Phillies Nation

65 Responses to “Clutch Phillies Bash Dodgers To Split”

1. Jim Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:04 am

   This series was huge. While the standings will say we split this series, we came into the games best teams home and we had a lead going into the 9th inning in all 4 games. Our starting pitching made them look silly and our bullpen blew the leads…. wow things really have changed

2. ryan Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:06 am

   very happy with the split. as that is what I was realistically thinking they would do heading into the series. although the way they lost those two, man. sweeping LA, in LA (where they’ve been nearly unbeatable so far) would have really made a statement.

   a sweep against the mets next and this division race could be over sooner rather than later. they could put some serious distance between themselves and a mets team which is really reeling right now and recently got swept by the pirates.

3. mg52 Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:07 am

   This was an encouraging game. Bastardo was not invincible, but his fastball was still effective and he hung in there for as long as he could against a difficult opponent. Ruiz is turning out to be an outstanding catcher offensively and defensively. Park improved his game. To me, Madson proved something in the ninth inning – that he really does have the stuff to be at least considered for the closer’s role. He gave up the leadoff hit, then came back to retire the next three hitters – twice via “K’s.” This is something that Lidge has not yet done regularly – rebound from allowing the leadoff man to reach base, which always seems to happen to him. And Lidge got a chance to sit back in the bullpen and rest after a couple of rough outings. It may sound corny, but I hope that he had a chance to smile tonight. The Phils’ split against baseball’s best team in their park despite two devastating setbacks probably did wonders for him.

4. Jim Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:08 am

   eww grammer check

5. GWFightinsFan Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:13 am

   I think Bastardo pitched well enough, but he obviously doesnt have the stuff to be the pitcher they need long term, which is why I think we definitely need to deal for another starter.

6. The Little Guy Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:21 am

   I think if Bastardo can work on his Change a lil more, and have more comfort throwing it, he could stay in the rotation for a long while..

7. 4daysrest.com Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:24 am

   @ TheLittleGuy – That’s exactly what I was saying on my site. He absolutely DOES have the stuff necessary to be a long-term solution, he just needs to work on those two pitches more. When he throws them well, the slider and change-up have excellent bite and can fool a lot of hitters. He is throwing so many fastballs that he’s definitely choking the other pitches and having some difficulty getting a feel for them.

   It’s something they’ll work on during his off-days and hopefully we will see more of during his next start. The 2-0 start by Bastardo is very encouraging though, 80% fastballs or not.

8. The Little Guy Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:27 am

   Yeah exactly 4days. I think if he can keep locating his fastballs and stay out of situations where he HAS to throw the FB and they know it’s coming, he will be okay. Like 3-2 counts against good hitters who know a FB is coming, they will get on top of it.

9. ActuallyChilled Says:
   June 8th, 2009 at 12:28 am

   Tim,
   Seriously, could you please stop referring to the Dogers ‘the best team in baseball?’ Do these guys really deserve this kind of reverence? Who did Matt Stairs crush the hopes of not even a year ago? Who did/does Cole completely own? Who is playing in a division with minimal competition compared to NL East? Who almost got swept at home? lets get real, WFC.

10. ActuallyChilled Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 12:29 am

    by the way Tim – you do great work on the site – please don’t take this as a true hit – seriously kudos to you man!

11. Ryan Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 12:32 am

    He says “best team in baseball” based on their record, but we all know who the best team actually is…

12. The Little Guy Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 12:35 am

    Yeah i agree with Ryan, record wise, they are the best. But the fightins came in and had a lead in the 9th of all 4 games, but sadly only 2 W to show for it.

13. Bob Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 12:55 am

    How ’bout Chan Ho? He was actually controlling his pitches tonight. Had some movement on his fastball too.

14. M.P. aka Phillies Phan SC #54 Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 1:19 am

    I still say we don’t need to change anything until June 30. 5-2 in tough June is good. Could’ve been 7-0 without my guy, but it is OK. I would have given the Ashburn to Park only in case he’ll never be able to see it again LOL

15. Dave Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 3:07 am

    Yes, the Phillies did split: 2 games to the Phillies and 2 games to Brad Lidge.

16. Jeff of NoVa. Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 8:34 am

    So can we be excited about Bastardo yet?

    I mean many on here keep saying that his stuff is not really major league ready. He handled National spot light pretty well.

    Only 1 walk, 4 K’s against a very solid Dodger lineup.

    I am excited!!!

17. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 8:53 am

    Dodgers are 4-3 against us this year head-to-head.. and they have the best overall record in baseball.. I think that gives them the rights to the current title: “best team in baseball”

    I was VERY glad to see Ruiz get the Ashburn!! Great job again working with Bastardo.. and he’s showing he can handle that bat this year.. nice job by Carlos!

    Until Bastardo get’s that Slider working, we shouldn’t go crazy about him.. he works his fastball around the zone.. his changeup looked very deceptive at times last night.. I’m still not 100% sold on him being a difference maker for us this season

18. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 8:56 am

    All the people that knock Wheeler all the time.. how much better is he than the ESPN crew!!!!

    At least ten times last night they tried to make reference to some game, or some situation.. but they couldn’t remember what year, what teams, what players, how many extra innings, etc..

    Wheeler may be annoying to some, but to me.. his insight, and ability to recall old stories, as they pertain to the current scenario in a given game make him a very underrated broadcaster.. and I like him more and more, when he’s away and Sarge gets on TV ..

19. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 8:56 am

    Bastardo pitched well but dosn’t have the stuff to be in the rotatioin long term, are you kidding me, If JB and JA keep up what they have done in there last two (JA) and three(JB) starts Bastardo definatly has enough stuff to be 4 r 5 pitcher. It is what the Phillies needed so they do not seem so desperate to get a starter.
    Bastardo dosn’t walk guys has decent comand for his second outting on national TV against a team that leads the league in AVG, OB%, and total runs scored. 2 Runs 7 hits in 5+ I will take that out of him the rest of the year. If the other starters can go 6 or 7 most of the time that is all you need your 5th starter to be.

20. beta sigma shag Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:02 am

    In addition, I would not be afraid of any one with a starting staff that includes Cole, JB, JA, Moyer, Bastardo.
    And what about Chooch and Pete Happy hitting over .300
    Jroll with a couple of hits and at least on out was hit hard up the middle and not popped up to outfield. Will Charlie keep him down in the line up against the Muts or will he be leading off on Tuesday.

    On a side note Raul has had 2 slumps this year and they have lasted a total of 6 at bats. Even when he gets outs he hits the ball on the screws almost every time.

21. christopher Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am

    hey don, tell me again how i shouldn’t feel comfortable with the phillies’ rotation going into a series against this dodgers team?

    i’ll have more thoughts on bastardo when i get into work, but suffice to say i’m very impressed with the kid after two starts.

22. Greg B Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:18 am

    Tony Bastard comes after guys, I think he’s got some pretty decent stuff. Keep him in the rotation. A lot of the elite starters on everyone’s radar aren’t putting up the starts that Bastardo and Happ have been throwing up there. Consistency obviously remains to be seen, but I like how these two guys really go after hitters.

    People need to back off Lidge a bit. This site is like PANICnation.com. And stop saying we could have easily swept the series, cause guess what? We didn’t. Dodgers took the season series 4-3.

    Games are 9 innings whether we have a lead in the 8th or not, and the only reason we are thinking along these lines is cause the Phils went an impossible 80 something -0 last year taking leads into the 9th. You can thank Lidge for that mindset.

23. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:18 am

    You think Moyer and Blanton will look that good if we face the Dodgers again??

    It’s really close.. I just think the Dodgers are the best team in the NL.. RIGHT NOW

    We could have won all 4 of those games.. but they get some credit too, just the same way we would want some props for games the Phillies tie or win in the 9th..

    Dodgers aren’t the greatest team in history.. but they are definitely the team I least want to face in the playoffs this year!

24. Gavin Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:18 am

    Personally I want the Phils to stand pat until the deadline. Give Bastardo a chance. The kid is getting people out with one pitch. I thought when he threw his CU it was excellent. Good location. -12 veleoicty. I liked it, but Ruiz would never call for it. Let the guy work mostly FB the first time thru, then mix in the CU the 2nd time thru, and the CU and SL the 3rd time thru. I think the kid can do it.

25. Davek Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:18 am

    Hey Jim, did you mean grammar? Please think before criticizing others. And wow, did Chan Ho really pitch as well as he seemed to? I still swear that was a clone of him and not actually the pitcher who fell out of the starting role. In another note, I hope the Mets are ready. We’re going to give them the smack down of their lives. They won’t know what hit them.

26. Griffin Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:34 am

    I’d be wary of counting on Bastardo all season. He has good stuff when he is able to locate his slider and changeup but he falls behind hitters and he guys hitters seem to have better at bats against him the third time around.

    Let’s see how he does against the AL teams before we get too excited.

    2 out of 3 at Shiti Field would be ab awesome end to an awesome road trip

27. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:37 am

    Chad Durbin is pretty funny..

    “I can tell the US is in a recession because the Dodgers fans were throwing NICKELS at us instead of QUARTERS in the bullpen tonight.”

28. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 9:41 am

    Isnt that funny ??? ha ha ha

29. Manny Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Hanson, the Braves’ prized pitching prospect, goes 6 innings, allowing 6 ER (3 HRs)…. while our man Bastardo goes 5, allowing only 2 ER to the Dodgers…

30. Chuck Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:00 am

    That’s funny, Don…………

    Also……..I agree….I DON’T really relish the thought of facing the Dodgers in the playoffs this year. They (the Dodgers) are a better team than last season and they will be hungry for a rematch. Manny or no Manny…they are the team to beat as of now.

31. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:04 am

    I can’t think today beacuse I just got fired.

32. Griffin Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:05 am

    That sucks Don M. Life sucks sometimes.

33. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:07 am

    Didn’t really get fried.. some hilarious dude is posting under my name. I guess grade school is out for the summer already

34. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:09 am

    I guess i’ll get off here for a while now… once again the lack of ability to police the site makes today a bad one on PhilliesNation ..

    Gotta have a way to make people register, or have a password for their name or something..

    Anyway.. have fun “the fake me” you are cool

35. Griffin Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:12 am

    I agree, we need to be able to log in somehow.

36. M.P. aka Philles Phan SC #54 Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:16 am

    Dave – I am sick of everyone slamming Lidge on BOTH. 2 to the Phillies – 1 to Brad Lidge and 1 to who knows who. The Phillies were ALL bad on the one. Lidge blew one no doubt – but he had lots of help on the other. Yes we want him to close it, but he would have closed it without the help.

37. Chuck Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:22 am

    People are starting once again to make this experience (PhilliesNation) somewhat difficult. That’s why I took a break for awhile and didn’t post. I decided to come back in and participate again in the discussion but if certain jacka$$es are going to pose as real people, real Phils fans…..then what’s the point of being on here at all. Guys like Don M make this site what it is……informative, timely, funny at times, etc. Why mess with him?? Tim…are you reading and listening to what’s going on??

38. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:29 am

    I agree we should all log in because people come in with our names if you do it. well I woul’nt be here. Lets go mets hah ha ah aha ha lets go mtes phillies suck ha ha

39. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am

    lets go mets

40. christopher Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:47 am

    don, i don’t have any reason to believe they’ll pitch significantly worse. moyer and blanton are both very good pitchers. i know some people don’t want to believe so based on a few bad starts this season, but as charlie said, these are the guys who won us a world series last season.

    as for bastardo, any pitcher who can locate a low 92+ mph fastball as consistently as he has so far has big mlb upside. even the mistakes he made last night were generally good, pitches on the corners that many more experienced pitchers will have called for strikes. his slider still didn’t have good location but it helped keep hitters off balance. and i’ll need to see the analysis, but i think he once again barely used his changeup, by my count about 5 times. this is genius on his and ruiz’s part, as the longer he can protect that pitch, the more continued success he’ll have. and even when he needs to use it more often, if he keeps locating that low fastball and pounding hitters inside and on the corners, i honestly think bastardo has a bright, bright future.

    oswalt is clearly on the downside of his career. penny is an injury prone scrub at this point. marquis is mediocre. halladay won’t be available. peavy probably won’t accept a trade here, and even if he does, you have to take his splits away from petco, his age, his mechanics, etc into consideration. the only realistic names thrown around so far i’d have any interest in would be bedard and duke, and considering both are lefites and happ and bastardo are showing so much promise right now, i vote firmly in the stand pat camp so far.

41. Chuck Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 10:49 am

    Hey…..fake Don M…..GO AWAY.

42. mikemike Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:01 am

    I hate Wheeler and so did Harry god rest his sole. If it wasn’t for volkovich he would have been fired years ago. Vok used to give him the signs before the game, so wheels knew what pitch or move on the bases they were doing. What I

43. M.P. aka Philles Phan SC #54 Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:04 am

    I agree, a login for the site would be nice, but it won’t cure-all – only some. It will get rid of imposters.

44. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:07 am

    The more tape that comes out on Bastardo, the easier people will hit him, especially if he’s throwing FASTBALL 80+ % of the time..

    Is Chien-Ming Wang available?.. might be able to get him cheap.. throw Marson in a deal.. because when Posada went out they had to use some journeyman Catcher that caught for 4 of the 5 AL EAST teams before (can’t remember his name).. but that made me belive they didn’t have anyone close to take over for Posada.

    I’m a big fan of both Moyer and Blanton.. and have so said a lot.. but they have both been way too inconsistent this year to want to have faith in looking towards the future..

    Blanton would be a very nice 3rd or 4th pitcher.. but when he sets up as our #2.. its not too solid. Happ is moving up in my mind though

45. Geoff Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Bastardo did ok. But hell get better. He has to learn efficiency but almost all young starters have that problem. Overthrowing, etc. Too young to use in the playoff rotation anyway but he can hang around on the roster. I like Happ and Blanton as the 3rd and 4th guys. The issue is tehre is NO reason to get someone in a trade unless theyre going to be better than those two and Moyer. Then you slide that guy in at 2 and you can roll 5 deep in the playoffs if Moyer is still pitching well.

    But I really really like Happ & Blanton in teh 3 & 4 spots. Why trade for Marquis or someone like that? He isnt better than what we have. I would only trade for someone at this point who is better than what we are currently sending out there.

46. Geoff Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:18 am

    I basically consider Happ our number 3 guy. He fits the mold of what I expect from a 3. He is efficient and can dominate for stretches of innings. This guy could even be better than that. I really really like what Happ brings to the table.

47. M.P. aka Philles Phan SC #54 Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:21 am

    I am going to say something that I think is dumb, but it is an idea – Park seems to do fine when log relief. Why not use Bastardo/Park in those games and see how it goes. Basically, in doing this, you rest the pen a day and let those two work a game. I know it sounds dumb, but it worked the last two outings. In fact, it is so dumb I cannot believe I posted it – but it is crazy enough to work.

    Geoff – agree 100% on Happ

48. Griffin Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:25 am

    I agree 100% that if the Phillies do trade for a pitcher, it should be a frontline starter (Peavy, Oswalt, Bedard, Cliff Lee) and NOT a Brad Penny/Doug Davis/Jason Marquis-type pitcher.

    I keep making excuses for Oswalt, but he’s simply not pitching well. Peavy and Oswalt have a TON of money coming to them, so I think Bedard and Cliff Lee are more likely candidates. Hopefully they stay far, far away from Marquis and Penny.

49. Francisco Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:32 am

    lets go mets we will win ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

50. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am

    I am going to have a sex change on friday and I will change my name to Donna. wish me luck!

51. Francisco Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:36 am

    Yo man thats disgusting. why would you do that man.

52. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:37 am

    Marquis is a guy that could still help your team… it wouldn’t be that dominate move that we’re looking for..

    Peavy isn’t coming here.. Halladay isn’t being traded..

    All acounts say that the Astros want to have Oswalt retire as a member of the Astros..

    Cliff Lee and Erik Bedard are available.. Zach Duke’s name just came up the other day.. I like Happ better than Duke

53. Brett Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:38 am

    Happ has looked great in his starts. His place as a starter on this team shouldn’t even come into question anymore. Since his callup last year he has been a picture of consistency and on a team like this, consistency is a necessity.

54. mikemike Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:39 am

    If the phillies wanted a mediocre starter. They have that in carpenter, so why trade for another back of the rotation guy.

55. Bob Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:40 am

    Francisco–Just like last season? Or the season before?

    When was the last time you won? Were you even alive then?

56. Chuck P Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    Bastardo looked good… the most impressive thing about him is that he has been effective while trying some things (he’s trying to mix in pitches that he’s not 100% comfortable with). I think that they’ll work with him over the next few weeks to develop those pitches. It looks like the team really likes him and is supporting him. He’s not a star… he’s not taking the spotlight away from the core of this team (like Carrasco or a headline FA might do)… I think that it’s a good fit for now.

    I’m glad that you pointed out Ruiz as an all star. He should DEFINITELY be in the conversation. He’s better than Martin and McCann (defensively) and he has been swinging a good bat… Yadier Molina, on the other hand, is not great with the bat. He might be the best all around catcher not named Joe Mauer.

    It doesn’t get any better than Dodgers/Phillies right now… great teams with completely different styles.

57. Bob Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Bastardo’s changeup was devastating when he used it. Guys were swinging at it like 2 seconds early.

58. Chuck Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am

    Bastardo definitely passed the fiirst test last night. Let’s see what he does against the Mets, Red Sox and other contenders before we annoint him the next Steve Carlton.

59. Don M Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Carpenter isn’t even a Major League option at this point.. he got smoked by the Nationals when he pitched.. and he only pitched because they needed any arm available..

    Carrasco or Kendrick would get the nod before Carpenter..

    IF Bastardo keeps pitching this way, they might not need anyone.. but as I said, the more tape that gets around on Bastardo.. the more guys will see what his PITCH (not Pitches..) looks like.. and he’ll get smacked around.. he absolutely needs to get his Change and Slider working if he wants to have any sucess

60. Manny Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 11:55 am

    After looking at all the pitchers that we could/should get, I’m set on Bedard. He is the only one that a) is a front-line starter that could replace Myers and then some b) a rental, so few prospects would be required to make a deal, c) in his prime.

    As of now, there’s absolutely no need to bring a Marquis to this team. And even if Bastardo stays hot and in the rotation, he won’t pitch in an eventual postseason…. leaving us with Hamels, Blanton, Happ, Moyer… not too good. Similarly, a Hamels, Blanton, Happ, MARQUIS post-season rotation looks awfully similar to what we already have. Now imagine a Hamels, Bedard, Blanton, Happ post-season rotation. Now that’s money.

61. Griffin Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    Manny, I’m with you with Bedard. He is real good and will be pitching for a contract. Hamels, Bedard, Happ and Blanton/Moyer/Bastardo sounds real nice.

62. Chuck P Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    It depends how much it costs (Bedard)…

    One thing is for sure, with Tony Child-Out-Of-Wedlock giving us solid innings, we don’t need to rush.

63. Griffin Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    LOL, “Tony Child-Out-Of-Wedlock”

64. Chuck Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    2 good starts and Bastardo is suddenly the answer???? Yeah….maybe we don’t need to rush (as in make a deal today), but we had better keep ALL our options open for another pitcher. I like what “Out-of-wedlock Boy” has shown so far….but it’s not nearly enough to survive in this league.

    I like Bedard…but. as I’ve said before….he’s somewhat of a headcase. Not in an obnoxious way, but something to be aware of.

65. Chuck P Says:
    June 8th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    He’s not Mr. Right but he is Mr. Right-Now… he’s certainly capable of getting us closer to the playoff push. Hopefully, these headline pitchers become cheaper as their sellers realize that they’re running out of options. You would expect that the most desperate teams are going to overpay for a pitcher… we’re not desperate. We don’t need to do anything right now. It’s pretty obvious that we will need a #2 for the playoffs… we will not win a playoff series without a solid #2 in our rotation.

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