Preview: Cliff Lee (9-6, 2.82) takes the mound for the Phillies tonight in the middle game of a three-game series at Wrigley Field. Lee hasn't started since July 9, when he gave up one run in eight innings vs. Atlanta. He also worked 1 2/3 innings in last Tuesday's All-Star Game, giving up the lone run that the AL scored. Lee is 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA in five career starts against Chicago. The Cubs will give the ball to Matt Garza (4-7, 3.97), who will be making his second start out of the break. The righty pitched seven scoreless innings Thursday against Florida. Shane Victorino is off the DL and back in the lineup, which looks like this: Rollins SS, Martinez 3B, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Victorino CF, Ibanez LF, Brown RF, Ruiz C, Lee P.
Phillies
- Batting
Baseball-Reference - Batting - Advanced
Fangraphs - Fielding
Fangraphs - Pitching
Baseball-Reference - Pitching - Advanced
Fangraphs - Phillies - Official site
Phillies.com - Phillies - CSNPhilly.com
News, scores, stats - Pregame notes
From press office - Standings
CSNPhilly - Schedule - Game Log
Baseball-Reference - Team - League Leaders
Baseball-Reference - Salaries
Cot's Contracts - In-Game Live
CSN via Stats - Team - Splits
CSNPhilly - TV Schedule
CSNPhilly
Minor stats
Transactions & Such
- Atlantic League
Independent signings - Free Agents
Updated list (MLBTR) - Major League
MLB.com - Minor Leagues
Baseball America - Rotoworld ticker
News, moves, rumors
Winter leagues
- Arizona Fall League
- Caribbean Leagues
- Individual Phillies
Handy MLB directory - European Leagues
Mister-Baseball.com - Australian League
Terms of Service
« Catching up with Singleton, Colvin, other prospects | Main | Postgame: Mini-Mart stays open late, Phils nip Cubs »
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Comments
The comments to this entry are closed.
Regarding Cholly's comments about wanting something more than what we already have, I'm pretty sure he said the same thing last year before they got Oswalt...
Posted by: Chris in VT | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Giants get Keppinger.
Posted by: Bedrosian's Beard | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Valdez might as well just take a seat in the bullpen at this point. I get that Martinez may be a better 3B defensively, but did Exxon take a dump in the middle of the locker room floor or something, that he's not getting any of these starts?
Even Dobbs got a few pity starts to try to get some AB's every now and again.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:12 PM
I'm sure the Kemp thing is not true, but I second Jack in being willing to trade the farm for him.
The thing about trading for an OF bat is this- are they going to bench Brown or Ibanez? I guess it would probably be Brown, but as long as you have zero-tool Ibanez in LF, there will be a drain on the lineup no matter who you acquire. Teams would just walk Kemp to get to Raul.
Then again if you're going to deal for Kemp, you'd probably need to start the trade package with Brown, so it's a moot point.
I wish I could go back in time and un-read the rumor.
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Nice to see RFD get rewarded for his good play.
Posted by: jr | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Beltran is going to move in the next 48 hours...book it.
Posted by: nonamePHame | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Doesn't seem like the Giants gave up more than 2 fringe prospects who might become at best become a decent middle reliever at best.
Ed Wade's fascination with middle relievers will never end.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:41 PM
Yeah, Mayberry is the only one who hit the ball hard last night (other than J-Roll) and he did it 3 times at that. It's not like he can't hit RHP
Posted by: agroupofletters | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:42 PM
Wow, I'm a big fan of Brown's potential, but who does Mayberry have to bl&w to get any respect? This is almost inexplicable.
Posted by: aksmith | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:47 PM
could mayberry be on his way west?
Posted by: wes covington | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:50 PM
Yay, no pain for Oswalt
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:50 PM
Mayberry can't hit RHP to start everyday. His career MLB line so far:
.230/.310/.425 (.734 OPS) with 5 HRs in 113 ABs
I really like Mayberry as a 4th OF who can come off the bench to start vs LHP, have a little pop vs RHP as a PH, and be a late inning defensive sub/baserunner. Can also play all 3 OF positions. Mayberry has shown has he has some value this year if he is utilized properly. I like him a low-cost bench option next year.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:53 PM
I'd rather see RFD in there then Brown right now. No matter what some guys do, they just can't get playing time.
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Old Phan - I would mind seeing him play there either tonight but Phils are just going to have to take their lumps with Brown.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Wes-
The Phils need to keep Mayberry. He looks like he's coming around and getting comfortable. His AB's have gotten noticeably better and his strikezone recoginition much improved.
He's always had the tools. Maybe he's finally figured out what he needs to do. The new stance has him covering the plate and quicker on inside pitches. His balance looks better and he is hitting pitches 2 months ago he would have never done anything with (the 2 run single against Dickey being a prime example). Teams keep trying to bust him inside and he keeps putting good swings on them.
It would be nice if he swung at a first pitch every-once-in-a-while (ala Utley) just so he could jump on one of these get me over fastballs and maybe hit one to the cheap seats. But the patient approach has done him more good then harm. He's at least now, someone you feel somewhat comfortable with up there. And you certainly feel good with him patroling the OF.
The Phils might have themselves a nice piece of the puzzle. Not a star piece, but an intriguing piece.
Posted by: denny b. | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:02 PM
Great news about Vice Roy.
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:05 PM
denny b - from your lips...
i genuinely hope that is the case. it sure would be nice for a Bautista like career metamorphisis for Mayberry, even if it's to a considerably smaller scale.
Posted by: conshy matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:08 PM
I thought Wilson Valdez had proved his ability as a utility infielder, and would be playing third while Polanco was out.
Now it appears that Michael Martinez has displaced Valdez as the substitute 3rd baseman.
Somebody remind me what happened that produced this shift in the Phillies secondary roster, 'cause I missed it. Martinez doesn't really hit any better than Valdez. He does not have a better arm. Does he field better? Does he have Charlie Manuel's grand kids as hostages? Is Charlie trying to disprove the "tall 3rd baseman" hypothesis? What?
Color me mystified.
Posted by: philwynk | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:13 PM
Yeah, this was encouraging. Hope it's not spin...
"Roy Oswalt threw almost 50 pitches off a mound today at Wrigley and said he feels the best his body has felt since spring training and was very encouraged by his bullpen session. "
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:14 PM
matt-
I'd just like to see him be a solid 4th OF and continue to show improvement. Someone you can plug in there for 2 weeks or a month if you get an injury to one of your starting OF's and not have much falloff.
He'll still go through streaks where he looks bad (because his swing is long). But you have to say the arrow on his career now seems to be pointing upward. Finally.
Posted by: denny b. | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:14 PM
It's Mets fans reactions to Brown/Beltran trade rumors that have me second guessing it all:
Wait, that Domonic Brown? The 23-year-old outfielder who was ranked the fourth-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America coming into the season?
I mean, it would absolutely destroy me to see Beltran play out the next couple of months with the Phillies. And I approach all trade-deadline speculation with tons of skepticism, as you probably know. But I had no idea we were talking about that caliber prospect.
Because if you’re dealing Beltran for Brown, not only are you trading two months of Beltran’s awesomeness for several years of a highly touted, Major League-ready young outfielder that could blossom into a star, but you’re taking from the Phillies one of their few players on the short side of 30.
Doesn’t smell like something the Phillies would do. Seems like a no-brainer from the Mets’ standpoint, no matter how much it helps their rivals this season.
At any rate, I too think it “doesn’t smell like something the Phillies would do.” And as great a talent Beltran is right now, it would be the quintessential ‘mortgage the future to win now’ move. Whether you think Brown will pan out or not, that’s precisely what RAJ would be doing.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Glad to see Mini Mart is in the 2-hole again tonight. Yeah he has hit a bit of late but I would rather see Vic, Mayberry, or Chooch there. Foolish to give him an extra AB.
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Oh, and the above commentary was from Tedquarters.com. Sorry for forgetting to include that.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Wait, are there really some posters on this board that want to see John Mayberry Jr. instead of Dom Brown versus a right hander?
Posted by: Spitz | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:22 PM
philwynk, Valdez had some very bad defensive games at 3B. The misplayed "double" in the most recent Hamels start comes to mind. Martinez has been decent defensively. He's also been better with the bat than Valdez.
Posted by: whitey | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Actually - ignore my last comment. Garza actually has reverse splits. Carry on with your John Mayberry love.
Posted by: Spitz | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:27 PM
Martinez has looked pretty good at third base in limited action. And it's not like you're benching Brooks Robinson. Valdez is not a good player.
Now as far as putting Martinez in the 2-hole, that's a decision that makes absolutely no sense.
Posted by: Iceman | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:28 PM
"The misplayed "double" in the most recent Hamels start comes to mind."
"Martinez has looked pretty good at third base in limited action."
I guess this is what I get for "watching" the Phillies in GameDay. I feel blind.
Thanks for the information, guys.
Posted by: philwynk | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:35 PM
I predict MM actually lays down a bunt today.
Posted by: whitey | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:40 PM
I'm not at all on the Bash MM bandwagon but I think Exxon is a better fielder.
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Old Phan, not at 3B. Not even close...well, at least this year.
Posted by: whitey | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 07:56 PM
Exxon does have a better arm. No debate there
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Reading that Ken Rosenthal wrote that the phillies are pursuing Beltran to form an outfield of Beltran, Vic, and Ibanez is like reading about trading Lee to get Doc. Good news followed by a punch to the gut. Dom Brown has his flaws, defense being primary, but why the hell would he be relegated to the bench or minors so that Ibanez can start? I thought the point of getting a RH bat was to replace Ibanez at this point.
Posted by: lekh tizdayen | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:02 PM
Garza has handled the Phillies pretty well in his 2 career starts. I expect a pitchers duel tonight.
Posted by: mvptommyd | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:02 PM
no i don't think that is the case at all. ive never read that
Posted by: st | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:03 PM
MiniMart at 3B? Small Sample Size much?
Posted by: donc | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:03 PM
How many references to Garza spitting do you think Wheels will make?
Posted by: mvptommyd | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:08 PM
MVP - Garza gave up 3 HRs (4 ER total) in 6 IP against the Phils in the WS - to Utley, Howard, Ruiz. That's not pitching so great.
Of course, those were the days when Utley could actually square a ball up.
Posted by: Spitz | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Hib to the jib
Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Cubs announcers have been talking about Lee for like 5 minutes now. Nice.
Posted by: Andrew | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:16 PM
MM has played what, maybe 5 games at 3rd? Hard to judge him at all, let alone being not close to Exxon.
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Spitz, that lazy fly out in the first inning doesn't give you hope that Utley can still square 'em up?
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:17 PM
8 pitch double to Reed Johnson? Yikes
Posted by: Spitz | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
And so it begins tonight ... everybody knows Bochy cursed Lee too.
Posted by: Bobby Cocks | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
God dammit.
Posted by: Andrew | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
That damn Bochy!
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
ugh
Posted by: conshy matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
DAMN YOU BOCHY
Posted by: Matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:18 PM
well, that was fun...
Posted by: wes covington | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Old Phan, I'm with you, left scratching my head about Exxon. And if he's fallen out of favor to the Rule 5 guy, then might as well just jettison him altogether. You know, leverage organizational redundancies, and all?
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Good thing we won't have to play this under 500 team in the playoffs
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Hey, its Starlin Castro. You can only keep him in the park for so long...
Posted by: Spitz | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
spitz: In the reguar season Garza is 1-1 against the Phillies with a 1.29 ERA in 14 IP. I think that is pretty good, no?
Posted by: mvptommyd | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
So, our 3 ace pitchers and our 2 best hitters are all off to great starts in the 2nd half . . .
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:19 PM
I guess that box of scorpions I sent to Bochy didn't help.
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Feels like a loss, Garza will dominate this lineup tonight - 8 IP 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB (semi-intentional to Howard to get to Raul).
Posted by: Von Haze | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
I will just say it now, Season = Over
Posted by: mvptommyd | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:20 PM
Yeah, but Worley AND Kendrick look great!!!
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Tilt?
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Damn this warm air. That ball is carrying.
Posted by: Andrew | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Are they using the same bats as we are???????
Posted by: Cyclic | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
Feels like a loss.
Posted by: Dickie Thon | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
well, at least Cliff hasn't changed his shirt yet.
Posted by: conshy matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:21 PM
And Beltran has 2 doubles tonight. Brown better start packing his stuff...
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Ok, no more pitchers at the all star game
Posted by: Steve | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Ugh. Unlike Halladay & Hamels, Lee has no way to get hitters out without his A command. If he doesn't find it soon, this could get very ugly very quickly.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Got home late. Wish I hadn't gotten home at all. It's almost august and we have the best record in baseball. Why does it suddenly feel like we're in last place struggling for a win a series?
Posted by: Lincoln Hawkes | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM
How about a little chin music here? No one does that anymore.
Posted by: Matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:22 PM
son.of.a.dirty.whore
Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Andrew, its only warm during the bottom of each frame. Becomes frigid during the top of the innings.
Time to root on Ubaldo Jimenez against the Braves.
Posted by: Spitz | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Maybe there's rolly derby on somewhere.
Posted by: donc | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Maybe the Phils can get a couple of the .300 hitters in the Cubs' lineup.
Posted by: Von Haze | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:23 PM
what a great third baseman
Posted by: fooman | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:24 PM
If we can't stop the bleeding, this would be the optimal game to get our long man some work.
Oh wait....
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Valdez has played that bad at 3B this year. Having a nice arm at 3B only matters if he can catch the ball. SSS, of course. We are talking about utility players.
THAT was a nice play.
Posted by: whitey | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Even those 2 outs were absolutely smashed.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:24 PM
web gem for mini mart.
Posted by: conshy matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:24 PM
One thing about these few innings in Chicago -- we're getting reminded what it looks like when professional hitters square up a pitch.
Posted by: curt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:24 PM
whoa. LCD backhand system!
Posted by: Lincoln Hawkes | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Not sure Exxan would've made that play at third.
Posted by: Ron Jones | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Nice play, MM
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Nice job Martinez. SSS withstanding, I have been pretty impressed with his defense at 3rd. If only we could teach him to hit better, then we would have found have found his niche.
Posted by: Andrew | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:25 PM
Yeah, we should also note that when we exclaim at the beginning of each season "Player X is just waiting for it to get warm out," that Player X only wants it warm to a certain degree, at which point it can be too hot, too.
Basically, if we can get a string of games with the optimal 74-75 degrees with 65% humidity and a nice marine layer, we'll crank off a nice win streak.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:26 PM
The first out was a broken bat humpback liner. Not exactly smashed. But he hasn't looked good, regardless.
Posted by: Matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:26 PM
They have smashed some balls but they have also shown how to take pitchers and work an AB - esp last night when Halladay was about to pass out.
Posted by: Von Hayes | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Not saying we are going to lose this series, but IF we do it would be our first series loss in over a month. Let that marinate. Unreal.
Posted by: mvptommyd | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:29 PM
How did Howard not launch that onto the street?
Posted by: Von Hayes | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:29 PM
Garza feeling no need to even waste a pitch against Ryan.
Posted by: curt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:31 PM
With the day game tomorrow, surely Valdez has to get the nod, probably to spell Utley? Ditto Schneider and JMJ.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:32 PM
MVP, that would be great if the Braves weren't playing better baseball than the Phillies right now. There is a huge premium to win the NL East this year, b/c the winner will almost certainly take on the winner of the crappy NL Central, while the wild card team will battle the Giants. I think everyone would agree that the Phils, Giants, and Braves are the best three team (by far) in the NL, so its imperative to win the division.
Posted by: Spitz | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:32 PM
MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-MAN THIS IS GETTING ME STEAMED-
Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:33 PM
the rare BB for Raul.
Posted by: conshy matt | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:35 PM
I like how they keep showing Cy Lopez in the Cubs dugout.
Posted by: Von Hayes | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:35 PM
spitz: That is all well and good, but a series loss here and there won't kill you believe it or not. Braves have the exact record as last year at this time while the Phillies are 11 games better than this time last year. The Braves usually fade at the end while the Phillies get stronger. It will be alright.
Posted by: mvptommyd | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:36 PM
Bop, it's the 2nd inning. Have a drink.
Posted by: Old Phan | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:36 PM
Utley/Howard are 2-31 and counting since the break . . .
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:36 PM
The way people are obsessed with the division race on July 19th, you would think it is September 19th. Relax people.
Posted by: mvptommyd | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Additionally, by September, the Braves bullpen arms will have fallen off, so they will (presumably) not be pitching nearly as well.
Posted by: Andrew | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Why would you give Brown an outside fastball there 2-2 instead of on the inside corner?
Posted by: MG | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:38 PM
J. Rollins SS WASHED UP POP UP KING
M. Martinez 3B ZERO TOOL SCRUB
C. Utley 2B NO MORE POWER
R. Howard 1B MOST OVERPAID EVER
S. Victorino CF DECENT
R. Ibanez LF STIFF
D. Brown RF SCRUB
C. Ruiz C DECENT
Posted by: They Call Me King Of The Bop | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 08:38 PM