Cheesesteaks for Everyone

The Philadelphia Phillies captured their second ever World Series title, and first since 1980, by downing the Tampa Rays tonight, 4-3. The game picked up where it left off on Monday, with the Phillies batting in the bottom of the sixth. With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh, Pedro Feliz singled home pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett with the go ahead run. Then it was up to Brad Lidge to close things out in the ninth. After allowing a broken bat single to Dioner Navarro, Lidge retired pinch-hitter Ben Zobrist on a line drive and struck out pinch-hitter Eric Hinske before dropping to his knees in celebration. The win closed out the series in five games as the Phillies won all three home games.

Pat Burrell led off the bottom of the seventh with a double that nearly left the yard off of J.P. Howell. With Chad Bradford on in relief, Shane Victorino failed in two attempts to get a sacrifice bunt down, but then pulled a Bradford delivery on the ground to first baseman Carlos Pena to move Bruntlett to third base. (Bradford was an odd choice by Joe Maddon since he's a ground ball pitcher and the Phillies needed a bunt or pulled groundball.) With the infield in, Feliz singled back through the middle to put the Phils up 4-3. A great diving stop by Aki Iwamura prevented a possible bigger rally.

The Phillies had taken an immediate lead when play resumed. Geoff Jenkins doubled to lead off the sixth against Grant Balfour and moved to third on Jimmy Rollins sac bunt. Jayson Werth brought Jenkins home with a single to shallow center.

The Rays came right back in the top of the seventh on Rocco Baldelli's game tying home run off of Ryan Madson. But this was not to be the Tampa Rays night.

We chose the Rays to win the series in six games due to their starting pitching, but we did say the Phillies had an advantage in the bullpen and that certainly played out.

Congratulations to the Phillies, especially manager Charlie Manuel.

Is is Spring Training yet?

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It Shall Rain for 40 Hours and 40 Minutes

And then the voice said, "Take 2 each: outfielders, pitchers, catchers, and infielders, unto the ark."

Okay, really the umpires just said to put the tarp on the field last night, suspending game 5 of the World Series. The series isn't still on because the Rays forced a game 6, but instead because a deluge of precipitation fell on Citizen's Bank Park causing so much water pooling that Greg Louganis could have landed in one puddle off the high dive.

Play stopped in the middle of the sixth inning after the Rays had tied the game 2-2 on Carlos Pena's RBI single. It was clear that MLB was praying for the Rays to either tie the game or go ahead so that a possibly decisive game wouldn't be decided in part due to the weather. But it was clear, despite the protestations of MLB COO Bob Dupuy to Fox's Chris Myers, that the game would have continued had the Rays not tied the score.

The game likely won't be completed until Wednesday night, because tonight's forecast in Philly is calling for even worse weather than last night. The game could have been called prior to the fifth inning, but MLB was going to do everything they could to get the game in and they didn't want to get negative feedback from Phillies fans for calling the game with the Phils leading. Obviously no consideration was given to the health and well being of highly paid athletes who aren't used to playing baseball in a mud pit filled with water hazards. On top of everything else we had to listen to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver use the word "hydroplane" countless times.

The stoppage has to favor the Rays since it means there's no way that Cole Hamels will continue in the contest. Though he wasn't as dominant as he had been in his prior post-season starts, he had still limited the Rays to just 5 hits over 6 innings and those 2 runs. On the other hand, Rays starter Scott Kazmir was awful, the weather notwithstanding. He lasted only four innings, walking 6 hitters and only gave up 2 runs due to the Phillies' continuing inefficiency with runners in scoring position.

There was good news in the game for the Rays as Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria finally broke out of their O-fers. Pena had a pair of hits, scored the Rays' first run and drove in the second. Longoria's fourth inning single broke his shneid and brought home Pena.

The Phillies took advantage of Kazmir's control problems to take a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Kazmir put two men on with one out by walking Jayson Werth and plunking Chase Utley. But after blowing a 94-mph strike three fastball past Ryan Howard, Kazmir walked Pat Burrell to load the bases, and then gave up a 2-run single to Shane Victorino. Pedro Feliz' single loaded the bases again, but Kazmir escaped further trouble by retiring Carlos Ruiz on an inning ending fly out.

Pena's one-out-double in the fourth brought some life to the Rays bench and Longoria capitalized with with his first hit and RBI of the series with a single to left. Hamels came right back though, getting Dioner Navarro to bounce into a double play.

Kazmir was in trouble again in the home half of the fourth, issuing back-to-back 2-out walks to Jimmy Rollins and Werth to load the bases. But Utley grounded out to second baseman Aki Iwamura to strand all three runners.

Rollin's error on a wind-blown pop-up in the fifth gave the Rays a lead off man on base, but Hamels, with a big assist from Utley, got Jason Bartlett to hit into a double play. Utley tagged runner Rocco Baldelli as he went by and then spun around to throw out Bartlett at first.

Joe Maddon finally went to his pen in the fifth when Kazmir walked Howard and Pat Burrell to start the inning. Grant Balfour did the job, retiring all three men he faced to strand the runners. Then it was the Rays' turn to come back and in the process halt play. B.J. Upton reached on a 2-out infield single, and despite the sloppy turf, stole second base. It paid off when Pena singled to left and Upton just beat the throw home from Burrell to tie the score. Pena moved to second base on a passed ball, but Longoria flied to deep center to end the inning and the night's play.

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Hamels the Hero Again

If game 1 is any indication, the 2008 World Series should be a good one. But the Rays won't win it unless they can either solve Cole Hamels or beat up on the rest of the Phillies rotation. Hamels put in another masterful post-season performance, holding the Rays to 5 hits over 7 innings, as the Phillies edged the Rays 3-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Hamels is now 4-0, 1.55 in four post-season appearances. He's limited hitters to a .178 average and struck out 27 batters in 29 innings. He got an immediate boost in last night's game when Chase Utley followed Jayson Werth's first inning walk with a 2-run home run to right field off of Scott Kazmir.

The Rays biggest threat came in the third inning when they loaded the bases on singles by Ben Zobrist and Aki Iwamura sandwiched around a Jason Bartlett walk. The Rays had their hottest hitter up in B.J. Upton, and Upton did hit a scorcher. But it was right at third baseman Pedro Feliz who started an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.

The Phillies added a run in the fourth inning that would be the difference in the ball game. Shane Victorino and Feliz stroked back to back singles off of Kazmir to start the inning, and moved up a base on Chris Coste's ground out. With the infield playing back to stop a big inning, Carlos Ruiz grounded to Bartlett for an RBI ground out. Kazmir got out of further trouble by striking out Jimmy Rollins to end the threat.

Carl Crawford got the Rays back in the ball game when he went yard against Hamels in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Phillies lead to 3-1. One inning later the Rays mounted a 2-out threat after Bartlett walked and stole second base. Iwamura came through with a big 2-out hit, doubling to left-center field to cut the margin to 3-2. But Hamels got Upton to foul out to end the inning.

The Phillies had a chance to increase their lead in a wild seventh inning. J.P. Howell came on to replace Kazmir and struck out Werth to start the inning. Chase Utley then singled, stole second base, and moved to third on Howell's wild pitch. But Howell bounced back and struck out Ryan Howard before issuing an unintentional intentional walk to Pat Burell. Joe Maddon sent for Grant Balfour, who made the move pay off by striking out Victorino to end the inning.

Ryan Madson was overpowering out of the Phils pen in the eighth, striking out Upton to punctuate a 1-2-3 inning. Then it was up to Brad Lidge who was perfect in 46 save chances during the regular season. No problem. He K'd Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria and then retired Crawford on a foul out to end the game.


News and Notes

The heart of the Rays order, Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, and B.J. Upton, went a combined 0-12. Upton hit into two double plays in addition to a strike out and foul out.

Chase Utley joined a litany of players to homer in their first World Series at-bat.

Aki Iwamura had 3 of the 5 hits allowed by Cole Hamels.

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The Better Late Than Never World Series Preview

With the start of Game 1 of the 2008 World Series less than an hour away, though the actual start will depend on how long FOX can drag things out, here is our much anticipated World Series preview.

Joe Maddon and Charlie Manuel are both managing their first World Series, and of course this is the first for the Tampa Bay Rays. But the Philadelphia Phillies don't have much more experience. They've only been to the series five times previously, and have just one title, won in 1980.

Lets take a look at the position by position match ups to see who has the edge.

First Base

Ryan Howard vs. Carlos Pena

There is no question that Howard is the superior hitter, putting monstrous numbers up year after year in his young career (Averaging 51 home runs and 143 RBI over the last three seasons). Pena had a huge contract year (.282-46-121, all career highs) last season and struggled early on with injuries. But he still led the team with 30 home runs and 103 RBI in '08. Howard's a liability defensively, so Manuel could DH him on the road.

Pena is clearly the better defender, an underrated gold glove caliber first baseman. But the edge has to go to Howard for his ability to be a game changer. He has not hit for power in the post-season and the Rays better hope that trend continues.
ADVANTAGE - Howard, PHI

Second Base

Chase Utley vs. Aki Iwamura

You know how good Chase Utley is. He's the guy you wish Robinson Cano was like. Utley has been a model of consistency at the plate, averaging 28 home runs and 103 RBI over the last four seasons. Like Howard, he's looking to bust out after hitting just .250 with one home run so far in the post-season.

Iwamura is an outstanding defender. He made a smooth transition from third base to second base this season. The Rays lead off man may have a swing similar to his fellow countryman, Ichiro Suzuki, but that's where the similarity ends. Iwamura led the Rays in average with just a .274 mark. He did hit .295 at home, but the advantage here easily goes to the Rays.
ADVANTAGE - Utley, PHI


SHORTSTOP

Jimmy Rollins vs. Jason Bartlett

Rollins is the heart and soul of this team and its vocal leader. He won the NL MVP last year after boasting the Phillies would win the NL East and then backed it up with his play. Injuries caused him to miss 25 games and his production was down considerably from his 2007 career best numbers. He did still manage to swipe a career high 47 bases and committed just 7 errors.

Jason Bartlett was acquired, along with Matt Garza, from the Twins during the off-season for Delmon Young. Bartlett provides speed (20 stolen bases during the regular season), but doesn't have much pop in his bat. He hit just one home run in 454 at-bats this season. However, Bartlett crushed right handed pitching to the tune of a .379 mark. Bartlett is a decent defender (16 errors, .970 FPCT in '08) who made a costly error in game 6 of the ALCS and nearly had another in game 7. The Phillies get another one.
ADVANTAGE - Rollins, PHI


Third Base

Pedro Feliz vs. Evan Longoria

Feliz won't hit much for average (.252 lifetime), but he does have an underrated power stick. He averaged 21 home runs over the prior four seasons and then hit 14 in 133 games in his first year in Philadelphia. Feliz is also a pretty good defender, having made only 19 errors over the last two seasons.

What can you say about the AL's rookie of the year (in our opinion) that hasn't been said already. The numbers don't lie. Longoria started the season in the minors then missed a load of games down the stretch with a broken arm. He still managed 27 home runs and 85 RBI in 122 games, with 31 doubles and an .874 OPS. He made 12 errors this season while compiling a .963 fielding pct., but he's got the goods to be a solid hot corner man. Any guess who gets the edge here?
ADVANTAGE - Longoria, TB


Left Field

Pat Burrell vs. Carl Crawford

Wow, this is a good one. You've got one of the better power guys in the game against one of the best all around players and athletes in the game. Burrell heard trade rumors during the season, but it didn't seem to effect him. He hit slightly below his career average, .250., but the rest of his numbers were comparable to his prior years - 33 home runs, 86 RBI, and 102 walks. Burrell has been big thus far in the post-season, hitting .300 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI.

Like Longoria, Crawford missed a big chunk of time due to injury, playing in 109 games, the least since his rookie season in 2002. Everyone talks about Crawford's speed, but he's also got power and has a .293 career average. He matched his career high for errors this season with....just 4! You won't see too many balls fall between him and B.J. Upton in center field. Crawford's all around play gets the edge here.
ADVANTAGE - Crawford, TB


Center Field

Shane Victorino vs. B.J. Upton

Another good match up of a pair of spark plugs. Victorino's emergence allowed the Phillies to let Aaron Rowand wander off to the bay area. The Hawaiian native set career marks with a .293 (team high) average, 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 102 runs scored, 167 hits, and had one less steal (36) than 2009. He's also done a very good job replacing the gold gloved Rowand in the outfield.

Upton emerged last season as the player the Rays organization was counting on. Though in comparison to last season (.300-24-82, 22 SB), his '08 numbers (.273-9-67, 44 SB) don't look very good, and he had some discipline problems, the 24-yr old can still be counted on. He's been on fire in the playoffs, hitting .304 with 7 home runs, 15 RBI, and a whopping 1.191 OPS. Though he's still learning the position, Upton put together a .983 FPCT. These two mean so much to their teams, that we really can't separate them.
ADVANTAGE - DRAW


Right Field

Jayson Werth vs. Gabe Gross/Rocco Baldelli

The 29-yr old Werth had a break out season with 24 home runs and 67 RBI, and made only 2 errors in playing all three outfield positions, primarily right field. Though he has hit in 7 of 9 playoff games, he's just .243 with 1 home run and that one lone RBI.

Rocco Baldelli came back from the brink of going nowhere to playing a significant role down the stretch for Tampa. Fighting off a mitochondrial disease that zaps his strength, Baldelli hit .263-4-13 with 12 run scored in 28 games. He has struggled (3 for 14) in the post-season, and played in just two games in the ALCS, but did have a big 3-run home run in game 5.

Gross came over from Milwaukee in an in-season deal, and hit .242-13-38 in 127 games. He's a decent right fielder, though nothing that legends are made of. As of this writing, there was talk Eric Hinske could replace him on the roster.
ADVANTAGE - Werth, PHI


Catcher

Carlos Ruiz vs. Dioner Navarro

Ruiz was impress at all with his bat, .219-4-31, but he calls a good game and plays a strong all-around defensive game. The Phillies will benefit from road games when they won't have both Ruiz and the pitcher batting in the bottom of the order.

Navarro has emerged as the type of catcher the Yankees were hoping they would see, except not with another team. A first time All-Star, Navarro, still just 24-yrs of age, hit .295-7-43 in 120 games. He also become one of the best defensive catchers in baseball and clearly gets the edge in this head to head match up.
ADVANTAGE - Navarro, TB


Starting Pitching

Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton
vs.
Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine

Hamels is clearly the best of the lot and could be a series changer, especially if he were to go three times. He could even have an impact out of the pen like Randy Johnson had for Arizona. Though Hamels is the best of this lot, the Rays staff is deeper. Garza is the hottest pitcher on the staff right now, Kazmir is still a borderline stud, and Shields emerging as a top notch young pitcher. Sonnanstine is nothing to sneeze at either even if his name is hard to pronounce.
ADVANTAGE - TB

Probable Pitchers

Game 1 - Hamels vs. Kazmir
Game 2 - Myers vs. Shields
Game 3 - Garza vs. Moyer
Game 4 - Sonnanstine vs. Blanton
Game 5 - Kazmir vs. Hamels
Game 6 - Myers vs. Shields
Game 7 - Moyer vs. Garza

Bullpens

The pen, always a horror for Tampa in the past, was a strength this season. But injuries to closer Troy Percival has put more pressure on a team that now has no true closer. Joe Maddon mixed and matched to perfection in game 7 of the ALCS, but will it always work out so well?

Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson have formed a formidable 1-2 punch out of the Phillies pen, though we still don't trust Lidge (46-46 in save situations during the regular season). Though we don't trust him, we still will give Philly a slight edge in their ability to close out a game.
ADVANTAGE - PHI


And the winner is........in 6 games, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays starting pitching is the difference maker here, especially if it were to come down to a game 7. Matt Garza is on fire right now and Jamie Moyer is looking like he's 85 not 45. It should be an entertaining series, but the Rays will take it. Who the "Devil" would have thought it? ;)

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Booing Suspended in City of Brotherly Love

Philadelphia fans love to boo their teams as much as they love to cheer them, but there will be no booing tonight. The Phillies have advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1993 by defeating the Dodgers tonight, 5-1. The Phillies won their sixth National League pennant in five games, taking the series 4 games to 1.

Jimmy Rollins got the Phillies rolling right off the bat, leading off the ball game with a solo home run off of Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley. The Phillies added two more in the third inning, knocking out Billingsley after 2.2 innings. Billingsley, who won 16 regular season games and beat the Cubs in the NLDS, lasted on 2.1 innings in his prior NLCS start in game 2.

Phillies starter Cole Hamels on the other hand was outstanding once again, winning his second game of the series. Hamels, who allowed just 3 runs in the 14 innings, picked up the series MVP award.

Rollins ignited things again in the third with a one out walk and a stolen base. Billingsley struck out Jayson Werth, but walked Chase Utley. Ryan Howard, who had been 2-19 in the series before finishing 6 for his last 12, picked up his first of three hits, an RBI single to right. Pat Burrell added an RBI single for a 3-o lead.

A shoddy Dodgers defense helped put the game out of reach in the fifth. Singles by Werth and Howard put runners on the first and second with one out. Greg Maddux got Burrell to hit a potential double play ball grounder to short, but Rafael Furcal kicked the ball into left field to allow a run to score. After an intentional walk to Shane Victorino loaded the bases, Maddux struck out Pedro Feliz, but Furcal threw away Carlos Ruiz's grounder for a fifth run.

The Dodgers picked up their only run in the sixth on Manny Ramirez's solo home run, his first of the series. Phils' manager Charlie Manuel went to his usual bullpen men to close things out, using Ryan Madson in the 8th and Brad Lidge in the 9th. Nomar Garciaparra fouled out to Ruiz for the final out.

Box Score

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Phillies Go High over Lowe

Dodgers starter Derek Lowe was breezing along last night, having shut down the Phillies for five innings. Manny Ramirez, playing in his first NLCS, had driven in a run and the Dodgers led 2-0. Rafael Furcal threw away Shane Victorino's lead off grounder and moments later Lowe was leaving the game down 3-2.

Chase Utley, who slumped in the division series win against the Brewers, tied the game up with a shot to right. Lowe retired Ryan Howard, but Pat Burrell went deep as well and the Phillies led for the first time Thursday night. Joe Torre wasted no time and went to Chan-Ho Park, who along with Greg Maddux and Hong-Chih Kuo shut down the Phils for the rest of the night. But the damage had been done.

Cole Hamels went back out and retired the Dodgers in the seventh to earn the win. After Ryan Madson threw a scoreless eighth, Brad Lidge pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

The Dodgers struck first in the second inning on back to back doubles by Andre Ethier and Ramirez. LA added to the lead in the fourth when Matt Kemp doubled to lead off the inning, moved to third base on Casey Blake's ground out and scored on Blake DeWitt's fly out to center field. Lowe had scattered four hits until his demise in the sixth.
Game 1 Box Score

Game 2

Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel will be managing with a heavy heart this afternoon (4:30 EDT start) after learning of his mother's passing. June Manuel, 87, had suffered a heart attack on Tuesday. Manuel, one of eleven children, had lost his father when he was just a teenager.

This afternoon's match up will see Chad Billingsley (16-10, 3.14) face off against Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55). Myers struggled early, but was huge down the stretch, especially in August, when he went 4-1, 1.65 in six starts.

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The Pennant Race - 10/2

Three of the four playoff series got underway yesterday, with some good games right off the bat.

Cole as Ice

It may have only been his second career playoff game, but Cole Hamels looked like Whitey Ford yesterday for the Phillies. Hamels limited the Brewers to just two runs over eight innings as the Phillies beat Milwaukee, 3-1.

Brad Lidge may have been 41-41 in save situations this season, but we still don't trust him in big spots. His performance yesterday did nothing to change that. Lidge struck out the side, but not before allowing a run on two hits and a walk.

Game 2 is tonight with CC Sabathia facing off against Brett Myers.


Loney Slams Cubs

It's a managerial match up of ex-Yankees managers. Joe Torre in his first year with the Dodgers and Lou Piniella in his second season with the Cubs. The Cubs sent 17-game winner Ryan Dempster to the mound in game one and things looked good as Chicago led 1-0 through four innings.

But James Loney, who was 3-4 in his only other playoff experience, hit his first career playoff grand slam to give the Dodgers the lead for good. Manny Ramirez added a solo shot for good measure, as did Russell Martin.

Dempster struggled with his control, walking seven Dodgers, while Dodgers starter Derek Lowe allowed two runs in six innings of work for the win. The series continues tonight at Wrigley with Chad Billingsley facing Carlos Zambrano.


Manny Who?

Everyone knows Jason Bay is very talented, but when you're in a deal for Manny Ramirez, you don't get a lot of attention. That may change after last night, when Bay's 2-run home run put the Red Sox ahead and catapulted them to a 4-1 win.

The Angels had taken a 1-0 lead in the third inning against Boston starter Jon Lester, but Bay made his first playoff appearance a memorable one, hitting a John Lackey pitch over the left field wall.

Lester breezed through seven and the Red Sox gave Jon Papelbon room to work with, scoring a pair of runs off of Scot Shields in the ninth. The series continues on Friday night with Dice-K facing Ervin Santana.

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Around the Horn - 6/17

There was limited action in MLB last night, but there's a full slate on tap tonight. Before the news a recap of last night's action.

A big night for Ryan Howard in the city of brotherly love. He smashed a pair of home runs and legged out a triple in the Phillies 8-2 dismantling of the Red Sox. Howard's 4 RBI came mainly at the expense of Bartolo Colon who left, after a 4 inning, 4-run appearance, with back spasms. Cole Hamels went 7 innings for his 7th win.

The Tigers 6-game winning streak came to a screeching halt when they couldn't hold a 4-3 lead late. Fernando Rodney's first appearance of the season is one he'd like to forget- a 3-run home run surrendered to John Bowker. The Giants won it 8-6.

Carlos Beltran gave Willie Randolph a going away present, 2 home runs to propel the Mets to a 9-6 win over the Angels. Perhaps if Beltran and his teammates had played with fire and desire all year Randolph might still be manager.

The Marlins continued the Mariners misery with a 6-1 win on the left coast. Andrew Miller, who started the season so badly, allowed 1 run over 7 innings to improve to 5-5.

In the lone intraleague game, Jair Jurrjens threw 7.2 shutout innings to beat the Rockies 7-1. Chipper Jones returned to the lineup with a pair of RBI and raised his average to .403.


News

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the Tigers are interested in free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia.

This just in...the Mets are still gutless.

The Indians have signed recently released Morgan Ensberg to a minor league deal.

The Denver Post reports that Troy Tulowitzki could return from the DL this Friday.

The White Sox placed Paul Konkero on the DL with a strained oblique.

The Red Sox are expected to activate Dice-K this weekend.

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Around the Horn - 6/12

Willie Randolph must have been thinking things couldn't get much worse. His team was saddled with a 5-game losing streak, but had a 3-0 lead against the Diamondbacks in the 9th inning. Mike Pelfrey may have been pitching his best game in a Mets uniform. Then he allowed a base runner and Randolph pulled him for his closer Billy Wagner. Moments later Wagner was hanging his head after Mark Reynolds hit a game tying 3-run home run. But Carlos Beltran saved the day and his manager's stomach with a 13th inning walk off 2-run home run.

The Mets won 5-3, but the news wasn't all good. After 2 games back, it looks like Moises Alou is headed back to the DL.

Talk about tough losses in a win. The Cubs rolled over the Braves 7-2, but lost Alfonso Soriano for at least 6 weeks with a broken hand after he was hit with a Jeff Bennett pitch. Kosuke Fukudome belted a 3-run home run to help Ryan Dempster improve to 8-2.

Milton Bradley is nuts unstable. It's been documented on several occasions. Last night Bradley added to his resume by trying to go after KC Royals announcer Ryan Lefebvre in the press box when Bradley found otu that Lefebvre had spoken despairingly about him. Teammates stopped him and he returned to the clubhouse in tears.

"All I want to do is play baseball and make a better life for my kid than I had, that's it," Bradley said. "I love all you guys. I'm strong, but I'm not that strong."

Lefebvre said, from what he remembers, that he was complimenting Josh Hamilton and how he's been accountable for his mistakes and said "it doesn't appear Milton Bradley has done the same thing in his life."

"It is an interesting contrast between the two guys," Lefebvre said. "We also spent a lot of time complimenting Milton Bradley, but that's not what he heard when he was in the clubhouse."

Seriously, this guy needs meds if he's not on them already. Meanwhile his teammates came back from a 5-1 deficit for the second straight night to beat the Royals 11-5. Rookie David Murphy homered twice and drove in 5 runs.

Justin Verlander won his first game since May 20 and pitched in the 9th inning for the first time all season in Detroit's 5-1 win over the White Sox. Marcus Thames gave the Tigers offense a jolt with a 2nd inning 3-run home run.

Felix Hernandez won his third straight game as he moved down the Blue Jays over 8 innings in the Mariners 2-1 win. Closer J.J. Putz had to leave the game with a sore arm after facing just one hitter in the 9th inning.

The pitching match up of the night featured the Giants Tim Lincecum and the Rockies Ubaldo Jiminez. Each throw shut out ball for 7 innings and the game was scoreless in the 9th. The Rockies loaded the bases and Yorvit Torrealba's sac fly brought home the game winner.

Maecir Izturis' 2-run single in the 7th gave the Angels a 4-2 win over the Rays. John Lackey picked up his 3rd win in defeating Scott Kazmir. Rays starter James Shields dropped the appeal of his 6-game suspension stemming from the brawl with the Red Sox on June 5.

Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel combined for 5 RBI in the Twins 8-5 win over the Indians. Nick Blackburn won his first game since getting drilled by a Bobby Abreu line drive on June 1. Indians catcher Victor Martinez had to leave the game with a sore elbow and will be going for an MRI today.

The Padres won for the 5th time in 6 games, beating the Dodgers 4-1. Randy Wolf improved to 5-4 with 7 stellar innings, supported by home runs from Khalil Greene and Edgar Gonzalez. Jake Peavy comes off the DL today for the Padres and will start the finale of the series.

Baseballs were flying out of Minute Maid Park in Houston. 8 home runs in total in the Brewers 10-6 win. Corey Hart lead the way with a pair of home runs and 4 RBI. The Astros, who started out so surprisingly, have lost 10 of 13.

Bartolo Colon improved to 4-1, 3.41 with a 6-inning, 7 strikeout performance against the Orioles. Jason Varitek's 3-run home run capped a 5-run 1st inning in the Red Sox 6-3 win. Dice-K threw his first bullpen session since going on the DL on May 30.

Dan Uggla gave the Marlins a 6-2 with a 9th inning walk off grand slam, his 19th home run of the season. Chase Utley drove in both Phillies runs including a game tying RBI in the top of the 9th. That got Cole Hamels off the hook. Incredibly, he stood to take the loss after pitching 3-hit ball for 8 innings with 13 strikeouts. Two of those three hits were solo home runs by Jorge Cantu. The Marlins also ended the Jacques Jones experiment, designating him for assignment.

In case anyone cares, the Pirates beat the Nationals 3-1. 'nuff said. Bad news though for Nats fans, Ryan Zimmerman will miss at least another 4-6 weeks with his cranky shoulder.

The Cardinals played their first of many games without Albert Pujols and pounded the Cincinnati Reds 10-0. Rick Ankiel, Jason LaRue, and Ryan Ludwick all went deep. Braden Looper threw a complete game shutout to improve to 8-5. Pujols is expected to miss at least 3 weeks with a calf strain (our imagination or is the calf strain the new hamstring injury?).

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Around the Horn - 5/16

9-0. That's where Brandon Webb stands now after the Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies yesterday, 8-5. Webb became the first pitcher since Andy Hawkins, yeah him, in 1985 to win their first 9 starts. Counting the end of last season, Webb has won 11 straight.

The Yankees are woeful coming into tonight's Subway Series, but the Mets aren't exactly firing on all cylinders. They dropped 3 of 4 to the last place Washington Nationals, including yesterday's 1-0 defeat. Mike Pelfrey had a no-hitter into the 7th inning before allowing the game's lone run. The Mets base running killed them in the 8th and 9th innings, including a game ending double play when Carlos Delgado lined to 1st and Carlos Beltran was easily caught off of 3rd. Billy Wagner then had a post-game tirade to the media and on his weekly spot with Michael Kay on ESPN radio. Not much different than Paul Lo Duca's blow up last season.

The Astros came back from a 6-0 hole to beat the Giants 8-7 on Lance Berkman's 15th home run in the 9th inning. The red hot Berkman, whose game winner went into McCovey Cove, is hitting .392 with 43 RBI.

The Pirates came back from 5-1 to beat the Cardinals 11-5. Jason Bay snapped a 5-5 tie in the 8th with a pinch-hit 3-run home run. Jason Isringhausen (1-5) blew his 6th save and was placed on the DL after the game, more for mental ailments than physical.

Cole Hamels tossed a 4-hit complete game shutout in the Phillies 5-0 blanking of the Braves. Pedro Feliz, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victarino all went deep. The win moved the Phillies within a half-game of 1st place behind the idle Marlins.

Ryan Dempster struck out a career high 12 batters in 8+ innings in the Cubs 4-0 win over Greg Maddux and the Padres. Dempster also drove in the game's first run.

The Dodgers broke open a scoreless duel with the Brewers with a 6-run 6th inning, en route to a 7-2 win. Andruw Jones, Jeff Kent, and Gary Bennett each homered in the inning off of Ben Sheets. Ryan Braun hit his 10th of the year for the Brew Crew.

Jim Thome singled in the game winner in the top of the 9th as the White Sox beat the Angels 4-3. The win gained the Sox a split of the 4-game series.

The Royals swept a 3-game series from the Tigers for the 2nd time this season. Gil Meche was his 3rd game and the Royals clobbered Kenny Rogers for an 8-4 win. Jose Guillen broke out of a season long slump with a home run and 3 RBI.

The Blue Jays recalled Joe Inglett from the minors just in time. Inglett singled in the game winner in the Blue Jays 3-2 win over the Twins in 11 innings. The win enabled the Jays to hop over the Yankees and out of the basement in the AL East standings.

Their scoreless streak came to end, but the Indians beat the A's 4-2 behind 7 stellar innings from Aaron Laffey. The one run allowed by Laffey was unearned, so the Indians starting rotation has still not allowed an earned run in 50.1 innings.

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The Yankees Tie, The Yankees Tie

It's a good thing we didn't hear John Sterling's broadcast of today's game. How could he have possibly finished his day? The Yankees played the back end of a home and home series with the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon, with the game ending in a 7-7 deadlock. With all the eligible pitchers used, managers Joe Girardi and Charlie Manuel shook hands and called it a day after 9 innings.

Jason Giambi showed the form that Yankees fans are hoping to see on a regular basis. He crushed a 3-run home run in the 1st inning off of lefty Cole Hamels and added an RBI double in the 3rd against lesser known lefty, Fabio Castro. Newcomer Jason Lane added his first home run of the spring and a stand up triple.

Andy Pettitte made his first appearance of the grapefruit league and tossed two shutout frames, that included a double play and a pick off. Both teams had 7 runs on 12 hits, with the Yankees blowing a 5-1 lead and then coming from behind to tie the game in the 8th.

Steven White struggled in his 1-plus innings of work, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and a pair of walks. Kyle Farnsworth looked like, well, Kyle Farnsworth, surrendering a solo home run to Pat Burrell in his only inning of work. The Phillies scored 2 runs off of the slimmer, but apparently still unreliable, Brian Bruney in the 8th. Alberto Gonzalez's RBI single in the bottom half of the inning tied things up, but he was stranded at 2nd.

Scott Patterson, LaTroy Hawkins, Sean Henn, and Jose Veras combined for 3 1-3 scoreless innings to round out the Yankees pitching day.

After the game Eric Duncan, Jesus Montero, Eduardo Nunez, and Austin Romine were sent to the minor league camp.

The Yankees travel to Kissimmee on Monday to face the Houston Astros at 1:05 pm. Mike Mussina gets the start against Wandy Rodriguez.

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The Rotations - NL East

Mets

Guaranteed Spots: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine, Oliver Perez

The Mets made huge news when they dealt for, arguably, the best pitcher in baseball in Santana. It didn't cost the Mets much in talent, but they are going to have to fork over about $140 million. But the Mets and their soon-to-be new ballpark needed an ace and drawing card, and they got them both in one fell swoop.

Martinez came back from arm surgery to appear in 5 games, and posted a 2.57 ERA with 32 K's in 28 innings. He may not have the velocity he once had, but with Santana's arrival, he no longer has to be the ace.

El Duque has been injury prone, he missed the '06 post-season, but he has made 53 starts over the last 2 years. He did a great job for the Mets last season, posting a 3.72 ERA while holding opponents to a .206 batting average. El Duque is a winner, pure and simple.

Maine blossomed in his 2 seasons in Flushing, after having an up and down time in Baltimore. He wore down in the final months of the season as he far exceed (190 IP) his highest innings total for his career. Maine posted a 15-10 mark and was huge in the 2nd to last night game of the season, went he brilliantly pitched the Mets back into contention with a win over the Marlins. There's no reason to think he won't keep getting better.

Perez has been an enigma throughout his major league career. Early on, it looked like he and Jake Peavy would make a remarkable 1-2 tandem for the Padres for years to come. But during a poor sophomore season, the Pads shipped him to Pittsburgh where he battled control and attitude problems. He was brilliant in 2004, striking out 239 in 196 innings, and posted a 2.98 ERA to go along with a 12-10 record. Maybe it was the huge increase in innings pitched - we'll never know - but Perez pitched his way out of Pittsburgh with miserable '05 and '06 seasons. Though he sometimes backslid, he put up a very good season for the Mets last year - 15-10, 3.56, 174 K's. The Mets will need him to do it again in 2008.

Mike Pelfrey and Tony Armas Jr., who the Mets just signed to a minor league deal, will be among those waiting for an injury or prolonged ineffectiveness to get some starts.


Phillies

Guaranteed Spots: Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton

Myers was moved to the closer role when Tom Gordon went down last year. He remained in that role when Gordon returned, giving the Phillies a stronger bullpen. But with the off-season acquisition of Brad Lidge, Myers was returned to the rotation. He averaged 206 innings the prior 2 years and should be the rotation's workhorse.

Moyer is beginning his 23rd season in the majors and his 2nd full season in Philly. The 45-yr old isn't what he once was, but he has still thrown 200+ innings for 7 straight seasons. His 5.01 ERA was his highest in 3 years, and strangely, he pitched worse away from the Phillies' hitter-friendly ballpark. He should do fine as the middle man in the rotation.

Hamels is the young stud every team hopes they will develop in their farm system. And he's left-handed to boot. Having just turned 24, the Phillies are looking for even bigger things this year from their soon-to-be ace. Hamels went 15-5, 3.39 last year while striking out 177 in 183 1-3 innings.

Kendrick burst on to the scene last year, making 20 starts in his rookie year. His 10-4 record and 3.87 ERA gave him a 5th place finish in the ROY voting.

Eaton came back from injury to make 30 starts last year, with not very good results. He finished .500 (10-10) and posted an ERA just over 6. The Phillies will hope someone can push him out of that final spot.

One of the pitchers hoping to step up is Chad Durbin, who was signed as a free agent. The 30-yr old had some moderate success as a spot starter for the Tigers in '07. Another candidate for the final spot will be another Durbin- J.D., no relation to Chad. J.D. is another swing man who can either start or relieve, though he has not had success at the major league level.


Nationals

Guaranteed Spots: Shawn Hill, Matt Chico, John Patterson, Jason Bergmann, John Lannan

That should be the starting 5 barring injury- but that's a big "what if". Patterson, Bergmann, and Hill missed large chunks of last season.

Hill was 4-5, 3.42 in a major league career high 97.1 innings pitched. The Nats hope to see the pitcher who posted a 2.68 ERA at Harrisburg ('AA') in 2006.

Chico, just 24, had a semi-successful rookie season, throwing a team-high 167 innings. His 4.63 ERA was slightly better on the road.

After an outstanding 2005, Patterson made just 15 appearances over the next 2 years after having season-ending arm surgeries. He's ready for spring training and the Nats are hoping for a return to prior form.

Bergmann had a decent year, going 6-6, 4.45 in 21 starts. But the native of Neptune, NJ (and a Rutgers attendee) must cut down on his walks and gopher balls allowed. He was hampered last year by hamstring and elbow injuries.

The Nats hope that their young, big lefty, Lannan asserts himself in the 5th spot. The 6'5" rookie made 6 starts, posting a 4.15 ERA, but walked more batters than he struck out. Lannan was very successful pitching at 3 different levels in the minors in '07 and now must translate that success to the majors.

Former Yankee Tyler Clippard along with Collin Balester, Ross Detwiler and Garrett Mock will be trying to make their mark during spring training.


Braves

Guaranteed Spots: John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Tim Hudson, Chuck James

The soon to be 41-yr old Smoltz led the team with a 3.11 ERA and struck out 197. The right-hander (14-8 last season) has put up three straight 200+ inning seasons after returning from the closer role. Barring an injury there's no reason to think he won't put up similar numbers this year.

The prodigal son has returned home, but Glavine is not the same pitcher he was in his Atlanta glory days. Glavine still puts up 200 inning seasons, but walks more hitters and gives up more home runs. He had no fully consistent seasons during his time as a Met. And of course, his final start with the playoffs hanging in the balance was a complete disaster.

Hudson led the team with 16 wins and 224.1 innings pitched. It's hard to believe this will be his 10th season in the majors. His success will help make or break the Braves this season.

James is a solid back end rotation guy; his 11-10, 4.24 mark can be improved upon, but the Braves would probably take the same season this year.

The Braves are hoping that Mike Hampton is healthy enough for a spot in the rotation, but if not, Jo Jo Reyes, Jair Jurrjens, Jeff Bennett and Buddy Carlyle will do battle for the final spot.



Marlins

Guaranteed Spots: Scott Olsen, Andrew Miller, Sergio Mitre, Mark Hendrickson

Olsen just turned 24, and has shown a lot of promise in his 1st two years in the majors. Unfortunately, his maturity level still has some catching up to do. The Marlins need more of the '06 version of Olsen, rather than the '07 model.

Miller was one of the keys in the Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis deal. Miller, still just 22 when the season opens, had mixed results in his 13 starts for the Tigers last year (5-5, 5.63, 56K's in 64 IP). But the kid is only in his 2nd full pro season after a standout career at the U. of North Carolina.

Mitre has a world of talent, but has been oft injured. He made 27 starts last year, eclipsing 100 innings for the first time, and posted a 4.65 ERA. The fish hope he improves upon those numbers this year.

Hendrickson came over as a free agent after 1+ seasons as a Dodger. He split a mediocre season between the pen and rotation, making 15 starts out of this 39 appearances. He's a good back of the rotation guy if you have a good front end. That remains to be seen in Florida.

The 5th spot in the rotation is really up in the air. Josh Johnson is coming off Tommy John surgery and probably won't pitch this season. Anibel Sanchez had surgery for a torn labrum and will probably be starting the season in the minors or extended spring training. Ricky Nolasco had elbow problems that may push him to the bullpen.

That leaves inexperienced prospects to make the rotation or the Marlins could sign a low price free agent that is still available to fill the final spot.

Ranking the Rotations

1. Mets
2. Braves
3. Phillies
4. Marlins
5. Nationals

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