The Phillies, losers of five in a row, are desperate to stop a tailspin tonight as they open a three-game series with Baltimore.
Before hearing word that teammate Brett Myers will be granted a leave of absence for the next 2 1/2 weeks, the Phillies learned they will be without skipper Charlie Manuel tonight. Manuel was suspended for one game and fined for arguing with an umpire last week.
Before the suspension, Manuel indicated Pat Burrell would be out of tonight’s lineup following his own battles at the plate. Instead, the Phillies will trot out the same lineup of flunkies that has not won them a game in over two weeks. Let's keep this organization-wide ball of vomit rolling, shall we?
Any-whoo, what better pitcher to represent new beginnings than Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.41), who’s coming off a career-high seven innings in a 5-0 loss to the Yankees on Wednesday. He’ll face left-hander Erik Bedard (7-6, 5.09 ERA), who enters tonight a winner of three straight decisions.
Update: Game postponed due to gigantic, immobile Atlantic Coast weather system.
Will the rain hold off long enough for the game to be played?
I guess Varsho will be running the squad.
Posted by: theragtopguy | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 06:37 PM
Well, so much for that--according to Yahoo Sports the game is already postponed.
Posted by: theragtopguy | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 06:38 PM
That's only one loss in their last three scheduled games!
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 06:40 PM
Mother Nature is merciful. I'll take another week or so of rain, thanks.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:12 PM
Off topic, but pitcher Mark Hendrickson, catcher Toby Hall and cash have been traded by the Devil Rays to the Dodgers for right-hander Jae Seo, catcher Dioner Navarro and a player to be named later. Navarro was someone I was hoping the Phils would target. Likely never an All-star catcher, but at 22 someone who could be a solid regular for some time.
Posted by: Billy Mac | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:24 PM
Toronto has a dome, so rain can't save up this weekend.
Posted by: Billy Mac | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:29 PM
Oh, but I thought big trades didn't happen in June.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:33 PM
Mark Hendrickson in the trade above also played for the Sixers.
Posted by: Billy Mac | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:33 PM
RSB, Rick White wasn't a major acquisition?
Posted by: Billy Mac | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:37 PM
Well heavens, I sure didn't mean to make it sound like Pat Gillick wasn't working his very hardest to improve the team.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:41 PM
Maybe the Phillies can trade Sal Fasano to Tampa for Joe Giradi. This way Giradi can platoon with Coste and manage the days he is not playing.
Brad
Posted by: Brad | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:44 PM
That would need to be a three-way deal since Girardi is in Florida.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 07:48 PM
They could be rained-in in Toronto, it's happened before.
Posted by: Will | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 08:03 PM
Look on the bright side, it's a double-dip tomorrow. There is no way Charlie can run the same line-up out there when there are two games on the same day (even if he is suspended for one).
Posted by: Jon | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 09:20 PM
Breaking news:
Randy Wolf out 10 days to two weeks with a broken hand and Lieber gets rocked in Single A. The hits keep on coming.
Posted by: That Dude | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 09:44 PM
The good news is they can't lose tonight. Maybe the rest will do them good. They'll all be another day older and another day wiser. Nah, that probably won't help.
I agree with Jon about being forced to have different lineups for each game of the double dipper. That's got to help.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 11:20 PM
Why did the Phils not go after Navarro? Goddamnit Gillick, wake up! The Devils Rays only gave up Hendrickson (who sucks) and Hall (who really sucks).
Funniest quote is from Ned Coletti, the Dodgers new GM. I will provide an English translation from GM speak. Here is Coletti's quote - "Mark will add some depth to our starting rotation as we head into the second half of the season," (English translation - Mark has pedestrian stuff and is a marginal 4th or 5th starter who is finally putting up some ok numbers) and "Toby is an experienced catcher who will serve us well both behind the plate and off the bench." (Toby is such a stiff that he won't he won't be able to displace 40-year old Sandy Alomar as the backup catcher).
My most distinct memory of Hendrickson is when Manny hit a bomb off him at Tropiciana Field two years ago. Manny had no respect for Hendrickson and just should there a bit for starting to trot around the bases. Always seemed that either Papi or Manny would hit a bomb off Hendrickson.
Dodgers really need bullpen help too. I can't believe that if Gillick had put together a package of Fasano, Rhodes (or another bullpen) arm, and maybe Lidle that he couldn't have gotten Navarro along with Sao. Nice missed opportunity.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 12:20 AM
I had an ideal dream last night . . . that the Phils trade Abreu (and his entire contract) to the Tigers for one of their stud young pitchers (Verlander, Bonderman, or Zumaya), an outfield prospect, and another position prospect.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 12:25 AM
I can't believe it either, MG. Are you beginning to see my point about Gillick?
I wish I could meet Mr. Gillick face to face. I would have five words for him.
"What is going on here?"
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 12:45 AM
Still reluctant to pass judgement yet on Gillick but he has missed the boat on the Myers incident and an opportunity to get a young, decent catcher.
Gillick is the train engineer on Phils express. Unfortunately, the Phils express is barreling to a sharp curve on the tracks and unless Gillick is able to somehow get the brakes to work, this train is going to jump the tracks.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 12:58 AM
Why would anyone take what you suggested for Navarro? Just silly.
Posted by: SirAlden | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 04:12 AM
Toby Hall is just as mediocre as Fasano and how is Hendrickson much better than Lidle? Look at Hendrickson's career numbers. ERA over 5.00 and a pedestrian K/9 rate. Hendrickson gets owned by good lineups.
Posted by: MG | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 04:56 AM
I can't help but laugh at our rotation right now:
Cole Hamels
Cory Lidle
Ryan Madson
Scott Matheison
Ryan Franklin
bwhahahahahaha.
Posted by: Tony | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 09:45 AM
1. Phils starters ERA is 5.53. Worst in the NL.
2. Phils team batting average is .253. Worst in the NL.
How this team is only 5 games below .500 is a miracle.
Posted by: Tony | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 09:50 AM
The "miracle" was that 13-1 streak back in May. As the rest of the season begins to overwhelm that one good stretch, expect them to be many more games under .500.
Posted by: Nat | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 10:12 AM
Nat, the truth hurts. Please stop. I want to continue to live in Lala Land believing this bad stretch is the abberation and the Wild Card is a realistic option.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 10:24 AM
When are they going to finally sign Drabek?
Posted by: Cable | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 12:33 PM
MG, When I saw the Navarro deal, I thought the Phils could have been creative and got something done with Lidle, and perhaps Lieby. Apparently the Dodgers are really high on Hendrickson. At 32, I don't see much upside either.
Posted by: Billy Mac | Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 12:34 PM