Game chat: Blanton tries to seal the deal for Phillies

Preview: The Weather Channel says it feels like 99 degrees for the start of the Phillies’ finale with Cleveland. Joe Blanton (2-5, 6.96) goes for the sweep and looks to build on a quality start against Minnesota, when he pitched into the sixth and forced 15 ground balls. Cleveland’s best starter Fausto Carmona (6-5, 3.31) tries to salvage a win for the Tribe. Notes: J.A. Happ allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings yesterday in Reading. Meanwhile, Ryan Madson throws a bullpen session today. If all goes well, he will begin a rehab assignment Sunday in Clearwater. Lineups: Victorino CF, Polanco 3B, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Werth RF, Ibanez LF, Valdez SS, Sardinha C.

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Comments

[Iceman]

Great BL discussion here during a blowout Phillies win. Cliff Lee, Cliff Lee, Cliff Lee, this series is pointless because the Indians stink, Cliff Lee, Cliff Lee.

During the Twins series after the win in game one, dennyb and MG immediately called the Twins overrated in order to make any wins against them seem trivial. I remember some posters doing the same with the Padres, saying "they're a nice story, but this is the beginning of the end for them." Any team the Phils play isn't good enough to get them a check in the "deserved" win column apparently.

Meanwhile the Mets and Braves beat up on a bunch of weaklings and people here actually start taking them seriously. Give me a break. The double standards built by some commenters in order to slam a team they (believe it or not) root for is pretty incredible.

[Old Phan]

Iceman, you forgot about "Cliff Lee"

[TK]

I'll be honest, the idea of Cliff Lee getting traded to the Mets makes me furious to the point where I would never ever forgive RAJ. And this thought overshadowed the games this week. Though it is nice to see J-Roll back.

[The Truth Injection]

Nice to see that people are still debating the Lee deal.

So how are the Mets- a team with a pretty barren farm system going to give up more than the Phillies got? They'd probably have to give up Mejia, and word is the M's want a major league ready bat in the deal. They have almost no one to fit that bill. Fernando Martinez probably would for some but he still has trouble with patience and pitch recognition at the plate.

Furthermore, with a team that is thin they should be protecting what little organizational depth they have. So if they trade for Lee it would mean they are furthering weakening a weakness. More power to them. They can have fun playing catch-up.

I think it's pretty clear Lee will end up with the Twins or the Rangers at this point, although the Rangers seem to be more interested in Oswalt. But I'm not going to cry over the Mets getting Cliff Lee- especially for a half season rental.

[R.Billingsly]

ChiSox hang on to win 2-0.

[Old Phan]

Sox Win! Sox Win!

[MG]

Iceman - One poster (George) mentioned that the Indians weren't good. As for Cliff Lee, it is relevant since there have been alot of trade rumors swirling about wth him the last few days.

[MG]

Iceman - Discounted what the Phils did I mean today. Sweeping a team is sweeping a team. Period. It is impressive since it is only the 3 Phils' series win in their last 12 series.

[Iceman]

MG- when isn't Cliff Lee relevant? He shows up in every thread.

[MG]

Iceman - Yeah it is overkill especially the dynamics of the trade. Still, I don't mind people posting 'new' related items to Lee including stuff that has published in the last day or so even if it is a rumor/conjecture.

[The Truth Injection]

MG: I would just like to note that when you posted about the 12 games upcoming with the Yankees/Twins/Indians/Blue Jays you worried they would be 5-6 back when it ended and said something about them winning 4 games.

I called a 7-5 stretch and you asked for action on that bet. Be glad I didn't call that in.

[cjp]

I'm thinking about moving back to Philly now, since home prices in the area are obviously depressed due to Cliff Lee no longer being a Phillie. I'm holding out hope that he gets dealt to the NYM so that home prices will dip even further.

The psyche of the Philly sports fan is clearly in some sort of quantum entanglement with Cliff Lee.

[The truth]

Yankees 3-3 Phil 4-2 ATL 4-1 LAD 3-0 SD 3-3 SF 2-1 Detroit 2-0 21-10 Total

Wash 3-5, Marlins 4-6 Mil 1-2 8-13 Total

Yes Iceman, clearly all the Mets have done is beat up on weaklings.

[Jbird]

Just goes to show you how much of an impression he left here. He was a local sports hero.

[MG]

TTI - I said they would go 3-6 vs. Yanks/Sox/Twins, be .500 on May 20th, and 5-6 GB.

They went 4-5, were 3 games above .500, and were 5.5 GB.

[GTown_Dave]

New Thread. Game set to restart in 5-10 min.

[Bedrosian's Beard]

There really isn't anything new regarding Cliff Lee. Reporters just throwing out team names and prospects and people on here start to whine and panic.

[Voice of Reason]

Anything happening with resuming game? Tarp off? Players warming up? or still lightly drizzling?

[coach sale]

The time you spend at the office may be the most stressful part of your day, but it doesn't have to be. You have a greater ability to shape your office environment than you may realize.

[coach sale]

Spend time offering assistance to those who are less fortunate than you, so that you may gain perspective.