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Gameday: Phillies (43-36) At Athletics (42-35)
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, June 26, 2008 02:03 PM
I’d really like to break out one of the great movie quotes of all-time, thanks to a Mr. Lou Brown. But we first need a win today.
The Phillies and A’s finish up their Interleague three-gamer, and the Phils can possibly take the series in the getaway. They’ll have to do it via Adam Eaton, who hasn’t pitched that poorly this season. If he can get a bunch of innings and keep the score low, they’ll have a shot.
A shot because Rich Harden is pitching for the Elephants. The Canadian-born righty is 4-0 with a 2.44 ERA. He has only had one poor start of his 10 thus far, missing considerable time in April with a right shoulder strain. On June 8 against the Angels he struck out the first three batters on nine pitches.
Righties are horrendous against Harden (.179 AVG, .567 OPS), but lefties are doing considerably better at .245 and a .675 OPS. Needless to say it’ll be a tough go today.
Jimmy Rollins is back at leadoff, but Pat Burrell is in the three-hole. Geoff Jenkins is the DH.
Phillies: Adam Eaton (2-5) 4.94 ERA
Athletics: Rich Harden (4-0) 2.44 ERA
Gametime: 3:35 p.m. EST
Weather: 69, mostly sunny
Lineup: Rollins/Utley/Burrell/Howard/Dobbs/Victorino/Werth/Jenkins/Ruiz
MLB TV
MLB Gameday Audio
MLB Gameday
Your gameday beer: The Victory Brewery out of Pennsylvania has a witbier called Whirwind. It looks kind of fun judging by the label, though I don’t know if I’d like my foam to have a smiley face. Still, witbiers are good beers, and I recommend a summery dish with this — how about a grilled chicken salad?
Go Phillies!
June 26th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
mmm I could go for that right now…too bad I’m at my girlfriends and can’t watch the game and there is nowhere around here to buy that.
June 26th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Let’s go Phils! There’s gotta be a 30% chance that Harden gets injured today, no? Let’s get his pitch count up and then beat up on the bullpen.
Also, I saw this in an ESPN chat:
——————————————————————————–
Pete C Newark DE: Do the Phillies have the parts in the minor or on the club to trade for another starter?
Keith Law: (1:16 PM ET ) To trade for a starter, yes. To trade for Sabathia, if he becomes available, no.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Lineup-
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Chase Utley, 2B
3. Pat Burrell, LF
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Greg Dobbs, 3B
6. Shane Victorino, CF
7. Jayson Werth, RF
8. Geoff Jenkins, DH
9. Carlos Ruiz, C
June 26th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Could be a good line up. I hate to say it, but Jenkins does need to be in that line up. Righties just can’t hit Harden.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Right Phil. Then if they can get to the bullpen and it’s a righty, replace Jenkins with Pete Happy, Bruntlett, or Coste. Harden is really tough on righties.
I’ve been very surprised with Jenkins’ lack of production. I wonder if the platoon is preventing him from getting into a rhythm?
I fully expect Jimmy to have a great game today. I have a feeling about it. Usually when I have a feeling like this I end up walking away from the Craps table up a few hundred dollars!
June 26th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Rick, I think Werth and Jenks would be very productive if they got into a groove and started playing more often. Sad to say though, if Jenks was an everyday player he’d probably still be hitting .240 or whatever he’s hitting because he can’t hit a lefty what-so-ever, but I think he’d be much more productive against righties.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I jsut dont think jenkins is very good. hes another all or nothing guy and they have too many of those already
June 26th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Keith Law has always been pretty down on our farm system.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Goddamnit Ruiz again??!?! what a joke. I’d rather have Eaton hitting.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Tim Malcolm Says:
June 26th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Keith Law has always been pretty down on our farm system.
OK, well that makes me feel a little bit better. I still don’t think Gillick is going to pull the trigger, I expect a Paul Byrd type acquisition.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I have always wondered how much of the left handed hitter vs. RHP and vice versa is mind-over-matter more than an actual physical phenomenon.
It would be interesting to actually study the physics behind it. I just can’t physically visualize how a lefty batter should be able to pick up a RHP any better than a LHP.
I suppose distance to the throwing-hand release-point may be slightly shorter if facing a pitcher who throws from the same side, but it can’t be more than a couple inches.
There must be something that can quantitatively explain it because statistics certainly point to it being valid. However, i think it would be a very difficult thing to quantify because it depends so much on the pitcher and hitter.
I need to search for this on the internet because I’m truly intrigued now if anyone has mathematically explained it. Just the nerd in my coming out.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Harden going for 27 k’s in a game!
June 26th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
I’m ok with getting a Paul Byrd and another bat and holding on for dear life. I don’t want to empty the farm for CC.
On the other hand, I would some big league bats for him (Burrell, Howard, Victorino) if there was a window to sign him.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
When they talk about what wed have to give up for sabathia sometimes its like WAY over what even I thought. its definitely not worth it.
ive heard that people think theyll ask for werth or victorino, AND carrasco, marson, another prospect.
thats INSANE! id laugh at cleveland and hang up the phone if they said that. id immediately demand a 72 hour window to even consider that trade and i STILL wouldnt do it. not worth what youd have to give up.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
ugh. Eaton remembered he’s Eaton. This game reminds me of the 3rd game of the Red Sox series.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I’d give up Werth or Victorino and any prospect for last year’s cy young winner. Right?!
June 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Great start….. Somebody let me know when the All-star break is over!
June 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I bet we don’t score over 2 runs this game and we’ve given up 2 without getting an out.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
The Washington Post highlighted a stat today…
Best ERA by Catcher:
1. Geovany Soto - 3.62
2. Carlos Ruiz - 3.64
June 26th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Nice tag by Ruiz on that play at the plate…oh wait…
June 26th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Adam Eaton vs Rich Harden is like Brock Lesnar vs Verne Troyer… in a cage fight… to the death..
June 26th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
good point danny
June 26th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Well, I guess my dream of a 2-1 today was wrong. Maybe my dream meant a 2-1 loss?
June 26th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Maybe our offense will surprise us today.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
last years cy young winner, who has said he WILL NOT stay here and will become a free agent. yankees or mets come in, boom, gone. you probably wont win it all AND now you suck next year and for 5 years because you gave up vic or werth and your best 3 or 4 prospects.
thats stupid as hell. thats an ed wade move. you gotta get that number two guy. and some other help. just be smart about who you give up
June 26th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
At least the fish lost. Living in Orlando, it’s hard not to pull for the Rays
(despite hating the Bucs with ever fiber of my soul)
June 26th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Hahaha - that provided such a hilarious image in my head.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
don’t forget about the Lightning, we hate them too.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Yeah, renting CC for half a year is not worth anyone but low level prospects.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Werth should just try to hit lefty off Harden.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
any wagers on number of runs by OAK this inning?
I’m going with 1…
June 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I’d be surprised if we got three hits off Harden today.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I’ll take the under. This A’s lineup reminds me of mid to late 90s Phils.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
If we’re going to lose, we might as well get no hit. That’d be kind of cool.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I’m feeling optimistic about the Phils today, maybe it’s my Phillie homerism. I say 5 hits. I know, I know, it’s crazy, but here’s hoping….
June 26th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Hey, well at least Howard made contact!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Agreed Danny. That would be ok. I also have to say that they are the AL team I like to support as long as they aren’t playing the Phils.
Does anyone else think the A’s should move back to Philly? I mean come on, most people on the West Coast don’t even understand sports. Definitely not the rabid fans like us right coasters.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
There already aren’t enough teams in the NL West. lol
June 26th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
We could reclaim the championships theyve won as our own, lol. just kidding.
actually i think philly should have two baseball teams. why are we inferior to NY and LA and chicago? unacceptable. were big enough to have two teams here.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Theyd have to stay in the AL. i wonder how the reshuffling would go.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
to be honest, NY is a baseball crazy town the way Philly is a football crazy town. Plus NY has over 12 million people. NY could probably support 3 or 4 baseball teams, but that’ll never happen. Geez, what is that 6 K’s already? The Phils are playing like they have a plane to catch.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
We look like little girls against Harden
June 26th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
We need to start a fight against Texas. Maybe when Padilla pitches. This team needs a bench clearer.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I’m watching on gameday, but I’m assuming Harden is nasty.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
The Phillies are going to get outscored by Spain today.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
after watching today i want harden…that trade scenario a week back was to good to be true
June 26th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
According to gameday that double EAton just let up was at the guys knees. Why do things like that only happen to our pitchers?
June 26th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Definitely would have to stay in the AL!
Well I think they should start with liquidating a few teams. The pitching has already been so diluted it’s ridiculous. I mean seriously. Look at how many teams desperately need pitching help. There just simply aren’t enough good pitchers to go around.
After that, drop back to two divisions per league and get rid of the wildcard. That would also lead to the playoffs getting over earlier.
Or instead, have two wildcards (one from each division) who plays the other division winner.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
if the Phillies trade for Harden, his arm will fall off from throwing so many pitches in his no hitter against the Phillies on 6/26/08. That game was a classic, he had nasty stuff.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Alright Eaton, we need 1 of your DP miracles right here.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
BOO! I wanted a no no. Shit.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
It only took us half the game to get our first hit …
June 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Who got the 1st hit? My internet is being shitty so I can’t see gameday.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Victorino got the hit which ends any reason to watch this game. Spain scored 3 today, so the Phils will definitely score less than them.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
And I get gameday back up to see that Eaton let up a leadoff double. That’s got disaster written all over it.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
saw this on a Baseball Prospectus chat:
Ruben Gillbuckle (Philadelphia): Please tell me the Phillies will be agressive and land Sabathia or Bedard and not settle for a mediocre pitcher like Paul Byrd or Randy Wolf this year!
Dayn Perry: The Phillies don’t have near enough to offer for a guy like Sabathia. They’ll be in the mix for second-tier bait, but that’s it.
So that makes two chatters today who think the Phils dont have enough for Sabathia.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Ne-Yo (Philly): Carrasco, Cardenas and Victornio for Sabathia?
Dayn Perry: Oh, come on.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Nice job getting out of that jam.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I can’t believe Eaton saw himself out of that inning. Thank god. If he can go 6 innings with only giving up 2 runs I’ll be happy. Let the bullpen finish the job and hope that we can get to their pen.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
If Geoff Jenkins was a horse he would have been put down by now.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
1st pitch Jenks!!! WTG
June 26th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Glad to see Ruiz back in the lineup. I hate that Coste guy……gets too many hits and Rbi’s and stuff.
June 26th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
HOLY SHIT RUIZ DREW A WALK!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
is it true that Harden has only thrown 56 pitches through 6 innings?!?!! He could pitch 13 innings today. Way to work the count Phils!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
This is over, we can’t beat good pitchers. Plain and simple. He totally shut us down. He hasn’t even thrown that many pitches…68 in 6 innings is nothing.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
They just cannot hit good pitching. They can’t.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
ah, 68. Still, we’re not getting into that bullpen anytime soon.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
well, think of the positive:
-Mets and Braves didnt play today so just a .5 loss(if we lose)
-No no-no happenin’
June 26th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
another run….oh boy
June 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Way to seal the deal Eaton.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
5 series in a row we’ve lost
June 26th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Eaton’s at 100 pitches. I really hope Charlie is taking him out next inning. Once again, it’s frustrating, but that’s another quality start for a #5 pitcher.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
yeah, this offense is putrid right now. They haven’t scored more than 4 runs since the first Red Sox game, right? That’s 8 games in a row. Not good.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
7 1 hit innings
June 26th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I’m glad this is on gameday for me. This must be sad to watch. Even the Marlins scored a run off this guy.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
its pretty bad. serious issues. if anyone can fix the hitting its charlie, but you’d think they would have turned over by now.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
what is eaton still doing in game?
June 26th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
GODDAM AL pitchers!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
why arent we interested in Harden again? he gets injured?
June 26th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
And Eaton is still in and Rollins makes an error which doesn’t help him out. Nice!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
J-Roll for 2008 MVP!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
We are interested in Harden I think.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
The A’s are better than the Phillies. Why would they be buyers and us sellers? They’re not out of contention even though they play in the tougher league.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
i walked away and come back, we got another hit!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
who’s hurt?
June 26th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
jenkins blows. he is so freaking bad.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
If Geoff Jenkins was a steak, I’d flip him over now.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
FUCK jenkins!!!! don m how you going to defend gillicks signings of this prick!
June 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Prediction……Ruiz wont hit into a DP.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I punch myself when I watch this team at bat.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
this lineup is so hard to watch…im so pissed right now…this guys not a strikout pitcher but we made him one since we suck so bad
June 26th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
yes, give Ruiz credit there he learned to just strikeout in pressure situations. If only he had done that in the game on Tuesday night.
This game is a car wreck.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
its relly been nice not to see gordan in a while
June 26th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
i dont think you should bring a pitcher in that hasnt pitched in 11 days into a game trhat is not out of reach yet
June 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Um, Harden is a strike out pitcher. He has 72 strike outs in 59 innings pitched. If he pitched all season he’d be at like 135 strike outs in 110 innings pitched probably.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
chris m, harden is the nastiest strikeout pitcher…perhaps in the same league as johan santana and peavy. he’s got like 11Ks per 9IP…tops among all starters in the major league.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
yeah, Harden has been nasty for years, but he’s also been injured a ton. Oakland would be smart to unload him now when his value is high, before he gets hurt again. But, they’re contenders.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
his career high is 10 k’s….i dont consider this guy a dominant strikout guy if hes only had one double digit strikout game in his career and now two…not like this guys a rookie
June 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
nicely done Gordon.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
anyways i shouldnt have said that bc i was kinda wrong but hes not a dominant strikout guy like we made him look today…but why the fuck bring in a guy who hasnt pitchd in 11 days to come into a close game???????
June 26th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
here you go:
tops in swing-and-a-miss in the majors…
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2008/6/8/548279/swinging-strikes-and-balls
June 26th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
What a thoroughly embarassing game this has been. 5 series in a row. yuck. Oh well, at least bitching about it makes me feel (a little) better. Good night everyone.
June 26th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
this is it, 3 outs to get 5 runs
June 26th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Wow, Burrell hit a triple.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
and pitching wins again, except not for the phillies this time. enough said. get another pitcher. get another reliever, get another outfielder. sick of it.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
get another team, lol
June 26th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
no. id prefer this team to get a clue
June 26th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I think the Phillies could make a deal for Sabathia. They just won’t. They have always had too many “untouchables” in their farm system. Most of which never turn out to make it in the bigs.
http://myteamrivals.typepad.com/phightin_phils_phorum
June 26th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
the ones they do trade away always seem to be the good ones. however, some of these guys are too obvious to get rid of.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
This offensive funk is pretty discouraging. Harden straight-out dominated the Phils to the point of embarrassment!
June 27th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Why are we playing the Rangers, and the Astros playing the Orioles? I don’t get it.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:50 am
The astros and rangers played a 3 game series while we were getting killed in Oakland. Orioles are playing the Nats this weekend. We lost our “rivalry” with the O’s when the expos moved to DC. Now we split our 2 rivalry series between the Red Sox and Blue Jays…we play those 2 every year either home or away.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:05 am
We didn’t play the Red Sox last year.