Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Rotation riddle decoded

Cole Hamels recently emerged from his downward spiral to lift the Philadedlphia Phillies.  However, the pressure on each starter has different reasons and 1 main one.  Why did they all falter around the same time?

 

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT

 

Penthouse Occupancy for the 7-6 triumph:  5

                                               The Chrystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Hunter Pence.

He used a sharp groundout to drive in a run for a 1-0 score during the 1st. He stroked a two-bagger down the leftfield line high off the wall to earn a 6-6 tie with 2 outs in the 9th.

He was joined on the top floor by Michael Martinez, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino and Polly Polanco. Mini Mart went yard in the 2nd for 3 RBI to retake the lead at 4-3. J-Roll flared a double into no-man’s land to knot it up at 5 in the 4th. Vic and Polly hustled on the final 2 plays to achieve the victory.

In-House Rehab:  Chase Utley went 2 for 3 with a 2-RBI bomb at Bright House Field. He manned second for 8 frames.

 

WELCOME, NEWCOMERS:

I will publish after every battle that is not washed out.  I will have many season-long highlights of puzzle pieces, especially important after drubbings and defeats.  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.

 

Check out:  Philadelphia Phillies storyline: The heat on Hamels

 

 

NITECAP INSIGHT

 

 

 

Arms Require The Doctor:

 

Vance Worley is the only hurler in the rotation who hasn’t been affected by the heat.  Doc Halladay showed signs in his last 4 performances of the weight he carried, which included the 2 injury-affected appearances. Remember, he claimed that he wasn’t going to shield his emotions.  He went down on May 27, and the following day Hamels had his first of 4 tortured efforts.  He was visibly upset by things, like in 2009, and he reacted unnecessarily to a solo homerun with a 9-3 advantage.

 

 

The other arms have streaks to saddle them. Cliff Lee is cursed with his winless hardship. He received almost no support from the sticks, had 2 close low-scoring affairs go bad, and then with some runs, he twice couldn’t hold the opposition. Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick are influenced by the burden of consecutive poor offerings. Both are continuing to wrestle with heavy statistical lifts. Lee may be slightly hurting his control due to his snakebit results.

Halladay and Hamels bear the weight of the number one that is combined with championship expectations. Then, add a questionable offense and endgame bullpen. That load becomes unbearable in the basement. Worley is concerned only with his own role, which is why he has weathered the situation. King Cole acknowledged the last-place predicament before the game, and then had his best start since Doc went down.

 

 

PRECAP PITCH

 

 

Vance Worley:

 

He has lasted 7 full in 3 of 10 outings with 2 debacles.  He is due for a win and this is a golden opportunity.

 

	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

 

 

 

Jeff Francis:

 

He has returned to the club he was successful with when both teams met in the 2007 NLDS.  However, he has monstrosities in both of his attempts so far.  He will be on the management-imposed limit of 75 bullets, like their entire 4-man staff.

 

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	B.J. Rosenberg	Gio Gonzalez
NUMBER	A Five	A Two
CLUB SLOT	Five	One
FOR 2012	1st Start	Over The Top
'12 RANKING	-- of 5 Categories	1st of 5 Categories
LAST START	1st Start	Changeup
LAST HIGH OR LOW	-- of 15 Categories	8th 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