Phillies Nation

23 Responses to “Golden Opportunity Sits For Phils To Knock Braves”

1. ryan Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

   to put it as simply as I can, the bravos just don’t have enough firepower in their lineup. and their best hitter can never stay healthy. I don’t care how good their pitching is, even when they had smoltz, glavine, and maddux all in their prime, they still had david justice and chipper and andruw jones.

2. Chooch's Cooches Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

   Yeah chipper only plays once every three days and without mccann, their lineup is feeble. hopefully we can take advantage.

3. Manny Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

   We won’t be facing Jurrjens (and his 2.XX ERA) or Derek Lowe… so we have a good chance of sweeping this series. My bet is that it will all come down to Hamels’ start tonight. He needs to set the tone for the rest of the weekend.

4. sawaob12 Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

   It’s apparently just me, but I have a terrible feeling about tonight’s game.

5. Manny Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

   Btw, J-roll made a prediction (yes, another one)… A 2009 WS between the Yankees and Phillies… which is exactly what I predicted right before the season started –even though now it looks that the Yankees will have a very tough time in that AL East division.

6. Don M Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

   I think that’s an old “prediction”.. it was just reported today? I read that earlier too

   Anyone else getting frustrated by the fact that every single time somebody in sports gives their “opinion” on something.. it gets labeled a “prediction” and people then judge them harshly on that comment.

   I predict that people both May, and May Not agree with me..

7. Geoff Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

   No its time for Cole to step up and remain healthy. I dont need to see Jamie Moyer out there again, let JA Happ take his place. Carlos Carrasco is not ready as he has struggled mightily in AAA Lehigh (winless, bloated ERA). So given that Kendrick is the only other option down there whos ready unless Stutes gets a surprise call then I think they need to start looking outside the organization if there is a need to replace anyone other than one guy.

8. Don M Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

   You have one game that you need to win… You’d rather see Park out there than Moyer?

   Not me.. I’d still take Jamie’s proven track record.. yea he was serving the ball on a tee last night.. but the ball was jumping for both teams..

   You need to see more of these guys before you’re ready to boot someone from the rotation..

   I am in favor of adding Happ as a 6th guy though..

9. David, the Mets fan from Queens Says:
   May 8th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

   Manny,

   Mr. Rollins speaks boldly, almost impetuously now because of his “prediction,” or mere guess in 2007. I’ll retract this statement if the Phillies actually do play the Yankees in the 2009 World Series. Even then, he is still liable for wishful thinking.

   David

10. Kevin Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    The Phillies look as though they are getting the Braves at a good time. The Braves are due for a loss, the Phillies due for a win, Cole Hamels is looking for a strong outing (7 innings please?), and Derek Lowe is not in the rotation this weekend.

    Two of three is a minimum this weekend.

11. Geoff Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    Well I agree there..Park hasnt shown me muich except one start. Even in Jamies weakened condition, he has shown me more than Park has. Whatever thats worth.

12. Geoff Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    For a 6 man rotation to work Cairo has to come off the roster and another reliever has to come up.

13. Georgie Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    Cole HAS to have a good start tonight, he just has to. The starters have been beaten up too many times, and I think you’re beginning to see not only looks of frustration on their faces, but Myers in particular, was acting very weird in the dugout after he was done. I realize that’s not exactly out of character for him, but the way he was acting reminded me of last year when he lost himself. For some reason I’m feeling very nervous about the game tonight, I’m almost afraid to watch…

14. Ben from NJ Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    Lets not get too ahead of ourselves. How about Hamels pitches well and he finally gets a win and then worry about the next day after that.

15. The Little Guy Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    Lets be honest here. They will not go to a 6 man rotation, because god forbid Hamels gets more that 4 days rest.

    Also, Huge series for the Phils right here. The weather getting warmer, they face the 3 worse pitchers on their staff, and quite frankly, the lineup is producing. If they can get a half decent showing from Blanton and Myers, should be capable of a sweep, and build some damn confidence.

16. Chris Iafolla Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    This is certainly an opportunity for the Phillies to gain some separation in the division with the Braves, but I’m not sure the advantage is as clear cut as some of the commenters suggest. The Braves are getting healthy now. With Garret Anderson and Brian McCann both coming off the DL, the lineup is a whole lot deeper. It is not potent by any stretch, but it is deep. In addition, the Braves have played well on the road so far this year. The Phillies are catching a break in not having to face Lowe and JJ. Most importantly, tonight we need to see Hamels pitch well and avoid the string of bad luck. The Phillies simply cannot maintain success without Cole healthy and productive.

17. christopher Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    i’d like to start with winning the game tonight before calling for a sweep. coming off getting swept by the mets, they just need to get this series started on the right foot.

18. DHall Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    I think Jimmy should set his sights a little lower…like getting a single.

19. Griffin Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    I just looked up Carrasco’s stats. At AAA, he has a 5.46 ERA but has 34 K and 6 BB in 31.1 innings. With those peripherals, it’s only a matter of time.

    Interesting note on the back end of the Braves rotation, Tommy Hanson has a 1.65 ERA and has 48 K in 32.2 innings at AAA. This could be the last go around in the rotation for Jo Jo Reyes or Kawakami.

20. mikemike Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    How can anyone want Park in there rotation. He never was a good starter. and before you tell me he is a fifth starter, Unless fifth starter only can go three inning most games and give up seven runs. One good start means nothing. Happ deserved this chance he is a drafted player who has come up through there system and has shown, in the minors he had success. why not reward him. What message do you send to the kids down there, you better be as good as hamels or you get no chance, to donald you in our opinion can’t help more than a career 237 hitter with a 964 fielding percentage. so stay at lehigh, until we are desperate or deplicate with injuries.

21. mikemike Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    You would rather have a pitcher out there who since 2002, has never pitched more than 145 innings, but managed to have a era over 5, every year gives up more hits than innings pitched, over a 100 homeruns surrender and three years since 2002 has given up over 20 homeruns. he ha4 4 good years if you consider two or three games over 500 good. but since 2002 has plain been bad. Moyer would be my choice, not on stuff but on guts and brains.

22. Johnny Snowden Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    DHALL hahaha or settle for NOT swinging at the first pitch in the late innings with runners on and poping out.

23. Adam F Says:
    May 11th, 2009 at 11:36 am

    Classic Phils. Everyone was thinking sweep, at least 2 of 3 since Phils weren’t facing the Braves top 2 SPs and the offense goes into a shell at home against 2 righties.

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