Phillies Nation

32 Responses to “Commentary: Phils Face Defining Week”

1. Geoff Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:05 am

   This very well might be the most important week theyve had in ages as you say Tim.

   Fortunately, I have tickets for tomorrow night and saturday night so ill get to see both teams, even if it is from high up. These next two series are all about showing that they are not a fraud. Make no mistake, this IS a preview of things to come in October. Im almost willing to guarantee that one of those two teams will represent the AL in the WS. Without a number two starter better than brett myers, the odds arent in our favor, however by october they may have that guy. for now, theyre just gong to have to hope jamie moyer can pitch as well as he did the other night to backup cole hamels. \

   it should be clear. brett myers is the 5th starter. moyer is the 2, kendrick the 3, eaton the 4. myers is the 5th and hes a bad 5th starter at that. hes gotta go.

   its going to be a big week for this city and i cant wait to ge down to the ballpark this week.

2. Phil Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:26 am

   Hey, on a positive note, Hamels will be in both of these series with a day off on Thursday. I’m confident in that. Myers is also in only 1. I wish we had Moyer for 2 games as well, but we don’t. Actually. something tells me Moyer is going to get destroyed tomorrow by the Sox. They have all seen him. The Phillies need to go out their and destroy a washed up Cy Young winner and the young guys and show the BoSox who has the better offense.

3. JD Drew's My Bitch Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:31 am

   The Phils need to survive June and then kick it in July/August. This is a tough stretch no doubt. If they can take 2/3 in both series that’s about all we can realisticly hope for.

   Guys…..Myers isnt going anywhere excpet the DL at some point. As great as it would be to trade him, you cant do that mid-season. Maybe you get another top of the rotation starter and then move Myers back to the pen to be a 8th inning guy…..that’s the only logical solution I can think of. Very possible to trade him in the offseason, but there’s no way in hell they ever trade him inseason.

   This is when Jimmy and RH have to step up. Those two are the offensive key to the series’ this week.

   Go Phightin’s!!!!

4. Geoff Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:34 am

   tonight: colon vs hamels
   tues: lester vs moyer
   wed: masterson vs kendrick

   fri: e. santana vs eaton
   sat: weaver or lackey vs myers
   sun: saunders vs hamels

   so i get myers on sat and moyer vs lester tomorrow night. thats not bad. myers will be a mess but at least i get a decent matchup tomorrow night.

   im psyched to go down there. cant wait.

5. JD Drew's My Bitch Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:35 am

   Hey…….no fucking Sam Adams beers for “beer of the night” for the Sox series.

6. Jim Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:43 am

   From yesterday’s game why didn’t bruntlett slide he scores if he slides. As for JD Screw to all Phils fans going to game, BRING YOUR BATTERIES

7. Phil Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:43 am

   Agreed JD Drew. I’d be happy if they can play .500 ball the rest of the month. The A’s and the Rangers will be tough too I think. Luckily we’ll get a DH for those games. I’m voting for Pat the Bat or Ryan Howard as the DH. If we’re going to do well the rest of the month we’re going to need Ryan Howard’s bat to continue being hot, and we’re going to need Utley and Rollins to step it up and hit like an MVP again.

8. bwell316 Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:53 am

   Love article but the Red Sox bullpen is far from shutdown. Okajima has alowed 11 of 14 inherited runners to score this year, the only sure thing in their pen is Papelbon, and there will be no David Ortiz in the lineup (Manny Ramirez may only be available for pinch-hitting duties). I would love to see the Phils sweep the Sox in this spot….

9. Phil Says:
   June 16th, 2008 at 10:54 am

   Manny Ramirez will start in left field…

10. Tim Malcolm Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 11:16 am

    bwell: Okajima hasn’t been as effective as last year, but Lopez, Aardsma and Delcarmen have all been pretty good. I’d say they’re on par with Durbin, Romero and Gordon.

11. Phil Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Our bullpen is better than theres. Lidge is better than Paps. Now, the Angels are a different story. Their bullpen is really good.

12. Geoff Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 11:37 am

    the angels starting rotation is really good.

13. Phil Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 11:40 am

    Yeah, so is the BoSox.

14. Bruce Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    Latest comments from Manuel on Brett Myers….

    ” We’ve got to get Myers going,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “I want to win games, but at the same time, we’ve got to stay with him a while because he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do. In other words, he’s got to get it. He’s got to come around.”

    Myers’ first-inning ERA is 12.60. After the first inning, his ERA drops to 4.21. “Usually, I like going out and throwing strikes, and I’m getting behind,” Myers said. “In fastball counts, fastball hitters are going to hit it. I’ve got to try to shut down the first inning and go from there.”

    With a three game lead in the division and 91 games left, Manuel and pitching coach, Rich Dubee do have the benefit of time to continue working with Myers in hopes that he can find that solution/groove which provided success for him in previous years. Manuel knows that
    the alternatives/options are few and more problematic and difficult to achieve (trades, prospect call-ups, role switch between rotation & bullpen, etc.).

    To Tim…. it’s a little melodramatic on your part to describe…”… this could be the most important week of baseball in Philadelphia since 1980.” I’m not concern about building a elitist reputation for the Phillies when I could think of more crucial weeks to come in September playing our division rivals that may still be in the race.

15. Joshua Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

    This is the week that the phillies either come back down to reality or they prove that they are THE team of the NL.

    My bets are on the former.

16. Brooks Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

    Tim, methinks you place too much stock on these series coming up? Sure, it would send some nice waves through the hallways and definitely make us all feel better if Ryan gets a hit with the bases loaded (how sic is that?). But, they will be OK, better than OK.
    Let’s talk about possible moves and hope Pat and Charlie are thinking along these lines: What to do about Myers, Gordon and how to get Ryan started?
    A thought – Myers to the BP (no, not batting practice…) swapping places with Durbin. Myers gets what he wants and who knows about Durbin? If we get 6 innings of 4 run ball, hey, that’s better than what Myers has been giving us….
    Ryan? Any thoughts to hypnotism? Paul Blair did it for the Orioles back in the early 70’s and had his best year hitting 26 hrs. (his hypnosis was done to help him get over being hit by the ball, not hitting the ball…).
    I lucked out. Tonight on TV, Tuesday & Wednesday I have tickets. Timmy, it will be a great series!
    I’m scalping on Friday… anyone selling decent seats?

17. Tim Malcolm Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    I don’t think Myers to the BP is the answer. He said he wants to close. We have a closer. He probably won’t even accept an eighth-inning role. Moreover, he pitches worst in the first inning. I don’t feel confident in him setting down an order over one inning. More on Myers in a bit.

18. NC Jason Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    Is anyone else amazed that the sox get away with the shit they do – Manny begin Manny – if he watches a homer or does anything like that I would love nothing more then for our guy to knock him down. I am so sick of him getting a free pass anyone else does that they are thrown at- why is he allowed and if he was thrown at he would be like what the hell??!

    On second thought forget that – his first AB hit him in the ribs. Send a message that we are not going to take his shit.

19. Tim Malcolm Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

    Of course wins are wins and this week may not mean much in the scheme, but some of the season’s most memorable and recognized games and moments have come from these types of big series. It also seems as if teams raise their games against these types of teams during the season. It’s a perfect measuring stick and perfect time to look at the team’s place in the national picture. There is a statement to be made here, for sure.

20. Phil Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    I agree with Tim that these series are important. The Phillies are looked at as a joke in baseball. Everyone sucks Utley’s dick, and some people suck Hamels. Most baseball fans still think Pujols and Holliday/Wright/Hanley/Fielder were robbed of the MVP. A lot of people think Utley is non-deserving to be the front runner this year and that Chipper and Berkman should be the front runners. Most people still make fun of Lidge. Most people make fun of our bullpen and rotation. They’ll say Hamels is all you got. This team has no respect outside of Philly. This is the week we earn it.

21. NC Jason Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    I really do not have an issue of the Phils not being in the spotlight – fly under the radar but when we play teams beat the hell out of them. I agree that we are a forgotten franchise but in all honesty that does not matter. I care about Wins – especially when October comes around

22. NC Jason Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    Phil yesterday you said you drank all of your beer because of Myers? And I am sure we all drank even more to forget about Tom ‘I shit the bed’ Gordon, my question is – Hungover today?

23. Geoff Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:35 pm

    I cannot stand manny ramirez. that guy is an asshole. most of our starters wouildnt hit him. however, you can be DAMN sure if im the manager and i have the chance to do it. hes getting hit TONIGHT. if seanez is in the game ill do it. that guy has like 10 tattoos and looks kind of crazy ill bet he can handle himself. the guy i respect the most on the red sox is kevin youkilis because he plays hard and doesnt take shit from manny ramirez. the thing about ramirez is that hes the most patient hitter in baseball. you have to throw strikes to him and he doesnt swing at junk. That being said, I still hate that guy and you DEFINITELY have to run a fastball in on his ribs tonight.

24. Brooks Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    Phil? Dude…
    Aren’t you enjoying the ride Phil? Since Abreau was shooed out of town and the Phils given up for as all but dead, hasn’t this been a ton of fun?
    Do you really think anyone believes that people are making fun of Lidge?? And the bullpen has kept this team firmly planted in first place. Making fun of the Phils?
    Chum, open yer eyes, smell the coffee and enjoy the ride!
    Are you always this negative?

25. NC Jason Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    Him and Drew can take a walk into on coming traffic on Broad St.

26. Phil Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    Brooks, I’m loving this ride. I’m not even being negative. I’m saying that fans outside of Philly do not respect the Phillies. It’s the truth. I don’t even know how I’m being negative.

27. Phlorida Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    This is every bit of an important week as you say Tim. The sox are on espn every week, because they know that 10 million people will be watching. Its the perfect stage for Cole to ring up 12 k’s and for Ryan to put the hammer down! Ring That Bell!!

28. Phil Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Exactly, Phlorida. Watching the Phillies beat the Sox in front of a zillion viewers could really up their respect level, but I get called negative for thinking the Phillies lack respect. The only people who respect the Phillies are baseball writers and Phillies fans. Everyone else hates on them.

29. Geoff Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

    ESPN is the biggest frontrunning channel. Whoever is the champion is treated like the greatest team of all time by ESPN. its worse with the nfl though. espns nfl preview shows are unwatchable. they only promote the sports they have contracts for. they act like the nhl doesnt exist because they dont cover it and they RAM nascar down your throat. and nascar is sickening and a revolting disgrace of corporatism. it represents everything wrong with america.

    stepping down from the soapbox now…

    i cant wait to get down to that madhouse tomorrow night.

30. Phlorida Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

    In Gainesville, I wear a Phillies hat and i get “the look”. “Why are you a Phillies fan??” They are dumbfounded that I am not a redsox fan like the rest of the bandwagoneers. that being said I hope we trounce these guys grrrrrrr

31. slabs Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    hey geoff stop bashing nascar, you don’ t know what your talking about. stick to the phillies on phillies nation!

32. Geoff Says:
    June 16th, 2008 at 6:04 pm

    Ok ill stick to that…you stick to watching moving advertisements move around in circles on cookie cutter tracks in a “sport” owned by one family! thats so unamerican.

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