Philadelphia Phillies storyline: breakdown or breakout?

Vance Worley of the Philadelphia Phillies has produced similar results to his early outings from last season. Can the 5 youngsters duplicate their successful 2011 numbers or will they continue to fade, like they did at the end of the last campaign? Can they deliver now that they need to show up in the first 20-25 ballgames?

TAL'S HANDY CAPS

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT:

Penthouse Occupancy for the 7-1 triumph: 6

The Crystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Jimmy Rollins.

J-Roll Converts A Sliding Grab In The 5th

He appeared on the base paths, in the batter’s box, the field and the dugout with his acceptance of the rookie. Juan Pierre ignited the dormant sticks with a 3rd-inning single, a caught-a-break steal call, and he capitalized on a kick off the starter’s shoe heel to plate one. Freddy Galvis lined a 2-out, 2-strike double with the bases-juiced in the 3rd after Chooch Ruiz was intentionally walked. Doc Halladay operated on the injured Marlins.

The Warehouse displayed the glove of Shane Victorino in the 1st with an over-the-shoulder catch near the warning track.

The red-robed nine sentenced Josh Johnson to the Work House, which left his pitch count at 69 in the 3rd after they put up a 5 spot.

Rally Tal & Cap, as well, had the 5-tally 3rd, and the meat of the attack produced a multi-knock contest: Jimmy (2), Hunter Pence (3) and Vic (2).

The Clubhouse was occupied by J-Roll for relaxing Galvis just prior to his 2-out, bags-filled two-bagger with 2 RBI in the 3rd.

A Full House Warming Party was celebrated with solid hurling, clutch hitting, sterling defense and standout base-running.

WELCOME, NEWCOMERS:

I will publish after every battle that is not washed out. The Phillies finished last summer 42 games over .500, which equaled a year of many positives. I will have many season-long highlights of puzzle pieces, especially important after drubbings and defeats.

Chooch's 7th-Inning Tater Lands In The 1st Row

NITECAP INSIGHT:

Second Helpings:

Last summer five young stars had exclamation-point campaigns, but in early April, only one has continued to impress. The active roster is comprised of these counted-on teammates for 20% responsibility. Besides the offensive woes, the 7th and 8th frames of relief corps work are critical. This was demonstrated when the ‘pen was strafed for 4 runs with a 3-point lead. The team’s only other victorious decision was in the hands of an ace and the hammer. One of the losses was that blown advantage in the late innings. That is the difference between a 3-2 mark and their 2-3 record.

Vic Saves Doc's Hide In The 1st

The Vanimal is the only green player from last year to mirror his burst-onto-the-scene performances. He wiggled out of any difficulty and the lone tally came on a homerun. Although it will take a month or two to determine his dependability, he has returned with a reason for a bright horizon. John Mayberry Jr. has the heaviest load on his shoulders, because, unlike the 4 arms, the middle of the order needs a power threat consistently over the next 6 to 12 weeks. He has a double and 3 singles for 4 full contests, but it is way too early to be concerned. It is the illusion magnified by the current circumstances.

Fred-dy! Fred-dy!

Jose Contreras is about a week away from covering the 8th in the flow to Paps Blue Ribbon time. Meanwhile, the natives booed Jonathan Papelbon after he surrendered a homer in a scrape-the-rust-off showing. Chad Qualls is ready to claim the 7th unless Antonio Bastado, Mike Stutes or David Herndon influence the dugout brain trust. So far, Bastardo still has not revved up his heater to 94 mph and it is approximately idling at 91. That was where it was when he struggled in September. Thus far, he has 3 outs under his belt and has allowed 1 knock with 2 free passes. He hasn’t produced a clean frame, which isn’t comforting. The way this is shaking out Antonio might be limited to the backend lefty specialist, because the skipper isn’t sure he will be solid against all comers.

The Hunter Is Snared In The Infielder's Trap

Plus, Stutes and Herndon are becoming question marks after only a few opportunities. Mike had notched 5 outs in 2 chances before last night’s no-pressure offering, but he had coughed up 3 hard-lined base blows. Dave has the same 1.2 innings with 3 hits. These 2 wings might be limited to extras, mop-up and front-end relieve, or be replaced by someone from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Phillippe Aumont, Michael Schwimer, Brian Sanches, Jake Diekman and Justin DeFratis (DL) are candidates, while Joe Savery may be in the mix after Big Truck Contreras is activated.

It appears to be Paps, Big Truck (8th), Qualls (7th) and Bastardo (southpaw option), while there is a short leash for the others. It is getting late early this tour for the lightly experienced members of the bullpen.

Kentucky Joe Hurls One In The 2nd At The Bank Against The Bucs On April 2

PRECAP PITCH:

Joe Blanton:

He is healthy, looked good during March, but he never has impressed me as a reliever. He reminds me of a batter who produces when he’s in the lineup, but cannot come off the bench reliably. They will probably limit him to 80-90 bullets or 5-6 frames unless he is economical.

*2011 Record

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
1	LHP Cole Hamels	7-1, 2.17 ERA	@ Mets	LHP Jon Niese	3-2, 4.29 ERA	Monday, Day
2	RHP Joe Blanton	4-4, 4.55 ERA	@ Mets	RHP Jeremy Hefner	0-2, 6.17 ERA	Tuesday, Night
3	LHP Cliff Lee	0-2, 2.82 ERA	@ Mets	RHP Dillon Gee	4-3, 4.92 ERA	Wednesday, Night

Mark Buehrle Works On April 5 In Cincinnati

Mark Buerhle:

He is a two or a solid three who competed in the AL Central. His 1st NL effort was decent, and he’ll have the edge of not being exposed in the senior circuit. The current state of the Phils’ lumber will not be a good yardstick to judge his effectiveness.

DELIVERY = PITCHER’S 2012	DEFINITION OF SEASON
Over The Top	Excellent
3-Quarter Sidearm	Good
Sidearm	Above Average
Short Arm	Approximately Average
Submarine	Below Average

Quality number of the pitcher: 1 – 5

Slot on his club: 1 – 5

Ranking is 1 to 5 & 15 for the less adventurous.

*2011 Record

HURLER	Cole Hamels	Nate Eovaldi
NUMBER	A One	A Five
CLUB SLOT	Two	Four
FOR 2012	3-Quarter Sidearm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	2nd of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Knuckleball	Slider
LAST HIGH OR LOW	11th of 15 Categories	7th of 15 Categories

	PITCH	INN	ER - R- H		PITCH	INN	ER
1	Gyroball	9 (CG)	0 - 0 - 3	10	Screwball	6	4
2	Fastball	9 (CG)	0 - 0	11	Knuckleball	5	3
3	Cutter	9 (CG)	3	12	Forkball	0 - 4.2	Monstrosity
4	Split Finger	7	2	13	Eephus Pitch	0 - 2.2	Disaster
5	Curveball	7	3	14	*Palm Ball	Ejected
6	Sinker	6.1	3	15	*Spit Ball	**Ejected+
7	Slider	6	2		*Breaking Ball	Injured
8	Changeup	6	3		*Fosh	Rain Interrupted
9	Slurve	5	2		*Knuckle Curve	Pitch Count
	** = Suspended				* = A 2nd Pitch Also

STATS APOCALYPTIC HORSEMEN DOC HALLADAY
DOC'S LINE: 5 INN, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K & 90 DARTS


ACE	W - L	ERA	INN+	CONV	CG	SO	BAD	INN	H	R	ER	BB	IBB	SO
Total	7 - 5	2.72	7.0	12 of 18	0	0	1	125.2	103	39	38	21	0	114
Halladay	3 - 3	3.20	7.0	07 of 08	0	0	1	056.1	049	20	20	12	0	046
Lee	0 - 1	2.17	7.0	02 of 04	0	0	0	029.0	019	07	07	03	0	024
Hamels	4 - 1	2.46	7.0	03 of 06	0	0	0	040.1	035	12	11	06	0	044

LINK-UP BELOW:

The preview of the next Nitecap Insight (1st paragraph) will be at Tal’s Handy Caps on Facebook; it is Nitecap Insight: The Survivor. Join for notification of future glimpses, which will be almost daily. You’ll also know immediately when my isportsweb post goes up. It might be worth your while because I have seen delays of 2 hours on feeds.

Check out my previous publication (Greenhouse Cholley), and the 22 storylines–so far–for 2012 on the Phillies page or my author archives, where there is an excerpt photo.

Tal’s Handy Stats is daily coverage. I am alternating the 2012 ERA For The NL East and the 2012 ERA For The MLB 5. Thank you, to all who bookmarked the Phillies page, because feeds are erratic at times. Lately, that occurs with the ERA listings.