According to ESPN.com Here's a chance to buy tickets to a guaranteed perfect game -- the one Roy Halladay already threw.The Florida Marlins will begin selling on Tuesday unused tickets to the game in which the Philadelphia Phillies ace pitched the 20th perfect game in major league history, a 1-0 victory over the Marlins on Saturday. All tickets will be regularly priced at "face value" and on sale both online and through the Marlins' box office. Paid attendance that night was about 25,000, a relatively large crowd for a Marlins' home game. By comparison, Florida drew a paid crowd of 10,115 -- its smallest of the season -- for Monday's game against Milwaukee.
My Fellow Phans,
As promised, here is my breakdown of how bad this slump for the Phillies truly is. Last night and early this morning, I began working on this piece; sifting through stats of offensive numbers from the Phillies and other teams this year since stats are kind of my thing. Yes, I know I’m a nerd and have come to accept that. Anyways, what I have done is look at stats and try to put a little idea of just how bad this slump is for the Phillies. People have been telling me I am too hard on the Phillies, but hopefully this will put a little better perspective on how alarming this slump should be to us phans.
So without further adieu, I begin my breakdown:
In the last 7 days, the Phillies have:
- Scored the least amount of any team in baseball, not a surprise there
- Somehow have just the 3rd worst batting average hitting slightly under the Mendoza line.
- Are the only team to NOT hit a home run during that span. Never thought you would say that huh?
- Have amounted the least amount of total bases and the second lowest total of hits.
- Ironically enough have a 2.88 ERA during that span, although it doesn’t seem like it when the offense has done absolutely nothing.
Taking that lack of production in the last week into better perspective:
- Their 4 runs in their last 6 games is less runs scored then the Philadelphia Flyers scored in game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals (5)
- During this last weekend (3 games), 27 of the 29 teams outscored the Phillies in their last 6 games.
- Of those 27 teams, 26 of them scored more or as many runs in a single game this weekend then the Phillies have done so in the last week.
- 5 of those 27 teams outscored the Phillies in each of their 3 games this weekend.
- The Phillies haven’t hit a home run in over 50 innings; 26 teams hit a home run in this weekend alone.
The Phillies have scored just 11 runs in their last 9 games:
- 22 major league teams outscored the Phillies in their last 9 games last weekend alone.
- 6 teams scored as many as or more runs then the Phillies have in a single game last weekend.
Synopsis: The Phillies are in a series slump. Although slump may be too nice of a word to use at the point; I honestly cannot say what we could do to break out of it. Regardless, we need to wake up and do it soon.
- Johnny S.
My Fellow Phans,
So I am going to do this new preview just a little bit differently then I have in the past. I will give the probables, but instead of breaking down each individual dream, I will provide an overall synopsis of the games after listing the three probable starters. Let me know if you like this way better than the old way:
Phillies @ Braves Series: May 31st – June 2nd :
Monday: Joe Blanton (1-3 5.63) vs. Tommy Hanson (4-3 4.06)
Tuesday: Cole Hamels (5-3 3.82) vs. Tim Hudson (5-1 2.24)
Wednesday: Kyle Kendrick (3-2 5.04) vs. Derek Lowe (7-4 4.86)
Synopsis: Going into this series, it looks like it has a chance to be a very well pitched and played series. However, we said the same thing going into the last series. Even though the Phillies won the last series, they are far from breaking out of their offensive slump, although using the term “slump” may be giving this lineup too much credit at this point.
Honestly, I am worried at what these three Braves’ starters can do to us. These three usually present series problems for us when we are healthy and actually hitting the ball; I am kind of the worried about the potential feasting they may do on our struggling batting order. The Phillies’ three starters are all pitching relatively well *knocks on wood* so it should be a good pitched series. However, as I said with my last preview, there is no chance of the Phillies to win squat unless they start scoring runs.
The Braves are a hot team having won 5 games in a row and 8 of 10. This is the battle for first place as the Braves sit just .5 games behind us in the standings. If the Phillies do not want to drop out of the top spot in the division, they better do something and do it now.
So, I’m going to attempt a reverse black cat here, as people to seem to always prove me wrong; especially with my baseball predictions. I am going to say that the Phillies have no chance of winning this series with all that has been said. The Braves are hot, playing and pitching well. Meanwhile the Phillies are struggling to swing the bats and do anything at the plate. Braves’ pitching will feast on the Phillies and they will take over first place, at least for now, in the East.
I hope they prove me wrong, they have done so, so many times in the past and I really, truly hope they prove me wrong here.
Note: How bad this “slump” is the Phillies are in? Stay tuned for my next post as I break it down statistically and show just how bad this is getting for our hometown boys.
- Johnny S.
My Fellow Phans,
Firstly, I would like to offer big congratulations to our ace Roy Halladay on his perfect game Saturday night. It may have been the single, greatest pitching performance that I have had the privilege of witnessing during my entire all my years as a baseball fan.
I promised I would get back to my comments on this perfect game and here I am. It is not every day that one witnesses perfection and, when one does, it should be treasured. When asked about it, Halladay redirected the credit to his catch, Carlos Ruiz. With that thinking in mind, let’s look at and give credit to all who made this perfection possible:
Of course, Roy Halladay is the pitcher behind this mastery. His pinpoint control is the reason we are sitting here talking about a start that will probably be remembered here in Philly for a very long time.
Ruiz was the battery mate of Halladay all night and helped call the perfect game. Each pitch he called had a purpose and his game calling was right on the post every single time. Nice going Chooch.
Credit should also be given to all Phillies’ fielders, but especially infielders Wilson Valdez and Juan Castro who both made some amazing plays to back up the big man in his perfect efforts including a couple superb plays in the last two innings on some tough hit ground balls.
We cannot forget the efforts of Marlins’ centerfielder Cameron Maybin, whose error on Utley’s liner allowed Valdez to score with the only run of the ball game. If that run doesn’t score, we don’t know where the game may have gone. Maybin may have done more to help Halladay achieve this perfection then any Phillie really did. I mean without his error, we sit at 0-0 in the 10th inning and the perfect game is more than likely gone.
Don’t forget home plate umpire Mike Dimuro who kept a consistent strike zone throughout the entire game which helped Roy Halladay strike out 11 Marlins hitters during his perfection. All a pitcher asks for is a strike zone that is the same in the 9th as it was in the 1st; he kept is consistent and that always helps out a starter.
In short, it was a perfect evening. Halladay may not take the credit, but he deserves all the credit in the world for what he did. I salute you Roy Halladay on being the most humble perfect game pitcher I have ever known. It was the best game in what has been a long week for the Phillies. Here’s hoping that the Phillies have a better week.
- Johnny S.
My Fellow Phans,The Phillies were shut out again today by the Florida Marlins. This marks the 5th time in 8 games that the Phillies have been shut out. The only game in the last 6 where the Phillies had scored an earned run was Friday night when they came through with a 3-2 victory. Saturday’s perfect game by Roy Halladay ended in a 1-0 Phillies victory while the only run being scored on an error by the Marlins making it over 18 innings since the Phillies have scored an earned run.
This recent slide has had nearly every Phillies fan shaking their head in confusion. How could a team with this much talent on paper in their lineup possibly go into a slump this horrible. How could every player in their lineup seem to struggle at the exact same time? If anyone can answer this, then you are a smarter man then I.
Some have suggested the loss of Jimmy Rollins in the cause for the Phillies’ struggles. Listen, I know the Phillies are missing Jimmy Rollins, but it’s not like they have not done successfully without him in the lineup in the past. Placido Polanco has also missed games this series which means the Phillies regular top two lineup hitters are missing. This could be a bump in the road to some teams, but you cannot blame all the struggles on injuries. Besides, what does Rollins missing have to do with Chase Utley’s uncharacteristic weak outs at bat to at bat recent or Jayson Werth looking completely lost at the plate striking out in bunches over this past week? Do injuries contribute to Ryan Howard or Carlos Ruiz’s recent loss of patience at the plate?
I think the answers to those questions is no. While it is hard missing the most dynamic player in your lineup, this Phillies lineup has too many stars to go into such a slump. I cannot pinpoint the exact reason for this slump, but the injury to Rollins plays only a small role in it. The Phillies have not been hitting, at all. In the rare occasion when the Phillies get a runner or two on base, they fail to score.
The problem is not so much injuries as the low confidence level. Hitters are trying to do too much at the plate and that is causing a high strikeout total and the over swinging at the plate. Everyone needs to take a step back, clear their heads and understand that there are other players in the lineup willing to pick them up on a day to day basis. Until this happens, Phillies fans could be looking at an even longer drought that is get
- Johnny S.
Coming into a night where runs would be hard to come by; Doc Halladay did his absolute best to make sure the Phillies came out on top. He threw 115 pitches, 72 for strikes, as e breezed through the Marlins’ lineup through all 9 innings. He struck out 11 in his efforts. Halladay’s perfect game was the second perfect game of the season as the Athletics’ Dallas Braden threw a perfect game against the Rays earlier this season.
Doc became the 20th player in Major League history to throw an elusive perfect game. It's the first no-hitter for Philadelphia since Kevin Millwood did it in 2003. The last perfect game by a Phillies pitcher came by Jim Bunning on June 21, 1964
More on this historic night coming later
- Johnny S.
Here is your Phillies / Marlins Preview:
Friday: Kyle Kendrick (2-2 5.66) vs. Chris Volstad (3-5 4.31)
Saturday: Roy Halladay (6-3 2.22) vs. Josh Johnson (5-1 2.43)
Sunday: Jamie Moyer (5-4 4.55) vs. Anibal Sanchez (4-2 3.23)
Note: If the Phillies don’t start scoring runs, they will be swept again.
- Johnny S.
My Fellow Phans,
An issue that I have seen brought up more and more is the issue of recently cut Bat Burrell returning to his former team. As much as I love good ol’ Pat the Bat, there is simply not a place for him on the current roster. We have a solid group of players who each know and have their roles and it is not something that you want to mess with. If someone came to me right now and said that the Phillies were going to sign Burrell, I would ask them to consider a few things before doing so.
The first would be, who is Burrell going to replace on our current roster. Our starting 8 is set when healthy so he would not fit there. Well then who on the bench would he replace?
How about Ben Francisco? Well Ben is an above average backup player who would put up better numbers if he just got more playing time. He could easily be a starter for a number of teams and the Phillies are lucky enough to have him as their 4th outfielder. Plus, Francisco can actually field; Burrell has been reduced to a designated hitter or a pinch hitter on a National League ballclub. Your 4th outfielder needs to be versatile and able to fill it at a moment’s notice; Francisco can do that. Sorry to say that Burrell cannot.
I won’t even suggest him replacing Wilson Valdez or Juan Castro when Jimmy Rollins gets healthy due to the fact that they are our utility infielders and they are invaluable on a Major League Baseball team. Using the same logic, I count Brian Schneider out of this conversation because he is our backup catcher and we need to have a backup for Chooch.
So that leaves out two power lefties off the bench: Ross Gload and Greg Dobbs. Let’s start with Gload. He was simply one of the best pinch hitters in the league last year. Plus, he is arguably your best hitter on the bench. He is also your emergency 5th outfielder and although he is not a traditional outfielder, he still moves better out there then Burrell does. So in short, Gload is too valuable to replace.
That leaves Greg Dobbs. Dobbs is the poor man’s version of Ross Gload. He is left-handed, plays both corner infield spots and the outfield as well. As his offense has struggled this season, as has Burrell’s numbers. While there is a small reason to consider replacing Dobbs with Burrell, I would take his ability to play the field, granted shaky at times, over Burrell’s inability to do much anymore.
In the end it looks like Burrell does not have a place on our bench, unless we decide to drop a reliever and carry fewer pitchers. Why on earth would that even be considered with the number of injuries to our pen already this season? Are Burrell’s numbers this year even good enough to warrant that type of thinking? I really do not think so.
Sorry to say this, but Burrell is not a fit for Philly this season. I love the man and what he helped do for this city, but we have moved on here. You will always be in our hearts Pat, but sadly not on our roster anymore.
Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!!
–Johnny S.
My Fellow Phans,
I have read that Charlie Manuel reportedly held a brief team meeting after their latest shutout loss to their division rival New York Mets. Jayson Werth has gone and shaved off some of his beard. Anything at this point is being attempted to end the Phillies offense woes. Will it work? I guess we will see tonight. How bad is it exactly for the Phillies? Well, they have scored in 1 inning out of the last 37! I guess we should be lucky that Tim Wakefield didn’t pitch that 9th inning on Sunday or this slump may be even worse than it is.
This recent losing streak has brought my attention to several factors. Firstly, I think the Phillies have two glaring weaknesses; Japanese pitchers and Knuckleballers. In Saturday’s one-hit loss, they lost to a pitcher from Japan. Sunday and Tuesdays losses have been at the hands of knuckleballers and the recent loss was at the hands of another Jap. Think I’m crazy? Argue that any pitcher can give us trouble the way we are swinging the bats at the moment? Well that may be true, but the Phillies have a history of struggling against Japanese born pitchers. Remember Hideo Nomo? He threw a career 3.92 ERA against the Phillies. We only hit in the 240s against him!
Nomo is not the worst offender. Does anyone remember Tomo Ohka? You may not, but I do. He was an average pitcher from Japan (4.26 career ERA) who dominated the Phillies start in and start out. A big portion of his major league career was played with the old Expos so he had plenty of chances to face the Phillies. In his career, Ohka went just 5-3 against the Phillies, but his career ERA in that time was a pretty good 2.30. In 2002 alone, he went 4-0 against the Phillies with a sparkling 0.96 ERA. Think Japanese born players are not a trouble for us? Well think again.
As for the knuckleballers; who doesn’t have trouble with them? There is a reason that the pitch is still used – it gets hitter out. The Phillies have faced the only two knuckleballers in baseball in back to back days. Here’s to moving on to normal pitching once again since, as the Phillies have learned for sure in these past two days, the knuckleball is not your average pitch.
Tonight we face a non-Japanese pitcher who doesn’t feature a knuckleballer. Maybe if the cosmos align the right way, we will score a run or two against him; that’s all Phillies fans want right now; to see some sort of offensive life in this struggling team.
Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!!
- Johnny S.
Phillies Achilles Heel
By Kevin K
There have to be teams looking for knuckle ball pitchers now after the Phillies bats have been completely shutdown by the Knuckle ball.
For the first time since April 1983 the Phillies faced two knuckle-ballers in a row (Phil Niekro and Joe Niekro). On Sunday the Phillies were shutdown by Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield and then Tuesday against Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey.
The Phillies bats have been silenced by the Knuckle Ball in the past two games. On Tuesday the Phillies fell to the Mets 8-0 in an embarrassing loss.
Dickey had a career high seven strikeouts in his victory against the Phillies.
The good news for the Phillies is that they are unlikely to face back-to-back knuckle ball pitchers again this season. Heck the last time it happened, as I said, was 1983.
The Phillies bats need to step it up if they want to continue winning and head to their third straight World Series Appearance.
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