Game chat: Phillies open final homestand of ‘10

Jason Marquis (2-8, 6.60) is queued up for the surging Phillies tonight in the first of three with the Nationals. First pitch is 7:05 with Roy Oswalt (6-1, 1.98) slated to deal.

Preview: The Phillies keep running their Ryan Howard Blue Cross deserving Phillie promo spot. My choice would be Roy Oswalt, who is 6-0 with a 1.56 ERA since the beginning of August. According to Stats Inc., his .177 BAA against is the lowest in baseball over that span. Oswalt is coming off a complete-game shutout in Sunday's finale against the Mets, a huge win that helped the Phils catapult to a three-game lead in the National League East. Meanwhile, a runner up would be Shane Victorino, who’s ignited an offensive resurgence since shifting into the leadoff spot. Vic is 18-for-42 with five stolen bases and 12 runs over a nine-game hitting streak, representing his best little stretch of the season. Lineups are posted: Vic, Polanco, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez , Ruiz, Valdez.

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Comments

[NEPP]

I wonder, do all we have to do with Valdez is tender him a contract or is he a complete FA? How does that work for guys like him with hardly any service time but are basically career AAAA players?

[NEPP]

26 BB to 24 K...pretty impressive JC.

[Fatalotti]

First pitch from Romero is a ball. Who would have guessed?

[bay_area_phan]

THe streak is over. Too bad.

[NEPP]

I gotta say, Romero was a much better reliever when he juiced.

[bay_area_phan]

More fun with JC Romero numbers:

2010 Opponents Batting Average: .218
2010 WHIP: 1.63

Against right-handers:

2010 Opponents Batting Average: .222
2010 WHIP: 2.23

[NEPP]

Its easier to have a great Sept/2nd half when your GM trades for a legitimate Ace pitcher pretty much every year at the deadline.

Give the FO a ton of credit for really stocking up pretty much every year for hte past several years.

[RCR]

of course bap, why walk a guy when up 8 when you can do it up 1

[NEPP]

That's Romerotastic!

[NEPP]

Braves just won too so they keep pace.

[BloodStripes]

Yet another solid win. Sweeet September.

[Fatalotti]

Leave it to Romero to pitch like a stud when we have an 8 run lead. Bring him in a close game, and he'll throw 9 straight balls.

Roy Oswalt is finally a .500 pitcher again....

How much did we have to give up for this bum again??

[NEPP]

Another great game...pretty much a textbook effort. Nothing negative to say about it. This team is just taking care of business right now.

Positives:

1. Werth hit with RISP
2. Romero looked effective
3. Oswalt is dominant.
4. Shane stayed hot

Negatives:

1. ??

[Old Phan]

Good job, JC

[Fatalotti]

Valdez obviously not used to post game interviews.

[GBrettfan]

Good job by Oswalt and the Phils offense, defense. Another win! Stepping on the weaker teams now like they're supposed to do.

[Kutztown Fan]

Is it a reward or a punishment to be interviewed by Sarge post game?

[NEPP]

That was the 150th win of Oswalt's career.

He's 150-83 now over 10 seasons.

[NEPP]

We have 2 150 game winners on our staff that both won their 150th game this year in a Phillies uniform.

And we have another 250 game winner on the DL.

[Fatalotti]

NEPP, can we complain about how they had to warm up Madson. That's gotta be quasi complain-worthy.

Seriously though, can't think of anything. It was the perfect, relaxing Friday night game.

[GBrettfan]

The Braves won on 6 UNEARNED runs?!

[NEPP]

Oswalt has a .644 winning percentage for his career. That's ridiculous.

[CJ]

Wow... this team is pretty good...

Too bad the Mets and Astros failed to hold their leads. Could have gained another game over the Braves and Reds. Padres are getting blown out by a Cardinals team that packed it in weeks ago. If St. Louis holds on, we'll be a full 4.5 games up for the final playoff spot with just 14 games left.

A playoff spot is becoming closer and closer to a sure thing every day.

[NEPP]

Oswalt is also 77-25 in the 2nd Half for his career...good for a .755%.

[Kutztown Fan]

Who predicted that Baltimore would sweep the Yankees? Orioles up 3-1 in the ninth.

[CJ]

I don't think I ever realized how good a pitcher Roy Oswalt was until now. I mean, I knew he was good... but he's *really* good.

[CJ]

HR for the Astros, and they tie it back up with Cincy in the 6th.

[NEPP]

Oswalt is probably a HoF pitcher...one who was overlooked for most of his career as a result of playing in the baseball "hotbed" that is Houston.

He's really really good.

[NEPP]

Oswalt: 150-83 (.644)
Halladay: 167-86 (.660)

[Fatalotti]

NEPP, .797 winning percentage in his career after August 1.

He gets better and better as the season goes on.

[Kutztown Fan]

They just replayed Chooch's hit by pitch. Why didn't he writhe around in pain and call out the trainer?

[bigbigbuck]

Moyer: 267-204 (.567)

[Fatalotti]

Oswalt has a 1.55 ERA in his last 9 starts, and a 1.94 ERA as a Phillie.

Stud.

[aksmith]

Oswalt's stuff wasn't really close to his sharpest tonight and he still pitched great. That's the mark of an outstanding pitcher. Wins, and basically still dominates, on an off night.

I see great things ahead if the Phils can keep Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt healthy for the next few seasons. I've been watching this team since '64 and nothing comes close to the starting pitching talent they have now.

I was apoplectic with Rube Jr. when he traded that other guy. But I'd say he atoned nicely and probably saved himself a few bucks in the long run by picking up Roy Jr.

[FM]

Doesn't matter what ATL does. We got this

[Kutztown Fan]

Yankees up 4-3. Forget what I posted earlier.

[Kutztown Fan]

Ricky Bo going off on the Mets. Yikes

[Fatalotti]

Ricky Bo just went on a tirade about the Mets. That was fun to watch.

[aksmith]

Sheesh, Latos got scorched for eight runs in one and a third innings. Bye Bye Cy.

Frankly, I don't get a tinker's darn about the Cy Young award or who wins it. But watching the Padres collapse has been astonishing. And finally, even their best young pitcher has succumbed to the yips.

That puts what the Phils are doing in perspective. It's a long season and it's hard to maintain. And it doesn't help them that the West seems to be by far the toughest division this year.

[Spitz]

Ak, look at the phils record againt the west. It's not the best division. Bad teams beating up on each other.

[Fatalotti]

Listening to Amy Fadool do a recap is like listening to a high schooler try and read Chaucer.

[limoguy]

Nice to see Charlie use some different pitchers at the back end who didn't let the other team back into the game.

[Tray]

What NL Cy Young candidates are left? Halladay seems to be the only contender left standing.

[CJ]

Tray: Wainwright is still right there. 18 wins vs. Halladay's 19. Wainwright has a 2.50 ERA vs. Halladay's 2.49.

And Josh Johnson is going to lead the league in ERA, but with his injury, he's likely not going to win.

[bigbigbuck]

Ubaldo Jimenez has a very good case right now, the only thing he's lacking is momentum.

[Fatalotti]

It's too bad that Oswalt is 13-13, because he belongs in the Cy Young conversation, especially with his run since being dealt. His ERA is down to 2.90, which stacks up favorably against Halladay, Wainwright and Jimenez, and what he's doing in "crunch" time is very impressive. Cole should also get some consideration. His K/9 rate is like 7th in all of baseball for starters.

[Tray]

But CJ, only one of Wainwright's last five starts has been a quality start. Not coincidentally, his team lost four of his last five starts. He tailed off just when his team needed him to dominate. By comparison, Halladay, who's been so-so of late, has thrown three quality starts in his last five.

[CJ]

Houston back up 5-3 on Cincy. SF down 1-0 to Milwaukee. SD getting blown out by St. Louis.

If only the Mets could have won...

[Fatalotti]

Do the Braves face Dickey this weekend? He's tough as hell in NY.

[Getyourbroom]

I feel so bad for Ryan Zimmerman, such a good solid player in a middling, and sad team. Too bad his contract with the Nats is locked in. I wish the Phils had him at 3rd.

[CJ]

Fatalotti: Yep. They face Dillon Gee tomorrow and Dickey on Sunday.

[Fatalotti]

WTF is Dillon Gee?

[CJ]

ERA:
1. J. Johnson 2.30
2. R. Halladay 2.49
3. A. Wainwright 2.50
4. T. Hudson 2.62
6. U. Jimenez 2.75

Wins:
1. R. Halladay 19
2. A. Wainwright 18
2. U. Jimenez 18
4. T. Hudson 15
23. J. Johnson 11

K's:
1. R. Halladay 210
5. A. Wainwright 199
8. J. Johnson 186
8. U. Jimenez 186
35. T. Hudson 135

WHIP
2. A. Wainwright 1.05
4. R. Halladay 1.07
7. J. Johnson 1.11
8. T. Hudson 1.13
9. U. Jimenez 1.15

WAR
1. R. Halladay 6.4
2. J. Johnson 6.2
3. A. Wainwright 5.8
4. U. Jimenez 5.7
21. T. Hudson 3.2

[CJ]

Fatalotti: Gee has two good starts under his belt so far, but his peripherals haven't been that good. Hopefully his luck continues tomorrow.

[Tray]

Obviously Wainwright's had a very nice season, but he folded, to some extent, down the stretch, and Halladay leads him in practically every stat. I'm sure he'll get many second-place votes.

[Fatalotti]

Halladay still leads the majors in xFIP.

[peasant]

hlladay also has way more CGS and INNINGs than the next guy... hes got the cy young locked if he can just go back to early season form in 2 of his next 3.

[Tray]

Feliz Hernandez is 6 innings into a no-hitter.

[Fatalotti]

A little explanation from Tom Verducci for why Colorado always seems to go on a tear in Septebmer:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/09/17/rockies.crawford/index.html?eref=sihp

In a word...lots of home game, and over the last 4 years, 11, count 'em, 11, games they've had to play outside of California, Colorado, and Arizona.

Interesting read.

[bay_area_phan]

I think Halladay SHOULD have Cy Young very close to wrapped up. But I keep hearing people in the sports media say they'd give it to Ubaldo (who, despite a mediocre outing, is about to win his 19th tonight). Ubaldo got a lot of national attention during his ridiculously hot start &, ever since then, it has been hard to change perceptions.

[Tray]

And Randy Wolf of all people pitches a complete game shutout against the Giants.

[MG]

Is there was a 'must-win' game for the Phils right now, Oswalt would be the guy I want starting on the mound. Tough call but I would still give him the nod over Halladay or Hamels. Instead, good chance this guy starts a Game 3 of a playoff series. Ridiculous.

[awh]

A few tidbits from the AP writeup on the game:

"
The six runs were the most in the first inning by Philadelphia this year. ... The Phillies are an NL-best 258-167 after the All-Star break in six seasons under Manuel. ... A crowd of 45,338 was the 115th straight sellout at Citizens Bank Park. ... Victorino extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... Oswalt is 63-16 in August, September and October."

258 - 167 is .607 baseball. Pretty good.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/gameflash/2010/09/17/31100_recap.html#ixzz0zrGEgQuW

[EastFallowfield]

Over last 18 games, Braves are 4-1 vs Mets and 5-8 vs the rest of their schedule.

[bake]

If the Phillies win the six remaining games with the Braves and lose the rest, they win the division.

[EastFallowfield]

Yo, newer thread