Game Recap:
Jamie Moyer had the worst start of his career as the Red Sox jumped all over the Phillies in the first game of their weekend series in Boston.
What went right?
You know what? When you lose by ten runs, nothing went right. This is getting ridiculous now.
What went wrong?
Chase Utley went 0-2 before leaving the game.
The Phillies managed ten hits, but only two runs.
The Phillies left seven men on base.
Jamie Moyer didn't make it out of the second inning, allowing nine runs on nine hits in an inning of work. He walked one and struck out one.
David Herndon didn't do much better, giving up three runs on six hits in 3.2 innings. He didn't walk anyone, and struck out one.
Game Analysis:
Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the Phillies came out last night and laid this egg. Jamie Moyer gave up five runs in the first inning, four runs in the second, and it was all downhill from there. The Red Sox used Moyer as a batting practice pitcher last night, knocking him all over Fenway Park in the worst loss that the Phils have suffered this season.
I wish there was a way to put a silver lining on this game, but there's not, there really isn't. Moyer had been one of the best stories in the National League this year, but when put against an American League lineup, he looked like a 47 year old pitcher out there. None of his pitches were as sharp as they had been the rest of the year, and when he left something across the plate, Boston's hitters didn't miss. It looked like he might be able to get out of trouble in the first inning, but the middle of the Red Sox lineup punished him then, and in the second inning, too. All in all, it was the worst start in Moyer's 24 year career, and hopefully something that won't happen again.
As they have for the last month, the offense struggled again, this time against John Lackey. Though the Phils managed ten hits last night against Boston, they couldn't get more than two runs to score, and by the time that they did, the game was already decided. There's nothing else to be said about this offense right now. They need to get their act together, and it needed to happen about a week ago. This team isn't hitting when they need to, and it's resulting in a lot of embarrassing losses at the moment.
A few losses seemed ok when the Phillies were in first place and 11 games over .500. Now, they're in third place and just three games over .500. That's not a good pace right now, especially with the way the rest of the teams in the National League East are playing. Things aren't going to get any easier for the rest of the month, and if they don't end this trip under .500, I would honestly be surprised right now.
Today, the Red Sox series continues. Joe Blanton (1-4, 6.07 ERA) goes for the Phillies and Daisuke Matsuzaka (5-2, 4.59 ERA) is on the mound for Boston.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Seriously? Another shutout?
That's why I didn't want to get too excited about the Phillies putting up 10 runs the other night. With Josh Johnson pitching last night, the chances of that number dropping back down were very high, though I didn't think that they would be shutout...again.
It was a rematch of Roy Halladay's perfect game from two weeks ago, but this time, it was Johnson that got the win. Halladay pitched great, allowing just one one on six hits, and he struck out eight. It wasn't enough, though. The Phillies went right back into that offensive funk that they've been in for three weeks now. It's been the worst stretch of baseball for this team in about three years, and something has to be done to get them out of it.
That's all this recap is going to be today. I'm not going to spend my time talking about the Phillies getting shutout for the seventh time in 21 games. That's one-third of the games that they've played since they beat Pittsburgh 12-2. Tonight, things don't get any easier as they travel up to Boston for a rematch with the Red Sox. Jamie Moyer (6-5, 3.98 ERA) pitches for the Phils, and John Lackey (6-3, 4.72 ERA) goes for Boston.
It was a rematch of Roy Halladay's perfect game from two weeks ago, but this time, it was Johnson that got the win. Halladay pitched great, allowing just one one on six hits, and he struck out eight. It wasn't enough, though. The Phillies went right back into that offensive funk that they've been in for three weeks now. It's been the worst stretch of baseball for this team in about three years, and something has to be done to get them out of it.
That's all this recap is going to be today. I'm not going to spend my time talking about the Phillies getting shutout for the seventh time in 21 games. That's one-third of the games that they've played since they beat Pittsburgh 12-2. Tonight, things don't get any easier as they travel up to Boston for a rematch with the Red Sox. Jamie Moyer (6-5, 3.98 ERA) pitches for the Phils, and John Lackey (6-3, 4.72 ERA) goes for Boston.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
That's how it ends....
I've written about the end of the NFL Playoffs, the NBA season and the World Series, but nothing is like writing about the end of the Stanley Cup Finals when your team is involved. Tonight, the Flyers tried as hard as they could to stay alive and force a Game 7, but that just wasn't in the cards, at least not this time. Chicago seemed to outpace them at key moments, and Patrick Kane finished off the season, and the series with a goal to give the Blackhawks their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.
For the Flyers, it's a tough pill to swallow, especially after everything that they've been through this season. After John Stevens was fired in November, the Flyers were expected to pull right through, but instead suffered a 2-8 stretch that made people think if they had made the right choice. Peter Laviolette brought this team together and made them think that they were something else. Despite Ray Emery being lost for the season, the Flyers worked around that, instead forming around Michael Leighton and former starter Brian Boucher. When Leighton got hurt in March, Boucher stepped in, and while he didn't do much, he did enough when it mattered, including a season extending save against the Rangers in a shootout to put the Flyers into the playoffs. That's where the fun really began.
The one team that the Flyers wanted to play in the first round was the New Jersey Devils. They had dominated them during the regular season, but the playoffs were supposed to be different. It didn't matter, as Philadelphia took care of New Jersey in five games. Then came the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and the Flyers wasted little time in getting knocked down in three straight games against the Boston Bruins. Somehow, against all odds, the Flyers came back. An overtime win in Game 4 allowed Game 5 to happen, and when Brian Boucher got hurt, Michael Leighton stepped back in and kept Boston from winning that night. After a Game 6 win, the Flyers came back from a 3-0 hole in Game 7 to win the series and become the first team since 1975 to come back from a 3-0 hole in the NHL playoffs.
Right then, you knew something was happening, you just weren't sure what it was. The Flyers took on the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals, and despite having home ice, Philadelphia was the underdog. Montreal had come back from 3-1 and 3-2 holes against the top team in the Eastern Conference and the defending Stanley Cup Champions, so something had to give against the Flyers. What gave was Montreal's defense, which couldn't take the Philadelphia attack. The Flyers won in five games, and somehow, this team, which had 88 points for the entire season, was headed to the Stanley Cup Finals.
That's where this dream ends. After winning two games in a row to force a Game 5, the Flyers ran into a desperate Chicago team. The Blackhawks looked like the better team in each of the last two games, winning 7-4 in Game 5 and then 4-3 in overtime in Game 6. To be honest, the Blackhawks looked like they had fresher legs in the last two games, which may be a testament to how many games the Flyers had to play just to get to the Finals. I'm not taking anything away from the Blackhawks. I wouldn't do that. I'm just saying that the Flyers played a lot of games to get to where they did this year.
Now, the season is over. The Flyers are out of games to play, and the Blackhawks are raising the Stanley Cup. That's not to say that this season was a waste. How many people thought that the Flyers would even make it to the Stanley Cup Finals? While the site Whatifsports.com picked the winner of the Stanley Cup once it got that far, they had the Flyers with a .15% chance to make it to the Conference Finals. That's a 15 in 1,000 chance to get as far as they did, and they didn't even have a percentage to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. That tells you how unlikely this run was, and I'll love this team forever because of it.
With everything in mind, this Flyers team is the most memorable that I've ever seen. This group is better that the 1997 team, the 2000 team or the 2004 team. This team had something that none of those groups did, and that was the willingness to continue through anything. Chris Pronger brought that to this group, as did Ian Laperriere, who was willing to take a puck to the face for the sake of the team. That is what the Flyers have been missing over the past few years. They've been missing the heart in the key moments. Tonight, they didn't quite have it, but if they can get a goalie that can start every night, then this team is going to compete for a Stanley Cup next year.
Michael Leighton, as good as he was during the regular and post-season, wasn't good enough when he had to be. He let in soft goals and couldn't keep Chicago from scoring in the clutch. Leighton makes a great backup, but nothing else. With Emery possibly out for his career, the Flyers need someone that can mind the net for a full season without giving in. They don't have that goalie yet, and Leighton's play during the Finals let's me know that the Flyers are missing that one piece. Everything else seems like it's there, but the goalie is missing. They have to do something about that. The fact of the matter is that the Flyers made it to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals without a number one goalie, and, if they can work on that during the offseason, then they should be fine for next year.
Until then, at least this beats losing to the Penguins.
For the Flyers, it's a tough pill to swallow, especially after everything that they've been through this season. After John Stevens was fired in November, the Flyers were expected to pull right through, but instead suffered a 2-8 stretch that made people think if they had made the right choice. Peter Laviolette brought this team together and made them think that they were something else. Despite Ray Emery being lost for the season, the Flyers worked around that, instead forming around Michael Leighton and former starter Brian Boucher. When Leighton got hurt in March, Boucher stepped in, and while he didn't do much, he did enough when it mattered, including a season extending save against the Rangers in a shootout to put the Flyers into the playoffs. That's where the fun really began.
The one team that the Flyers wanted to play in the first round was the New Jersey Devils. They had dominated them during the regular season, but the playoffs were supposed to be different. It didn't matter, as Philadelphia took care of New Jersey in five games. Then came the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and the Flyers wasted little time in getting knocked down in three straight games against the Boston Bruins. Somehow, against all odds, the Flyers came back. An overtime win in Game 4 allowed Game 5 to happen, and when Brian Boucher got hurt, Michael Leighton stepped back in and kept Boston from winning that night. After a Game 6 win, the Flyers came back from a 3-0 hole in Game 7 to win the series and become the first team since 1975 to come back from a 3-0 hole in the NHL playoffs.
Right then, you knew something was happening, you just weren't sure what it was. The Flyers took on the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals, and despite having home ice, Philadelphia was the underdog. Montreal had come back from 3-1 and 3-2 holes against the top team in the Eastern Conference and the defending Stanley Cup Champions, so something had to give against the Flyers. What gave was Montreal's defense, which couldn't take the Philadelphia attack. The Flyers won in five games, and somehow, this team, which had 88 points for the entire season, was headed to the Stanley Cup Finals.
That's where this dream ends. After winning two games in a row to force a Game 5, the Flyers ran into a desperate Chicago team. The Blackhawks looked like the better team in each of the last two games, winning 7-4 in Game 5 and then 4-3 in overtime in Game 6. To be honest, the Blackhawks looked like they had fresher legs in the last two games, which may be a testament to how many games the Flyers had to play just to get to the Finals. I'm not taking anything away from the Blackhawks. I wouldn't do that. I'm just saying that the Flyers played a lot of games to get to where they did this year.
Now, the season is over. The Flyers are out of games to play, and the Blackhawks are raising the Stanley Cup. That's not to say that this season was a waste. How many people thought that the Flyers would even make it to the Stanley Cup Finals? While the site Whatifsports.com picked the winner of the Stanley Cup once it got that far, they had the Flyers with a .15% chance to make it to the Conference Finals. That's a 15 in 1,000 chance to get as far as they did, and they didn't even have a percentage to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. That tells you how unlikely this run was, and I'll love this team forever because of it.
With everything in mind, this Flyers team is the most memorable that I've ever seen. This group is better that the 1997 team, the 2000 team or the 2004 team. This team had something that none of those groups did, and that was the willingness to continue through anything. Chris Pronger brought that to this group, as did Ian Laperriere, who was willing to take a puck to the face for the sake of the team. That is what the Flyers have been missing over the past few years. They've been missing the heart in the key moments. Tonight, they didn't quite have it, but if they can get a goalie that can start every night, then this team is going to compete for a Stanley Cup next year.
Michael Leighton, as good as he was during the regular and post-season, wasn't good enough when he had to be. He let in soft goals and couldn't keep Chicago from scoring in the clutch. Leighton makes a great backup, but nothing else. With Emery possibly out for his career, the Flyers need someone that can mind the net for a full season without giving in. They don't have that goalie yet, and Leighton's play during the Finals let's me know that the Flyers are missing that one piece. Everything else seems like it's there, but the goalie is missing. They have to do something about that. The fact of the matter is that the Flyers made it to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals without a number one goalie, and, if they can work on that during the offseason, then they should be fine for next year.
Until then, at least this beats losing to the Penguins.
No Phillies game tonight, but at least there's something else to watch
In case you didn't notice, the Phillies game against the Marlins tonight has been postponed due to rain. I'm guessing that Roy Halladay is going to get the nod to pitch tomorrow night, and everyone else will be moved back a day. There's no full recap of last night's game, save for the fact that it actually felt like I was watching the Phillies from 2008 again last night. They came through with clutch hits, and even though Brad Lidge got into some trouble in the ninth, he pitched his way out of it, just like he did two years ago.
It's progress, but nothing else. Not yet anyway. Let's see the Phils put a few more of these games together before everyone says that their offense is back. Nothing is set in stone yet.
Speaking of which, there's something else to watch tonight in Philadelphia. The season is on the line as the Flyers take on the Blackhawks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers can't let Chicago take the Stanley Cup on home ice...it just can't happen. So, everyone get on their orange and black, and LET'S GO FLYERS!!!
It's progress, but nothing else. Not yet anyway. Let's see the Phils put a few more of these games together before everyone says that their offense is back. Nothing is set in stone yet.
Speaking of which, there's something else to watch tonight in Philadelphia. The season is on the line as the Flyers take on the Blackhawks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers can't let Chicago take the Stanley Cup on home ice...it just can't happen. So, everyone get on their orange and black, and LET'S GO FLYERS!!!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Phillies Recap: Padres-3, Phillies-1
Game Recap:
Cole Hamels pitched six no-hit innings, but allowed back to back home runs in the seventh, and that was enough for the Padres to split this four game series with the Phils.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 2-4.
Placido Polanco went 2-4 with a run scored.
Ryan Howard was 1-3 with the only RBI for the Phillies.
Cole Hamels pitched eight solid innings, but got hit with the loss. He allowed two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out six.
What went wrong?
Chase Utley was 0-4.
Jayson Werth went 0-4 and grounded into a bases loaded double play in the first inning.
Carlos Ruiz went 0-3.
Danys Baez continued to exist and allowed Adrian Gonzalez's second home run of the game in the ninth inning.
Game Analysis:
Just went you think the Phillies are out of their offensive slump, they go and fall right back into their old habits. In their last 19 games, the Phils are 6-13, have been shutout six times and have scored one run or fewer ten times. This is not the same team that was taking apart the National League just a month ago, and it's really starting to wear on everybody at this point.
I don't know what's gotten into this offense, hell, I don't think that anyone does. However, no one is hitting when they have to, and when this team has been getting chances to jump on pitchers, they haven't done it. Last night, Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco led off the game with hits. After Ryan Howard walked, the Phils had the bases loaded with one out and Jayson Werth coming to the plate. At this point last month, Werth hits a bases clearing double to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead and rattles San Diego pitcher Wade LeBlanc. Last night, Werth grounded into an around the horn double play that finished the inning. LeBlanc would only allow two other baserunners after the first, and would retire the Phillies in order from the fourth inning through the seventh.
It sounds like a broken record now, but the Phillies wasted another great effort by one of their starting pitchers. Cole Hamels looked great last night, no-hitting San Diego through six innings before giving up back to back homeruns to start the seventh. Aside from those two at-bats, Hamels looked every bit like the pitcher he was back in 2008 and it does seem like he's starting to turn the corner back in that direction again. The only problem is that the offense doesn't want to help him out at all. He's lost his last three starts and the Phillies have scored four total runs in those games. You can't be wasting efforts by any pitcher, but especially a pitcher like Hamels, who has shown in the past that he can break down a little if he's not getting run support. All that this is going to do is make him put more pressure on himself, which is going to lead to more mistakes and then turn into last season for Hamels all over again. The Phillies can't let that happen, not when Hamels is actually pitching well again.
There's no quick answer for how to fix this problem. There's no way to just shuffle everyone out of the lineup for a day and see what happens, and the status quo right now isn't doing anything, either. Charlie Manuel has got to come up with some sort of plan to get this team scoring runs again, and fast. This slump is getting close to being a month long at this point, and even though the National League East is very tight right now, the Phils can't afford to fall too far back.
Tonight, the Florida Marlins come into town for the start of a three game series. Kyle Kendrick (3-2, 4.62 ERA) will go for the Phils, and Chris Volstad (3-6, 4.08 ERA) is on the mound for the Marlins.
Cole Hamels pitched six no-hit innings, but allowed back to back home runs in the seventh, and that was enough for the Padres to split this four game series with the Phils.
What went right?
Shane Victorino was 2-4.
Placido Polanco went 2-4 with a run scored.
Ryan Howard was 1-3 with the only RBI for the Phillies.
Cole Hamels pitched eight solid innings, but got hit with the loss. He allowed two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out six.
What went wrong?
Chase Utley was 0-4.
Jayson Werth went 0-4 and grounded into a bases loaded double play in the first inning.
Carlos Ruiz went 0-3.
Danys Baez continued to exist and allowed Adrian Gonzalez's second home run of the game in the ninth inning.
Game Analysis:
Just went you think the Phillies are out of their offensive slump, they go and fall right back into their old habits. In their last 19 games, the Phils are 6-13, have been shutout six times and have scored one run or fewer ten times. This is not the same team that was taking apart the National League just a month ago, and it's really starting to wear on everybody at this point.
I don't know what's gotten into this offense, hell, I don't think that anyone does. However, no one is hitting when they have to, and when this team has been getting chances to jump on pitchers, they haven't done it. Last night, Shane Victorino and Placido Polanco led off the game with hits. After Ryan Howard walked, the Phils had the bases loaded with one out and Jayson Werth coming to the plate. At this point last month, Werth hits a bases clearing double to give the Phillies a 3-0 lead and rattles San Diego pitcher Wade LeBlanc. Last night, Werth grounded into an around the horn double play that finished the inning. LeBlanc would only allow two other baserunners after the first, and would retire the Phillies in order from the fourth inning through the seventh.
It sounds like a broken record now, but the Phillies wasted another great effort by one of their starting pitchers. Cole Hamels looked great last night, no-hitting San Diego through six innings before giving up back to back homeruns to start the seventh. Aside from those two at-bats, Hamels looked every bit like the pitcher he was back in 2008 and it does seem like he's starting to turn the corner back in that direction again. The only problem is that the offense doesn't want to help him out at all. He's lost his last three starts and the Phillies have scored four total runs in those games. You can't be wasting efforts by any pitcher, but especially a pitcher like Hamels, who has shown in the past that he can break down a little if he's not getting run support. All that this is going to do is make him put more pressure on himself, which is going to lead to more mistakes and then turn into last season for Hamels all over again. The Phillies can't let that happen, not when Hamels is actually pitching well again.
There's no quick answer for how to fix this problem. There's no way to just shuffle everyone out of the lineup for a day and see what happens, and the status quo right now isn't doing anything, either. Charlie Manuel has got to come up with some sort of plan to get this team scoring runs again, and fast. This slump is getting close to being a month long at this point, and even though the National League East is very tight right now, the Phils can't afford to fall too far back.
Tonight, the Florida Marlins come into town for the start of a three game series. Kyle Kendrick (3-2, 4.62 ERA) will go for the Phils, and Chris Volstad (3-6, 4.08 ERA) is on the mound for the Marlins.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Ok, that was ugly.
Wow, did anyone expect Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals to be like that? After pushing Chicago around for two games in Philadelphia, the Flyers went back to the United Center with a chance to take a series lead before Game 6 in the Wachovia Center...and promptly laid an egg. Poor goaltending, awful defense and just a general lack of solid play doomed the Flyers last night, and now they face the possibility of the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup in Philadelphia.
Michael Leighton played possibly his best game of the Finals in Game 4, and followed it up with his worst showing yet. Despite being the only reason why the Flyers weren't down by maybe six goals at the end of the first, he did let three pucks past him, and he should have been able to stop the first two. He was pulled after the first period, and Brian Boucher came in. The only problem was that he didn't fare that much better, allowing three goals of his own before the Blackhawks scored an empty net goal for the final 7-4 score. The goalies have had more trouble in this series than they did against any team in the Eastern Conference, but that was to be expected. Chicago is a much better team than any the Flyers faced on their way here. Through the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Flyers were able to mask the fact that their goalie position is still a spot of weakness, but now it's being exposed again. Leighton has been pulled from two games, and Boucher hasn't been that effective when he's come in.
It wasn't all Leighton or Boucher's fault last night, though. The defense in front of them was totally horrible. After keeping Chicago's top line from doing much during the entire series, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville mixed up his lines, and the result was something that the Flyers couldn't stop. Chris Pronger, who had been so effective during the series so far, was a minus-5 last night on the ice, and was bowled over by Dustin Byfuglien on a huge hit. The Chicago big man finally looked like the player people were raving about during the Western Conference Playoffs, putting in two goals and helping out with two assists as well. Patrick Kane also added his second goal of the Finals, and while Jonathan Toews was kept out of the net, he chipped in with an assist on Byfuglien's first goal of the game.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia top line was still unable to get anything going. Simon Gagne added a late goal, but Mike Richards and Jeff Carter could do nothing the entire game. Something has to change with that going into Game 6 on Wednesday, because the Flyers can't afford to put all the pressure on the Ville Leino-Danny Briere-Claude Giroux line. That line's been solid as a rock during the Finals, but the Blackhawks are working to stop them and put the pressure on the rest of the team to get the job done. If they can do that in Game 6, the Flyers had better hope that their top line can come through in a big way.
The entire story of the game was that first period. The Blackhawks came out and looked like a different team last night. They were faster, played better and looked like the best team in the NHL. Michael Leighton did all he could, but in a six minute span, Chicago scored three times. The Flyers kept trying to crawl back into the game, but each time they got close, the Blackhawks had another goal waiting. It was the mirror image of Games 3 and 4, when Philadelphia was able to keep the Blackhawks back with answers each time they threatened.
Now, it comes down to this. The Flyers are a loss away from having their season over, and the Blackhawks are a win away from clinching their first Stanley Cup since JFK was in office. To stop them, the Flyers have to win Game 6 in Philadelphia, and then take Game 7 back in Chicago. It's a tall order, especially for a team that's given it their all so far during these playoffs. After laying such a big egg last night, the Flyers have to come out with a fire inside of them for Game 6. If they don't, then there's no need to worry about a Game 7. Wednesday night, we find out if this team has one more back from the dead moment in them.
Michael Leighton played possibly his best game of the Finals in Game 4, and followed it up with his worst showing yet. Despite being the only reason why the Flyers weren't down by maybe six goals at the end of the first, he did let three pucks past him, and he should have been able to stop the first two. He was pulled after the first period, and Brian Boucher came in. The only problem was that he didn't fare that much better, allowing three goals of his own before the Blackhawks scored an empty net goal for the final 7-4 score. The goalies have had more trouble in this series than they did against any team in the Eastern Conference, but that was to be expected. Chicago is a much better team than any the Flyers faced on their way here. Through the Eastern Conference Playoffs, the Flyers were able to mask the fact that their goalie position is still a spot of weakness, but now it's being exposed again. Leighton has been pulled from two games, and Boucher hasn't been that effective when he's come in.
It wasn't all Leighton or Boucher's fault last night, though. The defense in front of them was totally horrible. After keeping Chicago's top line from doing much during the entire series, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville mixed up his lines, and the result was something that the Flyers couldn't stop. Chris Pronger, who had been so effective during the series so far, was a minus-5 last night on the ice, and was bowled over by Dustin Byfuglien on a huge hit. The Chicago big man finally looked like the player people were raving about during the Western Conference Playoffs, putting in two goals and helping out with two assists as well. Patrick Kane also added his second goal of the Finals, and while Jonathan Toews was kept out of the net, he chipped in with an assist on Byfuglien's first goal of the game.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia top line was still unable to get anything going. Simon Gagne added a late goal, but Mike Richards and Jeff Carter could do nothing the entire game. Something has to change with that going into Game 6 on Wednesday, because the Flyers can't afford to put all the pressure on the Ville Leino-Danny Briere-Claude Giroux line. That line's been solid as a rock during the Finals, but the Blackhawks are working to stop them and put the pressure on the rest of the team to get the job done. If they can do that in Game 6, the Flyers had better hope that their top line can come through in a big way.
The entire story of the game was that first period. The Blackhawks came out and looked like a different team last night. They were faster, played better and looked like the best team in the NHL. Michael Leighton did all he could, but in a six minute span, Chicago scored three times. The Flyers kept trying to crawl back into the game, but each time they got close, the Blackhawks had another goal waiting. It was the mirror image of Games 3 and 4, when Philadelphia was able to keep the Blackhawks back with answers each time they threatened.
Now, it comes down to this. The Flyers are a loss away from having their season over, and the Blackhawks are a win away from clinching their first Stanley Cup since JFK was in office. To stop them, the Flyers have to win Game 6 in Philadelphia, and then take Game 7 back in Chicago. It's a tall order, especially for a team that's given it their all so far during these playoffs. After laying such a big egg last night, the Flyers have to come out with a fire inside of them for Game 6. If they don't, then there's no need to worry about a Game 7. Wednesday night, we find out if this team has one more back from the dead moment in them.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Phillies Recap: Padres-6, Phillies-5
Game Recap:
The Phillies left 15 men on base as Joe Blanton had another rough outing today. They dropped their first game of the season to the San Diego Padres in 10 innings.
What went right?
Placido Polanco went 3-5 with two RBI.
Ryan Howard was 2-6 with three RBI, but he also struck out three times.
Brian Schneider was 2-4.
Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth inning to give the Phillies a chance in the bottom of the inning.
What went wrong?
Raul Ibanez went 0-4.
The Phillies went 3-15 with runners in scoring position and left 15 men on base.
Joe Blanton had his worst outing of the year, allowing five runs on 11 hits in just five innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.
Danys Baez pitched the tenth inning, and got tagged with the loss. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk.
Game Analysis:
At least the offense is starting to come around again. Even though the Phillies left 15 men on base today, they did have 11 hits and seven walks. The only good thing about leaving that many men on base is that they were out there to begin with. It's baby steps for the Phils right now, who have scored more than five runs in back to back games for the first time in over two weeks. Just seeing this team come back together at the plate is a good thing, and hopefully Jimmy Rollins can return soon to give them an extra lift.
That's not to say things are back to where they need to be. It's not even close right now. Chase Utley is hitting .265 on the season, Jayson Werth is down to .284 and Raul Ibanez is the worst of the bunch, coming in at .229. At least the Phils are starting to hit again, but until they can get all of those guys back to at least close to where they need to be, this offense isn't going to be at 100%. They need to pick up their games and not miss key chances to drive in runs. They all had shots today, but none of them could get anything done when they needed to. That's what has been the downfall of this team when they've lost in recent seasons, and while it's nice to be scoring runs again, it's not good to be leaving runs on the bases.
Unfortunately, leaving men on base was not the biggest problem today. That little nod falls on Joe Blanton, who hasn't looked one bit like the player that he's been for the Phillies over the past two seasons. Some of that might have to do with his injury, but if he's hurt, he shouldn't be out there. He's not doing the team any favors, especially when he's giving up five runs and 11 hits in just five innings. Those aren't good numbers for nine innings of work, and his season ERA is now above 6.00. I like Joe Blanton, I really do, but numbers like that aren't going to make people happy, and considering the contract that he signed in the offseason, he's going to start hearing it from people very soon. Right now, Blanton is the worst pitcher in the starting rotation. Everyone else, including Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick, have looked sharp lately, but Blanton has just been...there. It's not good, not at all.
Something has to be done with Blanton at this point. Whether it's another trip onto the disabled list, a change in his delivery or a quick trip down to AAA, something has to happen. He's not pitching well enough to win games. It might still be his Spring Training out there, I get that, but the Phillies aren't in a position right now to have him pitch like this every five games. They're going to lose that game, more often than not, and then that's going to push them even further back. Joe, you've been so good for this team since you got here, but something has to give right now.
Tomorrow, the Phillies go for the series win against the Padres. Cole Hamels (5-4, 4.20 ERA) goes up against Wade LeBlanc (2-4, 3.67 ERA).
The Phillies left 15 men on base as Joe Blanton had another rough outing today. They dropped their first game of the season to the San Diego Padres in 10 innings.
What went right?
Placido Polanco went 3-5 with two RBI.
Ryan Howard was 2-6 with three RBI, but he also struck out three times.
Brian Schneider was 2-4.
Brad Lidge pitched a perfect ninth inning to give the Phillies a chance in the bottom of the inning.
What went wrong?
Raul Ibanez went 0-4.
The Phillies went 3-15 with runners in scoring position and left 15 men on base.
Joe Blanton had his worst outing of the year, allowing five runs on 11 hits in just five innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.
Danys Baez pitched the tenth inning, and got tagged with the loss. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk.
Game Analysis:
At least the offense is starting to come around again. Even though the Phillies left 15 men on base today, they did have 11 hits and seven walks. The only good thing about leaving that many men on base is that they were out there to begin with. It's baby steps for the Phils right now, who have scored more than five runs in back to back games for the first time in over two weeks. Just seeing this team come back together at the plate is a good thing, and hopefully Jimmy Rollins can return soon to give them an extra lift.
That's not to say things are back to where they need to be. It's not even close right now. Chase Utley is hitting .265 on the season, Jayson Werth is down to .284 and Raul Ibanez is the worst of the bunch, coming in at .229. At least the Phils are starting to hit again, but until they can get all of those guys back to at least close to where they need to be, this offense isn't going to be at 100%. They need to pick up their games and not miss key chances to drive in runs. They all had shots today, but none of them could get anything done when they needed to. That's what has been the downfall of this team when they've lost in recent seasons, and while it's nice to be scoring runs again, it's not good to be leaving runs on the bases.
Unfortunately, leaving men on base was not the biggest problem today. That little nod falls on Joe Blanton, who hasn't looked one bit like the player that he's been for the Phillies over the past two seasons. Some of that might have to do with his injury, but if he's hurt, he shouldn't be out there. He's not doing the team any favors, especially when he's giving up five runs and 11 hits in just five innings. Those aren't good numbers for nine innings of work, and his season ERA is now above 6.00. I like Joe Blanton, I really do, but numbers like that aren't going to make people happy, and considering the contract that he signed in the offseason, he's going to start hearing it from people very soon. Right now, Blanton is the worst pitcher in the starting rotation. Everyone else, including Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick, have looked sharp lately, but Blanton has just been...there. It's not good, not at all.
Something has to be done with Blanton at this point. Whether it's another trip onto the disabled list, a change in his delivery or a quick trip down to AAA, something has to happen. He's not pitching well enough to win games. It might still be his Spring Training out there, I get that, but the Phillies aren't in a position right now to have him pitch like this every five games. They're going to lose that game, more often than not, and then that's going to push them even further back. Joe, you've been so good for this team since you got here, but something has to give right now.
Tomorrow, the Phillies go for the series win against the Padres. Cole Hamels (5-4, 4.20 ERA) goes up against Wade LeBlanc (2-4, 3.67 ERA).
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