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Thursday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 9, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Twelve games are being played on Thursday. I'm trying a new format for Games of the Day. Instead of picking only some of the games, each game will be previewed. Two aces, Tim Lincecum and Felix Hernandez, pitch on Thursday. Roy Halladay may be taking the mound in Tampa Bay as a sort of trade audition. Tommy Hanson will get a test from the Rockies at Coors Field. Paul Konerko looks to continue his hot hitting against the Indians. The Cardinals and Brewers rap up an exciting July series. These games and more can be found below. Toronto at Tampa...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Brad Penny, Carl Crawford, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Clayton Richard, Cleveland Indians, Cody Ross, Colorado Rockies, David Price, Felix Hernandez, Florida Marlins, Games of the Day, Houston Astros, John Lannan, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Luke Hochevar, Micah Owings, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Nyjer Morgan, Paul Konerko, Philadelphia Phillies, Rafael Furcal, Randy Wolf, Roy Halladay, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Tim Lincecum, Tommy Hanson, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

Victorino Walks-off (to All-Star Game?)

By Mike | July 9, 2009 | Phanatic Phollow Up

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel was in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. Wednesday night's game against the Reds was strangely familiar to Tuesday night's loss. Rodrigo Lopez (five innings, two earned runs) pitched well enough to win, but the Phillies had wasted too many opportunities (nine LOB). Jayson Werth just missed gunning a batter down at first base, the pre-Lidge bullpenners were strong (Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson combined for four scoreless frames), and the bench players should have remained rooted to the bench (pinch-hitters were 0 for 4, with three whiffs). Ryan Madson pitched a scoreless eighth, keeping the score tied, with Brad Lidge ready to enter in the top of the ninth. Manuel was in a maze of twisting little passages, all alike. Tuesday night's loss against the Reds was strangely familiar to Wednesday night's game. Until Charlie Manuel chose a course of action...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Gabor Paul Bako II, HK, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Rodrigo Lopez, Ryan Madson, Shane Victorino

Bunts and Balks (7/8)

By Mike | July 9, 2009 | Phanatic Phollow Up

Raul Ibanez will continue his rehab on Thursday, with another start for Lehigh Valley (AAA). It doesn't appear that Ibanez will return to the P-Phils before the All-Star break. It does appear that Ibanez will be taking part in the MLB All-Star game. Raul Ibanez' rehabilitation appearances at Coca-Cola Park, the Home of the IronPigs, are sponsored by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. This blog would like to sponsor Jack Taschner's post-DFA appearances at Coca-Cola Park. And Paul Bako's actual DFA'ing. Jayson Werth is getting closer to gunning down a baserunner at first base on a grounder/liner to right field. Remember when Glenn Wilson used to try this maneuver, usually on pitchers/slow-footed catchers? Werth might need the pitcher to start covering first on these attempts, as Ryan Howard is having trouble getting to first base in time. Never seen a 9-1 putout at first base before... Shane Victorino continues to...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Gabor Paul Bako II, HK, Mike Stutes, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Steve Susdorf

MLB Crystal Ball: Phils Have Best Chance for Halladay; Deadline Trade Unlikely

By Jaymes Langrehr | July 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Yesterday, the Toronto Blue Jays said that they would consider dealing ace Roy Halladay. As a result, they sent the sports blogosphere into a frenzy -- fans of any team that needs pitching were suddenly trying to piece together possible deals, hoping their team could land this year's version of CC Sabathia. The comparisons to Sabathia aren't really fair, but not for the reasons you would suspect...Halladay may be a better deal for a lot of teams, due to the fact that he's signed through next season as well, and won't just be a rental.In reality, though, it appears there may only be a few possible suitors for Halladay if he does end up being traded. There are a couple things to consider -- for one, Halladay has 10/5 trade rights. Since he's played at least 10 years in the big leagues and the past 5 with Toronto, he has...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, MLB Crystal Ball, MLB Outsider, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays

Wednesday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 8, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Six of Wednesday's fifteen games are day games, making Wednesday a getaway day for those twelve teams. Wednesday doesn't feature the best pitching matchups, but does have some good games worth watching. Two All-Star Game bound ten-game winners are pitching on Wednesday. Ryan Sadowski looks to go 3-for-3 in his first three career starts. The Reds and Phillies continue an entertaining series. Oliver Perez returns to the Mets rotation and the NL Central and AL West showdowns continue. Pittsburgh at Houston: The Pirates-Astros series finishes with Charlie Morton and Wandy Rodriguez facing off. If Pittsburgh wins, they'll be only 2...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Brian Tallet, Chad Guadin, Charlie Morton, Chicago White Sox, Chris Young, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Curtis Granderson, David Hernandez, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Freddy Sanchez, Games of the Day, Hank Blalock, Homer Bailey, Houston Astros, Jeff Suppan, Jose Contreras, Jose Lopez, Kansas City Royals, Kendry Morales, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Magglio Ordonez, Max Scherzer, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Oliver Perez, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Rodrigo Lopez, Ryan Sadowski, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Scott Kazmir, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Stephen Drew, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Tim Wakefield, Todd Wellemeyer, Toronto Blue Jays, Vernon Wells, Vicente Padilla, Vladimir Guerrero, Wandy Rodriguez, Zack Greinke

Wasted

By Mike | July 8, 2009 | Phanatic Phollow Up

The Phillies had Tuesday night's game against the Reds in the bag. Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth went back-to-back in the second inning, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead. The Phillies tacked on another run in the third, but should have done much more damage. The Phillies wasted numerous opportunities to increase their lead, leaving the bases loaded in the third, failing to convert on a Carlos Ruiz leadoff triple in the fourth inning, and stranding two more runners in the seventh. The Phillies went 1 for 12 with RISP, leaving twelve runners on base. Starter J.A. Happ was almost able to overcome the Phillies' LOB issues. Almost. Happ only permitted six hits, but two of those hits were home runs, accounting for all three runs allowed by Happ. The rookie southpaw went seven innings, walking none, whiffing seven, and certainly performing well enough to merit a victory. Happ...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Brad Lidge, HK, J.A.Happ, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies

Bunts and Balks (7/7)

By Mike | July 8, 2009 | Phanatic Phollow Up

Shane Victorino continues to battle SF's Pablo Sandoval in the Final Vote race. There's still plenty of time for any of the five candidates to win. Also plenty of time for each of us to vote for Victorino another 5000 times... Raul Ibanez had his second rehab game Tuesday night, in Lehigh Valley (AAA). Ibanez batted three times, with a walk, a strikeout, and a single. He will probably have Wednesday off, play on Thursday, and may be activated by the P-Phils this weekend. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs lost for the seventh time in nine games, 6-2, to the Pawtucket Red Sox. The FeHogs' bats were shut down by Clay Buchholz, who would be the P-Phils' second starter. Lehigh Valley did set a franchise record, by walking eleven Pawtucket batters. Starter Carlos Carrasco contributed six of those free passes, in throwing only forty-seven of eighty-six pitches for strikes. Carrasco...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brennan King, Carlos Carrasco, HK, Jonathan Velazquez, Michael Taylor, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies, Quintin Berry, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Vance Worley

Fantasy Quick Hit: Hamels Should Improve In Second Half

By Tyler Hissey | July 7, 2009 | Around the Majors

The Philadelphia Phillies had one of the most prolific nights in their history on Monday, scoring 22 runs in a blowout victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The Phillies lit up Reds starter Johnny Cueto for nine runs in the first inning, staking starter Cole Hamels a lead that would've been difficult to relinquish.Looking to throw strikes after receiving so much run support, Hamels did all that was necessary to even his record at 5-5. He allowed only one earned run in seven strong innings, striking out two against a lone walk; his only blemish came on a Jonny Gomes solo home run, as the long ball continued to plague him. Considering that it was his first win since June 4, when he tossed a complete-game, five-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers, it was nice for Fantasy owners to see him get back in the win column.Hamels' to-date performance has...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cole Hamels, fantasy analysis, Jimmy Rollins, MLB, Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Crystal Ball: Phils Have Best Chance for Halladay; Deadline Trade Unlikely

By Jaymes Langrehr | July 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, MLB Crystal Ball, MLB Outsider, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays

MLB Top 10: Yanks Making a Push

By Jaymes Langrehr | July 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

We're entering the final week before the All-Star break, but most teams have already passed the official midway point of their seasons. So now that we're half way there in crowning the 2009 world champions, who are the hottest teams in baseball entering this week? 1. New York Yankees (48-33)The Yanks continue to inch their way towards division-leading Boston, trailing in the AL East by a single win. It's sure to be one hell of a race down the stretch, even if some meaning is lessened by the fact that both teams are likely assured of reaching the playoffs. For now, I'm sure Yankee fans will take the moral victory of Mark Teixeira beating out Kevin Youkilis for the starting 1B spot on the All-Star team.2. Texas Rangers (45-35)It looks like the AL West is going to have a very competitive division race down the stretch, which is something that...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, MLB, MLB Outsider, MLB Top 10, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers

MLB Stock Market - Nut Hut Edition

By Kurt Evans | June 29, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Have you ever listened to one of those morning zoo nut-hut talk radio shows? I'm sure you have, and yet you managed to change the dial before slitting your wrists. Often times these extremely boring people will go to excrutiating lengths to have a compelling talk segment. Right about now they're probably talking about how we are now over the hump - the days are getting short again (but they were so long for a while there, ha-ha! Can you beileve how long the days were? Blah blah, I couldn't go to sleep some nights the sky was so bright! Haw!) - and how winter is already on its way. As much as I detest those jabrones, I can't help but think about the same sort of thing -- the year is flying by. We're coming upon the All Star Break -- aka the most boring week in sports...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, MLB Outsider, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers

MLB Great Debates: Which Playoff Contender Needs a Trade to Stay in the Race?

By Staff Report | June 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which contending team most needs to make a deal before the July 31 trade deadline in order to stay in the race? Jaymes Langrehr argues that the Brewers desperately need starting pitching:As we get closer to the trade deadline, a good number of teams are developing clear needs that need to be addressed if they're going to stay in playoff contention. Some teams will be able to cope with their weaknesses and still make the playoffs due to their other strengths. Other clubs will need to make a move if they have any chance at contending in the second half.The Milwaukee Brewers are a prime example. Heading into this season, they knew that their pitching wouldn't be as good as it was down the stretch last season. Given the strength of their offense, however, they figured to be in okay...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: MLB

MLB Stock Market - When I'm Wrong, I'm Really, Really Wrong Edition

By Kurt Evans | June 21, 2009 | MVN Outsider

What's that on Ryan Howard's shirt? ...never mind. Maybe I don't want to know.Usually I start these with some pithy remark about how fast the season is moving, or how things are unfolding as most people would expect, or I just make fun of the Yankees. But not this time, my friends. Oh no, this time we're going to get straight to the Stock Market portion of this article. Except...This will mark the first of surely many times in which I admit my mistakes. You know how some people will flat out deny being wrong, as if their words aren't recorded and saved forever on the internets? I am not one of those people. And I'll say right now that I was wrong. More on that in the Falling section.RisingThe Bile in Ryan Howard's StomachRyan Howard wants you to know he does not have the swine flu. He is not...Read more

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Fantasy Baseball: Philadelphia Phillies OF Raul Ibanez To DL

By Brad Berreman | June 19, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Philadelphia Phillies' OF Raul Ibanez has been placed on the 15-day DL with a strained left groin. Thus far in 2009 the 37-year old is on pace for a career year, as he is hitting .312 with 22 home runs and 59 RBI in 250 at-bats but had struggled recently, with just six hits over his last 31 at-bats (.194 average). Reports suggest Ibanez has been bothered by the injury since late-April, and he could miss more than the minimum 15 days. His fantasy owners have gotten great return on their investment so far this season, as Ibanez was not likely an early round pick in most leagues and has produced like a first round pick. Ibanez will be difficult for the Phillies to replace in their lineup, and the team will probably use a platoon of John Mayberry, Jr., who was called up to replace Ibanez on the roster, and veteran Matt Stairs. In 14...Read more

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MLB Top 10: Yanks Enter Week Hotter Than Boston -- Will it Stay that Way?

By Jaymes Langrehr | June 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

It was an interesting week in baseball -- Randy Johnson won his 300th career game in front of about 12 people in Washington, the Dodgers stole a couple wins from Philadelphia in walkoff fashion, the Rangers proved their worth with a brutal East Coast road trip, and the Rockies started slugging the tar out of the ball...and they weren't even playing at home. So who heads up this week's Top 10 list as the team playing the best baseball?1. Philadelphia Phillies (33-22)The Phillies had a pair of tough walkoff losses in Los Angeles over the weekend, but prior to the late-game collapses the Phils were winners of seven straight. With the Mets running into serious injury problems, Philadelphia has a hold on the NL East -- they have a chance to expand that three game division lead starting Tuesday night when they travel to New York for a three game...Read more

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MLB Top 10: No Clear Number One?

By Jaymes Langrehr | June 1, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The past few weeks, it's been pretty easy to pick out baseball's hottest teams -- we've seen ridiculously long win streaks, surges to the top of divisions, and outstanding performances catapult teams to the top of these rankings. This week, however, was a bit more difficult. Heading into Monday, no team had a win streak longer than three games. So who do you turn to in that case? How about baseball's best team to this point?1. Los Angeles Dodgers - 35-17Two things remain constant in LA -- the Dodgers are still hot, and Bill Plaschke is still outraged (OUTRAGED, I SAY!) that Manny Ramirez is allowed to disgrace the city...you have to wonder how he'll react if the Dodgers win the World Series with Manny's help once he returns. Will he demand that they hand the trophy back? They had a solid week, getting Clint Hurdle fired in Colorado after...Read more

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