Rising rookie Vance Worley (7-1, 2.02) tries to complete the sweep of Jeff Karstens (8-5, 2.41) and the Pirates in today's 1:35 matinee.
Beerleaguer: With Hunter Pence added to the fold and Placido Polanco back off the DL, the Phillies are armed and ready for the stretch run. A pitching-strong foe like the Giants will give anyone fits. It's the just the nature of the game. But despite dropping two-of-three to the defending champs, the Phils are in the best shape of the season, with core players like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins contributing at a high level. Improved health, the trade for Pence, offensive consistency and Worley's surprise dominance have been the subplots of July.
What to watch: Will the Phillies add last-minute help, or wait until the waiver-trade period? Expect the latter.
Jack, I agree. The fact that Hanrahan never gets into these extra innings games for the Pirates is mind boggling. Great game for the Phillies. Off to see MayhemFest concert and headbang all night. I like Pence's words there:
"Good game, let's go eat!!"
Amen.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 05:04 PM
What a fun game to watch. This team is the best.
Posted by: krukker | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Gotta love the Pence quote "Great game, let's go eat!"
Posted by: Von Haze | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 05:04 PM
BAP- Herndon was an ok call today (its just hard to shake 1.5 years of his sucking to assume he'll be good, but he has been lately). I just don't like the idea that the phils are down 2, so Stutes, Madson, and Bastardo are automatically unavailable. That's all I'm saying...now its time to celebrate a great win!
Posted by: psd | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Iceman: The debate was whether he should have used Stutes or Herndon. Stutes is our 3rd best reliever and is usually Cholly's 7th inning guy when we're winning. When we're losing, he doesn't use him. It's not because he's conceding the game or thinks we're going to lose. It's because you simply manage your resources differently in a game where you're losing.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 05:05 PM
The rumors of my demise have been grossly premature.
Posted by: RAUUUUUUUUUUUUL Ibanez | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Guess they didn't overpay for Pence afterall.
Let's go eat.
Posted by: vanimal | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 05:08 PM