"There's no doubt it's a big series. It's time to put up or shut up. We have 33 games left. We have to step up and leave it all out there." -- Aaron Rowand.
So the Phillies beat the San Diego Padres yesterday at Citizens Bank Park, 14-2.
Big deal.
There's no question the Phillies have come up terribly small in this terribly important 10-game homestand. (Phil Sheridan likes to call that big-game shrinkage.) But they will try to salvage the homestand beginning tonight in a four-game series against the Mets, who have a six-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East. They absolutely must take at least three of four to put them in a semi-decent position heading into the final 29 games of the season.
Because here's the deal:
Say the Phillies and Mets split the series.
Say the Mets then finish the season at 15-14 (.517).
The Phillies would need to play 21-8 (.724) the rest of the way just to tie the Mets.
The Phillies haven't put together a stretch of quality baseball like that all season. They had a 17-9 (.654) stretch from July 8 through Aug. 8, and a 16-9 (.640) stretch from April 21 to May 16. They certainly haven't come close to playing better than .700 baseball for an entire month. So if the Phillies could take 3 or 4 it would at least make their chase a little more reasonable. If the Mets finish 15-14, the Phillies would need to play 19-10 (.655) the rest of the way to tie. That still is terribly tough -- there's certainly no guarantee the Mets would play .500 for the final month of the season -- but at least they can feel they still have something to play for.
But more and more it's looking like the Phillies will have a lot of late nights in September, staying up and watching the scroll at the bottom of the screen on ESPN to see how the Padres are faring on the West Coast.
The Padres hold a three-game lead over the Phillies in the NL wild-card race.
It looks like it's wild card or bust.
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The latest Philliescast is up.
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Chase Utley is expected to be back in the lineup tonight.
Yeah, that should help.
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Cole Hamels is scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow.
Yeah, he would help.
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Pitching match ups for this week's series.
Comments (6)
Nice win yesterday, Howard saw the ball well, huge next few days. Blahblahblah. They'll either step up or they won't. Todd, is there any way - assuming you have the time - to come up with a few new cliches to pass along to the Boys in Red? Getting really really late in the game. Maybe Carchidi has the time. Oh, wait...
So I'm wondering where the story on the night before's "incident" is in the paper(s). Didn't see it on Philly.com, but maybe it's in there somewhere. Still, seems a little... conspicuous not to see much mention of it.
Not a fan (at all) of Billy "the Rat" Wagner, but I can't help but recall his quote from not too long ago where he said something like Myers has "...number-one stuff and a number-five's head." Seems fairly accurate. Actually, it's a little tame. Myers is a punk who more than proved it in public in Boston a year ago (and probably several other times since "incidents" like that tend to happen more than once). Todd posted some of the number's yesterday. Maybe he'll be more ... consistent next year in the pen, but I'd rather not wait and see. Anybody has the time, go back to Todd's post yesterday and read Jimmymac's comments for further illumination. It's a shame what most of us (me included) will overlook for a few more wins. Yeah, maybe Myers got baited a little. Still.
He's the guy you people really want with the game on the line? It ain't passion, gang, they're called "emotional problems." See Milton Bradley.
Posted by John in LA | August 27, 2007 10:59 AM
Posted on August 27, 2007 10:59
Todd, that little locker-room brouhaha could have been avoided if you just wouldn't take days off. C'mon man, it's time for you to step it up and leave it all in the pressbox.
Posted by Tom G | August 27, 2007 11:02 AM
Posted on August 27, 2007 11:02
Is there a particular reason why absolutely no one has stepped forward to defend Carchidi, or even comment on what happened one way or the other? I realize that reporters aren't supposed to be the news, but - it's news.
Posted by David | August 27, 2007 12:24 PM
Posted on August 27, 2007 12:24
Never mind - I just saw a few paragraphs about it buried in Salisbury's 'Notes' column.
My feeling is that if Carchidi was a beat writer, he never would have asked Myers that question in the first place. He isn't in a position where he has to think long-term and keep the peace over the course of a season in order to get cooperation and quotes. I'd love to hear your take on it Todd, but I understand why we never will.
Posted by David | August 27, 2007 12:42 PM
Posted on August 27, 2007 12:42
Carchidi did what he needed to do - he asked the game's goat about the plays that put him that position.
He had every right to point a finger at someone who immaturely called him a retard. I understand Myers is as emotional as anyone in the game, but you have to be able to take the good with the bad. Calling out a reporter who you don't happen to like reeks of professionalism.
As for the verbal tirade that ensued thereafter, well, that was a sloppy exchange on both parts and should have been avoided.
Posted by Anonymous | August 27, 2007 1:17 PM
Posted on August 27, 2007 13:17
It was a great victory on Sunday, the just now finished beating the Mets rather convincingly.
My thoughts on Myers is the he is passive/aggressive, he's calmly talking then all of a sudden he snaps out. Yeah, he gave up a homerun but he shouldn't lose it. Remember his wife faced the wrath with a WWF smackdown by Myers in Boston not too long ago. I don't think the Phillies did enough to punish Myers for this, nor did the fans press this issue. A writer is doing his job, when asked a question a player can just opt not to answer it, not go on a cursing binge. Myers should grow up and control his temper, I don't think we've seen the last of it, he is a loose cannon (but he can pitch well when he wants to ) :)
Posted by Rich B | August 27, 2007 10:21 PM
Posted on August 27, 2007 22:21