Saturday chat: Phillies looking to close Wild Card gap

As of this writing, the Cubs have overtaken the lead from the Cardinals in the bottom of the sixth inning, while the Nationals are flattening the Brewers 9-0. Meanwhile in Philadelphia, Roy Halladay and the Phillies must keep pace against left-hander Mike Minor and the Braves in the Fox afternoon game. First pitch is 4:05. The Phils go to work with their best arrangement: Rollins, Pierre (starting against a lefty, and making Ruben Amaro look wise for not trading him), Utley, Howard, Ruiz, Mayberry, Brown, Frandsen. The Phils need a signature performance from Halladay, who has labored lately. Should the Cardinal suffer a "Houston" moment, and the Phillies prevail, the deficit would be down to a pair. [Jump to the newest comments]

Comments

[bullit]

doc may have a thermorugulation problem, which would involve the hypothalmus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoregulation

i see that wearing a polyester uni doesn't help.

[NEPP]

Cotton is King!

[Dylan Black]

Doc hasn't been sharp most of the year. Don't be surprised if he has some procedure done after the season. He didn't naturally decline this much in one year.

[johnnysanz3]

Cotton is King!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYFbknzeVNM

[johnnysanz3]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTwE7xDZkPk

[GBrettFan]

Walked the dog without even listening to the radio. I'm pleased to see the BP has held the score, although Diekman blew that play & we aren't out of the inning yet.

Less pleased to see that the Phillies haven't done anything to chip away at the score.

[GBrettFan]

Just 5 runs, please. Pretend it's the other day at CitiField.

* * *

Meanwhile I saw a Buster Olney tweet that the new Jackie Robinson film (I wasn't aware there was one in the works, cool!) features Jackie Robinson doing a bat flip. He's not happy about that, and neither am I. I think bat flips would have gotten you beaned back then.

Here's the trailer. Looks like it could be a good movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iP3G4E2ael8

[TK]

Raul just hit a game tying 2 run HR in NY. It's old geezer former Phillies day.

[GBrettFan]

I love Raul. I'd love for him to get a ring. It would be the only good thing about the Yankees winning another WS. Not that I want that.

[GBrettFan]

Fail.

[RR]

Why does Jerry Meals have a job?

[docjoe]

As soon at wiggy announced I stopped watching. Rally killer. Season over today. Ironic KK kept us alive, Doc failed. Any comeback here would border on a miracle and could to the wild card. I clearly have no confidence. Doc likely will be under the knife or has another to now undiscovered medical issue.

[GBrettFan]

Maybe we're just gearing up for a big rally.

[GTown_Dave]

Once again I'd like point out that Jerry Meals was the moron behind the plate in Game 2 of last season's NLDS. #NeverForget

[Iceman]

I'm really puzzled by the Cholly quote about having to watch Doc. Did he let something slip? Because they have been steadfast in denying anything is wrong.

In any event, hopefully that is the last time he's on the mound this year.

[Iceman]

Also, I don't normally agree with GTown on anything related to baseball or life in general, but he's right that the only silver lining in this Halladay thing is that they're not going to rob Peter to pay Paul by trading Lee to get a bat or prospects and salary relief. For like a day towards the deadline, I thought it would be a good idea. It is an awful idea. Another reason I'm glad my finger isn't on the button in the FO.

[RR]

On Meals, yes, he's notoriously bad. If I advocated conspiracy theories, I would believe MLB keeps him (and about six others) around only to determine which teams go on and which don't. How do these bad umpires stay in the major leagues, much less get plumb playoff assignments?

[RR]

... that is, "plum" assignments ...

[bullit]

i guess teams like polyester because it's more durable. but uniforms could be made of hemp that are even more durable. certainly more breathable.

[GBrettFan]

That has to be the season now. I feel like we won't see Doc again this year, nor should we.

[bullit]

*breatheable

[bullit]

well, i'm off to the live barrett-jackson classic car aution on the speed channel. this is the third day and lasts until midnight edt.

[Iceman]

First round playoff matchups as it looks like right now:

Yanks/White Sox
Rangers/O's or A's

Giants/Reds
Nats/Braves or Cards

The playoffs are going to be great this year. Some really cool matchups in both leagues. Sucks the Phils won't be there, but I'll definitely be watching.

Would love to see a Reds/O's or Reds/A's series. My guess though: Giants/Rangers again.

[GBrettFan]

Not to late for the Reds to pass the Nats for best record, the Tigers to win the AL Central, and the O's to win the AL East.

[Iceman]

GBrett- oh yeah, a lot of it is still up in the air.

The one thing I really want to have happen is the O's punk the Yankees for the division, then have the A's beat NY in the play-in. I'd love to see both the A's and O's get a shot at a first-round series. Time for some new blood.

The Cards/Braves game will not interest me in the slightest. Hope they both lose.

[Scott]

Matt Gelb ‏@magelb

Halladay saw doctor yesterday. Said he had mild spasms in his shoulder. No MRI. Believes he can finish season.

[GBrettFan]

Matt Gelb ‏@magelb
Halladay saw doctor yesterday. Said he had mild spasms in his shoulder. No MRI. Believes he can finish season.

Mandy Housenick put it a bit differently:
Halladay said he was having spasms behind his shoulder blade. Insists it is nothing serious.

[GBrettFan]

I don't know why this breaks my heart, but it does:

Jim Salisbury ‏@JSalisburyCSN
Halladay had some spasms behind R shoulder in recent days. Said he was OK to pitch. He seemed emotional talking about tough season.

[GBrettFan]

Jim Salisbury ‏@JSalisburyCSN
More of Halladay interview to come on http://CSNphilly.com and Comcast Sportsnet. Super private warrior opens up a little.

[Scott]

Matt Gelb
7 minutes ago

Roy Halladay visited a doctor Friday. His self-prognosis:

Halladay said he experienced shoulder spasms that started a few days ago.

"It's not anything that’s long term," Halladay said. "I had some stuff going on that was checked out and I think it’s more like spasms. I was looked at by the doctors and it's nothing that they’re concerned about. Just tried to treat it and do the best I could."

[NEPP]

Doc is hurt...probably seriously. Shut him down.

[Bonehead]

Early in the season, due to injuries, Wiggy played way more than anyone intended. He was exposed defensively; but, surprisingly, pretty much held his own with the bat.

Since Howard's return, Cholly has almost always used Wiggy in favorable situations and he has come up tiny.

Today, in a big spot, he had a 2-0 pitch against a struggling lefty and hit the weakest of fly balls. It was at that moment I finally declared "season = over".

Obviously, today's loss was not his fault, but I hope to never see him appear again wearing a Phillies uniform. He probably won't get any MLB offers for 2013 either.

[GTown_Dave]

Roy Halladay's relatively dismissive statements RE: his health have the unfortunate effect of reminding me of this.

[GBrettFan]

My young teens just watched that film a few weeks ago, GTown. My 15-yr. old son laughed hysterically, while his younger sister kept saying "This is so strange", but she liked it, too.

* * * *
This probably confirms your Black Knight comparison.

From Mandy Housenick:

He refused to say his spasms caused his struggles Saturday.

"I wish I could say, 'Hey, I’m blaming it all on this,'" Halladay said. "I felt like I should have competed better than I did, honestly. And I didn’t. Really, I just didn’t do my job as a pitcher. Ultimately, to me that’s what it comes down to. You’ve got to find ways to overcome things and I didn’t do it. I didn’t pitch the way I should have."

Halladay, who spent 42 days on the DL with a right lat strain (May 28 to July 16), said he did not have an MRI and anticipates making his final two starts, although he expects the way he feels tomorrow to be very telling.

"They don’t feel like it’s anything that they’re overly concerned about," Halladay said. "It’s probably poor timing more than anything. I don’t think it’s a major concern. My only concern is that I keep having things like this. I’ve got to come up with some programs, whether it’s less throwing or different arm things or whatever it may be, where I can avoid these types of things. When you’re young, you never have them. I need to find a way to adjust to that.”

[Bonehead]

So now there is extra urgency to one of Rube's chores this off season - find some legit candidates with Cloyd for the Spring competition for the 6th and 7th starter jobs.

Gosh, I really hope Doc still has several goods years ahead.

[Clout]

The private MRI showed Halladay's labrum had the consistency of Shredded Wheat, but Phillies doctors said continuing to pitch would cause no additional damage.

[cut_fastball]

For the love of Pete -- BTW, I don't know where I heard that cliché -- I hope Roy Halladay has a successful resolution of the challenges facing him this year. Be them personal, or physical, God-speed, Doc. Personally, I'm pretty much convinced it's the rotator cuff.

Nuts. Hey Cliffie, welcome to the end of your insanely back-loaded contract!

[Bonehead]

Gee, Todd Frazier would be a fit for this team. Could he be acquired? The Reds don't really have a position for him right now, now that Votto's back. Then again, the Reds probably have him penciled in for 3B next year, when Rolen departs.

[GBrettFan]

Here's Salisbury's article on Halladay. http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/phillies-talk/Wounded-Halladay-gets-shelled-in-painful?blockID=777651&feedID=4382&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

We have a lot of question marks for next year. Halladay, Worley...3rd base...Howard...Utley...Outfield...Bullpen.

[Kendrick Appreciation Society]

I leave on a cruise tomorrow. Maybe when I return to civilization on Thursday a miracle will have occurred. I'm guessing that more likely, we'll have another funeral thread on Monday.

Here's hoping Howard hits a home run every game the rest of the way!

[Iceman]

"But shortly after coming back, the pitcher revealed that his shoulder had felt tight since spring training and doctors had noticed “changes” in his rotator cuff during MRI exams. Clearly, there was more going on than a muscle strain behind his shoulder."

Uh, changes?

Yeah, he'll he having off-season surgery.

[bfpsu]

I remember reading Jaime Moyer telling Doc that as he gets older he should cut back a little on his manicial like conditioning program and let his body rest and heal more.

[bullit]

bfpsu: that would have been good vice for utley a few years back.

[bullit]

*advice

[MG]

Iceman - certainly sounds like it and worse it will be likely shoulder surgery. Just a hunch but I don't think we will ever see Halladay from 09-10 either. I hope that Halladay is just ready to go by Opening Day next year.

[Brooklyn Phillies]

Cut him now and let him start healing.

[dons]

It is called hitting the wall. Doc's body is telling him that he is too old to be pushing himself past what his limits are,Remember, Clint Eastwood saying every man should know his limitations?. He did more harm in his rehab. He did not look right in his last rehab start. Everyone kept telling us all he needed was to build his arm strength back up. Did not work. Will not work any longer. He is finished as a major league SP.

[CN]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/09/cafardo-on-angels-ross-loney-carp-scioscia.html

Cafardo says Phillies expected to pursue Cody Ross in the offseason barring an extension with the BoSox.

[aksmith]

Cody Ross now? Hard to believe. But it's a little different than past Phillie practice. Doesn't Cody Ross have a baseball playing brother who isn't as good? Have they considered acquiring the wrong brother, like they always used to?

After the man crush they had on Ty Wigginton for years, you'd think they'd learn that it's not better late than never in baseball.