If there's one thing I've learned in three decades of watching baseball, it's this: Some days you just have to give the ball to Joe Blanton and get the hell out of the way.
Blanton, the architect of zero complete games with the Phillies and just two career shutouts entering today's matinee, was as good as we've ever seen him.
The numbers: 9 IP, 3 H (all singles), 0 R, 6 K, 0 BB. Perhaps the most impressive number: 88 pitches.
After last night's extra-inning loss in which Charlie Manuel used every reliever except the only good one the Phillies have, this performance from Blanton was enormous. Home runs from Laynce Nix and Shane Victorino didn't hurt either, as the Phillies defeated the Braves 4-0 in the rubber game at Turner Field. Off to Washington.
Joe Blanton has held Chipper to a .941 OPS over his career...which makes him our best starting option against him. He practically owns Chipper.
In former Phillie notes, Tyler Green did actually own him: 2 for 20 (.332) in his career vs. Green. So did Oswalt: 8 of 33 (.578 OPS)
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 10:46 PM
:Larry loves playing the Phillies...he is the all-time Captain of the Phillies Killers.
Posted by: NEPP "
NEPP, you and the rest of the youngsters have short memories.
Vlad Guerrero was the all-time Phillie killer and captain of that team:
91 G, .371/.465/.739/1.204, 73 R, 121 H, 25 2B, 1 3B, 31 HR, 84 RBI, 13 SB/3 CS, 50 BB, 38 K.
If you extrapolate that out to the number of games an PA Larry had, Guerrero would easily eclipse him (and that's not denigrating Larry).
I was NEVER happier when an opposing player moved to another team.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Chipper is still the Phillie killer captain from positional scarcity alone. 3B is more important that RF/LF. :)
Also, 233 games is a lot more than 91.
Still Guerrero is definitely hitting cleanup in the Phillie killer lineup.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Larry got Vlad on longevity...he's been killing us for nearly 20 seasons consistently.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 10:55 PM
Albert Pujols has been absolute garbage this year.
Came into tonight's game with a .539 OPS, and has lowered it so far tonight. He'll eventually come around, but I read column that said it perfectly. When you're in the first year of a ~#250 M contract, a 25 game stretch this abysmal is inexcusable. Whether that's fair or not, that's how many people will feel, and I can't say I wholly disagree.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 10:57 PM
What if Albert pulls an Andruw Jones or even a Jimmie Foxx? The Angels would feel pretty dumb if that happens.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 10:59 PM
I was NEVER happier when an opposing player moved to another team.
Agreed. Vlad never met a pitch he wouldn't swing at, & they all seemed to travel a long distance. There was simply no good approach to take. You could try to bean the guy & he'd hit a double. I was thrilled when he went to the AL.
That said, Larry wins the title for being so consistently destructive for so many years.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:00 PM
All I am going to say.The Phillies have won every game Peter Orr has started. (6) Just saying.
Posted by: Elephant in the room | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Fatti, OK, I concede the captaincy to chipper because of longevity, but that's it.
Guerrero was absolute f88888g murder on the Phillies.
To use your numbers on all-time players, he'd be 3rd in OBP and 1st in SLG and OPS.
He was the best hitter I ever saw - when playing the Phillies.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:01 PM
Burrell seemed to be a Jedi against the Mutts. Who on the Phils' roster owns another team? Going to CBP South tomorrow night and will experience "Natitude" first hand. I hope to hear "Let's Go Phillies", early and often.
Posted by: DCPhan | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:02 PM
NEPP, not quite the same level of player through 31 as Albert or Foxx, but it has an Angels twist:
Mo Vaughn. Signed by the Angels at age 31, coming off a 6 year stretch of a 148 OPS+. Played two season with the Angels, missed his age 33 season due to an injury, had one more productive season after being dealt to the Mets, and was pretty much out of baseball after that.
Again, not the same level of what Pujols has been, but a 148 OPS+ over 6 years is nothing to sneeze at.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:03 PM
Burrell as a Met killer is a bit overblown.
He had a 109 tOPS+ against the Mets. The 5 teams he beat his career numbers by the most:
Cardinals: 1.038 OPS, 264 PA, 148 tOPS+
Phillies: 1.002 OPS, 25 PA, 133 tOPS+
Cubs: .977 OPS, 280 PA, 134 tOPS+
Rockies: .977, 233 OPS, 135 tOPS+
Astros: .963, 186 PA, 128 tOPS+
Mutts are 8th on the list, with a .876 OPS, 109 tOPS+
So, he was a Cardinal killer, ostensibly.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:08 PM
Here's a good comp for Chipper and Vlad: Chipper was more like Greg Maddux (slow and steady and an unstoppable force that just kept hitting you) while Vlad was more of a Pedro (insane unmatchable peak but not the longevity) but both are 1st ballot HOF Phillies Killers
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Burrell didnt really own the Mets statistically outside of hitting a bunch of big HRs against them.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:12 PM
Yeah NEPP, the significance of those HRS probably does outweigh the overall stats, especially considerings i's only 200+ PAs.
Still, he did murder the Cardinals.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:14 PM
Burrell hit 42 HRs in 653 career PA against the Mets. He loved playing them.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Just turned on MLB Network & Broxton is in the process of blowing a Save. Good memories ...
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Matt Stairs still wears Broxton's soul on a chain around his neck.
Posted by: NEPP | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:23 PM
Broxton still sucks. Some slick defense by KC, though.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Joe Blanton actually looks thinner when he's pitching well. Anyone else notice?
Posted by: aksmith | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:31 PM
I know they won today, but after last night's Phils game and tonight's Flyers game, I might spare myself tomorrow night's big Strasburg v. Kendrick matchup.
Who am I kidding, I'll probably still watch.
Posted by: Iceman | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Porn ACL for Rivera. Looks like he'll be done for at least the year.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:41 PM
That would be "Torn". Porn for Yankees haters, I suppose, but I respect Mo.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:42 PM
Yikes on Rivera. I wonder if he'll just call it a career. Tough injury to come back from as a pitcher in your early 40s.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:43 PM
"All I am going to say.The Phillies have won every game Peter Orr has started. (6) Just saying."
Elephant, are you suggesting Orr is the 2012 version of 2011 Brian Schneider?
Posted by: awh | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:44 PM
I remember watching Vlad when he first came up for the Expos and thinking that he had a chance to be one of the all-time great players.
Two things held him back from being an inner-circle, first-ballot HOF (of course he'll just have to settle for a regular ole HOF career): his moderate plate discipline and the nagging injuries that made him a bat-only player in his 30s.
Of course, his plate discipline was a function of the fact that he could hit anything within 6 feet of the plate. And it's just too bad about the injuries, because in his mid-20s, there was simply nothing on a baseball field the guy couldn't do at the highest level. He was terrifyingly talented.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Jack, crazy thing about Vlad's swing-happy proclivities, is that he posted at least an average walk rate and a great strikeout rate: 8.1% BB, 10.9% SO, which is a phenomenal ratio, especially a guy with a .235 lifetime ISO.
Just a special hitter.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:58 PM
This is the team that we have come to know and love. Win 2 of 3, but the loss is so horrendous, it's the only game we will remember months or years from now.
Posted by: goody | Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 11:59 PM
Vlad and A-Rod in their 20's were the two best pure, athletic baseball players of the last 30 years or so--maybe Bonds in his 20's.
A-Rod's 1996 season at age 20 is one of the all-time great seasons, when you consider his age. Kid hit .358/.414/.631 with 36 HRs and 15 SBs while playing plus defense at SS. At an age where we consider a top prospect age-appropriate at High-A ball.
Posted by: Jack | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:01 AM
2 games in a row with bizarre results. They say things happen in 3's. Here is tomorrow's bizarro plot. KK outpitches Strasburg, and leads 5-0 after 8 on 79 pitches. Cholly brings in Pap "because he needs the work", and he blows the game.
Alternate plot: Big Truck decks The Jerk, and a brawl breaks out.
Posted by: goody | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:11 AM
Juan Gonzalez shouldn't have won that MVP in 1996, Jack. In fact, if you look at bWAR, Gonazalez was a 2.8 WAR player, A-Rod was a 9.4 WAR player.
Even using traditional stats and ideology, A-Rod had a 161 OPS+, Gonzales a 145 OPS+, with A-Rod stealing 15 bases to Gonzalez's two.
Oh, and A-Rod was a shortstop. Gonazlez an outfielder.
Maybe the biggest flub by MVP voters of all time?
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:15 AM
Actually, if we go by WAR, Griffey probably should have won the MVP. Ridiculous 9.7 WAR year.
How did that team have Griffey in CF at his prime, and A-Rod at SS doing what he did at the plate, and only win 85 games?
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:17 AM
Fatti, it was an MVP decision between a now known PED user (I wouldn't be surprised if it came out that he used them throughout his career, even before Texas) and a suspected PED user in Gonzalez.
One wonders ....
Posted by: awh | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:19 AM
Fata: The perils of relying on RBI.
Of course, if you think like that, you'd have to think maybe Ryan Howard didn't deserve his high MVP finishes...
Nevermind. Don't want to talk about that.
Posted by: Jack | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:20 AM
awh, PEDs or not, a 20 year old with those numbers is still crazy. And of course, at the time, PEDs weren't even a topic. Jack is right. The RBI had to have won Gonzalez the MVP. He had 144, A-Rod had 123.
Here's the thing, though. Griffey had 140 RBI, 125 R, a line of .303/.392/.628 (1.020)
Gonzalez had 144 RBI, 89 R, a line of .314/.368/.643 (1.011)
Griffey was the ultimate defensive CF, Gonzalez was decidedly not. And Griffey had it all over him with the numbers. Even A-Rod's numbers were better than Gonzalez's.
Basically, a Mariner should won the MVP that year, if not shared it between Griffey and A-Rod. Biggest flub of all time.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:25 AM
As of April 22, the Phillies were 29th in the majors and 15th in the NL in runs/game at 2.69.
Since they 23rd, they have averaged 5.4 runs/game, and are 4th int he majors and 3rd in the NL over that period.
Overall, they are all the way up to 22nd in the majors and 11th in the NL in offense. Let's see if they can keep it up and keep moving up the leaderboards. I have my doubts, but we'll see. Still 12th in the NL in OPS+, OBP and SLG, so they have only jumped the likes of Chicago, Washington and Pittsburgh. Surprised to see Miami in there, but their offense has been brutal this year.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:40 AM
Crazy thing about the Miami offense, and something that is not sustainable: the only reason they're not the worst offense is baseball is probably because of Omar freakin Infante, who has a 154 OPS+ right now.
Han-Ram and Reyes have been big time busts so far this season (86 and 75 OPS+, respectively).
John Buck and Gabby Sanchez have 66 and 52 OPS+, respectively, and Emilio Bonifacio hasn't hit an extra base hit yet. Is 10/10 in stolen base opportunities, but it'd be nice to get to 2nd before the next AB begins, ya know?
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:43 AM
Infante has an ISO of .357 this season. His career ISO is .123. That's not just going to regress...that's going to free fall to the mean.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:44 AM
Fata - If memory serves, the Rangers in 1996 made the playoffs whereas the Mariners didn't. Sportwriters love giving awards based on team play even though the award is for Most Valuable Player.
Also that Mariners team had almost no pitching. Randy Johnson was hurt that year and the staff was anchored by Sterling Hitchcock, Jamie Moyer and Terry Mulholland.
Posted by: RedBurb | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 07:39 AM
After watching Halladay's Blanton-esque 6th inning implosion and Blanton's Halladay-esque 3 hitter, I'm expecting Kendrick to go through the Nats lineup like a hot knife through butter. Nixington will have a two homer day, running Strasburger after 6, and Phils win 6-1.
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 08:03 AM
I'm sorry - 5th inning implosion.
Posted by: Hugh Mulcahy | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 08:05 AM
Was offered two different games by "real Nats fans" (they buy tickets and usually sell them to interested out of towners) but suspect traveling all those hours with a three year old will be troublesome. I guess I will have to experience Natitude some other time.
Posted by: Raul's grandpa | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 08:17 AM
Just a thought (I'll also lay out the SSS qualification), but because he hits from the left side and can be used against RHP, which makes up about 3/4 of all MLB pitchers, if Nix can keep producing the way he's capable, getting him for 2yr/$2.5MM might be one of the better contracts Amaro offered a player.
Posted by: awh | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 09:10 AM
Luckily the Hank Aaron award is now given to the best hitter so that the writers can give the MVP to whomever they d8mn please.
Posted by: Jbird | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 09:41 AM
Getting caught up on the thread. A couple of thoughts:
- anyone think they'd ever see a season where there have been 2 no-hitters pitched before Pujols hits a HR?
- Phils are +160 (Nats -190) today - good chance to make some good $ if you believe in KK. I don't.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 09:54 AM
Tough news about Rivera. Watched an interview with him the other day that just established what a class act he is.
If he does retire - at least we've enjoyed watching one of the best players in the history of the game.
Anyone who doubts the value of a closer should just take a look at what he's meant to the Yankees (and there I'm only speaking to his on-field contributions). Of course, no one else is a Mariano Rivera, but he serves as and example of the value of a good closer even if they only approximate, in one given season, his career level of performance.
Posted by: Phlipper (Switching over to the Walt Whitman for the Flyers game.) | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Lucky for him, it is Cashman running the show up there. After the Pineda debacle, if it was me, I would have had them hold up a sheet and take care of Rivera like a downer horse at Pimlico.
Posted by: The Evil Ed Wade | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 10:08 AM
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Mariano Rivera is better at his job than any player I've ever seen.
Posted by: donc | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 10:26 AM
get ready to take over nationals park. i'll be there.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/vincent-gray-declares-natitude-weekend-in-dc/2012/05/03/gIQAvaa1yT_blog.html
Posted by: Niefy | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Know someone who did some professional work for mariano Rivera. She said he was an incredibly gracious, down to earth, and unassuming guy; which ties in with everything I've read or seen in interviews.
Posted by: Bob | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:00 AM
The tears in Mo's eyes when explaining his injury pretty tells you that his career is over.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:05 AM
WP: I like that +160... I think Kendrick can maintain this Nats lineup. Harper is obviously the wildcard though, might be a hard trigger to pull.
And i mean, when was the last time you could get the Phils at that price? You might be going back to the 08 season.
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Fata: Good players who swing at anything usually don't strike out much, but not too many of them walk much either. The exceptions are really special like Vlad. Tony Gwynn had a 7.9 BB% and almost never struck out. Yogi Berra was also a swing-at-anything guy and he had an 8.4 BB% with only 4.9 K% while hitting 358 career HRs.
Posted by: clout | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Fata: Gonzalez was MVP because the Rangers made the playoffs and the Mariners didn't.
Very hard for a non-playoff team player to win MVP no matter how great his stats, Matt Kemp being only the latest of many examples.
Posted by: clout | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Lore, I'm reading that the Phils have only been bigger dogs one time since the start of 2010. +195 at Atlanta 10/2/10 after they already clinched the division.
Basically, as far as Vegas is concerned, the odds of a Phillies loss have only ever been higher after they had nothing to play for, and even then, only once...
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Oh, and as for why the '96 Mariners didn't get to post-season with such a great lineup? Their top two starters were Sterling Hitchcock and Bob Wolcott.
Posted by: clout | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Cloyd/Brummett to LV.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 11:42 AM
My park takeover is Saturday.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:04 PM
attytood vs. natitude go phils !!
Posted by: bullit | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Is there this sort of raw video of Freddy Garcia's BP injury from 07?
Posted by: gobaystars! | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:33 PM
I don't get the venom towards the Nationals and the people there declaring it "Nattitude weekend." It's a marketing ploy and has been from the start.
They are trying to build a brand there for baseball and right now they have a good team. It makes sense for them to try and put themselves on the radar of the Phillies and the national media by taking these steps. It's good business even if as a Phillies fan you don't care for it.
Posted by: The Truth Injection | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:41 PM
willard: what you got for the derby sat?
Posted by: lorecore | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Yeah that's really a shame about Rivera. I have a ton of respect for him and just marvel at the success he's had and built on virtually one pitch for the majority of his career. It's a pipe dream but I hope he can make it back for one more year after he recovers.
So Kendrick will definitely give Harper his first golden sombrero tonight right?
Posted by: Joe D | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:44 PM
TTI - Yeah. I never understood why people get that worked up either way over simple marketing schtick but then again I am not in marketing.
Posted by: MG | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:45 PM
The Nats can do whatever they want with marketing but the whole disallowing of Philly fans to even buy tickets is unconstitutional. Whatever, I need a team to hate since the Mets are no longer able to fill that void.
Posted by: Joe D | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Lore, did you happen to catch that the Phils are also +150 on the series? Could be a good test of whether or not you think the hitting has finally come around...
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:51 PM
" Whatever, I need a team to hate since the Mets are no longer able to fill that void."
Joe, you're not trying hard enough.
Posted by: donc | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:52 PM
uhoh the big "unconstitutional" has been dropped. I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 12:59 PM
say what donc?
Posted by: Joe D | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 01:03 PM
And I get that the Nats are trying to build a fanbase but the only way to do that is through winning. Until you cement yourself as a winning team you might want to accept Phillies fans money so that in turn you generate more revenue which will allow you to sign more talent/keep the talent you have. But who am I to tell them how to run their business.
Posted by: Joe D | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 01:04 PM
Good piece by Siedeman although Desmond has good career numbers too vs. KK.
I do like the Phils at +180 tonight as bargain bet with a minor wager.
http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/phillies-talk/Dont-be-shocked-if-Kendrick-outduels-Str?blockID=702120&feedID=693
Posted by: MG | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 01:06 PM
yo, game chat thread (already???).
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Friday, May 04, 2012 at 01:12 PM
The superior bass along with the exceptional isolation technologies make SOLO HD more outstanding. http://monsterbeatsstudio.us
Posted by: Monster LadyGaga | Saturday, May 05, 2012 at 02:16 AM
His plaque will of course say Larry Wayne (Chipper) Jones, right?
I mean, Babe Ruth's plaque says George Herman (Babe) Ruth so it should have his legal name, right?
http://monsterbeatsstudio.us
Posted by: Monster Beats Headphones | Monday, May 07, 2012 at 03:33 AM