The Phillies just completed a 5-1 homestand against the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates, two of the worst teams in the National League.
But that's exactly what the Phillies were supposed to do:
Pummel bad teams like the Nats and Bucs.
Of course, can they beat the good teams?
We should know by Sunday. The Chicago Cubs were 22-31 on June 2 for the third-worst record in the National League. But they have the best record in the NL since at 32-17 (the Phillies have the second-best record in that stretch at 27-21). The Phillies, who enjoyed a 5-1 victory yesterday over the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park, open a four-game series tonight against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
After that the Phillies play a three-game series in Milwaukee, which has been a house of horrors at times for the Phillies. In 2003, the Brewers swept the Phillies at Miller Park to begin a 1-9 road trip. That trip eventually culminated in Larry Bowa blowing up at his team in Montreal. After the Phillies swept the Brewers in Milwaukee in 2004, they lost two out of three in 2005 and got swept there again in 2006. The Phillies had won 13 of 14 games before they entered Miller Park last season. That sweep kick started a 2-9 stretch for the Phillies.
It's a big week for the Phillies.
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The non-waiver trade deadline is 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Tick, tick, tick ...
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The Phillies suffered another blow yesterday when Ryan Madson injured his shoulder. He might be lost for the season. The Phillies recalled Geoff Geary to take his place.
Seriously, is this team snake bit or what?
Comments (8)
Going to get some of mom's cooking later in the week Todd?
Posted by Tom G | July 30, 2007 9:43 AM
Posted on July 30, 2007 09:43
And the hits just keep on coming. Hopefully Geary can be last years model down the stretch. This is a huge road trip, hope it yields same results as the recent west coast swing.
A tip of the hat to Chris Coste, ya just gotta love him. And to the passing of Bill Robinson, always seemed to be a class act, good player, always busted it.
Todd: posting at 4 a.m.? Do you ever sleep?
Posted by jimmymack | July 30, 2007 9:43 AM
Posted on July 30, 2007 09:43
Hey Todd,
Comcast Sportsnet reports the Phillies have their eye on Anthony Reyes, and would trade straight-up in a deal involving Michael Bourn. Is that rumor as ridiculous as it actually sounds?
Also, do you definitely see Iguchi moving to third once Utley returns? That would seem to solve the problem of the revolving door at third - plus give the team a solid bat in the everyday lineup, while keeping Dobbs as an option off the bench.
Posted by Steph S | July 30, 2007 1:16 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 13:16
Bourne for a 1-10, 6.11 ERA pitcher? Gillick will probably throw Coste in with Bourne since he hates him.
Maybe Cole Hamels for Scott Olson will be next.
Posted by John Q | July 30, 2007 3:13 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 15:13
Lohse? THE Kyle Lohse?
Is Bill Giles doodling lineups on cocktail napkins again? With Pat Gillick?
WOWSERS, this really clinches our playoff run. I'll bet the Mets are really scared now.
Posted by jimmymack | July 30, 2007 4:46 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 16:46
Bourn for Reyes? That's as dumb as Maloney for Lohse. Uh-oh. Why do I get the feeling that the Phillies could have obtained Lohse for (pick one -- and one only) Brian Sanches, Fabio Castro, or Zach Segovia? Frankly, Maloney should have fetched a better veteran; better yet, given the dearth of prospects in the organization, the Phillies should have held on to him. It seems that the Phillies always overpay when they are buyers, and don't get enough when they are sellers.
Posted by Nick A | July 30, 2007 6:12 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 18:12
At this time Lohse has a better ERA than Moyer or Eaton. (Durbin hasn't pitched enough innings for his slightly lower ERA to be reliable.) His 6-12 record is at least partially due to Cincy's woeful run support for him.
Posted by judas_priest | July 30, 2007 7:08 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 19:08
Another bad trade was made today. Trading a left-handed pitching prospect for an average pitcher. It is simply sad and typical.
How long is he under contract?
Is Chris Coste ever going to get some playing time?
The guys on third, Helms and Dobbs, can't play
defense. Nunez is a better fit. This staff has problems getting three outs an inning. Four outs are too much.
When will this organization put money in developing the minor leagues?
Dennis
Posted by Dennis | July 30, 2007 8:00 PM
Posted on July 30, 2007 20:00