Like I wrote yesterday in the Phillies Report, good pitching is everything when it means making the playoffs or not making the playoffs.
So far Kyle Kendrick has pitched good/well.
He is 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA in his three starts as Freddy Garcia's replacement. It sounds a little crazy to say a pitcher with a 5.00 ERA has pitched good/well, so let me explain:
Kendrick, who picked up the win in last night's 11-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park, is a pitcher that would be in double-A Reading had Garcia never been injured. But he has pitched six innings in each of his first three starts. He has allowed three runs, three runs and four runs, respectively. Each time out he has given his offense an opportunity to win, which is all the Phillies want from Kendrick.
I'm grading Kendrick on a curve because of his experience, but so far he has exceeded expectations.
He will throw a clunker sooner or later. That is inevitable, but if he can keep those starts few and far between (and not go Gavin Floyd on everybody when it happens), the Phillies will feel a little more comfortable going forward.
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Phil Sheridan writes how Charlie Manuel is making the most out of a lineup that he never envisioned. I like the fact Manuel is going with the hot bats. In the past, he stuck with somebody like David Bell. But Manuel knows that with this pitching staff, he needs to field the best lineup possible.
Right now that lineup does not include Pat Burrell. Manuel talked about his decision to bench Burrell last night for the fifth time in eight games. Will Burrell be back in there tonight against the Reds? Manuel would not say, but why not give Michael Bourn another shot? He went 1 for 3 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base. He deserves it, and he gives the lineup an exciting look.
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Speaking of exciting, Carlos Ruiz stole home last night. Philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald noted in an e-mail last night: "I think the cosmos just shook. A guy named Ruiz just stole home for Philadelphia against Cincinnati. Can it be?"
He's referring to Chico Ruiz's steal home on Sept, 21, 1964, which started the Phillies' historic collapse. Take a look the box score here.
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In the lastest Sports Illustrated, major leaguers were asked in an anonymous poll: Who is the softest-throwing pitcher in baseball?
Jamie Moyer took first with 72 percent of the vote. Also on the list: Boston's Tim Wakefield (14 percent), San Diego's Greg Maddux (two percent), New York's Tom Glavine (two percent) and St. Louis' Mike Maroth (two percent).
That's pretty good company, huh?
For an expanded version of the poll, go to SI.com/players.
Comments (7)
"Pitched good"? Come on, Todd, we know our grammar better than that, don't we?
Posted by TC | June 27, 2007 10:09 AM
Posted on June 27, 2007 10:09
I give Charlie credit for his "produce you play" managerial style. And having the cujones to sit Burrell, Helms and Barajas. I think it makes for a team that doesn't take a game off every now and then...they get beat, but they still hustle. The lineup last night was curious when announced but whatever ouija board or magic chants he uses seem to be working.
He gets the crap beat out of him on talk radio and some fans, he has been dealt a short deck by his GM, he knows he probably won't be back no matter what happens, but he doesn't mail it in, so I give him his props. He may not be John McGraw, but he's not the idiot people make him out to be. In the 50 years I've been following this team, I've seen worse.
Posted by jimmymack | June 27, 2007 11:13 AM
Posted on June 27, 2007 11:13
One of the most amazing things about Ruiz's steal of home back in 1964 was he did it with Frank Robinson at the plate.
Posted by Odog | June 27, 2007 11:15 AM
Posted on June 27, 2007 11:15
davey lopes has already earned his salary this year and then some. actually effectively using the speed that is in this lineup has been a very nice addition to the offense. victorino had 4 steals all of last year...4! you have to give manuel and gillick credit for that offseason pick-up too if you are keeping track.
Posted by mike | June 27, 2007 11:44 AM
Posted on June 27, 2007 11:44
Bases loaded in the first, nobody out - I'm thinking, "Here's where the wheels finally come off." And then they don't. Wow. Yeah, it's only been three games. Still. Impressive.
I'm with Jimmymack on the Manuel stuff. He's not perfect, but to be where the Phillies are after all the injuries and bad pick-ups by Gillick is actually pretty amazing. Then add the fact that Howard is playing at, what, 60% of last year - spare me the power numbers, Dunn's are about the same and I definitely wouldn't want him - not to mention old Pat the Bat. Not too shabby.
I have to say, I like the look of Dobbs and Bourn in the line-up...
Posted by John in LA | June 27, 2007 11:50 AM
Posted on June 27, 2007 11:50
Todd's probably heard Larry Bowa say "he pitched good" too many times to count.
I second all the Charlie comments. He makes some baffling in-game decisions but he seems to be doing things right before the game with the lineup and keeping everyone's heads up through all the injuries. It helps that this is a team of gamers who'll get down and dirty to make plays and will hustle all the time. I have to think at least some of that is a reflection of the manager.
Posted by Mike | June 27, 2007 12:46 PM
Posted on June 27, 2007 12:46
Kendrick is doing exactly what I had hoped of him- 6-7 innings of 3-4 run ball. With the Phils offense, that will keep the team in the game and give them good opportunity to win.
If you're looking to voice in on the Burrell vs. Bourn starting LF debate, hop on over to my blog and vote in the poll @ http://pabaseball.blogspot.com
Posted by GM-Carson | June 27, 2007 5:33 PM
Posted on June 27, 2007 17:33