Adam Eaton (7-5, 5.67 ERA) will pitch in the Phillies’ final game before the All-Star break this afternoon at Coors Field. Right-hander Aaron Cook (5-5, 4.54 ERA) will try to finish off a three-game sweep for the Rockies.
Preview: The break couldn’t come soon enough. This has been the worst stretch since the beginning of the season, and for my money, the team hasn’t been the same since a hard-fought series at home with the Reds (which they won). They haven’t won a series since, and haven’t even made it close.
They have no bullpen. That’s the 10 cent reason. The offense, which usually spoils us, hasn’t been able to bail out the poor pitching. Walks and meatballs - yesterday being the rare exception. A look at the roster shows they have too little experience or too many miles. They're not underachieving; they're meeting expectations.
If the Phillies lose today, it will be their 10,000th loss in franchise history. More importantly - for me anyway - it would drive them below .500. There have been few worse lulls during the 2007 campaign. This is down there with Charlie Manuel’s altercation with radio host Howard Eskin.
The silver lining is they’re staying in it. They’re 5 1/2 out of the division. The Mets haven’t been able to separate themselves and are dealing with their own issues with their pitching staff.
Some readers and columnists believe the Phillies are a quality arm away from contending, but only if Brett Myers and Tom Gordon can come back healthy. As mediocre as the division suddenly looks, they might be right, even if it's wishful thinking. In any event, leave part one in Colorado, and get on with part two.
As curt mentioned in the last thread, the Myers/Gordon timetable is Aug 1 now. In another week I wouldn't be surprised if it's Aug 15.
Posted by: P O'Neil | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 02:36 PM
There is no way Phils can pick up a decent starter and if for some reason they do they still have no short relievers. So in my estimation even with Myers and Gordon you can kiss this season goodbye. Too many teams in the playoff picture to pass.
Posted by: fljerry | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 02:42 PM
If the Mets keep winning at their current pace they'll win 90 this year. To win 90, the Phils would have to match Boston's 1st half win percentage (.616) the rest of the way.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 02:57 PM
I see we're resting Rowand for the All Star game.
And, hey Rod, sorry about those 3 Coste starts.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:03 PM
Myers threw a bullpen session with no setbacks to his arm. Another good bullpen session in a few days, and he can start his minor league rehabs starts.
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:15 PM
What's the contract status on this Aaron Cook? He sounds like the perfect CBP pitcher.
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:17 PM
Good Ben. Keep fingers crossed.
Posted by: P O'Neil | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:17 PM
I definitely will. That's the first good news on the Myers front since he went down. A healthy Myers and a Gordon who can actually get people out will be huge. It will push everyone else back to the 7th at the earliest and Mesa out of town. I would feel much better with a bullpen of Myers, Gordon, Alfonseca, Romero, Zagurski, and Madson.
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:20 PM
95% of major league catchers would've reached that wild pitch
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Clout - The Rockies announcers agree with you
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:25 PM
Even the Rockies catchers are dogging Brajas.
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:25 PM
I think the bullpen is distorting our vision and judgement on the reality that our starting pitching is responsible for our .500 winning percentage.
The bullpen is the exclamation point in OUR PITCHING SUCKS!
A reason the METS have been successful is that Maine, Perez, Hernandez, Sosa have been horses despite a very average year from Glavine (Pelfrey has kept Phillies in the race while Perez and Sosa have been hurt).
Comparing the staff:
Maine:
GS 17 / ERA 2.71 / WHIP 1.14 / BAA 2.14
Hamels:
GS 18 / ERA 3.72 / WHIP 1.21 / BAA 2.54
Very close, slight edge to Maine.
Glavine:
GS 19 / ERA 4.36 / WHIP 1.37 / BAA .269
Moyer:
GS 18/ ERA 4.43 / WHIP 1.30 / BAA .263
Pretty similar - call it a draw.
O.Perez:
GS 15 / ERA 3.14 / WHIP 1.16 / BAA .207
Eaton:
GS 17 / ERA 5.67 / WHIP 1.49 / BAA .272
NO CONTEST - HUGE Advantage Perez.
Hernandez:
GS 13 / ERA 3.22 / WHIP 1.14 / BAA .210
Lieber:
GS 12 / ERA 4.73 / WHIP 1.45 / BAA .293
NO CONTEST - HUGE Advantage Hernandez
Sosa:
GS 11 / ERA 3.92 / WHIP 1.21 / BAA .234
Garcia:
GS 11 / ERA 5.90 / WHIP 1.60 / BAA .318
NO CONTEST - TREMENDOUS Advantage Sosa
Pelfrey:
GS 8 / ERA 6.10 / WHIP 1.67 / BAA .294
Kendrick & Myers
GS 5 / ERA 4.40 / WHIP 1.40 / BAA .280 KK
GS 3 / ERA 5.50 / WHIP 1.47 / BAA .250 Myers
Slight edge Kendrick/Myers
*Not all numbers reflect stats while starting such as Myers whose probably got much better while pitching in the BP.
Obviously with the ballparks are much different but one can say the Mets have gotten some quality starting pitching one through five in the rotation which is remarkable.
We have gotten quality starting pitching 1-2 at best although Kendrick is making a nice case at 3 which is pretty rotten despite the injuries and expectations.
I check out some of our stats for away games and surprisingly there was not much improvement and some were actually worse!!!!!!
Wagner puts the exclamation point on how well the pitching staff has been for the METS.
Posted by: JB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Clearly the Mets rotation has been better this year, but I don't think anyone expected that of that rotation. That rotation was considered the Mets weak point prior to the season. To their credit, it has been a strong point.
Posted by: Ben Rivera | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:38 PM
JB - Surely you're not trying to suggest that we're more than 1 pitcher away from winning this thing?
You might also want to give some props to those Mets relievers who managed 10 shutout innings last night.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:42 PM
EATON needs to go.
17 STARTS
5 games without surrending a HR
0 games without a walk
3 games with one walk
3 games with two walks
7 games with three walks
3 games with four walks
1 game with FIVE WALKS!
4 games with more than 6 innings pitched
5 games with 2 or less ER
6 games with 5 or more ER
2 times during year his ERA was under 5.63
5.22 - his lowest ERA floor during the year
He might be more criminal than Burrell with his salary versus performance (but not as bad a GARCIA).
Posted by: JB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:48 PM
THE PHILLIES SUCK...ENOUGH SAID
Posted by: madubbs | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:48 PM
This is a pretty impressive team. NL West puts the East to shame all of a sudden.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:50 PM
JB: where's he gonna go? Who's going to replace him?
Posted by: RSB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:52 PM
Eaton already over 50 pitches
soon be bullpen time!!!
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:53 PM
JB: Eaton will drive anyone insane. How many hitters in this game has he had buried in a pitcher's count and then let them get away? I bet more than half the hits and walks have come from batters with 2 strikes. His inconsistency is maddening.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:54 PM
curt, SirAlden will get all over you for saying it, but you are 100% correct. The wild card this season will come from the West. Toughest division in the NL.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:55 PM
RSB - Good question.
Put in the bullpen, he is less damaging there.
Bring up Happ or Maloney and roll the dice.
Jason called it when he said Durbin was an Eaton clone which means he might be a rich man some day.
Phitting that EATON will get the 10,000th loss.
Posted by: JB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 03:58 PM
I still think that Barajas is a good defensive catcher, but it's interesting that with that hit Eaton's batting average has almost surpassed him.
Oh, in case you forgot - Fire Manuel and Dubee.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Bourn has Cook all bollixed up
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:02 PM
Finally on the board - maybe Coors is just set up for come from behind wins....
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:04 PM
Utley and Howard with really nice approaches there, big 2-out RBI hits.
Posted by: RSB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:05 PM
In a better world our pitcher wouldn't give those runs right back.
That's twice already PtBB has hurt us in LF.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:11 PM
I wonder how the Soul are doing...
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Phillie pitchers have at least been able to cure Helton's slump.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:12 PM
..and Atkins as well.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:13 PM
At this rate, the organization is going to have to resurrect the Hot Pants Patrol. They need something--anything--to keep fans minds off the sad state of this team.
Posted by: Sad Panda | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:17 PM
Verdeforce -- Barajas a "good defensive catcher"? -- What about the Eaton "wild pitch" earlier in this game? The guy may have the potential to be a "good defensive catcher", but he has not been one for the Phillies this year -- and he's hit .172 for literally the past month.
Posted by: davthom73 | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:17 PM
His hitting deserves to have him on the bench - but I like that double play! Thank you Rod!
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:19 PM
and Barajas only hitting 5 points higher than Eaton
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Depending on the finish, Eaton's first half ERA is inching damn close to 6. I wish the Phillies had enough depth to perhaps challenge him. But they don't. His job is totally safe. I'd rate the Eaton acquisition as a C-, based on the fact he hasn't broken down. See. I can be positive.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:20 PM
nothing like a completely healthy 6.00 era starter to cheer you up!
Posted by: bathtubhippo | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:22 PM
The Phillies need to put Barajas on QVC and see if anyone calls.
Posted by: RSB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:23 PM
Jason - you are breaking your own rule - on the day they signed him they had very little choice - Wolf had chosen the Dodgers over the Phils and there was no reason to think the Garcia deal was going to come to fruition. I still think with a good pitching coach, Eaton could be a solid 5th starter. Mazzone is probably available....
Fire Manuel and Dubee.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Pat the Bat with another homer on this road trip - I think he's out of his slump.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:26 PM
Rollins needs to run here.
Posted by: RSB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:28 PM
With one more run, the Phils will lead the league at the All Star break in come from behind victories, not bad for a team roundly criticized by its fans and trying to fight off its 10,000th loss until after the break.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Jimmy- keep wearing the high socks.
I get the feeling that Barajas stole a bike from one of the Rockies broadcasters as a kid. We don't care for him, but that's because we've been able to watch him for half a season. They seem like they've got a beef with him. Then again, the saw him for five years as a Diamondback.
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Rollins hasn't been running much for a couple of months now.
I'd put Eaton on a 150 pitch count today.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:32 PM
1-2-3. Dare I believe my eyes?
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:34 PM
curt: It only took Eaton 5 innings to find his command.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:42 PM
No walks for Eaton yet - that will be the kiss of death ONCE it happens.
Sorry for all the negativity - I think the fans need the all-star break as much as the players.
Posted by: JB | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:42 PM
JB: Thanks for the research on the Mets vs. Phillies starters. It illustrates the old cliche, that the fish rots from the head.
On Myers, I find it amusing that we're now getting excited about a bullpen session. Wow, he threw 20 pitches without pain for the first time since the injury. I realize none of us is a doctor, but does that really sound like someone with a healthy shoulder to anyone?
Someone wanted to sh*tcan Eaton in favor of "Happ or Maloney." Maybe Clout can explain for me where Happ's prospect status comes from; I just haven't seen it. He got several starts in spring training and wasn't impressive in any of them. His minor league numbers this season have been unimpressive, and his one ML start was unimpressive. I'm not saying he'll never be a major leaguer, but he sure doesn't look ready to me.
Posted by: Alby | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:43 PM
4 innings. Sorry. He's thrown so many pitches, it seems like 5 innings.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:44 PM
Pat with another hit
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Eaton's got to be allowed to go until he gives up a run. 3 days off here; his arm won't fall off if he goes over 100 or 110.
Dobbs seems to have used up the magic.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Ugh - if Barajas doesn't get a hit here he will fall below Eaton!
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Way to save face Rod.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Jason, I think that if Eaton gets a C- instead of a D, it's for his hitting.
Posted by: Alby | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Eaton is going to keep challenging Rod to stay above the Eaton rather than the Mendoza line! Eaton's at .225 now! They need to keep him in the game for his bat!
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:53 PM
Alby: Happ has been hurt. He really is a quality prospect. He should not have been recalled when he was as he hadn't gone more than 4 innings in his prior 3 minor league starts since he was just trying to get his stamina up after being on the DL. He's a soft-tosser for whom command is everything, but he's very projectable. He had a very nice year last season at 3 levels. Obviously, he should NOT be pitching for the Phillies until he is 100%. He also could use a full season at AAA. Maloney is even less developed. My bottom line is: Neither Happ nor Maloney should replace Eaton this season.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:53 PM
Eaton not letting Rod beat him. He is now .225 to Rods .215
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:53 PM
I agree, Eaton has to be on a 125-130 pich count. If gets to the 5th, he usually settles down and starts to mow them down but Charlie will have him out before the bottom of the 7th - he's got Madosn availoable and it is his turn to blow the game.
I wonder if the fact that Eaton and Lieber pitch to Barajas most of the time and they lose so many guys after going 0-2 and 1-2 counts is part of his fault. He never sets up much of a target - he looks lazy back there.
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:54 PM
He deserves a C+ for 2 reasons - his hitting and his avoidance of the DL - Wolf the guy we all preferred over him is back on the DL.
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:54 PM
2 great ABs for Jimmy today...rare.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:57 PM
Great at bat by the one guy who mosts deserves to be going to the All Star game but isn't - Jimmy Rollins. This is about the 3rd year where he is our most clutch hitter! Yeah Phils - Eaton is poised to get the win now thanks to his hitting!
Posted by: Verdeforce | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:58 PM
Almost another run caused by Steve Smith.
Bourn.... Take a pitch, ouch
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:58 PM
Slocum - The Rockies announcers called him lazy earlier, I think on the missed wild pitch
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 04:59 PM
FYI: If you are not watching the game on TV, Bourn's out was a bunt that he popped up.
Posted by: Sad Panda | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:00 PM
What's the thinking behind Bourn bunting with 2 outs and the pitcher at third?
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:00 PM
Hah hah. perfect. Maybe we need to hire some of the Rockies announcers as scouts.
Need to not let the Rockies get it right back
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Not a fan of that bunt play at all. I'm not sure I'm ready to see this much Bourn at the top of the lineup. There's been several games with little or no production lately.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Wouldn't it be incredible if Jose Mesa got loss #10,000? That would be so fitting.
Posted by: Johnny Goodtimes | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Buehrle resigns with White Sox
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:02 PM
verdeforce: Regarding the All-Star team, which of these shortstops is having a worse season than Rollins: Renteria, Hardy, Reyes?
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:03 PM
It would be perfect for Mesa to get it but I predict Madson in about 45 minutes.
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:03 PM
Ricky Ledee designated for assignment. I recall some conversation about him in the last Mets series. Could we use his LH bat off the bench?
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:04 PM
and another name that comes up - Robinson Tejeda - has been sent to the minors
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Ledee? Why not? All baseball refugees welcome at CBP. Can he pitch?
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:07 PM
I know this is heresy, but Burrell wouldn't have to pick it up all that much in the second half to end with numbers very close to what he finished last season with.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:08 PM
jobbers: In a word, No.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:08 PM
I'm taking a poll to see who will be giving up the tying run and the winning run for Colorado. I was gonna pick Madson but it would not be fair since I now saw him warming up
Posted by: fljerry | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Tejeda could go right in our rotation as well. Already has the standard Phillie ERA - ~7.00
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:10 PM
Yay players! Helping with the tarp.
Well Eaton's done, now comes the bums.
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:10 PM
I've never seen anything like this.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:10 PM
y is bourn trying to bunt with 2 outs and men on 2nd and 3rd???????????????????????????????????????????/
who called that one
Posted by: madubbs | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:11 PM
It is so frustrating watching Eaton pitch, He is so nonchalant and flippant at times about his crappy performance this year.
I can't believe he hasn't faced more scrutiny this year from the fans. The only positive for Eaton has been that he has avoided his annual trip to the DL and this is still plenty of time for that to happen.
EATON HAS BEEN ONE OF THE WORST STARTERS IN THE NL. He has not even pitched effectively as a "5" yet he is getting paid more like a 3 or 4. Yeah, he has 7 wins but that is because his offensive support per start is among the best in the league. If he was playing for a team with an anemic offense (like the Pirates), he would probably be 3-8 or something close to it.
And to think we get to watch this loser for the 2 next years. Guaranteed your #3 starter next year is none other than Adam Eaton. He deserves to be in KC or Tampa Bay where no one cares if he gets $6 or $7 million to put up pedestrian numbers.
Posted by: MG | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:11 PM
Bourne to me is starting to hit as expected, ie not well, average down to .247 now
Posted by: jobbers | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:11 PM
seen anything like what?
Posted by: ZT | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:11 PM
mlb.tv just cut away from the entire Phillies dugout helping the Rockies' crew put the tarp on the fields.
That's the most exciting play I've seen the Phillies make in weeks and I don't even get to watch it.
Posted by: jeremy | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:12 PM
What if Hamels wrecks his elbow carrying a sandbag?
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:12 PM
That's the kid of afternoon storm I remember from spending a few summers out there. Nice to see the Phils ccome and help the groundscrew out; having dealt with tarps like that before, it is pretty tough to do, and even worse with the kind of wind they have out there.
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Maybe we get lucky and the call the rest of the game and avoid the bullpen. I'm writing Selig and proposing 7 inning games.
Kudos for Eaton with tarp
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:13 PM
ZT: The wind picked up so strongly that the grounds crew could not hang onto the tarp as they unrolled it. Some of them got stuck underneath it and it was blowing all over the place. The Phillies and the umps came out of the dugout to help get it under control. Now theyare grabbing sandbags to place on the dges of the tarp to keep it from blowing. it's raining cats and dogs.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:14 PM
davthom: I didn't see Coste out there with the tarp.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:14 PM
J- Classic.
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Seems fitting that the first standing ovation this team has deserved all year came for rolling the tarp onto the field.
Posted by: Johnny Goodtimes | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Well, we'll never know if Cholly would have sent Eaton back out.
The rain may have cost us 2 games this weekend.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Johnny Goodtimes, I'm laughing outloud!
Posted by: J. Slocum | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:16 PM
On WPHT they just said that Gordon made his second rehab start today and that they're not sure about Myers. As we pointed out yesterday, it sounded like Myers next BP session will be next Wednesday in FL.
Mets have lost. Is there anyone here who thinks being back 4.5 games based on how our April went wouldn't be solid?
Posted by: phila fan in dc | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:17 PM
I think Coste had his hand in the tarp rescue. He--as well as many other Phils--was dripping wet when they showed the dugout on TV.
Posted by: Sad Panda | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:17 PM
To win today, the Phillies need 3 shutout innings from the bullpen. Odds?
Posted by: clout | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:19 PM
At least Cholly & the "braintrust" have lots of time to think about who's going to get those last 9 outs. I'd love to hear that discussion.
Posted by: curt | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Thanks clout.
Posted by: ZT | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Clout - Just keep prayin' for more rain.
Posted by: MG | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:21 PM
Phila fan in dc... yes, as awful as this season seems so far, being 4.5 or 5.5 GB at the break after the horrible April and tons of pitching injuries is pretty stunning. Thank goodness the Mets and Braves have stunk it up lately.
Posted by: Larry | Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 05:22 PM