Philliedelphia

Phillies Weekly Preview 5/20-5/26

Another winning week against decent competition. After a 4-3 trip out West, now the Phillies put up a 3-2 trip out East, and things are not necessarily looking up, but at least looking okay at 21-23, 4.5 out in the NL East.

Philadelphia Phillies (21-23, NL East-3) @ Miami Marlines (12-32, NL East-5)
Where: Marlins Park
When: Monday-Wednesday 7:10
TV: CSN Monday- Tuesday, PHL 17 on Wednesday.
Pitching Match-Ups:

Monday- Cole Hamels (1-6, 4.61) vs. Alex Sanabia (2-6, 5.00)
Tuesday- Tyler Cloyd (0-0, 2.84) vs. Jose Fernandez (2-2, 3.48)
Wednesday- Cliff Lee (4-2, 2.83) vs. Kevin Slowey (1-4, 3.44)

On the Phillies- Well, they just won a series against the mighty Reds, and did so dramatically beating Aroldis Chapman. They will be looking to build momentum here.

On the Marlins- They're not going anywhere, but their rotation is tougher than one might have thought.

PREDICTION- It won't be pretty or easy, but the Phillies will win 2 of 3.

Phillies @ Washington Nationals  (23-21, NL East-2)
Where: Nationals Park
When: Friday 7:05, Saturday 7:15, Sunday 1:35
TV: Friday CSN, Saturday FOX, Sunday PHL 17
Pitching Match-Ups:

Friday- Kyle Kendrick (4-2, 2.82) vs. Jordan Zimmerman (7-2, 1.62)
Saturday- Jon Pettibone (2-0, 3.00) vs. TBD
Sunday- Hamels vs. TBD

On the Nats- They have some injury issues in the rotation, making it probable that we'll see Haren and Duke over the weekend, in some order. They're a pretty similar team to the Phillies so far- good pitching, bad hitting. They're similar in record too. I won't call this series "big," but it's been on my calendar.

PREDICTION- Friday night features two hot pitchers, then both teams pitching "issues" come into play after that. I can't stand the Nats, so this is hard to pick. I'll make myself sick a moment. Nats 2 of 3.

Phillies Weekly Preview, 5/13-5/19

"DDDeeeeeeellllllmmmmmoooonnnnn! Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr.

The week ahead....

Philadelphia Phillies (18-21, NL East-3) vs. Cleveland Indians (21-16, AL Central-2)

Where: Citizens Bank Park
When: Tuesday 7:05, Wednesday 1:05
TV: CSN
Pitching Match Ups:

Tuesday- Scott Kazmir (2-1, 4.87) vs. Jon Pettibone (2-0, 3.63)
Wednesday- Corey Kluber (2-2, 5.64) vs. Cole Hamels (1-5, 4.18)

On the Indians- Now this is an offensive squad. They've played their way to within a half-game of first place Detroit. They swept us out there, in case you forgot.

On the Phillies- The Phillies weren't pretty, but they had their best week of the season in my view, going 4-3 out west playing San Francisco and Arizona. At just 4.5 games out, it's a small miracle they haven't been dusted by Atlanta or Washington yet.

Prediction- Pettibone crashes to Earth tonight, Hamels finally gets a little offense tomorrow to earn the SPLIT.

Phillies vs. Cincinnati (22-16, NL Central-2)

Where: CBP again
When: Friday 7:05, Saturday 4:05, Sunday 1:05
TV: PHL 17 Friday and Sunday, FOX on Saturday
Pitch Match Ups:

Friday- Anthony Cigriani (2-0, 2.89) vs. Cliff Lee (4-2, 2.86)
Saturday- Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 3.76) vs. Kyle Kendrick (4-1, 2.47)
Sunday- Homer Bailey (1-3, 3.83) vs. Jon Pettibone

On the Reds- It's worth noting that the Phillies did not win a game in Ohio earlier on. Here come the Reds again, who can hit, pitch better than they used to, and swept us once.

On the Phillies- Not much needs to be said that wasn't said above.

Prediction- I think the Phillies play a lot better this time and take a game, maybe two. 2 OF 3.

Phillies Weekly Preview, 5/6-5/12

The most interesting thing I saw at the game on Satuday was Cracker Jack Man, the best vendor in the stadium.

Well, that week sucked. The Phillies are down to 14-18, and frankly look like a disaster in the making. This week could get really ugly.

Philadelphia Phillies (14-18 NL East-3) @ San Francisco Giants (19-12, NL West-1)
Where- AT&T Park in San Francisco
When- Monday 10:15, Tuesday 10:15, Wednesday 3:45
TV- CSN

Pitching-
Monday- Cliff Lee (2-2, 3.46) vs. Madison Baumgartner (3-0, 1.55)
Tuesday- Kyle Kendrick (3-1, 2.43) vs. Tim Lincecum (2-1, 4.41)
Wednesday- Jon Pettibone (2-0, 3.24) vs. Barry Zito (3-1, 3.06)

On the Phillies- What do I even write? We just lost two straight to the Marlins. We stink right now. We're going to find out how injured our $20 million righty is. Things are a joy.

On the Giants- The Giants have won 2 of the last 3 World Series, have ya' heard? Baseball's best team until proven otherwise is in first place, and hot right now.

PREDICTION- I'm tempted to say we win a game here. I bet not though. We're getting SWEPT.

Phillies @Arizona Diamondbacks (16-15, NL West-3)
Where- Chase Field in Phoenix
When- Thursday 9:40, Friday 9:40, Saturday 8:10, and Sunday 4:10
TV- Thursday-Saturday CSN, PHL 17 on Sunday

Pitching-
Thursday- Cole Hamels (1-4, 4.34) vs. Patrick Corbin (4-0, 1.80)
Friday- TBA vs. Ian Kennedy (1-3, 5.19)
Saturday- Lee vs. Trevor Cahill (1-3, 2.84)
Sunday- Kendrick vs. TBA

On the Phillies- See above.

On the Diamondbacks- They've been slightly better than us.

PREDICTION- We avert total disaster. SPLIT.

Phillies Weekly Preview

                                                            Photo by Rich Wilkins

Another week down, another week coming up. The Phillies welcome Delmon Young back tonight as the DH.

Onto series one of the week-

Philadelphia Phillies (12-14, NL East 3rd) @ Cleveland Indians (10-13, AL Central 4th)

At: Cleveland's Progressive Field
When: Tuesday 7:05, Wednesday 7:05
TV: Both on CSN.

Pitching Match-Ups:
Tuesday- Roy Halladay (2-2, 5.08) vs. Zach McAllister (1-3, 3.52)
Wednesday- Cliff Lee (2-1, 3.03) vs. Trevor Bauer (0-1, 5.40)

On the Phillies- Coming off of a sweep of the Mets, the Phillies are within two games of .500, and have the Braves and Nats in their view. Finally, they are at full strength, with Chooch and Delmon on the team. The line-up should look normal.

On the Indians- I'm not sure what to make of them. With a similar situation to the Phillies, they had a nice off-season and a lot of people think they'll be much improved on last season. So far, they're mediocre.

Prediction- My first inclination is to say sweep, because of the pitching match-ups. I have my doubts, so I'll say SPLIT.

Second series- Phillies vs. Miami Marlins (7-19, NL East 5th)

At: CBP
When: Thursday 7:05, Friday 7:05, Saturday 7:05, Sunday 2:35
TV: Thursday through Saturday on CSN, Sunday on PHL 17

Pitching Match-Ups:
Thursday- Alex Sanabia (2-3, 4.85) vs. Kyle Kendrick (2-1, 2.41)
Friday- Ricky Nolasco (2-2, 3.82) vs. Jon Pettibone (1-0, 4.35)
Saturday- Jose Fernandez (0-2, 4.50) vs. Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.78)
Sunday- TBD vs. Halladay

Prediction- The Phillies will have a good weekend against a team that once again lacks Giancarlo Stanton. I'll say PHILLIES 3 OF 4.

The Phillies Week Ahead

Well, last week I got the Cardinals series right, and the Reds one way wrong. The Phillies are 8-11, and celebrate 20 games of baseball tonight. The Pirates come in for four, and then the Phillies head up to Gotham, to visit our friends in Queens, the Mets. Here's the match-ups for the week:

Philadelphia Phillies (8-11) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (10-8)

When: Monday-Thursday

Times: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 7:05; Thursday 1:05.

TV: CSN- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; TCN- Tuesday.

PITCHING MATCH-UPS:
Monday- Jon Pettibone (0-0, MLB Debut) vs. A.J. Burnett (1-2, 2.63)
Tuesday- Cole Hamels (0-2, 6.46) vs. Jeff Locke (1-1, 5.17)
Wednesday- Roy Halladay (0-2, 6.04) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (2-0, 0.56)
Thursday- Cliff Lee (2-1, 2.83) vs. James McDonald (2-2, 4.12)

On the Phillies- A good win on Sunday night makes you feel better, but it was a rough, 2-5 week. At 8-11, they will have a losing record through 20 games. The inconsistency of the offense is a bit concerning, especially since Pittsburgh has played pretty well.

On the Pirates- The Pirates just took 3 of 4 from the Braves, so what else needs to be said about their play? Rodriguez and Burnett are off to really good starts. They have some outstanding young talent.

PREDICTIONS- I'd love to think they get going here. They won't. SPLIT.

Phillies @New York Mets (9-8)

When- Friday-Sunday

Times- Friday 7:10; Saturday 1:05, Sunday 1:10.

TV- PHL17- Friday, Sunday; FOX- Saturday;

PITCHING MATCH-UPS:
Friday- Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 3.28) vs. Dillon Gee (1-3, 5.95)
Saturday- TBD vs. Jon Niese (2-1, 3.80)
Sunday- Hamels vs. TBD

On the Phillies- In the first meeting of these two teams, the Phillies took 2 of 3. This will be their first trip to Citi Field this year. They won their last game there 16-1.

On the Mets- The Mets are off to a good start, and just beat the Nationals in 2 of 3 this weekend.

PREDICTION- Write off Saturday, they won't win that one. I still like them here. PHILLIES 2 OF 3.

Phillies Weekly Preview

Photo by Rich Wilkins

It's time for week three. Two series, two playoff teams from a year ago. We start in Cincinnati-

Monday-Wednesday- Philadelphia Phillies (6-6) @ Cincinnati Red (5-7)

Monday- Cliff Lee (2-0, 1.08) vs. Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 5.25)
Tuesday- Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 5.40) vs. Homer Bailey (1-1, 5.73)
Wednesday- John Lannan (0-0, 2.77) vs. Mike Leake (0-0, 6.75)

On the Reds- The Reds lost the last five games of their road trip and come home with a losing record. They don't get to throw Cueto or Latos at the Phillies, a big plus.  With that said, this is a team with the Vottos, Bruces, and Chapmans of the world on it, so this is no easy task.

On the Phillies- They're playing fairly well. They won both series last week, including 4 of their last 5 games. This is the end of their rotation that has been fairly consistent too. They had a lot of trouble scoring in Miami, but I think the lack of home run balls in Miami's cave of a stadium had a lot to do with that.

PREDICTION- This is a trap pick, because the Reds are playing bad and the Phillies are playing good right now. I'm not going to get carried away- PHILLIES 2 of 3.

Thursday-Sunday- St. Louis Cardinals (7-5) @ Phillies

Thursday- Adam Wainwright (2-1, 2.05) vs Cole Hamels (0-2, 7.56)
Friday- Jaime Garcia (1-0, 1.86) vs. Roy Halladay (1-2, 7.63)
Saturday- Lance Lynn (1-0, 4.50) vs. Lee
Sunday- Jake Westbrook (1-1, 0.00) vs. Kendrick

On the Cardinals- You don't go win a World Series and make it to game 7 of the NLCS the next year without being a pretty damn good team, right? They hit, they pitch, they do a lot right. Their bullpen has been their achilles so far this season.

On the Phillies- Well, I guess we'll have a pretty good idea of where they currently are by the end of the week. They have had their past issues with Wainwright and Garcia before.

PREDICTION- This one's a wash. SPLIT.

Weekly Preview

Series One- New York Mets (4-2) @ Philadelphia Phillies (2-4)

Pitching Match-Ups:
Monday- Harvey (1-0, 0.00) vs. Halladay (0-1, 13.50)
Tuesday- Gee (0-1, 1.42) vs. Lee (1-0, 0.00)
Wednesday- Hefner (0-1, 1.50) vs. Kendrick (0-1, 7.94)

The deal: The Mets have won their first two series, which may be a product of competition, and may be because they've improved, who knows yet. They took 2 of 3 from the Padres to start the year, then did the same to the lowly Marlins. The Mets young pitchers have looked better than many expected so far, and they've managed to squeak out some wins.

The Phillies have been... meh. They haven't been so awful that there's no hope, but they've got a number of relievers and starters who were historically terrible last week, and a line-up who's performance has been uneven.

Prediction: I'd love to look at this and just say "two of three," but this team isn't playing that well, and the Mets last year really caused us headaches. With that said, it's hard to not look at the last two games and think they're winnable. Even so, I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than grumpy and wrong. METS 2 OF 3.

Series Two- Phillies @ Florida Marlins (1-5)

Pitching Match-Ups:
Friday- Lannan (0-0, 3.86) vs. Nolasco (0-1, 3.97)
Saturday- Hamels (0-2, 10.97) vs. Fernandez (0-0, 1.80)
Sunday- Halladay vs. Slowey (0-1, 1.69)

The deal-  THIS is where I think this team gets on track. The Marlins are probably going to end up as baseball's worst team, already off to a 1-5 start, and really no one but Giancarlo Stanton that puts any fear in you. They don't have terrible arms, especially in this series (at least so far), but they're not a team to fear.

I think the Phillies will break out for two reasons here- weather (it will be hotter down there) and competition. I'd be less than shocked to see them get going in Miami.

Prediction: How bold do I go here? Bold, bold. PHILLIES SWEEP.

Series Preview: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Phinally here.....

Philadelphia Phillies (81-81 in 2012) @ Atlanta Braves (94-68 in 2012, won NL Wild Card)

Pitching Match-Ups:
Cole Hamels (17-6, 3.05, 215.1 IP, 216 K's) vs. Tim Hudson (16-7, 3.62, 179 IP, 102 K's)
Roy Halladay (11-8, 4.49, 156.1 IP, 132 K's) vs. Paul Maholm (13-11, 3.67, 189 IP, 140 K's)
Cliff Lee (6-9, 3.16, 211 IP, 207 K's) vs. Kris Medlen (10-1, 1.57, 138 IP, 120 K's)

Where: Turner Field in Atlanta

Game Times: Monday- 7 PM, Wednesday- 7:10 PM, Thursday- 7:10 PM.

National TV- Monday-ESPN

Phillies Newcomer Debuts- Ben Revere, Michael Young, Mike Adams, Chad Durbin
Some Braves New Faces- Juan Francisco, Julio Teheran, Jordan Walden, Chris Johnson, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton

ATLANTA 2012 Offensive Ranks- 17th in runs, 21st in average, 13th in on-base percentage, 22nd in slugging.
PHILADELPHIA 2012 Offensive Ranks- 19th in runs, 15th in average, 17th in on-base percentage, 17th in slugging.

ON THE BRAVES- Well, we'll finally see their off-season pick-ups play a game. The Upton brothers make their debut together in Atlanta tonight, hoping to make people forget the names Prado, Chipper, and Bourn. Phillies fans will be thrilled to rid themselves of Jones especially, who seemed to take away a win or two a year, but also Prado who was a total pest. The Braves not only boast a dynamic outfield that may be the game's best by season's end, but a bullpen that has the kind of back-end depth that ends games any time they have a lead after 7. The big question about these Braves is their starting staff, which has a very different look to it now. The other question on this team is whether their offense is actually better, or stayed in place. They absolutely raked the ball this spring, and particularly Jayson Heyward seems ready to break out to me.

ON THE PHILLIES- After a dreadful 81-81 season broke up their run of NL East's, they get to open up in the ballpark of one of their chief rivals. The biggest question mark of the Phillies season will get the baseball on Wednesday night as all of the legions of Philadelphia fans will be collectively holding their breath. For Opening Day though, Phillies fans will get to see three welcome sites they haven't seen lately- Ryan Howard missed last year's opener, Chase Utley missed the last pair of openers, and Dom Brown makes his opening day debut. The offense hit the ball very well this spring, and the back-end relievers ended the spring throwing very, very well. Obviously though, this team is built on their front-end starting pitchers, and right now you get to see them kick things off. A return to 2011 performance by this staff would greatly change the outlook of many, which seems to go from disaster to euphoria, depending on who you ask. Michael Young and Ben Revere will make their club debuts on Opening Day, and Erik Kratz gets his first opener with the Phillies behind the plate. The Phillies must improve on their 33-39 NL East record in 2013.

On the series- On paper, the Phillies have a pitching edge here. Tim Hudson has had a great run, but Cole Hamels should be a superior pitcher in 2013. Halladay has been the best pitcher of the last decade, while Maholm has not been, though he had a good 2012. Medlen's 2012 was amazing, but no one is mistaking his pedigree for Lee's. With that said, you really don't know where these guys are at on April 1st of a new season, playing in Atlanta, and with all the question marks on Halladay. Lee and Medlen should be a duel on Thursday. Ryan Howard is the player to watch for the Phillies in this series, after a great spring, facing a team he hits very well.

PREDICTION- I've got the Phillies in the opener, and the second game, but the Braves squeak out the finale in a low-scoring affair. PHILLIES 2 OF 3.

On-Deck Series, Mini-Preview

Philadelphia Phillies (81-81 in 2012) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (73-89 in 2012).

Preview:
Two more totally meaningless games in Philadelphia will complete the exhibition schedule. Presumably, Cliff Lee will throw Friday for some period of time, as will Kyle Kendrick and John Lannan on Saturday, though not even ESPN is listing any pitching names for this, let alone the Phillies. The main items of interest in these games are whether or not Ben Revere keeps hitting lead-off, and which corner Dom Brown lines up in for the outfield. The last roster battles appear to be Aumont-Stutes, and Orr-Inciarte. Both are likely to be settled by Saturday afternoon at the latest. For Toronto this is the last stop before a season where they are the trendy pick in the AL East right now. They did just give J.A. Happ a rotation spot, and ink him to an extension though, so it's tough to call them a favorite.

Game Times:
Friday's game is 7:05. Saturday's is 1:05. Tickets are available for as low as $6.

Phillies look to keep improving as Nationals come north

Kyle Kendrick starts the series opener against the Nationals. (Philliedelphia/Kevin Durso)

For a season with so much turmoil and disappointment, today may be the high point of the season so far. The Phillies are in sole possession of third place for the first time since April 12, six games into the season. They are working on a month with a winning record, something they haven't done since May.

But if they want to keep both of those going strong, they will have to beat a tough Nationals' team who has just found a way to win lately.

The Nationals have lost six games in August, one to the Phillies on August 1, and haven't lost a series all month - if you don't count the Phillies winning two of three from the Nats in a series that started on July 31. That includes an eight-game winning streak in the middle of the month, and a recent series win against the Atlanta Braves.

How are they doing it? A lot of it is luck, especially if you saw the way they won on Monday night in the 13th inning. But the Nationals have a healthy and powerful lineup led by Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse. Then add in the supporting cast of Bryce Harper, Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond, Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche. There is no easy out in the lineup.

The bullpen has been solid as well with Craig Stammen, Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard leading the way.

But the main reason is their starting pitching, and they have three good pitchers coming up in this series. Here are the matchups.

In the opener, Kyle Kendrick (6-9, 4.20 ERA) goes against Edwin Jackson (7-8, 3.69 ERA) - Kendrick comes in off of two great outings, combining seven and eight scoreless innings to get two wins. Both starts came after Charlie Manuel contemplated removing Kendrick from the rotation after allowing six runs to the Braves in 3 1/3 innings. In his career against the Nationals (16 games, 14 starts), Kendrick is 2-4 with a 4.93 ERA.

Jackson comes in off a solid start, allowing two runs in seven innings to the Mets, but suffered the loss. He lost to the Phillies on August 1, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings. In his career against the Phillies (three starts), Jackson is 0-3 with a 5.60 ERA.

In the middle game, Roy Halladay (7-7, 3.95 ERA) faces Gio Gonzalez (16-6, 3.23 ERA) - Halladay allowed five runs over seven innings in his last start, still good enough to beat the Reds with plenty of run support. Halladay has won three of his four starts in August. In his career against the Nationals (17 games, 16 starts), Halladay is 11-2 with a 2.55 ERA.

Gonzalez matched his career high in wins by allowing one run in 5 2/3 innings to the Mets in his last start. He has won three straight starts. In his career against the Phillies (two starts), Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA.

In the finale, Cliff Lee (2-7, 3.78 ERA) gets the start against Stephen Strasburg (15-5, 2.85 ERA) - Lee couldn't win his first home game of the season, but managed to get off the hook for the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) in 6 2/3 innings. Lee's last win was against the Nationals on July 31. In his career against the Nationals (six starts), Lee is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA.

Strasburg worked around a rain delay to pitch six innings and allow one run to the Braves in his last start. He has won four straight starts dating back to his loss against the Phillies on July 31. In his career against the Phillies (three starts), Strasburg is 0-1 with a 6.28 ERA.

Prediction:
August 24 - Phillies 6, Nationals 3
August 25 - Phillies 2, Nationals 4
August 26 - Phillies 2, Nationals 5 

The Phillies have a tough task in this pitching staff. The reason I put these predictions up is because I want readers to see what I think will happen, and do hope to be proven wrong.

I can't see the Phillies proving me wrong against Gonzalez and Strasburg, even with Halladay and Lee on the mound.

The first game is interesting. You never know which version of Kyle Kendrick will take the mound. But, if Kendrick is good and the Phillies can scratch a few runs across on Jackson, they can be in position to win.

The same goes for the other two games, but for two pitchers who have combined records that look like they should belong to Halladay and Lee, it reminds you that this is a different season for both teams.

I've seen Gonzalez in person. He's not as special as the 16-6 record indicates. He allowed a lot of hits. He's effectively wild. Patience will win the game for the Phillies. 

Additionally, the Phillies know they can beat Strasburg, because they have already this season, and in the not-so-distant past. However, Strasburg also seems like a different pitcher as his innings limit approaches. It will be an interesting game, but Strasburg still has the edge to me. But, the Phillies did find a way to win a game started by a pitcher with a 16-6 record yesterday. They can most definitely do it again.

Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.