Preview: Losing Joey Votto has been no big deal to the first-place Reds, who've been red hot and have managed to climb to 74-48, marking the second-best record in baseball. The Central division leaders visit Citizens Bank Park for the first of four beginning at 7:10. Roy Halladay (6-7, 3.80) tries to build on his recent stretch of quality starts. He's opposed by Mike Leake (5-7, 4.29). Cincinnati's strength stems from a well above average offense, rotation and perhaps the best bullpen in baseball. They're a very strong candidate to represent the National League in the World Series. ... Meanwhile, the Phils welcome Placido Polanco back to the club. The Phils, who are hovering 11 games off the pace in the Wild Card race, will bat Polly seventh tonight as they hope to gauge what he has left in the tank. Hector Luna was optioned to clear space.
Light posting today but back on schedule tomorrow. (I've been traveling for work since Tuesday). Didn't have a chance to discuss Kyle Kendrick, who has a knack for turning it on when he absolutely must. It must be the fifth time in his career he's fought back from the brink after it appeared he'd pitched himself out of the rotation.
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They just need to threaten Kendrick with his job every two weeks and he'll win a Cy Young!
Posted by: Scotch Man | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:02 PM
I like the Reds, and I'd like to see them make it out of the NL as the WS team. Seeing as my Phils have nothing to play for the rest of this season, I wouldn't mind seeing them hand the next 4 games over to the visiting Reds.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:09 PM
‘Scotch Man’-- or...Have both KK’s father, and ‘Father Knows Best’ Surrogate - Rich Dubee 'speak' to him
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:25 PM
", I wouldn't mind seeing them hand the next 4 games over to the visiting Reds.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:09 PM"
Fat- you mean have the Phillies intentionally lose? : )
Better call an expert like Charlie Hustler in, to faciliate that..
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:28 PM
I agree that I would like to see the Reds make the WS, but it is physically impossible for me to root against the Phils. I just can't do it.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:38 PM
Yet again Mini Mart hangs on for his "versatility" while the team ignores the simple fact that playing him in CF is not extremely much better than sticking Luna, Polly, or even Utley's lawn chair out there. The fact that this guy is still gainfully employed with the numbers he "puts up" is gross mismanagement that borderlines on negligence. I wouldn't be shocked to hear that Rube has actually been vacationing in Fiji since the Hamels signing.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:39 PM
Just call Kendrick "Rasputin".
That's an old Chris Berman/Wayne Fontes reference.
Kendrick just does this to piss off folks. He gets bombed a few times and people want him released or sent to AAA. Then he pitches a gem and those folks have to be quiet for a while.
Again, there are much worse 5th starters in baseball then Kendrick. Leake is Cincy's 5th starter. He might be a shade better, but he can get lit up like a Christmas Tree too (and I think tonight might be one of those nights...I like the matchups for the first 6 guys in the lineup against Leake).
Posted by: denny b. | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 06:56 PM
Denny b: even Mayberry?
Posted by: UBIK | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:01 PM
With Mini-Mart's career day yesterday, I'm surprised UC doesn't have him playing today. "He's hittin' real good".
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:02 PM
"
They just need to threaten Kendrick with his job every two weeks and he'll win a Cy Young!
Posted by: Scotch Man"
OK, SM, you win the thread!!! LMAO. That will be hard to top.
Posted by: awh, Founder, JRoll in the 6-Hole Club | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:12 PM
Alright, who let LindBomb start a game?
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:14 PM
I see first inning Halladay is here.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:14 PM
"The fact that this guy is still gainfully employed with the numbers he "puts up" is gross mismanagement that borderlines on negligence."
Preacher, it's worse than that.
If RAJ were an M.D., he'd have been sued for malpratice in Federal Court, and it would be certified as a class action case.
Then again, the mini-mart saga is a window directly into the Phillies' way of thinking:
We all know by now that they place a heavy emphasis on tools. Well, mini-mart has "tools". The problem is that he has the same problem of all of those "big-toolshed, high-ceiling" players that the Phillies have drafted:
He can't fu888ng play!
Posted by: awh, Founder, JRoll in the 6-Hole Club | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:19 PM
Very inauspicious start by Halladay.
Posted by: awh, Founder, JRoll in the 6-Hole Club | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:19 PM
Rollins just continues to s**k!
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:22 PM
Entering this season even I never would have believed Juan Pierre would prove more valuable to the Phillies than Jimmy Rollins ... & yet, here we are.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:25 PM
as i said before, there isn't another player on the phils that is more "in the moment" than Juany.
Posted by: bullit | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:26 PM
bullit: As Crash Davis said, "The moment's over."
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:28 PM
And Ryan Howard just continues to pile up useless and meaningless RBI's.
Posted by: awh, Founder, JRoll in the 6-Hole Club | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:30 PM
GTD - and ironically, Rollins salary 11 MM & Pierre earns 800K
That means Pierre earns only 7,27% of what Rollins, earns,
Yet Rollins only puts forth 7.27% of the effort that Pierre does.
Imho, Pierre respects the game more...
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:37 PM
I see 2nd inning Halladay is here, too!
Posted by: Brian | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:38 PM
Great. r00b saw that & immediately exercised Polanco's option.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:38 PM
Leave my guy Jimmy alone.
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:38 PM
Only speaking the truth...
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:41 PM
Quickest cat?
Since when is Polly a feline?
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:43 PM
Good job, Jimmy.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:45 PM
Did you guys see this? By Craig Calciaterra
The Rocket returns. No, not to the majors, but he will be pitching again:
Sugar Land Skeeters president Matt O’Brien and Roger Clemens’ agent Randy Hendricks told FOX 26 Sports that Roger Clemens worked out for the Skeeters today and will sign with the team.
Hendricks and O’Brien told FOX Clemens will start for the Skeeters this Saturday in Sugar Land.
Skeeters officials said Clemens had a full workout today, was clocked at 87 mph and is in great shape.
Sugar Land is in the Atlantic League in independent ball so it’s not like it should be too hard to crack that rotation. I mean, if the Skeeters didn’t want him, the only other place around with lower standards would be prison leagues and the Houston Astros.
Now: we need the Lancaster Barnstormers to sign Barry Bonds so that everyone’s head can explode at once.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:46 PM
Even though MMM was the hero last night. Im sure Raj, is just giving him a fair shot, and has to realize by now MMM at best is probably a .210 hitter. To be fair to him he has only about 60 AB's this year. He will continue to be on this team the rest of the year. Hopefully next year they can think of a better solution.
Posted by: Luis | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:46 PM
Carl crawford to undergo Tommy John surgery. How many position players have ever had to have TJ surgery?
Posted by: norbertods | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:51 PM
"Imho, Pierre respects the game more..."
What the hell does this even mean?
Posted by: Iceman | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 07:53 PM
That was majestic.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:00 PM
The Big Man still has something left. No debating that. I really think that the power he has shown while hobbled bodes well for when he is fully recovered next year.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:00 PM
that's what the people want to see. it's the reason he's playing. i must say he is quite the soldier on two sore feet.
Posted by: bullit | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:00 PM
Ice-- It means he puts forth effort, runs every play out, does a lot more pre game prep, etc...
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:04 PM
Brady not playing vs Eagles.
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:07 PM
norbertods, not sure if you caught the NYY/BOS game last night (Lord knows no one would ever fault you for passing...), but there was good discussion by Orel and Francona about all of these decisions to "shut guys down" rather than play out the season. Strasburg and Crawford were obviously the center of the discussion and both guys thought that it was ridiculous to get overly cautious and "plan for tomorrow." Interesting take, as you see Howard out there tonight. In essence, these guys are paid to play until they say they cannot play.
The best part of the discussion was surrounding "whose call is it, anyway?" No one was able to say whether the BOS Front Office told Crawford he was done and had to undergo surgery, or whether it was his call. Interesting discussion, if nothing else.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:08 PM
thanks for reminding me about the Eagles. i promise not to blab the score...again ;)
Posted by: bullit | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:09 PM
Don't usually join evening game chats, but game is on TV here so I don't have to watch on my iPad.
Nice shot by the Big Piece. When he's struggling, I like seeing him go the opposite way because it means he's coming out of his slump. When he drills it like that, it means he's pretty locked in.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:11 PM
kratz'n'jammer !!!
Posted by: bullit | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:14 PM
First Howard, now Kratz. Nice!
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:14 PM
Kratz your hands everybody, everybody Kratz your hands ...
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:14 PM
All Kratz does is hit homeruns.
Sure would be nice if the Phils could occasionally hit a non-solo home run.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:15 PM
Kratz just made the 2013 roster.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:15 PM
My man Kratz. Good job.
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:15 PM
Just so we're all on the same page...
Eric Kratz has an OPS over 1.000 and 7 HRs in 70 PAs.
Eric Kratz.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:16 PM
i think doc hates batting. he probably can't wait for the DH.
Posted by: bullit | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:16 PM
Kratz 2012 is reminding me of 2nd half 2011 Mayberry.
Which is why I won't let myself even think 'Ruiz to 3B, Kratz C'
But has Kratz ever played LF?
Posted by: Cyclic | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:18 PM
Where's Clout to admit he was f'n wrong about Kratz?
Posted by: GM-Carson | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:21 PM
J-Stroll because that's how I roll, has popped up to the infield 57 times this season.
Horrendous.
Posted by: GM-Carson | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:22 PM
Jimmy is one of the top 5 Short stops in MLB.
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:25 PM
I don't like listening to JJ. He's always excited, even when it's the other team.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:26 PM
This is like a really long 2013 Spring Training. Doc will be fine, right?
Posted by: Cyclic | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:28 PM
oof. that was ugly.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:28 PM
What a mess.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Vick hurt
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Doc has been up and down since his return. The bright side, in my opinion, is that his relative struggles mean the Phillies won't be trading Cliff Lee this winter.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:30 PM
Well, the lead was nice while it lasted. Which wasn't very long.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:30 PM
Rollins is really struggling. I think it's time to get him a day off.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Vick heading off for xrays
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:33 PM
J-Stroll streak at 0-20. Down to a .297 OBP. Could barely be arsed to take the bat off of his shoulder that time.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Hey CollyM: Isn't there an Eagles version of Beerleaguer where you can post info that has nothing to do with the Phils? And maybe the readers on that blog will care?
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:34 PM
I like to pretend that we bat the pitcher 8th and that Pierre is our actual leadoff hitter.
Posted by: Cyclic | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:35 PM
It's pretty obvious why Cinci made a push for Pierre. Their leadoff hitter reaches base as infrequently as does ours. I actually feel bad for Pierre that he didn't get moved to a contender.
Posted by: curt | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Reds wisely walking Howard to pitch to Mayberry.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Hey SLO: Mind your own business.
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:36 PM
JJ is really obsessed with the idea of this game being called due to rain.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Howard gets the IBB. Or as some refer to it, "taking a Leake".
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:37 PM
Like I said Pierre is the man, Rollins - just here for the bucks...
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:37 PM
Gobaystars!, no kidding. I had to check myself to see if the apocalypse was coming.
Posted by: Replacement Level Poster | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:38 PM
GM-Carson: Are you exaggerating for effect? Fan graphs has 33 IFFB for J-Roll this year so far. His 20% IFFB rate is almost twice his career rate and twice what it was each of the last two seasons.
Of course his IFFBs + Ks is still less than Michael Bourn has this year (107 to 121).
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Entertaining game, at any rate.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:39 PM
Or maybe not so wisely.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:39 PM
WOW. ,, MAYBE. DOES IT!
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:39 PM
just don't divulge the score, as some want to watch the Eagles on tape later.
Posted by: bullit | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:40 PM
"taking a Leake" = very funny, GTown.
And you're right, this game is entertaining.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:41 PM
major domo !!
Posted by: bullit | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:41 PM
Nice rope by Dom. Still no HR, but starting to rack up some doubles now. His OPS is inching closer to .700 this year.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:41 PM
DOOOOOMMMMOOOOOOOO!!!
Posted by: lolwut | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:41 PM
Leake is leaking oil.
Posted by: curt | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:42 PM
also, wtf happened to vick?
Posted by: lolwut | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:42 PM
I consider myself very fortunate to harbor no disdain toward the lynchpin(s) of the best era in Phillies' history. I can't imagine how the last 10 years looked through Rollins (and to a lesser extend Howard) hating lenses. Is he struggling now? Sure, but to slander a player for just being older or struggling or whatever is odd.
Regardless, Brown looks good. Howard is getting stronger. The future looks bright.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:43 PM
Chance to see Cinci's BP now...
Posted by: SLO Phan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:44 PM
I think Dom'hitting is fine.Just needs to hone his defensive skills.
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:44 PM
DOMO NATOR !!
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:44 PM
I'm fine with doubles for now. Good to see him pull a few balls.
Posted by: ramsey | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:44 PM
Polly - much bigger offensive weapon than Frandsen NOT
Posted by: Stocky Vance | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:46 PM
10-0 Pats
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Not Doc's night, that's for sure, but I shudder to think what our bullpen might do.
Posted by: Kendrick Appreciation Society | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:52 PM
after more than one mention of people watching the eagles game on tape/dvr, we get a score post.
I don't care because I'm not much for football, but come on.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:52 PM
correction 11-0
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:52 PM
Has Kratz been shopping on Melky's website?
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:54 PM
ChollyM: Stop. Just please, stop. You're being an ass.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:55 PM
JW - Please ban ChollyM. Total troll. Thank you.
Posted by: aksmith | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:55 PM
I don't care about people posting the Eagles score from a perspective that it might ruin the game for those who haven't watched it yet (in this day and age, you can't expect to fritter about the internet and not catch the score of a sports contest), but I do take objection to littering a Phillies blog with Eagles posts.
And I'm a HUGE Eagles fan, watching the Eagles right now. But Eagles score posts don't belong on this blog. There are plenty of blogs for every sport team out there; use them. A passing mention here or there is fine, but don't post several things about not only a non-Phillies team, but a non-baseball team.
Just my opinion.
Posted by: Fatalotti | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:56 PM
What a bunch of dicks. Only told the score crybabies.
Posted by: ChollyM | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:56 PM
Holy eff, how did Kratz make that throw??
Amazing.
Posted by: Cyclic | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:58 PM
0fer over
Posted by: Cyclic | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 09:00 PM
Well done, Jimmy and Juan.
Posted by: gobaystars! | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 09:01 PM
ChollyM - Your act is pretty obvious and tiresome. It's rare that JW actually bans anyone, and that's likely why you're still around.
Better to have a tolerant website than the other kind, I suppose.
Posted by: aksmith | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 09:01 PM
Glad to see Jimmy finally get a hit.
Posted by: GBrettFan | Monday, August 20, 2012 at 09:02 PM