Phillies Nation

66 Responses to “Halladay Impresses, Phils Walk-Off in Spring Opener”

1. Bobby D Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 5:24 pm

   Halladay looked impressive. Lots of weak ground balls. Kendrick looked good as well. Even though it was the minor leaguers, any walk off against the Shanks is a good game in my book. It’s just nice to watch some baseball.

2. Jeff of Nova Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 5:24 pm

   NIce start for Halladay, but of course expected.

   Kendrick looked sharp so did Contreras and Carpenter,

3. Havoc Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 5:45 pm

   We can shrug off some of the stats as being against the minor leaguers but the most telling thing about this outing. No walks issued. That’s huge and means that everyone’s control is right there.

4. Pat Gallen Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

   I know its early and bats are slow, but wow, I was impressed by all the movement on Roy’s pitches. He’s so in control its ridiculous.

5. Phillibustering Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 5:50 pm

   Roy Halladay and Kyle Kendrick are the greatest father and son pitching team I’ve ever seen.

6. NJ Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 6:06 pm

   I was chuffed to see the Phils line Kendrick up in Halladay’s spring crew, could really help him win a spot on this team.

7. diz Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 6:07 pm

   Haha. Great, I can’t wait to watch the game tonight on the MLB network.

8. Manny Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 7:03 pm

   Game’s about to start on MLB Network!

9. Manny Says:
   March 4th, 2010 at 7:03 pm

   That first pitch was beautiful!

10. Enough Already! Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    with all the “we want the yanks” bs.. Especially Charlie. I’m ashamed as a Phils fan. Especially Charlie. He f*ucked up with his managing so bad last yr he should’ve been the Grand Marshall at the Yankees Parade.

11. Brooks Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    Enough, take a pill.

    Carpenter was a pleasant surprise today.
    Anyone know why Howard did not start? Anything going on?

12. Manny Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    They gave the lefties some rest… mainly because of Sabathia, a lefty, was pitching, plus they played last night.

13. Bob Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    Hi Im from that pitcher who got traded to Seattle universe,

    could you all kindly explain to me who this Roy Halladay fellow is?

14. Andrew Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 8:50 pm

    watching the replay on MLb network
    I had forgoten how bad Chris wheeler is and how annoying.

15. Enough Already! Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 9:00 pm

    Chill’n gives me gas.. So I be ill’n! I love Chuck. But his dec making during the WS was insane! Giving Pedro 2 starts vs Yanks. Game 2; 2 outs in 6th of a 1-1 game. leaves in Pedro(R) to face Matsui(L) w/ a well rested bp at his disposal. No Happ as a starter (1) in playoffs. Ditto Blanton(back in forth). You take a pill. I’m excited about 2010. But I have the right to bring up a WS the Phils, lead by(Jimmy all talk) Rollins, that occ just 4 months ago.

16. Brooks Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    My pill and yours differ – I see the WS loss last year due to hitting alone. If everyone (especially Howard) hit during that WS, it was ours. The Phils did not get there by pitching alone. The Phils fell flat – But this year will be a hell of a lot better.
    Best RHP in the game,
    Most feared offense in the game today – 1-7 should be enough pop to give every team chills.
    A bench! A chance at a real live bench this year!!! That’s exciting in itself.
    Who really knows, right? But it looks like the makin’ of a good season.

17. Enough Already! Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    true on the Howard thing. But Howard carried us to the playoffs w/ monster Septs in 08/09 etc. He put the Rockies away and he was the NLCS MVP. It’s a team game dude. It was someone elses turn to go off. Chase did, but he needed help. And got very little. Jimmy was the key. He just missed 2hrs in game 1 and then he disapp. Game 2 was the Series. Phils were too layed back. Charlie also should’ve moved up Ruiz in the order among other lineup changes. Pitching wins Rings in Oct/Nov. We could go on all nite, but I have a date with Michelle Obama’s arms.. Good nite.

18. Enough Already! Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    Did you see that pick by Lee on MLB network? Damn….

19. George Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    Enough, already, Enough Already! You sound like a fan of some other team, and a very uninformed one in the bargain.

    It’s easy to spread blame around when you think you’re superior to everyone else.

20. Jeff of Nova Says:
    March 4th, 2010 at 11:37 pm

    Enough Already,

    You have the right to say what you want, and so do we so put it gently

    Shut up!

    If you are a fan of the Phillies than you would know that it is Charlie’s managing over the years that helped get us a WFC. He makes decisions on feelings a lot, nothing new.

    So calm down and enjoy spring training

21. NJ Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 6:40 am

    Can you imagine what these young pitchers like Kendrink and Happ then the Savery and Naylors etc are learning from having BOTH Halladay and Moyer in the same clubhouse as well as a pitching coach who’s meant to be in the upper ranks…

22. Acturbo Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 9:16 am

    Ah, baseball is back baby, lots of bickering, there was a game on the tele and all. Only thing we are missing is a Mets troll and baseball will officially be back.

23. Heather Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 9:17 am

    NJ-You think Halladay has more knowledge to impart than Pedro Martinez/Cliff Lee did at the end of last year? Or he’s just a better teacher? Or something else entirely?

    That sounds like I’m disagreeing with you, which I’m not, just to my uneducated observation, I am not sure why Halladay/Moyer is a clear upgrade for teaching purposes than Martinez/Lee/Moyer. Could you please enlighten me?

24. bfo_33 Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 9:54 am

    Heather, Moyer is an expert on changing speeds, but Halladay can teach Kendrick, Happ, and Hammels a lot about throwing the two seam sinker, and he’s been consistent for a long time, phased some of the best hitters in baseball with repeated success. Lee is only 2 years away from a stint in the minors, is probably more concerned with trying to figure out how to stay consistent (not to imply he is selfish, but he is still in a learning phase, and his two best pitches are a fastball and change-up). Pedro certainly can teach the mental end, but never really threw a sinker, and at this point in his career is almost a righty version of Moyer.

25. Fish Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 10:05 am

    Halladay and KK were outsanding. Contrares looked really good, but I have to disagree about Carpenter. People were hitting rockets against the guy. His stuff was mediocre and he left a bunch of pitches up.

    I’ve made the prediction here a few times, but I’m standing by the idea that KK has a great year, and I think he even has a better year than Happ.

26. Don M Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 10:24 am

    I watched, I guess the 3rd inning? with Kendrick on the hill… he looked really poised.. had a great little back-door breaking ball going (or was that a TWO SEAMER with down-AND-side movement?

    he looked pretty good.. I know its early, but that didnt look like the Kendrick of old.. I think he has nice year this year, winning 12-15 games.. with a 4 ish ERA

    holla

27. Jeff of Nova Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 11:09 am

    I can enlighten you,

    We didn’t have Pedro/Lee/Moyer all during Spring Training last season. Most of what these guys pick up and learn is by watching and going through the progression of getting ready for a season.

28. Jeff of Nova Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 11:48 am

    Yeah I am pretty excited for KK, he really has matured and has truly worked at his craft.

    He could have easily cried and complained about being demoted after winning a couple dozen games inside of 2 years at the bigs. He had a nice year with LHV last season too.

    Rotation could be scary this year.

    Halladay- enough said. The one thing I like about having him a top vs Lee is he is right handed and we have many lefties.

    Hamels, can’t wait to see what he does

    Blanton, workhorse and if he gets some run support this year he may win 15-18

    Happ, looked good and looking at 14-18 wins

    Kendrick,should be the fifth starter unless Moyer is stellar in my opinion.
    could be 10-14

    That is a crazy staff with these hitters.

    Halladay

29. Geoff Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:08 pm

    I agree that Kendrick will make the rotation as the 5th starter over Moyer. Just a hunch, kind of. Contreras will be a quality bullpen arm.

    The Doctor is just nasty. He’s been ready to go for like a month, he was the first person at the facility as soon as people started to arrive for Spring. The guy is a machine.

    Hamels will be better with a cutter and improved curveball. Hell bounce back and have a good year.

    Blanton is predictable and steady, but I think he will be a slight tick better than he was last year.

    Happ will probably not be as good, but he is fairly sneaky and crafty. I’ll say he struggles in the early going but rebounds to have a solid year as a 4th starter.

    Kendrick will be good enough to hold the 5th spot for most of the season, I feel. Its good to see him back and much improved. Glad that it looks like he will make it back to the bigs again.

    I kind of hope Moyer makes it in the pen at least though, now that the Phililes arent relying on him much at all its kind of fun to watch him work with less pressure on him.

    this lineup will be ridiculous this year, even better than last year.

30. George Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    Halladay is a righty, Happ and Hamels are lefties, so Halladay’s hints can’t be applied as well with them. Also, Hamels doesn’t throw sinkers, and I’m not sure Happ does, either. Halladay can, however, probably aid Kendrick with the two seamer, and he can aid everyone else with his work ethic, experience, and thoughts on pitch selection. Last year, the rotation really only had Moyer as the veteran role model until mid-year.

31. Philly Texan Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    When Kendrick threw that backdoor cutter (?) to strike out a guy looking, that was my highlight of the day. KK looked awfully sharp.

    If he pitches well, this rotation is going to be the best—top to bottom—I can ever remember the Phils having.

32. Don M Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:29 pm

    that looked like the Maddux-made-famous Two Seamer… started in on the Lefty, and tailed right back to hit the inside corner

    Myers used to get a lot of K’s on that pitch too…

    The first two batters though, Kendrick was throwing a pitch on the Right-side of the plate . . that had more downward break.. not a slider, not exactly a curveball .. it wasn’t the sinker . . .

    and to be honest, im not quite sure what a Cutter does . . . everyone that throws it, has a differnt movement with it.. so maybe that pitch was a cutter.. but it had “break” to it .. instead of just “movement” ?

33. bfo_33 Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    Happ throws a two seamer (not a lot, but increased throughout the year last year), heard rumors that if Hamels can’t make the curve work, he was going to try a sinker. It’s more in the grip than the arm movement (same as a 4 seam fastball), lefty or righty shouldn’t matter (Halladay can show him the grip in a mirror).

    In regards to Hamels, I expect him to have a “poor” spring. His change-up is already about as good as it gets, and while he’ll throw fastballs for arm strength, he’s probably going to be doing a lot of experimentation (heard he was looking at a curve, cutter, slider, and sinker). If none work, he’ll still be a solid#2, but if he can fine tune another pitch, he could be devastating.

34. George Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    I see Halladay as being great all year.

    I look for Hamels to be a little off until May, because he will still be learning when and how to use the cutter and improving curveball. He won’t be a lot off, but he will give up some big hits, and we’ll need to be patient with him and not demand his head. He’ll get things going soon enough.

    Blanton probably won’t have the troubles he had early in 2009, and if he doesn’t, he’ll be really big.

    No telling about Happ, though I don’t think the “sophomore jinx” will get him too much.

    No telling about the fifth starter, although so far, things look promising.

    This is a far better staff than last year’s to start the season with than last year’s: Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Moyer, and Park. I don’t expect this year’s rotation to end up with 60% of it being replaced.

35. bfo_33 Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 12:49 pm

    More fuel for the fire in regards to draft picks vs prospects:

    http://crashburnalley.com/2010/03/04/finding-an-utley-in-a-haystack/

    Amzing how little success in one year. Ed Wade, super genius?!?!?!?!

36. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    Good afternoon to all of my Phillies Phaithful! It is a GREAT day, isn’t it?

    Halladay looked tremendous… funny thing, I heard 610 WIP this morning and they were copying a discussion from a thread that we had going earlier in the week (if you had to describe Halladay in one word)… posers. I used the word “superlative” as in, the word that defines all words that are used to describe something that is of the highest quality. Yesterday, he showed why he’s on a whole different level than any other pitcher in baseball…

    KK was solid… very encouraging… one thing I did not like is the interview; he seemed almost agitated and unwilling to admit that the demotion was the best thing for him. I think that it still bothers him… hopefully, he can keep his eye on the prize (and not the rear view mirror).

    Polly… I said this before and this is NOT an “I told you so.” I think that Placido will have a tremendous season and he will be fine defensively but it’s going to take some time for him to adjust at third. In the mean time, I think that we all need to temper our expectations; we cannot overreact the first time we lose a game because of his defensive indifference… no burning pitchforks.

    HALLADAY

37. Chuck Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    yeah……how can you not feel good about the rotation to start the season…..whether it’s Moyer or KK to get the 5th spot. Kendrick will definitely benefit from being around the Doc as well as Moyer. I love it1

38. Chuck Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 1:31 pm

    I caught Halladay’s interview on CSN after he pitched. Man, the guy is a professional in every sense. I think EVERYONE is gonna benefit from having him around.

39. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    I didn’t realize Jamie was ready to go; that’s good news. I kind of thought that he wouldn’t be pitching until later in spring training.

    I wonder if these games are going to be broadcast anywhere…

40. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    Insert Halladay

41. Chuck Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    Let that competition for the 5th spot begin. And I think CSN has at least one game this weekend to answer your question.

42. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    3 scoreless for Moyer today…

    Hamels gave up a HR to lead off the game but settled in…

    Toronto has a decent squad out there today; Hill, Lind, Wells, Overbay. The Phillies have got Rollins, Polanco, Utley, Howard and Werth going, too.

43. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    Plus Ibanez, Brown, Gload and Schneider…

44. shag beta sigma delta Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    i know I am a day late, but missing in all the pitching talk, I thought Mayberry hit the ball well, he hit it hard every time, with one hit, and made a nice catch in the outfield, I know a lot of people on here would rather see him play every day in AAA, but I hope he makes it up to the big club sometime this year

45. NJ Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Has anyone discussed the fact Drabek got owned in his appearance yesterday… Wish the kid well and hope he does fore fill his potential but that was amusing after all the talk.

46. Jeff of Nova Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Wow Vogelsong got shilacked! right after Ramirez did.

    with the competition tight for bullpen spots I would go ahead and cross them off.

    What I liked to see about Hamels is that he rebounded from the HR. His MO last year was that he would fall apart

47. Jeff of Nova Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    Howard going 0-3 with 2 strikeouts, is not what I like to see. Still not patient or not working hitting or laying off the breaking stuff, If I was a major league pitcher I would NEVER throw him a fastball, ever

48. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    Why would anyone talk about that, NJ?

49. Manny Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    Yo Gillies got a HR! Wohooo

    As for Howard, going 0-3, 2 Ks, 5LOB… it’s bad but don’t worry about it… last year he was AMAZING during spring training (I think he hit 10 or more HRS) and then went semi-cold when the season started, only hitting 4 in April.

50. NJ Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    Just figured with all the Halladay/Lee/Drabek/Aumont/Amaro/George Bush/The easter bunny talk figured someone would mention it…

    Gillies its getting me excited, the kids only 20 and I know his numbers were in a hitters friendly league but for a light hitting outfielder to have an OPS over .860… He’s not Taylor sure but boy this kids on the rise

51. Don M Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    “not what I like to see. Still not patient or not working hitting or laying off the breaking stuff”

    This is the first real baseball these guys have played in 3+ months . . .lets give him more than 5 at-bats before we start be true-haters

    …
    you can’t cross anyone off of anything.. or reward anyone a position based on their first few appearances in Spring Training ..

    Otherwise, Chan Ho Park would’ve been a dominant Starting Pitcher last year.. John Mayberry Jr, and Eric Bruntlett would’ve been counted on as OFFENSIVE POWERHOUSES last year

    let them get stretched out, game ready.. and at the end, you look at the big picture and see who did the best..

    Same thing goes with Aumont.. and now Kyle Drabek ….

    and The Dipsy too.. we’ll see if he improves by the end of Spring Training

52. Manny Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:11 pm

    NJ: I wouldn’t say Drabek got “owned” .. I mean, he did give up 2 runs in 2 innings… but still had 3 Ks.

    Now, Ramirez and Vogelsong…those guys did get owned! Especially Ramirez, who walked 3, got 4 earned runs in 1.1 innings!

    The real story of the day, though, is MOYER… 3 innings, 0 runs, 3 Ks… I don’t know who played for those B teams but that was a solid performance. I think he still has some gas left in the tank.. and I’ve been saying that before Spring Training began.. Ideally, I’d love to see Moyer starting in April and May, then Kendrick taking over the rotation spot…

53. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    NJ- nobody mentions it because nobody wants to jump the gun unless they get a chance to say “I told you so.” For instance, when Aumont has a bad Spring Training game, they say, “See, we got garbage in that Cliff Lee trade.” When Drabek does well, everyone will tell us how we should have never let him go… I’m hating on all the cynics in here.

    Gillies looks a lot bigger than I expected him to be…

54. Don M Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    The thing with Moyer is that he can routinely have a nice 3-inning stretch . . .but the second time through the lineup, he gets rocked.

    which is why he can be an effective reliver.. completely mess up the timing that hitters had to that point in the game.. and mess it up for whatever hard throwing pitcher they’ll face later..

    Moyer in the 6th.. and then a guy faces Madson is the 8th …. Madson’s fastball would look like its coming at 105 mph

55. NJ Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:24 pm

    Manny he gave up multiple walks and hits so he clearly labored, it just point it out because of the cauldron of crazy that has been those 4 guys we keep talking about. I expect big things from Drabek as a pro but not crying that we don’t still have him in the system.

    Boy its good to have live baseball back.

56. NJ Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    If Moyer can adjust to being a multi-purpose reliever he might just be able to make that magic 50 mark somewhere… Good luck to hit, would be very happy to see a kid win a rotation spot and really use Moyer in the pen as more than a mop-up man.

57. Blaise Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Do the players celebrate in spring training walk offs? Like do they charge the plate for the player, or do they just stay in the dugout and clap or something? Haven’t seen a spring training walk off before…

58. The Original Chuck P Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    The Phils walked off yesterday… I didn’t pay too much attention but it seemed more subdued. Definitely not the same as the regular season (guys might have already been in the clubhouse at that point).

    Dom Brown – 2/4 with 2 RBI’s… Gillies 2/2 with 2 RBI and 2 R… Polanco 2/3… Berry 1/2 with an RBI and 2 R… Gload 2/4, 1 RBI and 2 R

    The only player that did not fare well was Howard (already mentioned). This too shall pass…

    HAL-LA-DAY

59. Don M Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    How about how last year, Prince Fielder hit a walk-off against the Giants. . . when he got to home plate, he pounced on it, and all his teammates fell back like bowling pins.

    So Barry Zito drilled him with a pitch yesterday..

    I now love Barry Zito!

60. Manny Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    I fully support Barry Zito’s decision!

61. NJ Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    The Fielder thing yesterday was funny, he just threw the ball back to Zito as he trotted nonchalantly to 1st. Getting hit in the back by a Zito fastball is like getting a slap on the back for hitting a homer when you get back to the dugout.

    Getting hit from a Zito fastball must feel more like foreplay than baseball.

    Wonder what the future in Philly holds for Quintin Berry, probs a Danny Sandoval thing watching everyone get called up but him. Kind of sucks to be in your mid twenties not even in AAA with more rabbits in the system than an alternative X-Mas dinner.

62. big bill Says:
    March 5th, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    i was at both games today. moyer looked decent. i dont think any of the hitters for toronto were anything to write home about. there were some hard hit balls though. gillies looked great in my opinion. he is very fast. i overheard the players in the dugout talking about his speed. and gillies is very friendly. he stayed for hours giving autographs to everyone. brown was impressive too. he made a tremendous throw from rightfield that seemed like it never went over 10 feet and landed perfectly in schneiders mitt. gillies seems very mature and poised for 20.

63. The Second John Says:
    March 6th, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    Hey guys, fantasy question. Who would you rather have, David Aardsma, or Ryan Madson?

64. Don M Says:
    March 6th, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    neither…

    Aardsma came on the scene last year. If its a keeper league, don’t keep a closer, because guys always takeover those jobs midseason and you can pick one up and get 20 saves from him

    if its just a general question.. i would favor Aardsma because Lidge should be better.. and I kinda think that Baez gets a chance to close since Madson has shown inability in that role so far in his career

65. Don M Says:
    March 6th, 2010 at 8:18 pm

    Quinitn Berry is legit.. he “helps teams win games” . . . he wont be a superstar ever, but he’ll be a 4th-5th OF in the majors because of his speed and defense.. and you need that on your bench

    Good baseball IQ.. played under Tony gywnn in college I think?

66. Bryan Says:
    March 9th, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    To all Phillies fans.

    I have been Blue Jay fan since the opening day in ‘77. Having seen all the great ones we’ve had over the years, I can only say that Doc is arguably the greatest ever.

    I’m not sure you truly realize what you have here, but as the season goes by,
    you will have the great pleasure of watching what I consider the best pitcher in baseball.

    I can only hope he gets his wish and the Phillies win the world series, he deserves it as much as anyone and more than most.

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