Philadelphia Phillies storyline: The next lineup

The cleanup hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies will be Ryan Howard. But who bats fifth?

TAL’S HANDY CAPS

CAP-SIZE HINDSIGHT

Penthouse Occupancy for the 11-7 slugfest: 2

The Chrystal Champagne Toast is a salute to Chase Utley.

Chase Tips His Cap After His 1st-Inning Rocket

He provided a souvenir for the sellout faithful and a 1-0 advantage in his 1st AB. He had a 3 for 5 return to the Bank. He was joined on the top floor by Chooch Ruiz. Chooch went yard for consecutive bombs in the 1st. He went 2 for 4 with a free pass and 2 RBI.

Ty Wigginton ended up in Cholley’s Doghouse after he failed to completely run out a ball during the 4th.

Rally Tal & Cap in the 7th for a tally of three: 3 knocks and a triple pulled the club to within 1.

Hector Luna was robbed of a gap hit during the 8th, and the thief belongs in the Big House.

In-House Rehab: Ryno will begin his assignment for Single-A Lakewood tonight.

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 comeback trail (Prediction #2) over 3.5 years

Chase Launches A 1st-Inning Missile To Right Center

NITECAP INSIGHT

A Fresh Look:

The appearance of my commentary will continue to change slightly, because the computer algorithm for the Fox feed has been problematic personally over the last 3 weeks. Other than the coverage, I will shorten some things.

It is starting to become obvious that we already have a middle-of-the-order right-handed stick besides Hunter Pence. Ruiz will provide more protection for Howard than Pence.

BATS	ORDER VS. RHP	BATS	ORDER VS. LHP
1 - S	SS Jimmy Rollins	1 - S	SS Jimmy Rollins
2 - L	LF Juan Pierre	2 - R	3B Polly Polanco
3 - L	2B Chase Utley	3 - L	2B Chase Utley
4 - L	1B Ryan Howard	4 - L	1B Ryan Howard
5 - R	C Chooch Ruiz	5 - R	C Chooch Ruiz
6 - R	RF Hunter Pence	6 - R	RF Hunter Pence
7 - S	CF Shane Victorino	7 - S	CF Shane Victorino
8 - R	3B Polly Polanco	8 - R	LF John Mayberry Jr.

The New 1-2 Punch

When you look at the above lineup, you notice that Jimmy Rollins and Polly Polanco or Juan Pierre are solid table setters. Like all regulars, there will be hot and cold spells, but J-Roll hit .450 in the NLDS last September, when it mattered. Magic Juan and Polly are solid multi-knock producers. Chase can swing with power again and Ryan has no issues in the batter’s box. Chooch is the right-handed lumber we’ve been searching for, and Hunter in the 6 hole is potent.

The bottom third with Shane Victorino and Polanco or John Mayberry Jr. is strong. Also, Cholley Manuel can plug in Wigginton or Laynce Nix for the 8 slot. A DH for the Fall Classic would add Jim Thome to the starters. Plus, you can split up the left-handers: Utley (2), Ruiz (3), Howard (4) and Pence (5). Chooch has been deadly since March, which is 4 months, and it means that offense will not be a problem.

Kyle Kendrick Grips A Fastball On June 23 At The Bank Against The Rays

PRECAP PITCH

Kyle Kendrick:

He will have a gut-it-out assignment after the relief corps worked the entire 9. He has worked 6.1 innings or more in 3 of 11 tries with 5 clunkers, including 4 straight. He is 2-6 with a 4.84 ERA without the relief appearances.

	STARTER	RECORD	TM	STARTER	RECORD	DAY & TIME
1	LHP Cliff Lee	1-6, 3.72 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Stephen Strasburg	11-4, 2.76 ERA	Tuesday, Night
2	RHP Vance Worley	5-6, 3.88 ERA	@ Nats	RHP Edwin Jackson	6-6, 3.52 ERA	Wednesday, Night
3	LHP Cole Hamels	11-5, 3.31 ERA	@ Nats	LHP Ross Detwiler	5-4, 3.24 ERA	Thursday, Night

A.J. Burnett Fires A Fastball On June 22 At Home Against Detroit

A.J. Burnett:

He has been more successful away from the glare in the Big Apple. He has lasted 6.2 frames plus in 6 of 12 attempts with 2 debacles. However, he is 3-2 with 7.18 away ERA.

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.

** As a starter

HURLER	Kyle Kendrick	John Lannan
NUMBER	A Five	A Five
CLUB SLOT	Four	Five
FOR 2012	Sidearm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	3rd of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Eephus Pitch	Slurve ***
LAST HIGH OR LOW	13th of 15 Categories	9th 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

TAL’S HANDY SERIES

The Comeback: Check it out.

Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Past the first obstacle (Sunday)

Philadelphia Phillies storyline: The comeback trail (Friday)

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