference in the world.

by dannijd on Aug 20, 2010 12:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

marquis lifetime vs. phillies

Rollins – 36 AB, .139/.244/.167
Utley – 23 AB, .478/.520/.652
Polanco – 15 AB, .200/.400/.267
Werth – 12 AB, .500/.625/1.167
Ibanez – 9 AB, .111/.200/.222

Schneider – 21 AB, .048/.087/.048

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Sweet Jeebus!

.048/.087/.048

I may be capable of an equivalent line.

by Cormican on Aug 20, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. This would perhaps not be the optimum day on which to elect to rest Chooch.

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

worm has turned

In some respects it’s nice to see a Jewish pitcher be the undoing of a German.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 20, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

A French Jewish pitcher, at that.

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Dreyfus FTW!

Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.

by FuquaManuel on Aug 20, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Kurkjian says Lidge “is back” according to Phillies scout

by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Aug 20, 2010 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

got a linky for that?

by Nikk.m on Aug 20, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

On sportscenter, lemme look

by Sept.28.Oct.27.Dec.28.2008 on Aug 20, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I need to stop going to games. I am absolutely cursed this season. Or perhaps I am the curse.

by FearTheTurtIe on Aug 20, 2010 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

there he is!

Get ’im! String ’im up!!

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Aug 20, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

On the other hand my 9-year old has been to 6 games and is 6-0.

by schmenkman on Aug 20, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

and schmenkman’s son shall tie the noose!

by taco pal on Aug 20, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

should have kept yer mouth shut

by j reed on Aug 20, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

whoops I got it flipped. I read 0-6 not 6-0.

by j reed on Aug 20, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Oof. At the risk of inviting a Cliff Lee v. prospects received debate, looks like Tyson Gillies has been arrested on a felony charge of possession of cocaine.

I feel pretty bad for the guy — not that cocaine is an admirable drug to be caught with or anything, but after the injured season he’s had, this is a real kick in the neck.

by Trev223 on Aug 20, 2010 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Ouch!

by Nikk.m on Aug 20, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

What are the admirable drugs to be caught with?

by j reed on Aug 20, 2010 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Rattlesnake antivenin

by phatj on Aug 20, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

dude I heard that if you soak your cigarettes in it and then paint ’em with White Out…..

by j reed on Aug 20, 2010 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Something cheaper maybe, like medical MSG.

by Trev223 on Aug 20, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

What do you treat with that?

by phatj on Aug 20, 2010 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

The munchies?

Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.

by doubleh on Aug 20, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

by phatj on Aug 20, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Frying pan———>fire

by Cormican on Aug 20, 2010 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

Damn, ^ meant as a reply to Trev223

by Cormican on Aug 20, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

On a personal note...

I’ve got tickets to see Yankees/Mariners on Saturday, and I was all pumped when I saw that it was Felix’s day to start… then the M’s went and flipped him and Vargas in the rotation because they had an off day.

I’m irrationally heated about this, but someone please tell me… why? The M’s are 19.5 games out of a playoff spot… is it that important to keep Felix on his 5-day rotation? What can you possibly gain from running up your 24-year old ace’s innings? Grrrrrrr.

by PhillyFriar on Aug 20, 2010 3:06 PM EDT reply actions