The Phillies are going for six in a row when Adam Eaton (9-6, 5.84 ERA) toes the rubber against rookie left-hander John Lannan (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and the Nationals, beginning at 1:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.
Preview: The Phillies are right back at it following last night’s 14-inning marathon victory. Lannan is making his Major League debut, so the advantage should lie with the Phils. It would be great if Eaton could last at least seven, which would give the short-handed bullpen a little slack, but nothing has come easy for Eaton all season. This is a spot where he must deliver. Clay Condrey and Antonio Alfonseca figure to be unavailable, and Ryan Madson has also been used quite a bit this series. First-timers like Lannan, who’s rocketed through three levels of the Washington chain this season, typically last about four innings or so. With Manny Acta’s bullpen equally depleted, the Phils have a wide open chance to take care of business and complete the sweep. Lineups are posted: Wes Helms and Rod Barajas are in.
YAY! WES HELMS!
Posted by: JZ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:05 PM
I am a bit surprised that despite having no days off until August 6th and the long game last night, they're not resting any of the big names.
Posted by: stjoehawk | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Gotta love that Eaton - Barajas battery
absolute joke
Posted by: Reed | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:10 PM
I just love this pitching staff - Snow White and the 11 dwarves.
PtBB strikes early today.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Well now, both halfs of the left side defensive farce have checked in in the top of the 1st.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:13 PM
Looks like my two least favorite Phillies--Eaton and Helms--are doing their thing today.
Posted by: timr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Won't be the last time a team brings an obscure lefty up to pitch against us.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Regardless of what happens in the next 2 at bats...
But should Utley and Howard both be starting today???
The sweat was POURING off Howard last night as he sat in the batters box waiting to win the ball game.
ESPECIALLY with a LeftHander going (I know I know they have hit lefties well.) But i fyou are going to give those guys a break... I would be playing Nunez at 2nd and Coste at 1B today.
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Got one back already - Utley with an RBI single - looks like they are being patient against the rookie.
Posted by: BENTZ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:25 PM
Yes, Utley & Howard should be starting. Baseball is not exactly a physically grueling sport & we're in the middle of a playoff race.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Where the hell have I been when Howard was climbing into the league lead in RBIs? I defended him early on with all that criticism, but I never imagined he would come back this strong.
Posted by: JTS | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:33 PM
These teams are putting on a real bunting clinic.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:33 PM
anybody watching this on tv? was that as good of a throw as it sounded?
Posted by: from the district | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:36 PM
If Condrey, Alfonseca and Madson aren't available ... who does that leave.
Gordon threw 8 pitches last night. Zagurski didn't last long. Romero and Mesa combined for five outs. Which of this crew do we see tonight?
Posted by: College Phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:36 PM
Phan - I was kinda hoping to see a transaction before the game...
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:39 PM
pirates up on the mets 3-1 in the 6th.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:41 PM
The Phillies are overdue for one of those Phillie specials where they get 14 hits but leave 15 runners on base & end up losing by 1 run. Today looks like it could be that day.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:47 PM
I'm not happy being negative and cynical and sarcastic with most every post, but anyone not see the bottom of the 2nd unfolding the way it did?
At least Burrell turned the lineup over.
Hate's a strong word. Loathe is better. I loathe Helms, Barajas and Eaton. Very much so.
Posted by: JZ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:48 PM
@bay_area_phan -- You are right... I forgot... these guys have very little athletic ability and do absolutely nothing that remotely looks like it's physically taxing. I forgot that they are knitting blankets out there.
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:52 PM
"The Bat" is back, at least for July. How long can this hot streak possibly last for Burrell? My guess, at max 3 more weeks. But hopefully those few Burrell supporters out there end up being right all along.
Adamn Eaton sucks. I know I and others say this enough, but the statement can not be said enough.
Some rumors I found- Phils not really interested in Matt Morris. Phils are interested in Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge (I'll take both!).
Brett Myers will soon be back- at least that's what they're saying for the 11th time.
On Tuesday, Phillies OF Aaron Rowand became the first player in 51 years to have three games with three or more extra-base hits in one month. He also had 14 doubles in his last 14 games, which hasn't been accomplished since Seattle's Edgar Martinez did it from May 11 to 28, 1996.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:54 PM
JZ - It's a test of character. We're stuck with a large cast of marginal big leaguers. The top 5 have to try to carry them, plus carrying the pitching staff and the coaching staff.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:56 PM
BAP - well, it *is* a business person's special...
John Lannan didn't have Instant Karma, but he's settling in nicely.
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:56 PM
I saw Lidge with a save last night (5th of the season). Is he back in their good graces?
Last I heard, Myers may be back for the w/e series with the Bucs. Who goes? Zagurski?
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:59 PM
I'm surprised Eaton is pitching. He pulled his back 2 days ago while moving the cages. Maybe that explains the 2 runs in the 1st.
Posted by: yo daddy | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Carson, nobody thinks Burrell's going to hit .400 for the rest of the season. but like I posted a couple threads ago, he can easily do something like .250/.380/.490 over the next year and a half. that's not great, and not worth $14M, but it's more than enough from our #6 hitter.
Posted by: ae | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Mike: I appreciae the sarcasm but, unless you're pitching or catching, how much physical exertion is really required to play a baseball game? You swing the bat a few times a game, stand around in the field for a couple of hours, waiting for the ball to be hit to you, and maybe run the bases or dive after a ball a couple of times.
These guys are well-conditioned athletes who aren't exerting themselves very hard & don't need a lot of rest between games. You make it sound like baseball is as taxing as football or basketball.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Howard is f'n amazing.
I trashed him early in the season for swinging and missing enough to put windmills out of business, but he's awesome right now.
If this continues, he sersiously could by the MVP again.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:02 PM
who asked why howard was starting?
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Eaton's safely above 30 pitches now, and Howard hits ANOTHER....
Posted by: Dave X | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Carson, being here in exile in Houston, I hear and watch a lot of Astros games. We don't want Qualls. Qualls in Philly would just raise our blood pressure more and give us more indigestion. I think Lidge would benefit from a change of scenery and he still packs the heat. I'd love to see him wearing the bloodstripes.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:03 PM
RYNO0O0O0O0O0O0O!!!
1 BEHIND FIELDER FOR THE LEAGUE LEAD!
Posted by: Jake in NYC | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Good point by Matthews - even though it wasn't a terrible pitch location-wise, it was one breaking ball too many to Howard. And a good adjustment by Howard, who struck out on a curve his first time up. Howard is really running those numbers up - I wouldn't be surprised if he hits 50 again.
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:04 PM
It's unreal that Howard is leading the NL in RBI's after his start this year.
Posted by: kells | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:04 PM
Mike: Utley 2 for 2; Howard 1 for 2 with a homerun. They dont' look too exhausted to me.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Damn... imagine where Howard's homerun total might be if he hadn't been on the DL...
So that's how many RBIs for him now? 85?
Posted by: regalmeans | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:06 PM
I was almost feeling badly for Lannan in the first inning, getting squeezed and looking like he was in for a short outing...but since the camera has kept panning to his cocky cheering section from Long Island, I want the Phillies to rake him!!
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:06 PM
I did... and I'll say it again regardles... I'll stand by my statement. Ryno is absolute stud... I'm not saying he wouldn't be able to perform... It's rare that MLB player, plays 162 games. So there are going to be days you rest a player. You look at the schedule... you see a left hander... you played 14 innings the night before... and you playing a day game the next day... You have already been sidelined with a major injury this year...
It's Hot and Humid out today... It was a HUMID MUGGY night last night... 14 innings... I explained that Howard was DRENCHED with sweat before his final at bat... He is a BIG BIG guy... if you don't think carry a body around like that even "swinging" a few times... is grueling... you really have no concept of being a professional athlete.
And that's not even addressing the mental energy expended in the sport.
People play little league for a couple of games a summer or softball once a week and think they know what it takes to be a professional athlete.
As for Utley... he has over the last few years shown his production drop in the second half of the season... Why??? Because baseball is a physically and mentally grueling sport. You don't have pound shoulderpads to be physically and mentally grueling.
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Mike: I can guarantee you neither of those guys wants a day off, and they would be upset if Manuel tried it. As evidenced by the results so far today, you don't have much of an argument here.
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:13 PM
It looks like Eaton Crap is throwing 2 strikes for every ball. This could be a good outing for him.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:13 PM
"Damn... imagine where Howard's homerun total might be if he hadn't been on the DL..."
Probably around 34 - 35 or so (assuming the same number of plate appearances at Utley and that Howard's newly created PAs have him hitting HR at the same rate as he already has for 2007).
Posted by: stjoehawk | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:13 PM
@BAP -- again it's not about how they would perform necessarily today... but over the long haul of a season... you need to find places when to rest your every day guys. Today seemed like a good day to rest them up...
They are in a pennant race and will be playing 7 games on the road NEXT week without an off day... against teams they are DIRECTLY competing against in the race...
I'd rather those players be physically rested for those games... than a series against the Buccos
Posted by: Mike Cunningham | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Why start Howard?
In the day games since the All-Star break, Howard is hitting over .500 with 3 Hrs a Double and 6 rbis, the big guy likes day games.
Posted by: Tbone | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:17 PM
Dear Rod Barajas:
Do you realize that Adam Eaton has a higher batting average than you?
Sucks, don't it? On behalf of the Phans, it would be in your best interest to ask team management for a trade the next time you catch them in the hallway.
Posted by: sdphillie | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:22 PM
They all just had Monday off. Wish I could say the same.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:23 PM
eaton's batting avg is now 39 points higher than barajas': 250 to 211.
to be fair, barajas's ERA is about 6 runs lower tho.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Mike: There's a time and place to rest a player and this ain't it. You rest a guy when he's slumping, not when he's on fire. Besides, you pick your rest spots early in the year, not in the middle of a second half playoff drive. You can't seriously believe that giving Howard a day off in July is somehow going to affect how he plays in September?
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:24 PM
sdphillie,
Barajas walked, good enough for Burrell, it's good enough for a guy hitting .211.
Posted by: VOR | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:27 PM
it's really incredible - in a bad way - how every single time Eaton pitches, he has that horrendous 1st/2nd inning, and then settles down and cruises (I assume, I'm just watching the boxscore).
Posted by: ae | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:29 PM
Finally, a lineup Eaton can handle and actually go 6+ plus innings against.
Posted by: MG | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:29 PM
this season, Eaton's given up 45 runs in the the first three innings of his starts; 22 runs in the middle three (similar number of PA, too - 266 and 216 - so it's not a misleading counting stat).
in the first three innings, batters are .307/.394/.524 against Eaton. in the middle three, they're .257/.333/.424.
Posted by: ae | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:33 PM
They tossed the rookie pitcher. I'm watching on gameday--did those plunks look intentional?
Posted by: timr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:33 PM
getting ejected in your major league debut: priceless.
i bet no one's ever hit both utley and howard consecutively before. that kid's got an enemy for life: the city of philadelphia.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:33 PM
"eaton's batting avg is now 39 points higher than barajas'"
Yeah but Rod's got him by 200 points in OPS. Walks, don't ya know.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:33 PM
I have a theory on Howard. He's a big man with big muscles. His muscles just may run smoother in the warmer weather of summer. Maybe the cooler weather of April and late Sept. just causes his muscles to be less loose and less fluid than in the hot months. Using this theory, I'd play him every day in July and August, then pick my spots in Sept.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:34 PM
VOR: You're post borders on moronic.
Barajas has a .341 OBP, a .722 OPS and an 88 OPS+.
Burrell has a .404 OPB, a .833 OPS and a 118 OPS+.
Besides... Barajas may be just the guy Burrell can outrun.
Walks are fine. They don't kill rallies. But they certainly aren't a weapon for anyone... especially not someone like Barajas who's struck out more than he walked.
Posted by: CJ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:34 PM
I think Wendelstedt threw Lannon out of the game immediately so as to distract from a potential confrontation. Howard looked pissed. It worked. Nothing happened. Still, bizarre. I'm sure if Wendelstedt had a chance to consider that instead of react knee-jerk, he wouldn't have thrown him out of the game.
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:34 PM
curt: walking in front of the pitcher's spot is not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:35 PM
I'm not sure any of the pitchers are intentional but I support the pitcher getting tossed.
1) He's dangerous out there... and a team out of the playoff race shouldn't hurt players in a playoff race. We can't afford to lose Howard or Utley.
2) If he doesn't get tossed... maybe the Phils retaliate and then the ump has a huge mess on his hand.
Posted by: CJ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:36 PM
timr: no way. There's just no way, in a 3-2 game with a guy making his debut, that he'd throw at anyone.
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Let's see if Cholly has Rowand bunting with men on first and second.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Relax buddy, i was joking b/c of everybody loves when Burrell walks.
Posted by: VOR | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:37 PM
voice,
You sir, are correct. I shall withdraw my previous comment.
I'd consider moving Eaton up to 8th on days when Barajas is catching. Seeing as how he's a walk generating machine, it'd be great to have both of them on base as Jimmy wildly swings for the fence.
Posted by: sdphillie | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Didn't he hit Howard with an off-speed pitch?
The kid was thrown out because of who he hit. Nothing more or less. Hunter W. overreacted.
Posted by: Run Up The Score | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:38 PM
VOR: Then I withdrawal my comment. No harm, no foul.
Posted by: CJ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Thats what I figured, RSB. Dude would have to be a borderline psychopath to throw at Utley and Howard intentionally in his first ML start.
Posted by: timr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:39 PM
He plunked not one but TWO MVP candidates back to back ... Blue had to run him, or else there'd been hell to pay well the Nats came up to bat, and this thing woulda gotten ugly. Quick.
Posted by: ajc1 | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:40 PM
mr burrell can prove his worth here by giving eaton a cushion.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:41 PM
a Zimmerman error? the Nats announcers must be in tears.
Posted by: ae | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:42 PM
atta guy.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:42 PM
time for Pat the bat to come through with a nice RBI walk
Posted by: honkytom | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Would now be a bad time to point out that Eaton's batting average is still higher than Burrell's? Or do we not hate him anymore?
Posted by: jeremy | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Big hit for Burrell. He has been contributing consistently. Nationals are pretty awful. Hope Utley's okay...
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
time for Pat the bat to come through with a nice RBI walk
Posted by: honkytom | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Burrell again! I agree, if he can go .250/.380/.500 for the next 1.5 seasons I'll be satified...not happy, but satisfied.
Can't believe the rook pitcher was thrown out. He wasn't throwing at Utley and Howard...but just imagine if he were, now that's ballsy.
Lidge is actually having a terrific season, but a portion of it was in early relief in low pressure situations.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
Mr. July strikes again...
Posted by: ae | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:43 PM
I'm not sure how I'll react to a world where Pat Burrell is again a .250 hitter. He's up to .246 now.
Posted by: Run Up The Score | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:44 PM
timr:No idea what Wendelstedt was thinking when he the pitcher out. Obviously not intentional + after a 14 inning game last night-Nats are acrewed.
I'm really worried about Utley hand.
Posted by: kells | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:44 PM
"a Zimmerman error? the Nats announcers must be in tears." more like Wheels is in tears, as he slob-knobs this guy like he's the second coming of Brooks Robinson.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:45 PM
a poorly timed meeting has left me out of the loop. Did Utley hurt his hand on the HPB?
Posted by: from the district | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:46 PM
hbp
Posted by: from the district | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:47 PM
barajas is awesome.
coste, please.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:47 PM
Here's an interesting question I pose based on his recent return to dominance- If Ryan Howard continues his torrid hitting pace and ends up leading the league in homeruns and rbi again, could he possibly be the 2007 NL MVP?
I say yes, because before too long that avearge will be around .300 too.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:48 PM
Carson, he'd fit right in with the MASN booth then.
Posted by: ae | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:48 PM
district: looked like it hit Utley on the forearm or the back of the wrist.
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:50 PM
I had the same thought, Carson: Yes, he will deserve MVP consideration if he leads the league in homers & RBIs. And congratulations on inventing a new verb: "to slob-knob."
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Question, why does Coste not start when Ruiz has the day off? Is it just salary for Barajas, or am I missing something here?
Posted by: Dubs | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Eaton doesn't usually get in a groove like this til the 100 pitch or so.
Posted by: curt | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:51 PM
the phils should consider pitching adam eaton the night before his starts, so he can get his bad first-turn-through-the-lineup thing out of the way.
pirates 8, mets 4, top 9th.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Anyone else get the feeling that Matthews doesn't care for Pat Burrell?
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Sarge really doesn't care for Wheeler.
Posted by: Tray | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:53 PM
thanks rsb
Posted by: from the district | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:54 PM
I mentioned loathing Helms and Barajas, right? Way to contribute, fellas.
At least Burrell isn't giving up on himself the way most of us have given up on him. That's worth something, I s'pose.
Posted by: JZ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Re: Barajas vs. Coste
I truly and honestly believe this comes down to the fact that Coste is a much more effective and versatile player off the bench than either Ruiz or Barajas. Coste is a bench player who can play multiple positions and is an effective pinch hitter. Ruiz and Barajas can catch... that's about it. The offense rarely needs an extra bat down there when Barajas catches, but we may need that key pinch hit later in the game.
Posted by: CJ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:56 PM
Sarge's argument with Wheeler in defense of Lannon's ejection was weak. I think ajc had a better point in favor of Wendlestedt's action, but Matthews said that 'if he can't throw strikes, this isn't the place to learn how to pitch' - as if it's an umpire's responsibility to not have the batters endangered. The umpire only has a right to intervene if he interprets that the plunkings are intentional.
Posted by: RSB | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:57 PM
JZ: I was thinking the same thing. Barajas and Helms are approaching Bell/Leiberthal rally-killing potential. But they each randomly come through enough to suggest they're just not there yet.
Posted by: College Phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:58 PM
If Eaton sucks only in the early innings, it could be one of two reasons. One, he may be nervous, then settles down as the game progresses. Solution: Send him to psych therapy. Two, he may not be loosened up enough. With all these pitch count restrictions, he may not be allowed to throw enough before the game to get fully loose. Solution: Throw the warm up pitch count book out for Eaton. Let him throw more pitches before the game.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:59 PM
CJ: I agree with you, except that the team doesn't use coste at multiple positions. so, its not really the reason then.
i don't want to get off on a coste thing here, because i'm tired of reading about it, but when werth is healthy, your same reasoning is why barajas should be the one to go.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:59 PM
RSB: Actually, an ump can throw a player out for almost any reason they want. In this case, I'm not sure that the ump necessarily thought it was intentional, but throwing him out prevented it from escalating. It IS the ump's job to maintain a calm playing atmosphere.
Posted by: CJ | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 02:59 PM
so I guess I can't spell, but Lieberthal's a Dodger, so who cares
Posted by: College Phan | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 03:00 PM
and now, the two most beautiful words in the english language:
mets lose.
Posted by: gr | Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 03:02 PM