Philadelphia Phillies storyline: Heat times 9

Cliff Lee will open the divisional challenge for the Philadelphia Phillies. Can they climb the standings against Miami, New York and Atlanta?

In-House Rehab:  DH Ryan Howard went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI at Single-A Lakewood.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

NITECAP INSIGHT

 

 

 

The Competition:

 

The next 9 battles are against the Fish, the Mets and the Braves. The first 6 are on the road and Atlanta will finish the half at the Bank. The loser of the Miami series will be in the basement. The red pinstripes trail the Marlins by a mere half game. However, the starting matchups are even with the exception of the middle contest, which features Cole Hamels versus Mark Buehrle.

Next week the team will face off against the Metropolitans in the Big Apple. New York has a five-game lead over them, but their young players have now been exposed to the league. That means they should drop near .500 by July or August, because the NL has figured them out. Meanwhile, the Braves have been streaky during 32 of 75 decisions. They have won 5,5 and 6 straight during the upward swings. However, they have been setback consecutively 4, 4 and 8 times. Atlanta has had pitching difficulties in their staff and bullpen, while their offense has gone silent periodically.

The locals, on the other hand, have to mostly be concerned with the 7th and 8th innings, which is not just the relief corps.  The defense, the rotation and the closer can claim victory with a tally of 4 or more.  The offense scored 46 in the AL cities or 5.1 per, but it didn’t end there.  For the 10 battles since, they have crossed the plate 51 times, which is 5.1 per, and Chase Utley was only in 1 of those contests.  He also provides some lumber with steady glove work.  Chase will man second for 6 of the 9 matchups with Chooch Ruiz and Hunter Pence behind him.  This is where the gap can be tightened before the second half.

 

	PHILLIES	RECORD	VERSUS	HURLER	RECORD
1	LHP Cliff Lee	0-4, 3.72 ERA	@ Miami, Night	RHP Josh Johnson	4-5, 3.96 ERA
2	LHP Cole Hamels	10-3, 3.03 ERA	@ Miami, Late Day	LHP Mark Buehrle	6-8, 3.55 ERA
3	RHP Joe Blanton	7-6, 4.87 ERA	@ Miami, Day	RHP Ricky Nolasco	6-6, 4.78 ERA
4	RHP Vance Worley	2-8, 5.35 ERA	@ New York, Night	LHP Jon Niese	6-3, 3.55 ERA
5	RHP Kyle Kendrick	4-4, 2.92 ERA	@ New York, Day	RHP Chris Young	1-1, 3.42 ERA
6	LHP Cliff Lee	0-4, 3.72 ERA	@ New York, Night	RHP R.A. Dickey	11-1, 2.31 ERA
7	LHP Cole Hamels	10-3, 3.03 ERA	Atlanta, Night	RHP Tim Hudson	6-3, 3.58 ERA
8	RHP Joe Blanton	7-6, 4.87 ERA	Atlanta, Night	RHP Tommy Hanson	9-4, 3.59 ERA
9	RHP Vance Worley	4-4, 2.92 ERA	Atlanta, Day	RHP Jair Jurrjens	1-2, 6.07 ERA

 

 

 

 

PRECAP PITCH

 

 

Cliff Lee:

 

He opens against the Fish and the club needs a sterling performance.  However, he has struggled in his last 3 efforts, which translates to being charged with 14 all-earned runs for 20 frames.  He’s due for a gem and a streak of good fortune.

 

	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

 

 

Josh Johnson:

 

He hasn’t been the dominant hurler of years past, but he is still a strong foe who can twirl a gem in any outing.  He has lasted 6.2 innings plus in 8 of 15 attempts with 4 clunkers.  His first debacle was at the hands of the Phils, who clobbered him for 11 hits and 6 all-earned runs over only 3.2 frames.  That said, he has a 1.95 June ERA and has fared better at home.

 

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	Cliff Lee	Edwin Jackson
NUMBER	A One	A Four
CLUB SLOT	Three	Three
FOR 2012	3-Quarter Sidearm	Short Arm
'12 RANKING	2nd of 5 Categories	4th of 5 Categories
LAST START	Cutter *	Eephus Pitch
LAST HIGH OR LOW	3rd of 15 Categories	13th 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