Phillies Nation

116 Responses to “Phillies Win 3rd Consecutive NL East Title”

1. d-bag Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 10:49 pm

   first

2. the lopez! Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 10:56 pm

   hot damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   not since girls high beat central has philly been celebrating like this!!!!!!!!!

   go bob michael!!!

3. Brooks Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 11:02 pm

   This was unbelievable – Go Phils!
   Great to see bats resurrected again and what a classy move to have Lidge pitch to even that 1 batter!
   Go Phils!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. ray Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 11:04 pm

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXAhOlh8sIM
   In case you missed it on the end of the last thread
   Cole Hamels Top Ten list

5. I feel good Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

   Yeah Phils.
   Don’t forget who you are.
   This is the beginning of the real season.
   Dream it. See it. Believe it. Live it.
   World Phucking Champions II
   Let’s do it again!!!!!!!

6. GWFightinsFan Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 11:09 pm

   They are not done!

7. joedad Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

   Seriously, how cool of a name is Cole Hamels?

8. joedad Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 11:11 pm

   Pedro is letting his Soul Glo

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktl6L3ZwvL4

9. Aaron Says:
   September 30th, 2009 at 11:11 pm

   Question is do they play for the best overall record or rest the guys?

10. Phillin' 'er up! Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    F*CK YES PHILLIES!!!!

11. joedad Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    Well said I Feel Good

12. Brian of CO Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    It feels like all of a sudden the Phillies remembered just how good they are. And they came out to prove it too! Now to spend money on NL East stuff. Personally, I will wait to see if something comes with about a 3 peat or something like that.

13. Grrrumpy Miner Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    Congtats! Enjoy It! They deserve it. Oh and Georgie…..134 more days til Pitchers and Catchers.

14. Brian of CO Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:24 pm

    FYI, 5-0 Dodgers losing.

15. GWFightinsFan Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:29 pm

    Suddenly the best overall record in the NL appears within reach…how hard do we push for it?

16. jt Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    Whew felt like they were never gonna clinch but better late than never now let’s give the guys the day off tomorrow and go get the number 1 seed from dodgers.

17. Brian of CO Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    See, Grrrumpy Miner is a real Baseball fan, and a classy guy at that. On here all the time talking baseball instead of bashing the 3- time NL East Champions like most Mets fans do, and comes on here after we earned this one with a win, regardless of the Braves losing, and can congratulate the PHans!

18. Brian of CO Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:37 pm

    Dodgers starting to lose again (are they UNDER.500 since the All Star break now?) and the Rockies starting to win. Hmm, I wonder if their fans are starting to wonder if the Rockies will over take them? LOL.

19. ray Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    lol joedad i knew what the soulglo reference was before i even clicked

20. Ryan Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:47 pm

    Props to Grrrumpy Miner, the only classy Mets fan I know of

21. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    Great move by Charlie bringing Brad Lidge in. Classy and smart. I loved it. Lidge spoke to the crowd after the game and it seemed like he was going to cry.

22. j reed Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    Joe Dad – Cole Hamels is a cool name. But the two best, most classic baseball names are
    J.A. HAPP and RJ SWINDLE…..could play on any team from 1850 -1950

23. SDO Says:
    September 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm

    “Classy” and “Mets fan” are two things not usually found in the same sentence. A rare breed indeed.

24. Brian of CO Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:04 am

    I agree 100% Morris Buttermaker. I was kind of hoping to see Lidge get all 3 outs (first time I have said that in a few months). But I was glad to see him go to him. I dont feel comfortable with him in the Pst Season closing, but I was glad to see him fo it. They have got to do this one for Harry Kalas! Sad that Moyer is done with the surgery. I wonder if he will retire. As big of a Moyer fan that I am, I think it would be best for him, because I dont see him being all that effective next year being 47 then and coming off surgery like that.

25. Brian of CO Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:05 am

    For those keeping track of the West and the Wild Card. Magic # for the Braves to be eliminated completely is 1. Magic # for the Dodgers to win is back to 2. Hmm.

26. Jeff Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:30 am

    Dodgers getting killed again. We can take best record. I was all for Happ going to the bullpen but I rather have him start then Pedro. Happ battles. I would use Happy as my fourth starter. Congrats Everyone. Give Utley a day off.

27. karen Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:35 am

    I proudly admit that I was wrong about our phils on monday. They regained that magic and based on tonight (certainly not a way to guess due to the astros not being a great team), the phillies can kick the butts of any team. Kendrick has done awesome too.

28. eli Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:39 am

    YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

29. karen Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:40 am

    I think they will give some of the guys like rollins, howard, chase, victorino, werth some time off…..move in some bench players to see who to keep around in postseason (although i assume it will be bruntlett and stairs). Starting pitchers? I dont really know but I am thinking it would be better to just keep the rotation as is to keep them fresh

30. Andrew Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:42 am

    My team MVPs for this year

    1. Carlos Ruiz
    2. Chase Utley
    3. Shane Victorino
    4. Jimmy Rollins
    5. JA Happ

    Biggest let downs
    1. Cole Hamils
    2. Brad Lidge

31. Brian of CO Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:43 am

    Im sure most of you saw the end of the game when the Phillies all went to the HK sign and tapped the sign! with other PHans chanting “HARRY, HARRY, HARRY” Thats AWESOME. Work to do. Lets do this for Harry Kalas. Last year was for Charlie’s mother, and Shanes grandmother, this year is for HARRY KALAS!

32. Brian of CO Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:48 am

    LOL. Still no love for Ryan Howard, or Jason Werth huh Andrew? LOL. MVP’s or let downs, 3-PEAT BABY! Lets get that WFC part 2!

33. Stuart Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:52 am

    http://brandonblattner.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/2009PhilliesFacialHair.jpg

    found that funny

34. Andrew Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:53 am

    The guys on MLB TV are really high on lidge LOL

    Wish i was. but itd be cool if he was good

35. Andrew Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:55 am

    I am big on defence. I am even bigger on defence up the middle
    position rankings are C SS 2b CF

    Dodgers losing again I hope we draw them somehow

36. j reed Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:04 am

    Brian of CO – I was telling your arch nemisis Andrew that Moyer is remarkably fit and discliplined which means he probably will respond well to the surgery and will follow the recovery /rehab program protocol to the letter. Returning to form poses less difficulty for him because his sucess isn’t based on speed and speed is the most complex and temporal of the athletic attributes. Speed is therefore the hardest attribute to maintain. Usually for aging athletes the amount of workouts needed to maintain competitive speeds begins to match recovery times for each workout, or the focus on these types of workouts comes at the expense of other conditioning. Often this conflicts with the demands of the competition cycle which is usually more an issue for team sports than for solo athletes . See Dara Torres oldest female Olympic sprint race swimmer. She is testament to the efficacy of modern sports science. But, her training could be tailored to fit her pace and specific needs. However, players on teams can’t put one players needs over the entire unit.
    Moyer could easily be just as effective because losing a few mph’s on his pitches won’t ruin his game. Problem is, other people may not overlook his age so readily and consequently, having over estimated the risk of failure , take a pass on him.

37. j reed Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:12 am

    Andrew – there are many sports writers who believe that the 1929 Philadelphia A’s defense gives them edge over the 1927 Yankees as being the greatest team ever. I agree defense can’t be under valued look at the inept fielding of the Nats., D-Backs, Reds, Marlins, Mets …it’s the shame of the NL. And were suppose be the better fielding league. So do you bet on sports as well as the ponies?

38. jt Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:13 am

    ok so who starts game one of the playoffs?i don’t want it to be but i’m gonna guess cole because he last pitched monday and prolly won’t be pitching again in the regular season so he’ll have the most rest…maybe we’ll get lucky and cole will turn things around in the playoffs.

39. Andrew Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:24 am

    I do not bet on sports or on ponies outside of my home track and what I know best and feel I have an edge in. I have made money on the phillies the last few years but thats personal bets not through a book.
    Brian is fun nemesis. I am waiting for his theory on how they will not win the division now from some technicality. lol

40. From Section 113 Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:25 am

    It’s good to be a Philly Phan right now.

41. Andrew Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:26 am

    Charlie will go
    1. hamels/ lee 2. hamels/lee 3. blanton 4 happ

    I would go
    1. lee 2. happ 3. blanton 4 . hamels

    let cole do something before we annoint him

    well besides being the MVP of the series last year

42. j reed Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:28 am

    Andrew – i ask because other than some fanatsy leaguers, baseball geeks and stat. heads, the only people I think who’d take an interest in fielding stats are gamblers. Sorry about “gamblers” it has negative connotions some deservedly so other not. Just didn’t know what other word to use. Actually without gambling, the science of probability and statistics might never been formed.

43. j reed Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:44 am

    charlie will go

    lee or hamels
    blanton
    lee or hamels
    happ or pedro

    Andrew- if happ goes to the bull pen and pedro is the 4th man are we allowed to start happ if the match-ups are right and put pedro in the pen for a game….I was thinking Happ vs. the Cards is somthing i wouldn’t like to see again but against the Rox, Happ gets the call. Didn’t know if the rules change for postseason rotations

44. Mazinman Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 3:48 am

    When “High Hopes” started playing at the end of the game I started getting teary eyed and when the Phillies went out, as a team, to pay their respects to Harry tears came out. A very beautiful scene. A very classy act by a very classy team. With their ups and downs sometimes we forget how blessed we are by having a team that is both good and also filled with what seem like good people.

    A thought pops its my head… as bad as the Dodgers and Cardinals have been lately we might be able to rest our starters and end up with the best record. Its going to be an interesting weekend to be sure.

    Congratulations to our 2009 Division Champs Phillies! Now lets bring the big trophy back home boys!

45. » Phillies Pound Houston, Clinch Division Title | Blogging-Baseball.com Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 7:52 am

    [...] Phillies Nations’ Brian Michaels adds another dimension in recapping the game: With the game well in hand at 10-3 going into the final two innings, Charlie Manuel looked to Chad Durbin and Scott Eyre to hold the lead. Then in most dramatic fashion before a boisterous sell-out crowd and with just one out remaining to clinch the division, Manuel called for Brad Lidge….  Just seconds later, Lidge needed only a single pitch to get Lance Berkman to ground out to Ryan Howard.  And the celebration began! [...]

46. Ed R. Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 8:12 am

    I want to see guys rest but at the same time, we are .5 games behind the Dodgers for the best record in the NL.

    Dodgers are off today, I personally think Charlie should play his starters tonight, if they win, then I guess maybe take it day by day, if they lose then rest up and let the Dodgers have it. Problem is, the Dodgers are not playing well. It would be one thing to be chasing a team that is on a hot streak but the Dodgers are not. Either way, it looks like we will face the Rockies which I think is good but whether we get home field in round 2 is what is at stake.

    Congrats to the Phillies and their fans. It was a great season. I was moved by the players going out and tapping the HK sign. Would have been more moved if the Angels hadn’t done it two nights before with their Nick Adenhart sign but either way it was classy.

47. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 8:53 am

    Here’s my selfish reason for wanting the Phillies to get the top seed and the Dodgers to fall off. I have playoff tickets, and the only time that I really can’t make a game is Thursday afternoon. Absolutely no way I can make the game. I have tickets for what will be game 2 of the NLDS, which is scheduled for Thursday October 8th.

    There will be three games that day. If both the Dodgers and the Angels are hosting a series, those would be the later 8 p.m. and 10 o’clock games. And of course the networks always want the Yankees in prime time. But if the Dodgers continue thier free fall, and the Rockies overtake them, that would create a Colorado-St. Louis series, which none of the network execs would be thrilled about. And that would create a Dodgers-Phillies series, which the networks might fight for to have in prime time. It might be more interesting than the Yankees-Tigers series. But I just have a strong feeling the Phillies are going to end up with the Thursday afternoon game, and then I will need to start trading tickets and all that. So I am pulling for the continued Dodgers free fall.

    Also, anybody catch the end of the Mets game last night? It was beautiful.

48. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 8:56 am

    Also, rest Raul, Howard and Utley tonight. The three of them look exhausted. Everybody else plays. I would say to rest Feliz, but he is hitting the ball great right now.

49. joedad Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:00 am

    I think they need to rest 2 or 3 regulars tonight / rest of the season but have them available for pinch hitting as needed. They will play to win but don’t “need” to win. Alot will depend on how the Astros and Marlins come to play. Will they start young players or go with their starters?

50. george55 Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:09 am

    to “Morris Buttermaker” (nice name BTW, LOL LOL) . You said it was “classy and smart” to bring him in for the one out? How can you say that Butterball or Butterbean? Was the hillbilly afraid he might give up 7 runs? Was manager hillbilly taunting or teasing him or diggin it in for almost screwing the season? Why not leave him in for a full inning? Sure the phils would have won 10-8 but it would give him more confidence, right? Yeah….
    I agree that you bring him out because of the large lead and only because of the large leave, but not for one out….that just doesn’t look right.

51. Ed R. Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:10 am

    Just an FYI…with the Flyers first game being on Friday, the Phillies will not be televised on Comcast. They will be on one of the other channels.

52. Phan in TN Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:26 am

    Please be advised that the Phillies will be on my 24″ Imac in Tennessee thanks to MLB.TV. They probably won’t be on my large TV because the food channel is needed to babysit the little mrs.

    thank you for your support

53. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:27 am

    Being a 1/2 game behind the Dodgers for the best overall record .. and two games up on the Cards and Rockies ..

    I think you have to get your players some rest.. but not all at once ..

    Im not worried about LA, because I think the Cards will beat them.. so as long as we have a better record than the Cards, we’ll have homefield for the NLCS if we beat Colorado .. who is literally the hottest team ever.. again

54. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:30 am

    I think on Friday, the phillies are probably on CSN HD.. channel 200 if you’re in Philly with comcast .

    while the Flyers will be on COMCAST HD.. channel 201 (which they just brought back within this past week for that very reason)

55. joedad Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:30 am

    I would rest in this order:

    Utley, Feliz, Victorino
    Howard, Ibanez,
    Rollins, Werth, Utley again
    last game of the season, start them all for a tune up and get them out early.

    george55 AKA Spankee Yankee so wishes he was Ned Beatty in Deliverence. Its weird but whatever floats “his” boat.

56. Phan in TN Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:39 am

    If you are in Tennesse and have Dish Network, watch Ace of Cakes and that show with that lady who has a big mouth and very very tight jeans.

    I would recommend:

    Chopped
    Good Eats

    joedad is my hero and everything i had hoped to be.

57. Ed R. Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:41 am

    joedad…see I would start them all on Saturday…A because I will be there and B because resting them Sunday gives them an extra day of rest in a row…but either way I guess it won’t matter if the series starts on Wednesday.

58. Scotty Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Pure class! Okay, maybe throwing beer at HK’s wall and everything associated with Brett Myers falls a little short, but I’m seriously proud of this team top to bottom.

    I trust Cholly will know how to get us to top shape for the playoffs AND best record.

    “Just what makes that little old ant…”

59. Morris Buttermaker Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:45 am

    George55’s Indian name is “Runs on Sentence.”

    Well, if Charlie brings Lidge in for the full inning, all of the fans start moaning and groaning, and the 1964 talk starts up. High risk, high reward.

    Or Charlie waits for two outs. Lidge comes into a standing ovation. Lidge gets the final out, and possibly gets some of his mental issues worked out. Low risk, high reward. It rewards Lidge for all of his work last year, lets him know the fans are actually pulling for him and nobody wants to see him fail. And Charlie now has 4 games and a week to see how Lidge is.

    Things like that are why the players love Charlie so much, and why the would do anything for him.

60. Ed R. Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Don M. according to csnphilly.com, the Phillies will indeed be on Comcast HD on Friday which is 200. And for the Flyers it says CNP…what channel is that? I live outside of Harrisburg but I have the Comcast Philly feed so I have the same line up as you would.

61. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:47 am

    Harry used to get smushed drinking with them … he would have appreciated the beer shower!

62. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 9:48 am

    Im not sure .. Phillies website said CSN for Friday .. which i checked because sometimes on Friday nights they put them on MyPHL 17 (same station as their Sunday games)

    I have tickets to the Phillies Friday anyway.. so im not too concerned with the channel lineup ..

    BUT.. comcast sucks my balls, but i live in the city.. so I have to have comcast if I want to watch Philly sports. damn them

63. Jeff Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:01 am

    Hey and some more good news. Barry Melrose predicts the Flyers will be in the stanley cup vs the blackhawks. He said the Flyers lose in 6. We will see about that. What are you going to do when Richards, Carter, Pronger, Gagne come looking for you. GO FLYERS AND PHILLIES

64. joedad Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:11 am

    Playoff pitching depth chart assuming Park is injured in the first round:

    Cole Hamels
    Cliff Lee
    Joe Blanton
    J.A. Happ
    Ryan Madson
    J.C. Romero
    Scott Eyre
    Pedro Martinez
    Brett Myers
    Clay Condrey
    Chad Durbin
    Kyle Kendrick
    Brad Lidge

    Happ and Pedro are interchangable. the last spot is between Kendrick and Lidge. For some reason, I think Lidge will make the team although there is no room for a closer who can’t close. Should Park become healthy, Durbin is bounced. Thoughts? Comments?

    Phan, thanks. I’ll be here all week.

65. Ed R. Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:14 am

    I agree with you phan. I think Kendrick should make it but won’t because Lidge will be on the roster. He should be the first person removed, followed by Durbin. Honestly, if Charlie would rather keep Lidge and Kendrick and keep Durbin off I would be ok with it. Lidge, if he ever gets his crap together has more upside than Durbin does.

66. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:16 am

    I think they’ll only have 12 pitchers .. meaning Condrey or Kendrick is out

    Since Kendrick is healthy.. i’d imagine he’ll stay .. and if Park is healthy, Kendrick is gone too

67. Baseballbriefs.com Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:42 am

    Baseballbriefs.com tracking back Phillies Win 3rd Consecutive NL East Title…

    Baseballbriefs.com tracking back Phillies Win 3rd Consecutive NL East Title…

68. The Original Chuck P Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:43 am

    It was a really fun night and the crowd was great. We were doing Phillies chants twice an inning in left field… they did a happy birthday confetti shower for a one year old girl in our section and it was one of the cutest things that I have ever seen at the park. Was definitely scoreboard watching and it was almost a foregone conclusion that we were going to clinch by way of an Atlanta loss (and that would happen first) but their 9th inning was so long that we essentially clinched at the same time (which is what we all were hoping for… would rather clinch via the win).

    Some of the great moments from last night’s game:

    Raul’s homerun was one of the longest hit to RF that I have seen in that park… Shane’s snag in CF was a take-your-breath-away moment… the 4 run fouth inning… back to back triples…

    Some important points about the game:

    Feliz looks like he is in a groove right now and if I had to go out on a limb and predict a postseason MVP, it might be him… at the plate and in the field, Pete Happy is getting it done.

    Jamie’s out for the season so the question that I had heading into last night’s game was, “Who is our long reliever?” Kyle Kendrick has emerged as that guy, for sure. He looked great last night, and not just because he didn’t give up a run in three innings of work. He was painting the corners, hitting 93-94 on the radar gun pretty consistently and he mixed his pitches effectively. I was very impressed…

    Pedro Martinez looked pretty bad. It took him 84 pitches to get through 4 innings and he labored through those innings. 6 hits and one walk in 4 innings is unacceptable… if we draw the Rockies, JA Happ is our 4th starter. The Rockies are a weaker hitting team facing left handed pitching…

    Heard Chase talk after the game; he’s going to try to convince Charlie to give him a day off today. As much as I want to see us get home field advantage in the first round, I think that it’s more important to give our guys some rest (mentally and physically) and set up our rotation. I’m not sure what Charlie’s gonna do here with a handful of games left but he’s certainly thinking about setting things ups.

    Tons of irony in last night’s ballgame… Ed Wade and Chris Coste on hand to witness the clinching, Kyle Kendrick gets the win (would have been Jamie Moyer on the mound if not for the injury), Brad Lidge fittingly makes the final out with one pitch, Raul hits his career high 34th homerun and every starter except J-Roll gets an RBI (JR with 2 xbh).

69. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Homefield doesn’t matter if your team is too exhausted to execute..

    Charlie will get them some rest .. Utley, Werth, Rollins, and Feliz could all use some time to relax

    …
    I think Pedro is a lock for the postseason rotation.. he struggled a little last night.. but that was also him comming off an injury.. and he could have thrown more but was at 84 pitches.. and in a spot where a pinch hitter could have driven in an extra run

70. Manny Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 10:59 am

    I see Eyre and Romero coming back, one of them (at least) staying in the postseason roster… Happ is (and should be) our 4th starter over Pedro. Plus, Happ has shut down the Rockies with a CG, so you have to let him pitch if we face them again (very likely).

    Honestly, I would also take Kendrick over Pedro right now for the playoffs. Not only is Kendrick pitching better than Pedro, but he’s also a bit more flexible since we’ve been also using him out of the bullpen… with Pedro, we haven’t done that and I would be too scared to try it.

71. Jeff Dowder Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Since 1964 the Phillies have won 9 division championships, 3 NL pennants, and 2 World Championships. It’s amazing that 1964 even gets brought up 45 years later. This franchise has had it’s share of lean years, but it’s not like nothing positive has happened since ‘64.

72. Georgie Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:26 am

    This is a really great time for all of us Phillies fans, playoffs 3 years in a row, WFC ‘08, it doesn’t get any better than this, trust me. That’s why all the negativity on gameday these past few weeks has driven me away, this team deserves the UTMOST respect from all of us, and put Charlie at the top of the list. Of course it’s ok to p!ss and moan when they looked bad, but some of the stuff that was said on here (especially about Charlie) was totally out of line. I NEVER want to see “this team sucks” or “so and so sucks”, struggling, yes, sucking, no.

    Let’s all try to remain positive thruout the post season, no matter how far they go. They’ve suffered thru alot of injuries this year and still brought the division title home to us again, I LOVE THESE GUYS!!!!

    GO PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

73. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:26 am

    Pedro pitched a gem vs. the Giants, which at the time.. was one of the biggest games of the season… after that he got hurt, which limited what he could do last night.

    I can understand that people want to give Happ the nod as #4 .. .but Kendrick??? please..

74. ray Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:42 am

    I agree with Don. Kendrick? Pedro is a playoff tested veteran. He’s played well. You had to know he wasn’t going to come back from the injury and be lights out, but you gotta figure he can back to being a valuable asset to this team in the playoffs. He has nerves of steel. He’s battled against the yankees for years. Forget it, it’s not even close. Kendrick imploded after a decent start in the majors.

75. The Original Chuck P Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:43 am

    That’s my concern, Don… he’s 37 years old and prior to signing with the Phillies he was living it up in the Dominican. Being 37 years old doesn’t mean he can’t pitch but it does mean that he probably has to train a little harder than everyone else. I like the idea of having Pedro in the playoff rotation because it’s Pedro (one of the few players in MLB history with no last name required), but he has to prove that he’s healthy. You have to think that missing a start means his body had an extra week to settle back into relax-mode and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.

    Georgie… you da effin best.

76. Manny Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:45 am

    I rather go with the hotter arm, that’s all. We have to see if Pedro gets another and if Kendrick can keep it up. If so, go with KK.

77. Manny Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:51 am

    I agree Chuck P… at this point there are more questions about Pedro (injury? can he come out of the pen?) than about Kendrick…. I think Kendrick could do a great job coming out of the pen just like Happ did last year against the Dodgers in the NLCS.

78. SDO Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 11:53 am

    As much as I like his playoff killer-instinct make-up, the issue with Pedro right now is that he’s still giving up a lot of runs in the 1st inning. Batters are hitting something like .375 off him in the 1st.

79. The Original Chuck P Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    There really is a catch 22 with Pedro… he has been dreadful in the first inning so slotting him in the pen seems like a recipe for disaster and he’s coming off of a minor injury so you’re not really sure if he’s going to be able to be effective for 5-6 innings. Something’s gotta give… I’m on the fence but I understand that managing a playoff game is much different than managing a regular season game. There is less margin for error so Charlie won’t hesitate to go with Happ is Pedro slips (or vice versa). With that in mind, maybe you start with Pedro and see if he’s bringing his mojo. If he slips up, you bring in Happ… in any case, we should feel pretty good about our chances because we really are the best team on paper in the NL.

80. ray Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    I see the concerns with pedro, but i have a hard time thinking that kendrick should go over him . In fact, it’s not going to happen. Kendrick may make it because someone else won’t be able to pitch, but he’s not going over pedro. If pedro comes out of the bullpen, i hope the first inning stuff won’t be a concern because you go into a middle of a game with a different mindset, but we’ll see.

81. ray Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Phillies beating the Yankees in the world series would be the ultimate, pedro pitching the last out, well that would just throw salt in the wound.

82. The Original Chuck P Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    Kendrick is not going to pitch over Pedro in the playoffs… that’s crazy talk… the question is Happ and his perseverance or Pedro and his mojo? The answer is likely Pedro but not because he has earned it… it is mainly due to the fact that Happ has proven to be successful coming out of the pen and partially because he’s lefthanded. I would rather have Happ (especially against the Rockies who are hitting just .255 against LHP) but I understand the reasoning behind going with Pedro. I think that they’ll be watching Pedro’s next start very closely…

    Game one is on October 7th. If Lee’s going tonight, he won’t pitch again during the regular season (in order to save his arm for the postseason game 1 or 2)… Hamels is schedule to pitch on Saturday which would not make him available until game 2 (10/8) on normal rest. Blanton is scheduled to pitch tomorrow and would be available game 2 or 3 (extra rest).

83. SDO Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    It would be un-wise for Charlie to not start Happ against the Rockies, considering how much he dominates that line-up. Maybe not so much against St. Louis, where Pedro could be a better match-up against the heavy-hitting righties.

84. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Happ did a great job coming out of the pen.. in games that we were losing badly and needed someone to eat innings to keep the rest of the bullpen fresh for the remaining games ..

    A lot of the Pedro #4 scenario depends on who is healthy LHP-wise in the bullpen

    Eyre? Romero? … So it looks like Happ is going to be pushed to th bullpen, because that is a more important role in the playoffs then #4 starter is.. so while its a demotion from the rotation, its actually a more important role

    Kendrick should get to start one of the remaining games as a Thank You and for doing a nice job when called upon in the second half …

    …
    Pedro has bad 1st innings numbers.. and EXCELLENT numbers the rest of the game . I heard them saying that on the radio last night.. he’s given up 3 HRs in the first innings against 40 batters.. but in all other innings he’s given up 1 HR to like 150 batters

85. bob Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Lee-Hamels-Blanton

    Worry about the 4th starter when you get to it. I don’t think Charlie knows which way he wants to go. Think this depends on Romero and Eyre getting back healthy and proving that they can handle the load.

    I trust whichever way the Phils go with this and Pedro is capable out of the pen, despite his 1st inning troubles.

    Congrats to the 2009 Division F^&%^ing Champions! (**so far**)

86. Ed R. Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    I don’t see how you don’t start Happ if the Phillies do indeed play the Rockies in round 1.

    Look at his career stats vs the Rockies:

    11.3 IP, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K…

    And you want to put that in the bull pen?

    Come on now.

    Personally, I would start Lee, Happ, Hamels and Blanton in this order for game 1.

    Not ideal per say but if you look at the averages of the Rockies starting 8, they hit 277 vs Righties and 266 vs Lefties.

    I say you try and bury the Rockies earlier.

87. teejvee Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    The Phils do not have an ace pitcher.

    I would NOT start Lee. No way. His bad starts are REAL bad.
    Take-your -team -out -of -the -game by the 2nd inning bad.

    Hamels and Blanton are both very shakey at times but Hamels has to be the #1 guy based on past history. Blanton #2 for same reason.

    Lee has NO history of getting it done in a big spot and in fact, was awful against good teams in big spots for the Phillies.

88. Ed R. Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    I am just going to put this out there and I could be dead wrong, and if so, I will live with it. But I saw a picture from last nights celebration:

    http://www.thefightins.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/BullpenToast.png

    And I honestly believe that the Phillies bullpen as a whole is about to man up in a big way and dominate throughout the playoffs like they did all of last year. This season is over for them. Now its the playoffs, now its a whole new monster and the reality tv stars are about to throw down on the NL and AL’s best.

    It’s going to happen. Just wait and see.

89. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    I want to put Happ in the bullpen IF* we don’t have another legit LHP

    which at this point, we don’t … Eyre and Romero are both coming off injury..

    so think about what is more useful in the postseason..

    Your Bullpen
    or
    Your #4 Starter

    you can win a World Series without a #4.. you can’t win one without a back-end of the bullpen

90. TobyhannaTammie Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Hey wow great for the Phils anyone hear that Lidge and Howard had a little spat in the locker room over the ball which was the last out heard Lidge was pissed at Howard cause he wouldn’t give him the ball they had to be pulled away from each other I’d say the Big Man would have little problem keeping the ball…..

91. ryan Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    enjoy this phillies fans. enjoy this ten years from now when we are finishing in last ten for the 3rd straight year. enjoy this when howard and jimmy and chase are washed up and/or retired. tell your children about this wonderful era of phillies baseball.

92. Newsman Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    Congrats, Philadelphia! Can you say ‘dynasty’ yet?

    Read insights on the Phllies’ clincher at http://www.examiner.com/x-23202-Baseball-Examiner~y2009m10d1-Phillies-capture-third-division-crown

93. joedad Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    Ed R, Nice pic. I believe the same thing and posted the same comment a few days ago. Great minds think alike. I think yesterday’s celebration was enjoyed by the pen more so than the rest of the team because they had a very difficult season with injuries and poor performances but clinched on game 158 regardless. We know they have it in them to pitch lights out in the postseason.

94. The Original Chuck P Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    Lidge’s post game interview spoke volumes about the mindset of the pen. He was very appreciative of the opportunity and for the loyalty of “Chuck.” He recognizes his struggles but understands that if this team wins a world series, none of that matters and his season is still a success by that standard. It’s a fresh start for everyone…

    I hope that the pen is better… I think that they will be. Madson is pitching with confidence, Lidge understands his role is not going to be the every day closer (that pressure is gone), Romero, Eyre and Condrey are all available (which is better than them all being unavailable… not sure how effective they’ll be but they’re in the pen ready to contribute) and we add an arm (our fifth starter). It really has been a tough year for our pen. The only reliable options we had down the stretch were Lidge, Madson and Walker… that’s a lot of pressure to put on three guys. I’ve been critical of Dubee and Billmeyer for mismanaging the pen and not getting those guys ready to start the season but they managed a difficult injury plagued season pretty well.

95. Don M Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 2:53 pm

    you really can’t blame coaches or players for slow starts this season.. after how much extra baseball they had to play last year AND a shorter than usual offseason

    None of them knew how their bodies would respond to playing that much more baseball than they ever had in their lives..

    combine that with a shorter-rest time.. and then in reality.. its shocking how great they’ve played this year

    Says a lot to me about how hard they work, and how much they focus (despite what a lot of fans think)

96. Repeat! Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    How important is this, that there homefield thing?? I thought Tony was pulling a weasle move by trying to insure that his Cards avoided the Rockies in the 1st round.. But they’re up 9-0 today…. Although,suddenly their seems to a real big chance that Col steals the west from the Dodgers, who are playing trbl, trbl, trbl baseball right now… Obviously if that happens and we win out then we would get the Dodgers…. Do we go all out tonite and against the Fish?….. We’ll rest some guys sure, but there’s ways around that… Or is it?

97. Manny Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    Utley is the one guy that reeeeeaaaaally needs to rest, immediately. Let Bruntlett play…

98. beta sigma shag Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    great to get it done early for a change no hear attacks, but would like to get home field for the playoffs now. And is it just me or has KK turned his game around he pitched well last night. I think he is a good long man in the pen for playoffs. Also Hamels will get the start game one, that is just the kind of guy Charlie is.
    Just the first step though four more games until the start counting again
    GO PHILLES

99. Repeat! Says:
    October 1st, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Nah, it’s just you beta sigma. KK still stinks.. Just kidding. Kendrick has been really impressive. He’s come along way since that “You’ve been traded to Japan” prank…

100. Eric Bruntlett Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 3:39 pm

     Oh, so now you want me to play…. Help get you home field advantage just so I can sit home and watch??? I’ll take it! Where do I sign?

101. SDO Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 4:09 pm

     Here’s an interesting nugget about the postseason roster:

     “Any player who is on the active 25-man roster or disabled list on Aug. 31 is eligible for the postseason.”

     Apparently, anyone still on the DL during the postseason can be replaced by someone (playing the same position) on the 40-man roster. That’s why they brought up Ennis on August 31st and put him on the DL, even though he’s out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Happ got on the postseason roster last year in the same manner, despite being a September call up. Sneaky, huh?

102. Don M Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 4:13 pm

     Eric Bruntlett, hears the deal … you’ll sit on the bench for the entire postseason… just in case something happens to one of our middle infielders .. because we obviously can’t have Greg Dobbs playing either of those positions.

     We’ll overlook your lack of hitting for the fact that you can play defense at just about every single position on the field

103. joedad Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 4:32 pm

     Who is the Repeat! guy? Give us Harry Kalas back.

     Why hasn’t Bruntlett had an at bat in over one month after going 5 for 10? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

104. joedad Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 4:34 pm

     Todd Zolecki: Tonight’s lineup vs. HOU: Francisco CF, Bruntlett 2B, Rollins SS, Howard 1B, Ibanez LF, Werth RF, Feliz 3B, Bako C, Lee P.

105. GWFightinsFan Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 4:49 pm

     Thats interesting that most our of guys are in there….loooks like maybe Charlie is shooting for best home field advantage after all….

106. Don M Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 4:50 pm

     They should get Stairs a start for Werth

     and maybe Dobbs for Feliz on Saturday vs. a tough Anibal Sanchez on the Marlins

     all RHP starting vs. the Phillies to close out the final 3 games

     For the Phillies: Lee tonight, Blanton tomrw, Hamels Saturday.. and im guessing Kendrick on Sunday? But maybe they’ll have both Kendrick AND Pedro throw some innings.. if its a must-win game for Home Field we’ll see Happ on the mound though

     still a lot to play for.. it will be interesting to see how Charlie gets some rest for these guys, and gets some at-bats for his bench players before the playoffs start

107. SDO Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 5:08 pm

     Zolecki: Chan Ho Park left today’s game in Clearwater after recording two outs. Still awaiting details.

     I guess he might be done for the year.

108. Manny Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pm

     …OR he feels so good that he’s rejoining the team!! (trying to be optimistic here, SDO)

109. Eric Bruntlett Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pm

     My beard smells….

110. Eric Bruntlett Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 5:15 pm

     ….like dog candy….

111. Phillies Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 6:45 pm

     Go Phillies… i hope they win world series and chase drops the F bomb again

112. Phillies Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 6:47 pm

     …………

113. Phillies Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pm

     …………………

114. Phillies Says:
     October 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pm

     They should get Stairs a start for Werth

     and maybe Dobbs for Feliz on Saturday vs. a tough Anibal Sanchez on the Marlins

     all RHP starting vs. the Phillies to close out the final 3 games

     For the Phillies: Lee tonight, Blanton tomrw, Hamels Saturday.. and im guessing Kendrick on Sunday? But maybe they’ll have both Kendrick AND Pedro throw some innings.. if its a must-win game for Home Field we’ll see Happ on the mound though

     still a lot to play for.. it will be interesting to see how Charlie gets some rest for these guys, and gets some at-bats for his bench players before the playoffs start

115. PhreeholdDave Says:
     October 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 am

     This is my guess as to the postseason roster. The most difficult decisions involve the relief pitching.

     Starters-Position Players

     Rollins
     Victorino
     Utley
     Howard
     Werth
     Ibanez
     Feliz
     Ruiz

     Substitutes-position players

     Francisco
     Dobbs
     Stairs
     Bako
     Bruntlett
     Cairo

     Starting pitchers

     Hamels
     Martinez
     Lee
     Blanton
     Happ (Probably first out of the bullpen)

     Relief pitchers

     Madson
     Lidge
     Eyre
     Walker
     Durbin
     Romero

     It’s a tough decision who to place in the bullpen for the series. This list leaves Myers, Condrey and Park off the roster. I am not sure if Park is recovered or how well Myers and Romero have recovered. Myers hasn’t been that sharp in his last few outings. Kendrick isn’t eligible for the series unless players agree to go on the injured list.

     Regarding position players to pitchers, I think you are better off in these series with an extra position player rather than an extra pitcher.

116. PhreeholdDave Says:
     October 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 am

     Regarding playing for home field advantage, I don’t see this as worthwhile. It’s more important to try to get some playing time for the substitute players so they are ready for the series.

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