Phillies season 8

[Geowhizzer]

Astros
Roger Clemens (11-6, 1.57)
Roy Oswalt (16-11, 2.91)
Andy Pettitte (13-9, 2.50)
Wandy Rodriguez (9-6, 5.94)
Ezequiel Astacio (2-6, 5.96)

Take out Wandy or Zeke and put Backe in..

Went straight from yahoo.  Figures they'd have it screwed up. 

Ahh... just got off the DL:

Brandon Backe (8-7, 4.93), probably in place of Astacio.

[Geowhizzer]

I understand both the Marlins and Astros have better starting pitching staffs than the Phillies. However, if both those teams were any good, they wouldn't be behind the Phillies in the WC chance. Magically, you're offense (Astros dont have it) and bullpen (Marlins dont have it) count for something. The Phillies are neither bad or great in any of those three catogories. That sorta helps them.

Oh, young Grasshopper... your optimism belies your youth. 

[MDS]

I just get to angry and frusturated thinking about this team. So, I just shrug my shoulders and move on to the next day.

[Geowhizzer]

I just get to angry and frusturated thinking about this team. So, I just shrug my shoulders and move on to the next day.

I agree.  I want the Phils to win more than anything short of a Super Bowl victory for the Eagles (and, of course, my family), even just to recapture a taste of the magic that was the 1980 season (or, for you, maybe 1993).  It will never be the same again, and I will never be 9 again, but every time the Phils are in the postseason I relive a little bit of that magic.

That said, pitching is paramount in the drive to make the playoffs.  The Phils have the most potent (if inconsistent) offense, and maybe a bullpen on par with Houston.  However, the discrepancy in starting pitching is what will kill the Phils.  They have nothing that will even resemble Willis-Burkett-Burnett or Clemens-Oswalt-Pettitte.  Those triumverates are the foundations of a playoff-caliber team, and while Myers is rounding into form nicely for the Phils, he is still not a true ace (he may be in future years, but he is still a bit inconsistent, as my fantasy stats will tell you  ).  A healthy Wolf may have turned this race in favor of the Phils, but a top three of Myers-Lieber-Padilla is not one in which I would want to lay a foundation.  Myers has been good, Lieber has been mediocre, and Padilla has been inconsistent.  You KNOW that 80% of the time you are going to get a quality start from the Marlins or Astros.  Other than Myers, it's a 50-50 shot at best.

[Rome]

 

[PhillyPhreak54]

Post the choking dog pic, Romey. Everytime you get pissed and post that the Phils seem to win. Post it.

[BigEd76]

Mets/Braves on ESPN at 1pm.  Fish/Nats also starts at 1...

[Geowhizzer]

Nats beat the Marlins 5-2.

Braves beat the Mets 4-2.

The Fightins have to take care of business tonight- put some small shread of distance between themselves and the pack.

[MDS]

I'd give Utley a night off, he looks real tired out there and it can't hurt that were facing Andy Pettitte.

Go: JMike-Rollins-Abreu-Burrell-Bell-Howard-Martinez-Loserthal-Meyeres

[Geowhizzer]

Tonight's Matchup:

Houston:  Andy Pettitte (13-9, 2.50)
Fightins:  Brett Myers (12-6, 3.51)

Phils's Lineup:
J. Rollins ss .261 
J. Michaels cf .311 
B. Abreu rf .294 
P. Burrell lf .283 
C. Utley 2b .287 
D. Bell 3b .246 
M. Lieberthal c .254 
T. Perez 1b .248 
B. Myers p .115

Myers in the lineup, Howard out.

This is a game the Phils have to win.  This is the time for Myers to truly take on the mantle of the Phils' "ace."  Yes, he's been their best pitcher this season, and perhaps is an ace in training, but this is the time that a pitcher stakes a claim to that title for himself.  This is a must-win, as the next two pitching match-ups are the following:

TUE:  Roy Oswalt vs. Jon Lieber
WED:  Brandon Backe vs. Vincente Padilla

It's time for Myers to take the team on his shoulders and begin to pitch them into the postseason.

GO PHILS! 

[Sgt PSN]

I was hoping the Phils would get to face Clemens.  I've got no problem with them winning a game 1-0. 

[MDS]

Perez sucks. Martinez is better. Start him at first.

[MDS]

Bell error
4 pitch walk
RBI single
3R HR

4-0 Astros 

[Rome]

Post the choking dog pic, Romey. Everytime you get pissed and post that the Phils seem to win. Post it.

Woof!

[rjs246]

That's hot.