Cole looks to get a piece of the pie from Pirates

Cole Hamels got a big win earlier in the week. He was supported by a 22-1 barrage over the Cincy Reds. He needs another show of support tonight as the Phillies look to increase their lead in the NL East with their game tonight and tomorrow before the All Star Break.

Cole needs to start winning every start, he’s the Philles ace and he’s not showing that in his record yet this year which has seen him at 5-5 so far. Hamels really hasn’t been all that bad, but early on some sparse run support has left him with a lot of no decisions and that’s not a good thing.

This is the first year of Cole Hamels contract that has seen him make the jump from $500,000 for last year’s salary to $4.3 million for this season. He signed a three year deal on Jan 18th 2009. Hamels could be the ace of the Phillies for years to come if he remains consistent as he has been early in his career. The fact that he is a World Series MVP doesn’t hurt either.

This game could be just what Cole needs to boost him up for this season. The advantage is in his corner tonight as he faces a Pittsburgh Pirates team that is 38-48 and again in last place over in the NL Central. The Pirates don’t deserve to be in the NL Central, they should throw the Marlins or the Nats into that division to give them more of a chance. Tonight though the only thing that matters is Cole getting another win!

The Phillies have only been facing the Pirates in 6 games per season and the cross state rivalry could increase with a change in the division that the Pirates are in.

Cole's Hitter List click for a list of hitters who have hit Cole’s pitching, he may want to review this list. Batters must have had a minimum of 20 AB’s against him.

Cole Hamels vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates

Adam LaRoche and Freddy Sanchez has faced Hamels before with some success but the remainder of the team has never faced Cole Hamels until tonight.

Pirate Notes from their Press Game Notes:

Last 10 games : 3-7

Last 5 games: 1-4

Wins in final at bat: 7

Series sweeps: 2

Being swept in series: 5

Starter Russ Ohlendorf’s first start against the Phillies in his career tonight

Home stand wins feel like playoff atmosphere

 

 

         The Phillies are 7-1 on this most recent homestand. They are making up the ground from their terrible home record that was amassed prior to this home stand. Yes, it was the Pirates tonight, no Dodgers team by any means and the Phillies on paper should beat the Pirates with their All Star stocked roster. A win is a win, no matter who it is against though and this win was Charlie’s 400th win as a Phillies manager. From Manuel’s slow start with the days of Jim Thome till now seems like a long time ago, now he is the All Star game NL Manager and the skipper of the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. He is earning his place as perhaps one of the most beloved managers the Phillies have had in 25 years or more.

 

        This team is on a roll now, they are clicking as well as they can be at this point in the season, and it is in stark contrast to what we saw on the field just last month when a lot of people were starting to scratch their heads and wonder what was wrong with this team. Now, with the All Star break is just almost upon us, it seems the Phillies are getting stronger and looking to get even more stronger with trying to acquire ‘A’ list starting pitchers. Who said Amaro Jr. was faint of heart? He is trying to get up there in competition with the best GM’s in the business now, and with the trade deadline looming, the fans and the press are buzzing about all the possibilities of the starting pitcher addition to this already solid club.

 

          Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, and Jason Werth have been carrying this team in the last two weeks, each night it’s either one of them stepping up to the plate and dazzling us with their outstanding play. It’s no wonder all three of them will be out in St. Louis on this coming Tuesday night. Note to Chase Utley: ‘Don’t say anything with the cameras on you!’ – I don’t know if that’s possible with him, but he needs to polish his nice guy image in the major public eye. Raul Ibanez is ready to rejoin this team, and add his offensive pop to the lineup. Look out…. the Phillies could be heading straight into the playoffs on a rocket!

When it comes to Pedro, just say "No"

The Phillies have been hot on the trail following Pedro Martinez in an attempt to see if he would be a benefit to the Phillies. I would say when it comes to Pedro, just say "NO!" Pedro is no longer the Pedro that used to dominate hitters in his Red Sox years. He is not the pitcher he used to be. It sounds great to say 'Pedro Martinez -Phillies pitcher' but you aren't going to be getting what you think. The Mets could have resigned Pedro, but they didn't. Any other major league team in the USA could have too, but they didn't. Why? Because he is a pitcher who has had major injuries and now his time of pitching dominance is over.

I can't believe the Phillies would even consider picking up a pitcher like Pedro after they have been burned by guys like Freddie Garcia and Adam Eaton. Years ago, both these names were great, they tended to dominate hitters but now these type of pitchers have had their best days and it's all over for them.

We'll see what happens in the coming days, but I find it really hard to believe the Phils would resign Pedro at all.

Team up with us and Phillies Nation! Get out the Victorino Vote

"I think I've got a good chance. I've got faith in the Phillies fans"

-- Shane Victorino

If you consider yourself a real Phillies fan, then do your duty and vote the Flyin' Hawaiian into this year's All-Star Game. Click on the badge below to be taken to the ballot where you can vote an unlimited number of times before Thursday at 4pm. Sprint cell phone subscribers can vote for Shane by texting VOTE to 1122. Forward this email to everyone you know and GET OUT THE VOTE!

Live @ 6:30 PM Phillies Talk - podcast

Listen here on the website when we tape the show live, or download our show via iTunes either way you're hearing the longest running podcast on the Phillies called, Phillies Talk !


Click here to hear the show:

Phils turn corner on prior three weeks with 22-1 victory

The Phillies needed a game like last night's game. They needed to flex their offensive muscle and that's what they did against the Reds.The team earned Cole Hamels just his fifth victory on the season and with this win no one can say that the Phillies offense didn't support Cole in this game. Run support had previously been sparce for Cole in other games.


I'd rather have two game when the Phillies score 11 runs each to win two games, but I'll take the score of 22 as a season high. What's more the Phils banged out 22 hits on the night, and again Jimmy Rollins had a wonderful night as did Shane Victorino and Jason Werth. These are the type of games you remember. I still remember a windy May 17, 1979 at Chicago's Wrigley Field when the Phillies beat the Cubs 23-22 on that day. I was just a kid, but I still remember it. Both starting pitchers didn't get out of the first inning in that one.

Just like I didn't get too carried away when the Phillies were losing, I will not begin to think the Phillies are on the yellow brick road to victory. It's a long season and no single game will tell the whole story. Let's get another win tonight though!!!

Phillies fan fashion statement, Sarge’s Cool Hats for cool cats…

 

 

 

 

Yes, you too can look like the cool Gary Matthews aka ‘The Sarge’ with his collection of caps … as seen in this billboard ad during Sunday’s game with the New York Mets.

Phillies look ahead to next series after sweep

 

View Full Album

 

 

       The Phillies swept the Mets today, that’s the great news. In a game that looked like it could turn at any moment, the 2-0 lead held all through the game with the Phillies needing only three hits to beat the Mets today at CBP.

         Before the game the Phillies had a Father/Children game on the field for the families of the ballplayers. That was a nice event. It maybe helped the Phillies get a little more relaxed for the game.

          There is no doubt that Jimmy is back, his bat and swagger told a story over this weekend. His opening leadoff homer was just what the team needed to start this game today and though there wasn’t too many more hits in this one, it was enough to help the Phillies win today.

          The Phillies are again in the driver’s seat in the NL East, 42-37 or .532 for their winning percentage is enough to keep the team 1 game ahead of the Florida Marlins, and with the sweep of the Mets today saw the Amazins’ fall to a tie for third place 4 games back off the pace. The Phils welcome in the pesky Cincinnati Reds and send Cole Hamels to the mound against Johnny Cueto who is 8-4 for the Reds on Monday night.

            Can this win streak continue? We’ll see come Monday night.

Phillies take two from Mets, look for sweep with Blanton

There's nothing better than July baseball with two top teams going at it to establish themselves as the division leader before the All Star break. That is just what's going on down in Philadelphia this afternoon as the Phillies look to sweep the NY Mets at home today.

The first two wins were very impressive. The Phillies seemed to have pulled it all together and brought their losing streak to an abrupt halt just that fast. It was suggested by another prominent Phillies blog to go to barbeques instead of watch the Phillies this weekend, this was just plain bad advice if you're a true baseball fan. Of course the fact that the Phillies are again on a winning streak doesn't hurt matters either.

The Phils are poised to do something they haven't done since June 1-3 2009 and that is a sweep. They last swept the San Diego Padres out west to start off June and now they look to do the same to the Mets in early July. Joe Blanton gets the ball for the Phillies and he'll face the tough Johan Santana for the Mets.

Rodrigo the Magnifico - Phillies win big over Mets Game 1

Rodrigo the Magnifico earns respect of Phillies fans and the first win of his season



Rodrigo Lopez pitched last night and Phillies fans went crazy and gave him a standing ovation at the performance he turned in on Game 1 of the July 4th weekend homestand on Friday night.

The Phillies brought out the offense and shelled the Mets with a spat of 3 runs in the first and then added on plenty more to put this game into the win column and give the team a much needed boost after the last two weeks of gloom.


Jimmy Rollins went 2-5 with 2 RBI in this game, and he sparked the Phillies giant display of fireworks style offense on Friday night. Shane Victorino had a 3-5 night for the Phils and Chase Utley went 2-4 and Jason Werth added a homerun for the Phillies. Another Jimmy Rollins note as reported by Todd Zolecki on his blog, Jimmy had some Michael Jackson songs in his corner on Friday night, he had Billie Jean and Smooth Criminal playing before he batted and this may have helped him out of the slump he has been in. Jimmy is back!


Lopez gets his first win for the Phillies, he surprised all who early on suspected he may not win this game. Broadcasters on WFAN, the New York sports radio station, couldn't wait to see the Mets hit against Lopez and now the probably wish that they could take these words back. This turns out as a much needed move by the Phillies, and it's one that shows that perhaps it doesn't take going out and splashing millions of dollars out on a free agent pitcher to solve some of your pitching problems.


The weekend series continues with the 4:05 PM Fox Saturday special game of the week with the Phillies and the Mets later today.

Phillies get swept again, time to be concerned?

Mets Fans who misbehave better watch out for the 'secret weapon' and it's not Rodrigo Lopez!

At the start of this drought, I wasn't all too concerned. The Phillies were playing Interleague and the losses didn't really seem too real against teams that we hardly ever play during the regular season. Well now that relaxed feeling that I had is turning to a real concern as the Phillies are in what I hope is just a prolonged period of 'funk'. This funk continued last night as the Phillies were outplayed in Atlanta when it mattered most. The New York Mets pulled out a 10th inning win yesterday afternoon in dramatic fashion and now the Phillies return home with what appears to be a team that has come unglued.


The Phillies are now just getting flat outplayed. In the field, on the bases, and at the plate, oh yes on the mound also. This team needs to start caring more, sweating more, and pulling it together more if they are going to maintain any sense of being a first place team. Yeah I know that the team is not playing well at home, but they need to pull it all together for this homestand and go out there and win some ballgames. Raul Ibanez's return should help. He has led the Phillies team offensively and when he was out of the lineup, the Phillies started piling up the losses. It's almost like he's a father figure to these guys, and since Dad's been gone the pickins has been slim as far as any one else wanting step up and take his spot as the Phillies leader.



Pitching is beyond a concern at this point, Ruben Amaro Jr. should be on the phone at any available time looking for that deal, as the Phillies still continue to announce weird starters as in the guy they are sending to the hill vs. The Mets by the name of Rodrigo Lopez. No knocks against Lopez, but this is a World Series baseball team, not the Oklahoma Mudcats that he'll be pitching for on Friday night at home before a packed house. Amaro Jr., take note if this backfires the blame is going to fall on his shoulders! The press and the fans will be up in arms at this move which really comes out of no where. I can understand bringing up a prospect from the minors but Lopez? This makes no sense at all. NY Mets fans are literally having fits over this move. I hope it proves me all wrong.



I won't even recap this past two weeks, as the red ink from losing would just make this post look sick. The Phillies haven't seen a prolonged losing streak like this one in the past two weeks. They are 2-5 in their last 7 games and they are 14-9 during day games and 25-27 at night. Enough talk about how bad the sweeps were, all the "O"-fers by any player, it's all history. The team is still in first place, in a tie with the Marlins now, the team should step up and put it to the Mets and let them know this will be their division. Another ballclub has climbed back into the picture, the pesky Marlins are again making their presence known but this month they'll play the Phillies, Dodgers, and Atlanta, so they better be ready for that lineup of teams.

Bring it on Mets, were gonna take you to baseball school this weekend at CBP!

Phils need fans to support them hugely when they return to CBP

This weekend series with the Mets is one that the NY fans can't wait for. I heard the NY sports radio this afternoon before the Mets game with Pittsburgh and the announcers were salivating on facing this Phillies team that has resembled a sick whale at times. Sometimes the whale seemed like it was going to get better, and then it would look worse at times. This road trip and previous home stand has seen the Phillies look about as bad as they could look in two weeks time.

From all of this negativity, is there any good that can happen over it all? Of course there is! The team can start pitching again and the hitters can return to the lineup this weekend and all is forgotten. If anything this is a weekend that may tell a story at which direction the Phils may be headed in after the break.

One thing we can do as fans when the Phillies come home is to support them wholeheartedly. Let's turn their boos that they got on the road to cheers and welcome the team home warmly. There's no place like home.... there's no place like home ......