Hoping to snap a four-game skid out West, the Phillies visit the brutal 47-74 Padres for the first of three at Petco Park. Jamie Moyer (10-7, 3.81) and Greg Maddux (6-8, 4.12) have the ball at 10:05 ET.
Best of the press notes: Things have gotten so bad that even the Phillies’ pre-game press notes have taken on a somber tone by acknowledging the team’s two-month-long offensive slump. According to the notes, in their last eight games, the Phils are hitting .202 (52-258) with five homers and 26 runs scored (3.25 R/G). Since scoring 20 runs on June 13, which has become the official marker for when all this started, the Phils have hit a combined .238 (419-1760) with 216 runs scored in 52 games, an average of 4.2 runs/game, which ranks 12th in that time frame among the 16 NL clubs.
Walking wounded: Greg Dobbs is nursing a strained left quadriceps that kept him out of yesterday’s game. Shane Victorino, out with lower back stiffness, appears ready to return to the lineup tonight.
Three with bottom-dwelling San Diego. Then three more with last-place Washington before closing the month with the Dodgers, Mets, and Cubs.
If we are looking for this team to jump start themselves, game one tonight would be a good time and place to start.
Posted by: Terry Harmon | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Richie Sexson is now officially available for those clamoring for a 1B Platoon...the Yanks just released him.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Can't even muster gloom... GO PHILS!
Posted by: MojoSinkin' | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:28 PM
4 wins minimum is acceptable over the next 6
Posted by: BobbyD | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:29 PM
No thanks on Sexson. Getting cut by two teams in the same season is not exactly a strong recommendation. He does have a good average against left-handers but that smells like a statistical fluke, since his career numbers against left-handers aren't that much better than his career average against right-handers.
These next 6 games are thankless ones for the Phillies. If they win 5 or more games, their front-runner fans will say that the Phillies are only able to beat up on the dregs of the league (I know that's what I will say). If they win 4 out of 6, the fans will say these are the 2 worst teams in the league and we didn't even take great advantage. If they split or do worse, they're all the more pathetic for not even being able to beat good teams.
Given what just happened in L.A., I think anything less than 5 out of the next 6 is a failure. Far more likely is that they'll win 4 of 6, then turn right around and lose 2 of 3 to the Dodgers and Mets. That's pretty much what your 2008 Phillies are about.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:30 PM
We really must win 5 out of 6 from the Padres and Nats to stay in this thing. If so, we can go into the Dodgers, Mets and Cubs with some momentum. Out Bats have to break out sometime why not now!
Posted by: NJPhilliesPhan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Your talk of Millar for the Phillies was mentioned by name on MLBTradeRumors...thought that was funny.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Hey last year when the team was in third or fourth place, we booed, we gave them negative energy and they won the division.
Now their in second place, so I guess we can boo tonight and maybe they can win the division again.
Posted by: mattTHEBAT | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 05:54 PM
Here's the link to the last time we lost 4 straight on the west coast. Lots of disgust with how the season was over and what we should do for next year. Some 'see ya in April's and 'football starts soon'.
Gloom and Doom
Posted by: EastFallowfield | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 06:57 PM
BAP: Sexson has a .992 OPS this year against LHP. Platooning him with Ryan Howard would be a major upgrade to this offense.
Posted by: PhillR | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 06:57 PM
No way are we going to platoon a 10 million dollar player, let alone a game changer like howard
Posted by: mvptommyd | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 07:15 PM
PhillR: You're the numbers guy. Considering Sexson is 34 years old, with horribly diminishing numbers in general, and career OPS splits which suggests he has never hit left-handers that much better than he has hit right-handers, just how statistically significant do you think that .992 OPS is, when it is based on only 97 PAs?
I look at Richie Sexson and I see a right-handed version of Geoff Jenkins -- a one-dimensional power hitter with a terrible uppercut swing who, because of his limited skill set, is now completely washed up before his time. Having said all of that, I wouldn't be terribly offended if the Phillies signed him and platooned him with Howard. At least it would show some outside-the-box thinking and some recognition that, even if he's Ryan Howard, we're still allowed to take notice that he's a huge detriment to the team when he faces left-handed pitching. But I'd sure hate to see all the angst it would generate on Beerleaguer if the Phillies decided to make Howard a platoon player.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 07:15 PM
mvp: Except that he's NOT a game changer against left-handed pitching. Actually, I take that back. He IS a game changer. Having a cleanup hitter who is an automatic out dramatically changes the game in favor of the opposing team.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 07:19 PM
BAP: True, I wouldn't mind it against lefties however I said THEY as in the phillies wouldn't be open for it.
Posted by: mvptommyd | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 07:21 PM
mvp: Yes, on that we agree 100%. Platooning Howard would require some semblance of original thinking. That is not the Phillies' strong suit.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Clap, clap, go Phils, go Phils!
I'm cheering everything from now on. Single up the middle- yeah!
Error on a pickoff attempt- yeah!
Homerun to the opposite field- yeah!
Popup with the bases loaded- yeah!
You want support, you got it.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I agree that it is a small sample size, but so what? Given the woes of the past month, he would not be a downgrade, and there is the chance that he is still good against LHP.
Lets say that he isn't a .992 OPS against LHP the rest of the way out. Say he is only .750. Thats still better the Howard.
What would it cost to sign him the rest of the season? $500k? And if he proves to be worthless, so what? Release him.
There is no downside.
Posted by: PhillR | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:07 PM
@ Carson
You forget to cheer for every strikeout, you silly front runner.
Posted by: crisco | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:09 PM
a 10 game win streak would hit the spot right about now
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:12 PM
So would blonde twins with their curious brunette cousin. I am honestly not sure which is less likely this month.
Posted by: PhillR | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:23 PM
1st pitch swinging, 1st pitch out- hell yeah, go Phils!
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Mets and Marlins currently winning their games.
Don't worry though, I'm sure the Phils will come out on fire tonight and blow up Petco for 2 runs or so.
Oops, forgot to cheer...yippie!!!
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Maddux vs. Moyer: A matchup of Civil War veterans. I wonder if they are allowed to use the Spitter and the Out Shoot.
Posted by: Thundering Montgomery | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 08:51 PM
I probably won't watch the whole game, but I'll be going on Gameday and looking up how many first pitch outs there were. There better be less than 3.
Posted by: king0fprussia | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:01 PM
KofP: you mean in the top of the 1st, of course.
Posted by: Hope SE | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Talk about a super black hole.
Rollins
Victorino
Utley
Howard
Burrell
Jenkins
Bruntlett
Ruiz
Moyer
Posted by: AFish | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I'm taking that back. I don't want any. There were only two in last night's game (maybe three if I counted wrong). If you're making contact on the first pitch, it better be because you're the best offense in the majors and you're gonna score some runs. If not, take a freakin pitch for once.
Posted by: king0fprussia | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Mets only have a 1 run lead in the 8th. The odds of them holding onto a 1 run lead cant be better then 1 in 2.
Posted by: PhillR | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:08 PM
vs the Succos? I don't see a loss.
Posted by: AFish | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:10 PM
PhillR: I spent a whole morning earlier this week, arguing (against great opposition) that, if the Phillies had any half-way decent right-handed hitter on their bench, the proper move would be to platoon Howard. So I agree with you in concept. I'm just not sure Sexson is the guy because, if both Sexson and Howard start reverting to recent norms, Howard might still be the better bet against left-handers. But I agree with you that there's no harm in trying it.
Unfortunately, we have a GM who seems to think that there's nothing wrong with our offense. When even Bruntlett and Taguchi still have spots on the roster, you can definitely say that Gillick is really living up to his "Stand Pat" moniker this year.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Folks, we had Pete LaForest coming off the bench last September. The last man on the bench is not going to turn the team around.
Posted by: AFish | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:13 PM
I normally despise Jenkins' bat in the lineup. But I'm gonna give him a Fightin' chance against Maddux tonight. He's batting .421 (24/57) lifetime against him with a homer and 7 RBI.
However, with the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised to see him K twice and pop out with that monster uppercut.
Posted by: king0fprussia | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Adam Eaton got lit up at Reading again tonight. 4 earned runs and 2 homeruns allowed in 5 IP.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Jenkins is an extreme back-legger. Hip-hip-hooray!
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:18 PM
BAP, we have a GM that is mentioned more in Mariner rumors. He is too busy lobbying for his "retirement" gig.
Posted by: phReed | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:20 PM
C'mon B_A_P, that's nearly a QS by our 8 million dollar minor league arm. Show him some support with a "go get 'em boy" or "we still love ya Eaton".
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:23 PM
GM-Carson rules severely right now.
Posted by: slintyfresh | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:35 PM
1.5
Posted by: phReed | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:36 PM
I can't wait for the game tonight. I'm going to cheer so loud that I hope J-Roll feels my positive energy from here in Harrsiburg all the way over in San Diego. MVP! MVP! MVP!!!
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Oh my. I fear Carson has cracked under the pressure. Hang in there Carson. It's almost football season.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Darlye Ward with a 3-run bomb
Posted by: phReed | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:45 PM
I find myself having the most heinous thoughts. I almost don't care if the Phillies win. Just don't boar me to death. Again. Jesus, it's a coast game for cryin out loud. I'll be out by the third inning.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Football? Screw football, I only care about baseball. Sure I'll watch a Eagle, Sixers, or Flyers game, but my passion is Phillies. Go Phillies, you're an awesome #2!
Posted by: GM-Carson | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:48 PM
The photos of Moyer and Maddux in the ESPN game preview are priceless. It's like, "What? A prostate exam? Today?"
I love both of these cats. Maddux and Moyer are why baseball rules.
Posted by: slintyfresh | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Carson: I know, me too. Baseball is life. I just don't know how much more of this garbage we can take. They are either boring or irritating but always infuriating. Where are my happy pills, damnit?
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:51 PM
That's it. Someone needs to bring a giant "#2" foam finger so we can cheer on Jimmy.
Posted by: joe l | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 09:54 PM
It's the loser's lineup tonight: Jenkins, Bruntlett, Ruiz.
Really, when you look at this, it is not difficult to figure out why we can't score a run to save our lives.
Posted by: me | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:01 PM
God this is going to be miserable. Wheeler will be waxing poetic about Greg Maddux for his entire outing. Thank god he only pitches 4 innings these days.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:05 PM
should we not boo that, i mean, jimmy didnt even swing (try)
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Does Maddux actually have 17 gold gloves?? Are you kidding me? How is that possible?
Posted by: Hope SE | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:09 PM
So tonight Rollins decides to be selective? Tonight. Against Greg Maddux? Really?
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Man I'm sick of this lineup. The first few aint producing, and the last 4 can't produce. Get us a new name, any name, even Richie Sexson.
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Before the game, Vegas had installed an over-under of 8 innings on Carson's ability to maintain a positive attitude about this team. After the top of the first, the over-under dropped to 5 innings.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:13 PM
That's baseball's version of a bigfoot sighting.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:16 PM
nice dp howard
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Maddux has 17 GG because once you win one you have to PROVE that you are no longer good enough to keep winning...not PROVE that you are still an outstanding fielder. That is not bashing Maddux or his fielding but its a little BS to say he's been the best fielding pitcher in the NL in 17 seasons.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Well put NEPP
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:18 PM
BTW...my Sexson comment was tongue-in-cheek about platooning Howard...I don't seriously support getting him. That said, I guarantee GillAmaro is sitting in his office seriously considering it as we speak...
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:18 PM
nice hit, nice hustle big guy
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:20 PM
A 3-6-3 DP followed by a 2B, Ryno is rolling.
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Passive Pat is back.
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Burrell swapped June with August this year...he looks lost right now.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:22 PM
God Bruntlett sucks.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Color me surprised.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Well, we can watch the Olympics every other inning tonight.
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:27 PM
yay, get em next time fellas!
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Pat Burrell is ACTIVELY hurting his batting average.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:28 PM
When I saw Howard get a bad break on Jenkins single, I knew that we would not score. The running joke around the league has to be our bottom 4.
Posted by: phReed | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Does Howard ever get good breaks? This is like having 4 pitchers in a lineup...its brutal...no wonder we can't score runs with hitting long balls.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:31 PM
Jenkins single was almost caught by Mr. Gold Glove and the centerfielder got right on it. I can't blame Howard for that one.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:33 PM
i miss iguchi
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Howard got a bad break off 2nd only because a gold glove pitcher would have caught Jenkins hit.
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:33 PM
That's a goner at the Bank
Posted by: phReed | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Not blaming Howard for his break as it was a comebacker that Maddux could have caught, but Steve Smith has got to realize that Bruntlett and Ruiz are coming up. I would not have been mad if Smith sent him just to make something happen. The relay in was awful.
Posted by: phReed | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:37 PM
I'm not blaming HOward...I'm just pissed at how this season is going.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:39 PM
You can whale on Steve Smith all you want. The only time we seem to score any more is when somebody runs through one of his stop signs.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Sarge on Maddux: "He's just a proFESSOR when it comes to a STUDENT... of the game."
I love Sarge. He's like a sine wave of delight.
I also like that Harry sounds happy and, really, himself, when Sarge is in the booth. He sounds the same on the radio in the 4th inning.
Posted by: slintyfresh | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:40 PM
yeah i'm sure steve smith would be praised for sending our 220lb first baseman from 2nd with one out.
In the 2nd inning.
in a 0-0 game.
c'mon.
Posted by: leclair | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:42 PM
They're doing it again. This time it's Greg Maddux that they are making look like a future hall of famer.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Is this the great Mike Maddux's younger brother??? If this young man keeps this up he may very well be a solid 3rd starter one day.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Here we have a pitching duel between 2 guys whose fastballs together don't add up to a Lindstrom fastball.
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:46 PM
maybe if Shane Victorino could take more then 3 total pitches in 2 ab...
Posted by: leclair | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:46 PM
3rd starter? Let's not get carried away. A hell of a pitching coach though.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Well with his lack in velocity and 2 pitches (all this guy ever throws seems to be fastball/changeup...he's probalby a middle reliever. That's assuming he can hit his spots. Otherwise I dont see him lasting at the MLB level.
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Jamie Moyers road era coming into this game was 3.05, he might be sub 3 by now.
Posted by: leclair | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Phelps got gold # 7 by 1-100 of a second.
Posted by: doubleh | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Ever notice how the Phillies get all the lame siblings? We had Mike Maddux, Ken Brett, even Vince Dimaggio. How did we ever miss out on Tommy Aaron?
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:50 PM
i hope before the season is over when im at a game i see tmac doing one of his reports, so i can boo him
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Jeremy Giambi...
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:52 PM
doubleh, that finish was insane
Posted by: redbeard | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:53 PM
The little Howard twin...
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:54 PM
mark leiter
Posted by: leclair | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Time for 20 minutes of beach volleyball.
Posted by: curt | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Jake Blalock...
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Good ones. Keep em coming.
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:56 PM
4 innings of 2 hit shutout ball and yet the Phillies are so far having a better offensive game than last night...
Posted by: NEPP | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:57 PM
"We had DiMaggio. Vince DiMaggio. Vince led the league in striking out. It figures we got Vince, not Joe or Dom. When brothers played in the majors, the Phillies wound up with the one who produced less. We had Harry Coveleski instead of Stan, Irish Meusel instead of Bob, Frank Torre instead of Joe, Ken Brett instead of George, Mike Maddux instead of Greg, Rick Surhoff instead of B.J., and Jeremy Giambi instead of Jason. If there had been a Zeppo Alou, the Phillies would've signed him."
- Harold Herman, from last year's Sports Illustrated
Posted by: wally | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Mookie's brother?
Posted by: donc | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Is it possible this game goes 9 innings without either team scoring? I do think it is very feasible that both starters go 7 tonight without any team scoring.
Posted by: MG | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Every time someone cuts off Jeremy Giambi on the road he has vivid and painful Derek Jeter flashbacks.
Posted by: leclair | Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:58 PM