Philliedelphia

Cliff Lee Makes Season Debut With Hopes to Notch Phillies' First Win In Series Finale

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

The Phillies fell to 0-2 on the season with last night's 9-2 loss. Roy Halladay was not good, but was not bad at the same time. He surrendered two home runs, allowed five earned (one he inhereted to Jeremy Horst) on six hits through 3 1/3 innings. Doc walked three, but managed to strike out nine Braves in such a short outing. He threw 95 pitches, 55 for strikes en route to his first loss of the season. After jumping on the season with an 0-2 record, the Phils are in search of their first win of the season. Hopefully tonight will be the night as Cliff Lee (2012: 6-9, 3.16 ERA) and Kris Medlen (2012: 10-1, 1.57 ERA) get the start in the season-opener-series finale in Atlanta.

Cliff Lee is making his first start of the season in an effort to put out the fire as well as seeking to bounce back from a dismal 2012. Provided little to no run support last season, Lee didn't take a winning decision until July 4th, fourteen starts into the season. He managed to post a 3.16 ERA (74 ER in 211 IP) and held batters to a .255 BAA. This past spring Lee was somewhat efficient, allowing 11 ER in 20 2/3 innings pitched over six starts. In 2012 Lee made two starts against Atlanta, taking a win and loss while holding a 0.60 ERA (1 ER in 15 IP). In his career against Atlanta, Lee is 4-4 with a 3.08 ERA.

Kris Medlen is coming off a very impressive 2012 after being moved from the bullpen into the rotation. Despite making just twelve starts, Medlen managed to maintain a 10-1 record with a remarkable 1.57 ERA (24 ER in 138 IP) in 50 appearances. After being moved from the pen to the rotation, Medlen kept a 0.97 ERA through those starts. Medlen also struck out 120 batters, totaling a 7.8 K/9 ratio. Medlen did not make any starts against the Phillies last year, but did make three appearances against them, posting a 8.79 ERA (3 ER in 3 1/3 IP). In his career, Medlen is 1-0 with a 5.32 ERA against the Phils.

Game Notes:

• Avoid the sweep. Heading home 0-3 from Atlanta is not the way to start off the homestand. 
• Cliff Lee's last 5 starts vs. the Braves: 38 IP, 0.95 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 37 K, 3 BB. Phillies lost 2 of those games.
• Justin Upton has two home runs in two games, Freddie Freeman has 1 HR and 6 RBI in two games.

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Michael Young 3B
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Laynce Nix RF
8. Erik Kratz C
9. Cliff Lee P

Braves lineup: 

1. Andrelton Simmons SS
2. Jason Heyward RF
3. Justin Upton LF 
4. Freddie Freeman 1B 
5. B.J. Upton CF
6. Dan Uggla 2B
7. Chris Johnson 3B
8. Gerald Laird C
9. Kris Medlen P

Weather forecast: 45° • Few Showers  • 40% PoP. 

TV: The Comcast Network, MLB Network
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Let's Go Phillies!

Erik Seybold is The Senior Bloglord of Journalistic Activities at Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

Former Phillies Starter Roy Oswalt Seeking Out A Contender

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

Roy Oswalt's agent told MLB Trade Rumors that he is working out and wishes to sign with a contender preferably to start or as a reliever.  He wasn't all that great for Texas last season. He made 9 starts in 17 games pitching 59 innings to 5.80 ERA. His strike out/walk ratio was still pretty good which makes one wonder if the 35 year old still has some upside.

I'd keep my eye on Oswalt as Halladay pitches in a minor league game on Saturday. I'd be shocked if the Phillies brass weren't seeking someone like Oswalt as insurance in the event Halladay throws batting pracitce or has less than stellar stuff on Saturday. Or just as insurance to a rotation that is currently being backed up by Aaron Cook and Rodrigo Lopez, who should strictly be there for emergencies.

There's a movement which I myself am a part of to bring Lohse in but I find myself wondering if maybe Oswalt is the more economically sound idea. Plus he's not tied to any draft pick compensation. Amaro is known for making big splashes. Oswalt isn't the splash he was at the '10 trade deadline but he could still help the ball club.

Jayson Werth: Phillies Bigger Threat To Nats Than Braves

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

Let's face it, the NL East is probably going to be one of the best divisions to watch in all of baseball this season. The Nationals are coming off of their first ever division title, the Braves have re-stocked their outfield in the brothers Upton, and the Phillies have all of their key players returning helathy. 

It's almost certain that the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins will be out of contention by Opening Day, but there is a big question that will be answered over 162 games: Who is the best in the NL East?

Former-Phillie and current Washington National Jayson Werth spoke with the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore on his team's chances on repeating a division title in 2013. With the Braves' new acquisitions and the Phillies coming back healthy, the Nationals won't have it easy en route to a repeat.

Jayson Werth was asked if considered the Braves or Philadelphia Phillies a bigger threat. Werth, the former Phillie, did not hesitate.

“Phillies,” he said. “I think everybody is writing them off. They played good in September, when they were healthy. They’re not going to roll over, that’s for sure.”

And about the Braves? “Yeah, the Braves got the Upton brothers,” Werth said. “But they lost [Martin] Prado and Chipper.”

It's kind of a good feeling to know that the Phillies are still listed as a "threat" by other teams. But the way they are viewed and the way they play are completely different. The Braves will most likely take offense to Werth's comments, which can only heat up their own rivalry even more. For the Phillies, it can stand as a source of momentum.

The Phillies and Nationals will meet for the first time this season on May 24-26th, so there is plenty of time for more trash talking.

H/T: RBTS

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

Open Letter to Rubén Amaro, Jr.

Dear Ruben, 

I am writing you today to say thank you. You are probably wondering why I am thanking you, well its not for the (in my opinion) poor decisions over the last couple years with ignoring the bench and the bullpen, but I have to give it to you, this winter you have totally redeemed yourself with one signing. No, not the signing of Michael Young, or the signing of Mike Adams, or even the trade for Ben Revere.

This thank you is strictly based on the signing of one Chad Durbin. Not becuase he will help the bullpen this season, its because my wife Lisa (@Princess3730) is again a Phillies fan. She was very upset with you after the 2010 season when you did not resign Chad Durbin and decided that she was done with the Phillies. You see, Chad Durbin is her all time favorite player.

She is what you would call a "fan girl". Sure there are fan girls for alot of ball players but she takes fan girl to a whole new level. In 2011 we drove to Cleveland to see an Indians game to see Chad Durbin. I am actually surpried she has not followed him home after a game. She knows the limits of stalking and fandom though, so she knows her limits.

During the 2011 season when Durbin was on Twitter they would tweet each other (no i didn't get jealous) and she even kind of broke the story last weekend that Durbin was signing again with the Phillies thanks to a tweet from a Durbin family friend.  

At any rate, this signing makes our home a happy home come baseball season. We can finally sit down together again this season, watch and cheer for the Phillies just like before. I can't wait for that feeling again. So in closeing, from the bottom of my heart, Thank You for bringing 2008 World Series Champion Chad Durbin back to the team. You have my support (for now) with this ONE signing. 

A fan of yours again,

Steve Trapani

 

Chad Durbin And Phillies Agree to Terms to Reunite

Photo: Philliedelphia/ Steve Trapani

The deal is done.  As first reported here yesterday morning, former Phillies pitcher and 2008 World Series champion reliever Chad Durbin will return to the Phillies.    Todd Zolecki reports that the deal, pending physical, is a one-year agreement and contains a second-year option.

As we mentioned yesterday, Durbin had a solid 2012 with the Atlanta Braves, going 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA pitching in a career-high 76 games after being released by the Washington Nationals in Spring Training.   The two sides clearly were fond of each other in 2011 until the Phillies spent their money on re-signing starting pitcher Cliff Lee.

Durbin will join a bullpen that has Jonathan Papelbon, Mike Adams, Antonio Bastardo, and a combination of other relievers that includes Phillippe Aumont, Justin DeFratus, Mike Stutes, Jeremy Horst, Michael Schwimer, Jake Diekman, and Raul Valdes.   The Phillies certainly should have plenty of depth in 2013.

The astute eye of our photographer Steve Trapani's wife Lisa led to the post yesterday.

Halladay, Leake Each Look For Series Win In Finale

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

After last night's dropping of the second game of this three-game series against the Reds, Roy Halladay (8-7, 4.02 ERA) will look to take a series win against the NL Central leaders in the series finale. Looking to rebound off of a horrendous outing in Atlanta, Doc will take on Mike Leake (7-8, 4.45 ERA), who is looking to continue his recent string of success on the mound.

On Friday in Atlanta, Roy Halladay took the hill looking to do something he hadn't done all year: beat the Braves. It wouldn't happen. Doc was knocked around for four earned runs on seven hits and couldn't even make it out of the fifth inning. Although he was spared the loss, it was the second rough outing in his last three starts. Over his last three starts, Halladay is 2-0 with a 5.44 ERA. Halladay took on the Reds in one of those starts. Back on August 20th, Halladay was hit for five earned runs on ten hits over seven innings. Halladay got the win after a predicted pitcher's duel became a slugfest.

Mike Leake has won three of his last four games while posting a 4.15 ERA. The Reds' righty is coming off of a winning outing against the Astros in which he allowed two earned runs on seven hits. The two earned runs came off of two solo home runs. Over his last four starts (26 innings), Leake has allowed 31 hits while walking three and striking out 17. Leake last pitched against the Phillies on August 20th, a game where he was slammed for seven earned runs on ten hits over 4 1/3 innings in the losing effort.

At 65-71, the Phillies now sit 8 1/2 games out of the NL Wild Card with 26 games left to play in the season. The Reds lead the NL Central by nine games with an 83-54 record. The Cardinals, who sit nine games back in their divison, hold a Wild Card spot as of today.

Today's lineup at Cincinnati: Rollins SS, Pierre LF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Mayberry CF, Brown RF, Kratz C, Martinez 3B P

TV: CSN ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94.1 WIP

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

Joe Blanton Claimed off Waivers By Dodgers, Kendrick Back to Starting Rotation

Philliedelphia/ Steve Trapani

So long, big Joe.

The Dodgers have claimed starting pitcher Joe Blanton off of waivers, and he will be headed there for a player to be named later or cash considerations. This season with the Phillies, Blanton went 8-9 with a 4.59 ERA. Altogether with this team, he went 34-25 with a 4.47 ERA. 

In a corresponding move, Kyle Kendrick has been named the fifth starter, and relief pitcher B.J. Rosenberg has been called up from AAA-Lehigh Valley. Kyle will be starting tonight's ballgame against the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Another note: With Joe and Shane Victorino gone, the remaining 2008 World Series Champs on the roster are Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, Kyle Kendrick, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins. 

Mr. Brown Goes To Washington: Dom Brown Scratched From Triple-A Game, Called Up By Phillies

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

With Shane Victorino being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers becoming more and more imminent as each minute passes by, the Phillies have reportedly called up Domonic Brown from Triple-A Lehigh. Brown has been scratched from the lineup in this afternoon's IronPigs game and is headed to Washington D.C.

Brown has not played a game with the big league club this season, being with Triple-A Lehigh since the end of Spring Training. In 60 games with the IronPigs, Brown hit .281 with 5 HR, 28 RBI and 13 doubles. Brown has dealt with numerous injuries this season, first his hamstring and twice with his knee. 

In 91 total big league games split between the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Brown is hitting .236/.314/.382 with 7 home runs, 32 RBI and 5 stolen bases.

This is the beginning of the Dom Brown Era.

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.

Trade Shane: Dodgers, Reds, Orioles, and Pirates Possibly Eyeing Phillies' Victorino?

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

Time to trade Shane.  We all know he's not coming back next year and that it's easy to replace a .250 hitter in your lineup.   Plus, the Phillies already have infield popups covered with Jimmy Rollins.

So where is he going to go?  Jim Bowden, the former GM turned radio host thinks it could be the Dodgers or the Reds.

We could get B.J. Upton?!  DO IT PHILLIES!  SEND HIM TO THE DODGERS.  I would like to see it for another reason:  Dodgers fans are not necessarily on board with acquiring their former player:

Further, the Baltimore Orioles are interested in Victorino, tweets MASN's Roch Kubatko and some see the Pittsburgh Pirates as a perfect fit for Victorino.

All I know is, six days from now we are probably Shane-free.

Cliff Lee Goes For The Sweep Against The Dodgers

Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani

The Phillies have won four-games-in-a-row since losing the first game of the second-half. Last night, Roy Halladay made his return to baseball and allowed just two earned runs over five innings to take the no-decision. In the eighth inning, Hunter Pence smacked a two-run double to give the Phillies the 3-2 lead, saving Doc from the loss. It seems like the offense is clicking just at the right time as the Phillies are now 10 games under .500. This afternoon they're eyeing up a sweep of the Dodgers and Cliff Lee (1-6, 3.92 ERA) is on the hill against Clayton Kershaw (7-5, 2.84 ERA) in the series finale.

In Cliff Lee's  last start, against the Rockies on Friday, he was unable to get a win. Lee allowed three runs, two of then earned over six innings of baseball against the Rockies. Allowing just nine hits, a walk and striking out four, Lee lost his sixth game of the season as he notched his 10th quality start of the season. With Lee being unable to get a win this season, except one, it's very annoying and worrying. Back on June 5th, Lee tossed 7 2/3 innings of two-run ball, allowing six hits and striking out 12 batters. Lee took the loss as the Dodgers struck late in the game with two runs in the eighth inning. In his career against the Dodgers, Lee is 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA.

On the hill for the Dodgers will be Clayton Kershaw, who is attempting to prevent the sweep from the Phillies. Kershaw is coming off of a win against the Padres on Friday night. Over six innings, the All-Star lefty allowed six hits and an earned run while walking three and striking out six. Before the break, Kershaw was tagged for five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings against Arizona. Back on June 4th, Kershaw allowed three earned runs on eight hits through seven innings in a late-inning win against the Phillies. 

Things seem to be going good for the Phillies right now. But there is still no telling with this team. With a six-game home stand against the Giants and Brewers this weekend, the Phillies could get some more momentum before they head off to face the Braves and Nats the following weeks. If this team actually pushes for a spot in the playoffs, they're 13 out of the division and 9 1/2 out of the Wild Card, they might not have to sell after all. But it's still important to sign Cole Hamels.

Today's lineup @ Los Angeles

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS

2. Shane Victorino, CF

3. Chase Utley, 2B

4. Carlos Ruiz, C

5. Hunter Pence, RF

6. Ty Wigginton, 1B

7. Placido Polanco, 3B

8. John Mayberry, Jr. LF

9. Cliff Lee, P 

TV: CSN, MLB Network ; Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP.

Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.