Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Targeted player

Roy Halladay received the same prognosis to the relief of Philadelphia Phillies fans.  However, his absence only hangs a lantern on the short-a-man bullpen with limited in-house solutions.  Where can Rube Amaro search for a remedy?

 

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT

 

Penthouse Occupancy for the 6-5 outcome:  3

                                              The Chrystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Ty Wigginton.

 

He tagged one into the left-centerfield stands to knot the score at 3 in the 5th. He, also, slammed an RBI two-bagger in the 9th to generate interest. He went 3 for 4 with a tater and 2 steaks.

He was joined on the top floor by Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. Vic provided a solo blast for a 1-tally advantage in the 2nd. J-Roll took the Dodgers yard for 2 RBI and the lead in the 5th.

 

 

 

 

Freddy Galvis accomplished an over-the-shoulder catch in no-man’s land for a visit to the Leather Warehouse during the 2nd.

A House Call occurred mid-at-bat for Galvis when he suffered a lower back strain, landing on the DL.

 

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.

 

Check out Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Trade deliberations

 

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.

 

 

NITECAP INSIGHT

 

 

 

 

One On The Bump:

 

The red pinstripes will have 3 months for a rise from the basement to sit atop the division. During July, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will return with renewed vigor to spark the offense. The club will count on their fresh legs to carry the red banner with white numbers and blue trim, like the 2008 flag. They will have to provide 1 run more than the pitchers allow, and maybe this October that will be enough. A stronger bench with more current playing time could supply that little extra production.

The relief corps with the exception of Jonathan Papelbon was settling into defined roles before Jose Contreras went down. Possibly, a trio of Antonio Bastardo, Chad Qualls and his 3rd-wing equal would work. That hurler is needed now and can only come from an out-of-it team. 24 organizations are still in it, and 3 are on the edge of elimination from the wild-card race. The franchise with the worse MLB record is San Diego, which is 12.5 games out for the WC playoff contest.

 

Keep in mind that the research and writing is done simultaneously, which is why this is the 4th installment of this series. Among a bunch of unknowns with a cavernous home arena, Luke Gregerson is a familiar name. He has a 4.32 ERA but 5 of his 12 earned runs occurred in 2 appearances. Without those he has 2.70 ERA. His breakdown for results is 14 good (53.8%), 6 adequate (23.1%) and 6 bad (23.1%).

Gregerson recently turned 28, and has had 3 straight successful tours before this one began. He has $1.04M left on his contract for this campaign. With so many holes, the Pads would prefer 2-3 prospects for the price of one ‘pen piece. He might even be good enough to share the 8th with Bastardo, or do it himself.

 

 

 

 

PRECAP PITCH

 

 

 

 
Cole Hamels:

 

Again, he is the designated stopper for a losing streak with Doc on the DL and winless Cliff Lee, who has taken consecutiveness to a whole new place.  Everything appears to be going Cole’s way during his walk year, including the rough showings that were just short of debacles.

 

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
3	LHP Cliff Lee	06-08, 3.12 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Edwin Jackson	09-11, 4.13 ERA	Wednesday, Day

 

 
Aaron Harang:

 

He has lasted 6.1 innings or more in 3 of 11 attempts with 3 clunkers.  He is 3-2 with a 4.35 ERA in his away outings.  A hitter’s park may affect his final line.

 

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	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

 

 

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

 

 

	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