Liberty Ball

While putting behind their shocking defeat in the National League Division series to the eventual World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, The Philadelphia Phillies continue to build towards 2012. This team won the NL East for the 5th straight year and a 102 games overall while battling injuries to position players and pitchers all season. They have elite pitching and with some of the veteran bats like 2B Chase Utley entering 2012 fully healthy, the offense should be improved. Mid season acquisition RF Hunter Pence will also be on the team from day 1 and that is a positive. The team has 2 major issues entering the free agency, offseason period, #1 Whether to resign long time Phillies, SS Jimmy Rollins and closer Ryan Madson,  and #2 the Health of 1B Ryan Howard(Left achilles stadium) and 3B Placido Polanco(Double sports hernia surgery).

FREE AGENCY: The  Phillies must resign Rollins or find another shortstop. The team could sign a veteran for short term with Philadelphia’s Minor League Player of the Year, SS Freddy Galvis, not to far away from the majors. Would Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. want to try to win another Championship with a rookie at a vital defensive position? Someone like Orlando Cabrera or Yuniesky Betancourt makes sense if the longest tenured Phillie walks. Madson is going to get a big deal from some team. He is too good, too durable and too proven. Whether he gets that contract in Philadelphia is another story. The closer market has some big names like San Diego Padres Heath Bell, Boston Red Sox Jonathon Papelbon and Milwaukee Brewers Francisco Rodriquez available. Amaro wants to keep Madson but has stated publicly that the Phillies would sign a frontline closer to fill the job. The team has money cleared for this spot after the team declined ex closer Brad Lidge’s option this week. Meanwhile, their is an  opening in left field with veteran Raul Ibanez about to file for free agency. John Mayberry Jr. is a good bet to man this spot but the talented youngster might need to play some  first base early in 2012 due to Howard’s health. Amaro prefers that top prospect Domonic Brown play the season at Triple A. Look for the Phillies to sign a veteran OF who can play all 3 spots and come off the bench.  

POLANCO, HOWARD UPDATES:  No further updates on either veteran but I believe that Amaro will sign someone who can compete with Polanco at 3B. He has had issues staying healthy for the past 2 seasons in Philadelphia and after hitting .398 in April, he batted .243 for the rest of the season. That is not good when you offer very little power or speed plus he turned 36 this month. Howard is a huge presence for this team and an elite power bat but I think Mayberry could fill in ably at this spot for a month. Ideally, both Polanco and Howard are healthy from game 1 to 162 but the Phillies would be wise to have contingency plans in place entering the 2012 campaign. 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

• Roy Halladay
• Starting Pitcher
• #34

2.35

BA	S. Victorino	.279
HR	R. Howard	33
RBI	R. Howard	116
R	S. Victorino	95
OPS	S. Victorino	.847
W	R. Halladay	19
SO	C. Lee	238
SV	R. Madson	32
WHIP	C. Hamels	0.99

The Philadelphia Phillies declined 2012 options on veteran pitchers Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge October 25th but are not closing the door on both returning in 2012.  Each pitcher was paid a buyout, Oswalt 2 million, Lidge 1.5 million. RHSP Oswalt,34,  had a mutual option of $16 million and was 9-10 with a 3.96 ERA in a season that saw him battling back issues while former closer Lidge had a $12.5 million  option and has suffered through two injury marred campaigns.  However, Lidge,34, pitched very well in a set up role in 2011, going 0-2 with a save and 1.40 ERA in 19 and a third innings. The “stuff” was great as he averaged 10.7  Ks per 9 innings. Lidge was a member of the Phillies from 2008-2011 and had arguably the greatest relief season EVER as the   closer for the  2008 World Champion Phillies , converting all 41 of his regular season then 7 in the playoffs and World Series. The veteran would like to test the market and see if their is a closing job open but would also consider returning to the Philly as a set up man.  The team’s main focus in the offseason is bringing back free agent closer Ryan Madson while possibly  adding another bat to the offense. 

Philadelphia Phillies star 1B Ryan Howard had surgery on his completely torn  left achilles tendon October 12th in Baltimore, Maryland.  Howard was injured on the last play of the shocking game 5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. A foot and ankle specialist performed the operation and the team reported the surgery to be successful. The recovery period for this type of injury is usually 5-6 months which would be around the start of the 2012 season. Howard will be immobilized 1 to 2 weeks and should be able to bare weight and strengthening in around a month, dependent on his progress. 

Things went from bad to worse for the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday night with the news that star 1B Ryan Howard ruptured his left achilles tendon the team’s Game 5 ALDS loss October 7th. An MRI confirmed the Phillies worst fears and The slugging first baseman cannot have surgery until the swelling goes down.  The team will not have a timetable for his return until after the procedure but they cannot guarantee Howard will be ready for Spring Training. It would not be a surprise if the 1B misses the first couple months of the 2012 season. 

OTHER MEDICAL NEWS:  RF Hunter Pence and 3B Placido Polanco will have MRIs on their sports hernias and then determine the best course of action. Polanco has battled his for most of the 2nd half and is expected to have surgery. Pence kept his injury quiet and will get a better idea whats next after the exam. Meanwhile, LHSP Cole Hamels will have a minor surgical procedure next Friday October 14th to remove loose bodies from his throwing elbow. He will also have an operation the following week to correct an inguinal hernia. Reserve 1B Ross Gload, a free agent in 2012, will have his right hip re-examined by a hip specialist. The veteran is a likely arthroscopic surgery candidate.  

The Philadelphia Phillies drive to the 2011 World Series  was derailed Friday night by the St. Louis Cardinals and RHSP Chris Carpenter October 7, 2011 as the visitors rode an incredible performance by the veteran to a 1-0 series clinching win. A stunned sell out crowd at Citizens Bank Park in downtown Philadelphia  saw their 102 win team held to 3 hits by Carpenter while their own ace, Roy Halladay was done in by the first two batters of the game.  After a leadoff triple to center by SS Rafael Furcal to lead off the game, sparkplug OF-INF Skip Schumaker doubled down the right field line for  the game’s lone run.  CF Shane Victorino had two of the Phillies 3 hits(one double) as the Carpenter threw a masterful 110 pitch complete game to end Philadelphia’s World Championship dreams. 

This was an incredible game and pitching duel between two former teammates(Toronto Blue Jays from 1998 -2002) and very good friends in Carpenter and Halladay, tough to see either pitcher lose. Very similiar to the classic duel 1991 World Series game 7 matchup that featured Minnesota Twins SP Jack Morris vs. Atlanta Braves John Smoltz, ironic that Smoltz’ was part of the MLB announcing team calling this game.  Halladay was outstanding after the 1st inning hiccup and threw 8 strong innings(6 hits,7 Ks, 1 intentional walk) to keep the Phillies in the game. The Phillies ace was never more dominant than in the top of the 8th. With the season in the balance, he struck out RF Lance Berkman and retired LF Matt Holliday on a fly ball to left with the bases loaded. 

As great as the Phillies pitching has been all season, this was not a strong offensive team and people who follow this club day to day know it. Carpenter completely shut the door and Philadelphia hit two balls really well all night, a 4th inning drive by LF Raul Ibanez(I thought the ball was gone when he hit it) and 2B Chase Utley’s 9th inning warning track shot to center. The 13 year pro and Exeter,NH native threw 70 strikes among his 110 pitches and appeared to be in complete control from the 1st inning on.  With the victory, the Cardinals move on the face the Milwaukee Brewers who defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 10 inning of game 5 in the National League Championship series starting Sunday October 9th. 

NOTES:  Season ending blog within the next week, tough pill to swallow a sudden loss like this. I went thru a very similiar scenario at Shea Stadium in New York vs this same Cardinals team in 2006,sitting in my seats for 45 minutes post game. 6 months of work, gone in 3 hours. Just a tough thing.

RYAN HOWARD UPDATE: The loss is bad enough but it appears that Phillies slugging 1B Ryan Howard suffered a serious injury to his  left leg attempting to run out the last out of the defeat. Nothing official yet but some media outlets are reporting he tore his left achilles tendon. This type of injury requires tons of rehab and Howard battled bursitis in the tendon late in the season, receiving a cortisone shot prior to the playoffs.  The Phillies 1B struggled throughout the series average wise(.105) but hit a home run and had 6 rbi in 5 games after hitting .253 with 33 homers and 115 rbi with 75 walks in 152 games. 

3B David Freese hit a go ahead 2 run double in the 4th then crushed a two run shot to center for insurance as the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 at Busch Stadium in Missouri. The Cardinals win sets up a deciding game 5 in the National League division series after both clubs split 2 home games. Edwin Jackson threw a workman like 6 innings for the win, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs while striking out 4 and walking 1. Philadelphia scored two runs in the first on rbi hits from 2B Chase Utley and RF Hunter Pence but the Phillies offense could not solve the St. Louis pitching puzzle until the 8th when a wild pitch allowed PR Michael Martinez to score from 3rd. Jason Motte, the 5th Cardinals reliever, earned his 2nd save of the series with a clean ninth. 

GAME NOTES:  Phillies RHSP Roy Oswalt was the loser, allowing 6 hits and 5 runs over 6 frames. He threw 15 1st pitch strikes to 26 batters he faced and the Cardinals were very aggressive, attacking early in counts and putting good swings on fastballs… Cardinals LF Matt Holiday(Inflamed tendon in right middle finger) returned to the starting lineup after missing the 1st 3 games of the series and was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored… Phillies 1B Ryan Howard had a tough day, striking out 3 times. He has 10 games with 3 strike outs in post season play and is the runaway career leader in that category. The good news for Ryan? 3 of the next 4 players(Tied for 3rd with 5 each) on this list : Duke Snider, Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter are either in Cooperstown(Home of the Baseball Hall of Fame) or will be(Jeter)…. Cardinals 2B Skip Schumaker left in the 5th inning with a cramp in his hamstring. St. Louis sparkplug was getting IVs postgame and should be good to go in game 5… Strange scene in the 5th with Schumaker at the plate. A Squirrel ran onto the field and  across the homeplate area in the middle of Oswalt’s delivery. No harm or foul but Oswalt was upset and did not want the pitch to count.(Called a ball) The veteran did appear to pull up a bit while delivering the ball. 

NEXT GAME: NLDS- Game 5, Friday, October 7th,8;37 pm,  Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia 

Phillies RHSP Roy Halladay(19-6,2.35) vs Cardinals RHSP Chris Carpenter(11-9,3.45) 

People expect LHSP Cole Hamels to be good(1.82 career ERA in the League division series) but a pinch hitter helped steal the southpaw’s spotlight with a 3 run homer as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 October 4 at Busch Stadium in Missouri.  Hamels threw 6 shutout innings while OF Ben Francisco hit a 3 run homer in the 7th with 2 outs vs Cardinals LH Jamie Garcia, who was the tough luck loser. Garcia allowed 6 hits and 3 runs over 7 innings and had the game under control before Francisco’s homer. The win gives the Phillies a commanding 2-1 lead in the best of 5 series and they can eliminate the Cardinals October 5th with veteran Roy Oswalt set to face St. Louis starter Edwin Jackson. If St. Louis survives they would then face Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay October 7th in Pennsylvania. 

Hamels battled out of jams all night(5 hits, 3 walks, 117 pitches)  while St. Louis stranded 14 runners. The resilient Cardinals rallied for a run in the 7th and 9th but Phillies skipper Charlie  Manuel was ultra aggressive, summoning closer Ryan Madson for his first multi inning save of the year after the Cardinals staged an 8th inning rally.” I figured the game was on the line, and we had to stop them.”  Manuel said. Madson got an huge inning ending double play to end the 8th. 

GAME NOTES:  Cardinals LF Matt Holiday(Inflamed tendon in right middle finger)  remains unable to start but collected a pinch hit single in the 8th…. St. Louis 1B Albert Pujols and 2B Ryan Theriot each collected 4 hits to pace the Cardinals. They become the 11th and 12th players in Cardinals history to do so in the postseason…. Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins had two more hits and is 7 for 12(.583) in this series. The former NL MVP was the only Philly to reach double figures in hits…. Cardinals, once the biggest speed team in the sport, hit into a National League record 169 double plays in 2011

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, October 5th,2011, 6:07 PM

Phillies RHSP Roy Oswalt(9-10,3.69) vs. Cardinals RHSP Edwin Jackson(12-9,3.79) 

The Philadelphia Phillies appeared set to go to St. Louis with a 2-0 series lead after scoring 4 runs in the first two innings but a gutty Cardinals team battled back to capture the vital 2nd game of the National League Division Series 5-4 October 2nd at Citizens Bank Park in Pennsylvania. What makes this comeback even more impressive was the fact that The Phillies ace Lefty Cliff Lee was on the mound. The southpaw allowed a career high 12 hits and all 5 runs in six plus innings. “I take full responsibility,” Lee said. ” I had a 4-0 lead and let it slip away.”

Philadelphia managed 5 hits and 4 runs in 3 innings vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter, who was pitching on 3 days rest for the first time in his career.  However, 7 St. Louis relievers combined to allow 1 base runner the rest of the game! Tough loss for the Phillies who now must win at least 1 game in St. Louis to avoid elimination and force a deciding 5th game back at Citizens Bank Park. SS Jimmy Rollins had 3 of the 6 Philadelphia hits while 1B Ryan Howard continues to drive in runs with another 2 rbi. RF Hunter Pence, playing in his 1st postseason, was 1 for 3 with a run, rbi and walk. Four Cardinals had 2 hits apiece, led by CF Jon Jay, who drove in two runs. SS Rafael Furcal(rbi), 1B Albert Pujols(rbi) and 2B Ryan Theriot(Rbi,2 runs) also collected 2 hits.  Huge, huge win for St. Louis who faced the top two starters(Lee and game 1 winner Roy Halladay)  on the Phillies with their starting rotation in shambles due to late season charge to catch the Atlanta Braves for the NL Wild Card on the last day of the season.

NEXT GAME: Tuesday, October 4th 5:07 pm at Busch Stadium 

Phillies  LHP Cole Hamels(14-9,2.79) vs. Cardinals Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia(13-7,3.56) 

The Philadelphia Phillies fell behind 3- nothing after a 3 run home run by St. Louis Outfielder Lance Berkman in the 1st inning but Roy Halladay returned to his dominant self, retiring the last 21 batters he faced, leading the Phils over the Cardinals 11-6 at Citizens Bank Park in Pennsylvania on Saturday October 1st. The Phillies exploded for 5 runs in the 6th then added 3 in the 7th and 2 in the 8th while pounding out 14 hits.  1B Ryan Howard hit a 3 run homer while driving in 4 ,veteran LF Raul Ibanez also homered and drove in 3 runs. Cardinals 2b Skip Schumaker was the only St. Louis Player to collect more than one hit while starter Kyle Lohse lasted 5 and a third innings, allowing 7 hits and 6 runs( 5 earned).  With the win, the Phillies are up 1-0 in the best of five National League division series. 

Halladay’s 1st start of the 2011 postseason was not as good as the 2010 opener, when he tossed the 2nd no hitter in playoff history vs. the Cincinnati Reds, but he clearly hit a switch after the rough 3 hit, run first. He was pulled with the team comfortably ahead 11-3 entering the 9th with the following line: 8 innings, 3 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts. He threw 108 pitches(76 for strikes). Reliever Michael Stutes(1st postseason appearance) struggled in the mop up role, giving up 3 runs before Manager Charlie Manuel summoned closer Ryan Madson to secure the win. 

GAME NOTES: Phillies RF Hunter Pence was 2 for 5 with 2 runs and rbi in his first postseason game….Halladay threw first pitch strikes to 20 of 28 Cardinals. He also recorded 13 ground ball outs to 3 fly balls…. Cardinals were 6-3 vs the Phillies in the regular season…. Veteran all star 2B Chase Utley scored 3 runs and collected 3 hits…. Cardinals all star LF Matt Holliday did not start due to a hand injury but pinch hit in the 9th…. Since acquiring Pence on July 29th, the Phillies are 8-0 when they have their complete set lineup…. St. Louis with 10 World Series titles trails only the New York Yankees 27

GAME #2: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, 8:37 PM

Phillies LHP Cliff Lee(17-8,2.40 ERA) vs. Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter(11-9,3.45)

NOTE: Carpenter is going on 3 days rest for the first time in his career. He pitched a complete game shutout vs the Houston Astros to clinch the wild card September 28th.