Philadelphia Phillies storyline: the best four

Jonathan Papelbon was acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies to protect the victories for the Apocalyptic Horsemen. However, it wasn’t long before fate intervened. When you watch these 4 studs, do you completely understand this wealth of talent?

TAL'S HANDY CAPS

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT

Penthouse Occupancy for the 3-2 triumph: 5

The Crystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Jimmy Rollins.

J-Roll Eyes His Lead-Off Jack In The 1st

He dazzled twice defensively, and swatted a souvenir for the paying customers in the 1st. He was joined on the top floor by Cole Hamels, Papelbon, Juan Pierre and Brian Schneider.

There were two big 2-out RBI knocks from Schneider (2nd-inning single) and Pierre (5th-frame double). Each had 2 hits in 2 and 4 at-bats respectively. Cole provided another solid–albeit slightly rusty–performance. Cinco Ocho breezed through a clean 1-run save with 2 punch outs.

The Warehouse featured the Keystone Combination. Freddy Galvis read the 1st-inning sac bunt and remarkably covered 1st for the out. J-Roll flashed the leather in the 7th, putting a Mother’s Day bow on King Cole’s outing.

The 1st Infield-Fly-Rule Error I've Ever Witnessed In The 7th

The House Of Mirrors saw an infield-fly-rule error with Chooch Ruiz casually moving to 2nd, while the Pads were indifferent in the 7th.

House Cleaning was supplied by Paps with a 1-2-3 ninth.

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.

SPECIAL REQUEST:

If you were directed here by a feed and this review does not mention yesterday’s contest, please go to my author archives or Phillies page for my most recent coverage. (Early morning readers may arrive before the latest post.) Scroll down to Tal’s Handy Links at the bottom. Thank you.

Magic Juan Doubles In The 5th

NITECAP INSIGHT

Pure Gold:

I’ve seen the excellent, the god-awful and the .500 Phils. It means I know there are a lot of special players at the Bank. Last year the red pinstripes had a 4-ace rotation, which is every bit the equivalent of Murderer’s Row from 1927. Like then, it was a 1-summer memory that made it unique. By the end of the campaign, Doc Halladay, Cliff Lee and Hamels were the 3 starters at the MLB zenith. That is based on at least 2 consecutive sparkling years. There have been a few organizations with 3 number ones, but no other franchise had 4 or the top 3.

It's Paps Blue-Ribbon Time

After 35 decisions, there are 4 other studs who are among the elite. Felix Hernandez is fourth because his ERA went up over a run per game in ‘11. However, he is back to his 2009-2010 form. After that, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver are in the hunt. So, there are 4 aces who could break up the triumvirate at the summit.

I didn’t think things could improve over the last season unless Roy Oswalt was healthy, like in ‘10. However, I soon realized that Mariano Rivera was making his farewell tour. I wondered who would ascend to the throne, but only Papelbon and Brian Wilson were there. Before you could say strike three, Mo and the Beard had season-ending situations. The end result is the best 3 number ones and the top hammer. That is for most, if not all of 2012.

Kentucky Joe Loads Up During The 4th At The Bank Against The Mets On May 8

PRECAP PITCH

Joe Blanton:

Missing most of 2011, he has a renewed appreciation for his profession, and he wants to re-establish his value. He is 3-2 with a 3.07 ERA without the relief effort. He’s only had 1 poor showing in 6 tries.

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
1	RHP Vance Worley	4-4, 2.92 ERA	@ Mets	LHP Jon Niese	6-3, 3.55 ERA	Tuesday, Night
2	LHP Cliff Lee	0-5, 4.13 ERA	@ Mets	RHP Chris Young	2-1, 3.30 ERA	Wednesday, Day
3	LHP Cole Hamels	10-4, 3.08 ERA	@ Mets	RHP R.A. Dickey	12-1, 2.15 ERA	Thursday, Night

Lucas Harrell Throws On May 9 At Home

Lucas Harrell:

He is a 5-frame pitcher, who issues too many free passes. That is why he labors through most of his starts. He has a 2.55 ERA at home (3 appearances), and a 6.23 ERA on the road (4 attempts). He is what’s known as hitting time.

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.

HURLER	Joe Blanton	Ian Kennedy
NUMBER	A Four	A Three
CLUB SLOT	Five	One
FOR 2012	Short Arm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	4th of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Split Finger	Sinker
LAST HIGH OR LOW	4th of 15 Categories	6th of 15 Categories

DISPLAY NOTE: Non-listed results can go up or down by

* 1 notch & ** 2 clicks (This note will only appear when it’s relevant.)

* 1 Tick UP, ** 2 Ticks UP

	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 COLE HAMELS
COLE'S LINE: 7 INN, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K & 99 DARTS


ACE	W - L	ERA	INN+	CONV	CG	SO	BAD	INN	H	R	ER	BB	IBB	SO
Total	11 - 8	3.05	7.0	19 of 27	0	0	3	185.2	160	64	63	35	0	169
Halladay	04 - 5	3.98	7.0	08 of 11	0	0	3	072.1	069	32	32	14	0	056
Lee	00 - 2	2.82	7.0	05 of 07	0	0	0	051.0	041	16	16	08	0	047
Hamels	07 - 1	2.17	7.0	06 of 09	0	0	0	062.1	050	16	15	13	0	066

MAC:

The program acronym is for Methodical Algorithmic Computerization or Mac. That is the feed system that had dogged me an entire month, but it allows me now to probe for a compatible solution. This only involves readers who were directed here from Fox Sports. The link in this section was recently passed over by a computer’s judgment. Does the national-and-all-major-sports machine understand Phillies commentary better than local fans? I discovered that the buttons and lights objected the most to the storyline when I submitted only that part. So, when the electrodes decide a Nitecap Insight isn’t to their liking, I’ll give my transferred readers a viewing opportunity the next day. I’ll keep score of acceptable to rejected submissions, because I don’t want a large readership excluded or my time wasted.

TAL'S HANDY SCOREBOARD

COMPUTER ALGORITHM VS. TAL:

TAL 6 – MAC 1

Philadelphia Phillies storyline: more and less

ROUND EIGHT:

Philadelphia Phillies storyline: tomorrow’s guarantee is Tuesday’s review.

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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.