Saturday chat: WC leaders try to build momentum

Preview: Following his best start of the season, Joe Blanton (5-6, 5.32), who is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in his last six starts, toes the slab today at Petco Park. Right-hander Jon Garland (13-8, 3.25) has it for San Diego. The Phils have put up good numbers against Garland, who is 0-4 with a 7.94 ERA in five meetings against them. The Phils lead the National League wild card race by half a game and trail Atlanta by two games in the division race. The game airs regionally on Fox beginning at 4:00 ET.

Hot stove: Blue Jays relievers Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, Kevin Gregg, and Shawn Camp were all claimed by unknown teams off trade waivers according to The Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott. The Phils have reportedly scouted Downs heavily all season. The left-hander will be a Type A free agent, so the Jays are likely to hold out for a significant return.

Minor notes: Left-hander Nate Robertson, who was acquired earlier in the week, allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in 4 2-3 innings in his IronPigs debut Wednesday. The nine-year veteran was released by the Cardinals on the 23rd. ... When the Phillies outrighted Greg Dobbs to Triple-A, they released outfielder Chris Aguila, who was hitting .199 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 48 games. .... At Double-A, Tuffy Gosewisch homered twice in Reading's 9-1 win over Binghamton Friday night. Reading Eagle beat writer Mike Drago reports that he's hitting .271 with a .404 on-base average since the All-Star break. Right-hander Drew Naylor struck out a season-high 11 in the game. Tagg Bozied went 2-for-3 to raise his EL-leading batting, slugging and on-base percentages to .318/.407/.617.

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Comments

[CJ]

3r0ck: The play-by-play guy was a Padres play-by-play guy that Fox used for the game. He obviously knew a lot more about San Diego than about Philly. However, I thought he called a pretty fair game. He had a solid amount of enthusiasm for big plays by the Phils including when Vic threw that runner out at home.

[3r0ck]

Ah - makes more sense now. Thanks

[clout]

phillyhater's comment about bandwagon jumpers might be the least profound in blog history.

Most fans are front runners. Over the past few years when the Phils were going bad late in the season and it looked like they might miss the playoffs, traffic on this board dropped sharply. When the time comes for this team to rebuild, most posters here will disappear overnight. And the same is true everywhere else.

[Call me Ishmael]

Not to be nitpicky, but Josh Lewin is actually the play by play guy for the Rangers, opposite Tom Grieve. He is, however, the San Diego Chargers radio guy, so he probably does know more about the Pads than the Phillies. IMHO, his tandem with Grieve is one of the best in baseball right now, they're not too homerish (new word?), and seem genuinly excited when something happens regardless of the team it happens for.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

I like Hamels in the big park with the dead air. Should neutralize the gopher ball which has been the one consistent issue in an otherwise sterling season.

Don't like facing the unknown lefty. Doubt anyone without AL experience on this team has even seen this guy. I'm guessing Francisco gets a start and Ibanez gets to rest his old legs on day 3 of the road trip.

[Noah]

Phillies players v. Clayton Richard

Francisco- 8 PA .429/.500/.571
Polanco- 7 PA .143/.143/.143
Ibanez- 3 PA .333/.333/.667
Sweeney- 3 PA .333/.333/.667

[doug]

I'm guessing that Raul sits, and either Utley or Howard, too. Hell, maybe both, based on their recent productivity.

[Bruce Ruffin]

clout -- What you say is probably true. I just run out of things to comment on when the Phil’s are in the throes of losing streaks, or when the big guns are in prolonged slumps.

Looks like my latest rant on the Phil’s core players’ careers winding down, and not being able to carry us over the top might just not be as relevant as I agonized. I really love it when we see Jimmy Rollins use his still-considerable speed, and big time hits from Shane Victorino.

Regardless, short of examining every line on the box score (I do check out Blanton and KK frequently just to see how their seasons might resituate) I’m a fan for life and always follow the team. I always dream – if not exactly in accord with current rosters – how the Phil’s might have a 20-year championship run. Silly, really.

[Hugh Mulcahy]

Maybe Howard sits for Sweeney, but not Utley, too. Howard, when healthy, almost never sits. He did sit the other night after the 16 inning game and ejection. On the face of it, it was a time out or a breather from a frustrating period. It could also be that Manuel thinks that leg isn't right and is contributing to Howard's problems. If it's the latter, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a rest today, especially after winning the first two of the series.

[Buddy Ryan in 2008]

Vic's mom and friends were at the game yesterday. (I sat in front of the woman who babysat young Shane.) His mom arrived shortly before the game. I wonder if that had to do his stellar performance.

[Hope SE]

Any word on whether Howard will be suspending for the ejection situation the other night? I haven't seen anything.

[Hope SE]

should be "suspended" not "suspending" sorry.

[jason.tp]

HopeSE: good question - neither have I. I was assuming a fine to be annouced at the very least.

[jason.tp]

re: offense

I think curt said it yesterday - coulda been someone else: This team is going to live or die with their standard set lineup.

I think thats how it should be. Anything outside of an offday here or there would be overmanaging in my opinion. If Utley Howard Werth aren't going to hit enough for this pitching staff, than the Phils wont win the World Series its as simple as that. There is no magic configuration of backups that is going to bring home another pennant - its gotta be the stars.

[AFish]

CSN reported that Howard was not likely to be suspended. I think the Phillies played down the incident so MLB could avoid a suspension w/o losing face.
http://www.csnphilly.com/08/25/10/Howard-Rests-Suspension-Appears-Unlikely/landing.html?blockID=297708&feedID=704

[RM]

Speaking of Howard's ejection the other night, Barry tried to pull the same stunt on Votto last night. I don't know how they can continue to let him umpire major league games.

[The Truth Injection]

"When the time comes for this team to rebuild, most posters here will disappear overnight."

Thank god. I mean that would be bad for JW but good for the normal ones around here.

I do look forward to those inevitable days though seeing what we can find to complain about then. I'm guessing by that point we'll be down to complaining about how the foul lines are drawn by the field crew and the taste of the food at Bull's BBQ.

[Andy]

There will be no rebuilding. Rizzotti will replace Howard. Garcia will replace Utley. Galvis will replace Rollins. Jiwan James will replace Werth and it will all be good.

[Andy]

And we got Mayberry, Valle and Tagg Bozied THIS CLOSE to being ready.

We don't need no steenkeeng rebuilding!

(Of course, Colvin, Cosart, and Singleton are for real. DeFratus probably and maybe even Schwimer. And Hyatt has a shot.)

[LwrSlwrGeorge]

RE: goody's "bandbox" comment -

Writers and announcers will give up the Bandbox line the day after the Santa Snowball is forgotten.