How long has it been since a Phillies pinch-hitter got a postseason hit? The last guy to do it is no longer with the team.
Players who either pinch-hit or replaced starters during the game are 0-15 this postseason. The blame can be shared across the board as four players are among the hitless. Miguel Cairo, not on the World Series roster, is 0-5 this postseason. Ben Francisco is 0-4 as a pinch-hitter or mid-game replacement, while Greg Dobbs is 0-4 and Matt Stairs is 0-2 with two walks.
The last Phillie pinch-hitter to get a hit played a significant role in the team's 2008 World Series title. Geoff Jenkins ripped a sixth-inning double during the re-start of Game 5 in 2008.
The last Phillie on the 2009 World Series roster to get a pinch-hit was...surprise, Eric Bruntlett, who hit a home run in Game 2 of the 2008 World Series.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
One And Done
How important is it to win the first game of the World Series, especially if you're the visiting team? If history is any indication, it's simple: lose and you're toast.
Only once in the last 26 World Series has the visiting team lost Game 1 and then won the Series. That occurred in 1992 when Toronto dropped the first game, but rallied to beat the Braves in six games.
And it's not just the visitors who can't afford to lose Game 1. Just three teams have lost Game 1 in the last 21 World Series and still managed to win the series. Those were the Angels in 2002, the Yankees in 1996, and the Blue Jays in 1992.
Historically, Phillies teams have done well in the first game of a postseason series, going 12-6. They're also 4-2 in the first game of the World Series, having lost Game 1 in 1950 and 1993.
The current group of Phillies are 5-0 in the first game of their last five series, with their last loss coming in Game 1 of their 3-0 series loss to Colorado in 2007.
Only once in the last 26 World Series has the visiting team lost Game 1 and then won the Series. That occurred in 1992 when Toronto dropped the first game, but rallied to beat the Braves in six games.
And it's not just the visitors who can't afford to lose Game 1. Just three teams have lost Game 1 in the last 21 World Series and still managed to win the series. Those were the Angels in 2002, the Yankees in 1996, and the Blue Jays in 1992.
Historically, Phillies teams have done well in the first game of a postseason series, going 12-6. They're also 4-2 in the first game of the World Series, having lost Game 1 in 1950 and 1993.
The current group of Phillies are 5-0 in the first game of their last five series, with their last loss coming in Game 1 of their 3-0 series loss to Colorado in 2007.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Phillies' Postseason Stars
It can be easy to take this talented group of Phillies for granted, even with one World Series title and another possibly on the way. That's because they're the deepest team in Phillies history; when several players are off, several others step up.
How else to explain the fact that six--six!--Phillies are having postseasons that so far rank among the best in team history. (On a previous blog entry, I looked at the best single-series NLCS postseasons in team history.)
For argument's sake, I'm considering only those players in team history who played at least two postseason series in one year, meaning players from 1915, 1950, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, and 2007 are disqualified. Jay Johnstone went 7-for-9 in 1976, but it's not fair to say he had the best-hitting postseason in team history. That means players from 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, and 2009 merit consideration.
This year's top performers include NLCS MVP Ryan Howard--on pace for the best postseason in Phillies history--two-game winner Cliff Lee, earned-run-free Brad Lidge, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth. Surprisingly, neither Jimmy Rollins nor Chase Utley has enjoyed a noteworthy postseason either in 2008 or 2009.
Including those six, whose final numbers depend on the 2009 World Series, here are the top postseasons in Phillies history, including the 10 best by everyday players and the seven best by pitchers.
Player Year G H BA R HR RBI OBP Slg % OPS
How else to explain the fact that six--six!--Phillies are having postseasons that so far rank among the best in team history. (On a previous blog entry, I looked at the best single-series NLCS postseasons in team history.)
For argument's sake, I'm considering only those players in team history who played at least two postseason series in one year, meaning players from 1915, 1950, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, and 2007 are disqualified. Jay Johnstone went 7-for-9 in 1976, but it's not fair to say he had the best-hitting postseason in team history. That means players from 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, and 2009 merit consideration.
This year's top performers include NLCS MVP Ryan Howard--on pace for the best postseason in Phillies history--two-game winner Cliff Lee, earned-run-free Brad Lidge, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth. Surprisingly, neither Jimmy Rollins nor Chase Utley has enjoyed a noteworthy postseason either in 2008 or 2009.
Including those six, whose final numbers depend on the 2009 World Series, here are the top postseasons in Phillies history, including the 10 best by everyday players and the seven best by pitchers.
Player Year G H BA R HR RBI OBP Slg % OPS
- Ryan Howard 2009 9 11 .354 8 2 14 .461 .741 1.202
- Lenny Dykstra 1993 12 15 .312 14 6 10 .450 .729 1.179
- Shane Victorino 2009 9 13 .361 8 3 7 .439 .722 1.161
- Gary Matthews 1983 9 10 .333 5 4 9 .411 .733 1.144
- Jayson Werth 2009 9 9 .281 10 5 10 .394 .812 1.206
- John Kruk 1993 12 14 .298 8 1 9 .431 .468 .899
- Carlos Ruiz 2009 9 9 .345 4 1 7 .500 .500 1.000
- Pete Rose 1980 11 14 .325 5 0 3 .431 .348 .779
- Pete Rose 1983 9 11 .343 4 0 1 .388 .375 .763
- Larry Bowa 1980 11 15 .348 5 0 2 .391 .372 .763
- Cliff Lee 2009 2-0 24.1 14 2 3 20 0.74
- Cole Hamels 2008 4-0 35 23 7 9 30 1.80
- Brad Lidge 2008 0-0 9.1 6 1 3 13 0.97 7
- Brad Lidge 2009 1-0 4.0 6 0 3 4 0.00 3
- Steve Carlton 1983 2-1 20.1 18 3 8 20 1.50
- Curt Schilling 1993 1-1 31.1 24 9 7 28 2.61
- Steve Carlton 1980 3-0 27.1 25 7 17 23 2.32
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Catching On
What is it about catchers starring in the National League Championship Series? Through four games, the Phillies' Carlos Ruiz leads the team in batting average (.500) and on-base percentage (.667), is tied for the lead in hits (5), runs (4), and walks (4), and is second to Ryan Howard in RBIs (4), slugging percentage (.900), and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) at 1.567.
If it weren't for Howard, Ruiz would be the runaway leader for NLCS MVP. That's not so uncommon among National League catchers.
In the past 10 years, three catchers have been named NLCS MVP--while none have ever won the award in the American League since its AL inception in 1980. The three were Ivan Rodriguez with Florida in 2003, Benito Santiago with San Francisco in 2002, and Atlanta's Eddie Perez in 1999.
Two other catchers have won the award since it began in the NL in 1977: Atlanta's Javy Lopez in 1996, and Darrell Porter of St. Louis in 1982.
Ruiz's numbers so far compare favorably with the best NLCS showings of recent years. Here's a comparison:
2009 Carlos Ruiz .500 BA, .667 OBP, 1.567 OPS, 5 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI
2006 Yadier Molina .348 BA, .423 OBP, 1.075 OPS, 8 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI
2003 Ivan Rodriguez .321 BA, .424 OBP, 1.031 OPS, 9 H, 5 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, MVP
2002 Benito Santiago .300 BA, .364 OBP, .964 OPS, 6 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, MVP
2000 Mike Piazza .412 BA, .545 OBP, 1.487 OPS, 7 H, 7 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI
1999 Eddie Perez .500 BA, .524 OBP, 1.424 OPS, 10 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, MVP
If it weren't for Howard, Ruiz would be the runaway leader for NLCS MVP. That's not so uncommon among National League catchers.
In the past 10 years, three catchers have been named NLCS MVP--while none have ever won the award in the American League since its AL inception in 1980. The three were Ivan Rodriguez with Florida in 2003, Benito Santiago with San Francisco in 2002, and Atlanta's Eddie Perez in 1999.
Two other catchers have won the award since it began in the NL in 1977: Atlanta's Javy Lopez in 1996, and Darrell Porter of St. Louis in 1982.
Ruiz's numbers so far compare favorably with the best NLCS showings of recent years. Here's a comparison:
2009 Carlos Ruiz .500 BA, .667 OBP, 1.567 OPS, 5 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI
2006 Yadier Molina .348 BA, .423 OBP, 1.075 OPS, 8 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI
2003 Ivan Rodriguez .321 BA, .424 OBP, 1.031 OPS, 9 H, 5 R, 2 HR, 10 RBI, MVP
2002 Benito Santiago .300 BA, .364 OBP, .964 OPS, 6 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, MVP
2000 Mike Piazza .412 BA, .545 OBP, 1.487 OPS, 7 H, 7 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI
1999 Eddie Perez .500 BA, .524 OBP, 1.424 OPS, 10 H, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, MVP
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Perfect In The Clutch
Cole Hamels has history and experience on his side in Wednesday's NLCS game against the Dodgers. The Phillies, ahead 3 games to 1, will advance to the World Series with a win, and the team is historically perfect in such series-clinching situations.
The Phillies as a franchise are 6-0 in games in which they can possibly clinch the NLCS or World Series. Hamels is one of just four Phillies pitchers to start such a game. The others: Steve Carlton, Marty Bystrom, and Tommy Greene, with those last two names making for a great trivia question.
Bystrom was the first Phillies pitcher in team history to start a possible series-clincher, when he took the mound against Houston in Game 5 of the best-of-five 1980 NLCS. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 7 hits and 1 earned run. Dick Ruthven, a starter working in relief, got the win in the 10th inning.
Carlton twice won series clinchers, first taking Game 6 of the 1980 World Series against Kansas City, and then Game 4 of the best-of-five 1983 NLCS against the Dodgers. Greene won Game 6 of the 1993 NLCS by defeating the Braves with 7 innings of 5-hit ball.
Hamels, of course, started both deciding games for the Phillies in 2008, beating the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS. He got a no-decision against the Rays in rain-delayed Game 5 of the World Series, as J.C. Romero took the win.
In those six games, Greene is the only starter to allow more than 2 earned runs. Here's a list of all six.
1980 NLCS Bystrom 5.1 IP 7 H 1 ER no decision
1980 W.S. Carlton 7 IP 4 H 1 ER Win
1983 NLCS Carlton 6 IP 6 H 1 ER Win
1993 NLCS Greene 7 IP 5 H 3 ER Win
2008 NLCS Hamels 7 IP 5 H 1 ER Win
2008 W.S. Hamels 6 IP 5 H 2 ER no decision
The Phillies as a franchise are 6-0 in games in which they can possibly clinch the NLCS or World Series. Hamels is one of just four Phillies pitchers to start such a game. The others: Steve Carlton, Marty Bystrom, and Tommy Greene, with those last two names making for a great trivia question.
Bystrom was the first Phillies pitcher in team history to start a possible series-clincher, when he took the mound against Houston in Game 5 of the best-of-five 1980 NLCS. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 7 hits and 1 earned run. Dick Ruthven, a starter working in relief, got the win in the 10th inning.
Carlton twice won series clinchers, first taking Game 6 of the 1980 World Series against Kansas City, and then Game 4 of the best-of-five 1983 NLCS against the Dodgers. Greene won Game 6 of the 1993 NLCS by defeating the Braves with 7 innings of 5-hit ball.
Hamels, of course, started both deciding games for the Phillies in 2008, beating the Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLCS. He got a no-decision against the Rays in rain-delayed Game 5 of the World Series, as J.C. Romero took the win.
In those six games, Greene is the only starter to allow more than 2 earned runs. Here's a list of all six.
1980 NLCS Bystrom 5.1 IP 7 H 1 ER no decision
1980 W.S. Carlton 7 IP 4 H 1 ER Win
1983 NLCS Carlton 6 IP 6 H 1 ER Win
1993 NLCS Greene 7 IP 5 H 3 ER Win
2008 NLCS Hamels 7 IP 5 H 1 ER Win
2008 W.S. Hamels 6 IP 5 H 2 ER no decision
Monday, October 19, 2009
One More For The Ages
In the first game of the Phillies' 2008 World Series Championship run, Cole Hamels pitched a gem against Milwaukee. He allowed just two hits--at the time the fewest allowed by a starter in team playoff history--threw 8 shutout innings and struck out 9. I called it one of the Phillies' best playoff pitching efforts ever, ranking it just below Steve Carlton's 1980 World Series Game 6 clincher, after reviewing every Phillies playoff game in team history.
Now, after Cliff Lee's brilliant Game 3 effort last night--plus Pedro Martinez's NLCS Game 2 and an additional Cole Hamels outing later in 2008--the list needs some updating. Seems the Phillies are in the Golden Age of playoff pitching, considering Hamels, Lee, and Martinez bumped off legends like Grover Cleveland Alexander and Curt Schilling (and Danny Jackson) from the list.
Here's an update to the Phillies' top 10 postseason pitching efforts, with World Series games in bold. All the others were either NLCS or NLDS games, and all were victories except for games by Martinez and Konstanty.
1980 Carlton: 7 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 7 K 110 p (72 strikes)--won W.S.
2008 Hamels: 8 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 9 K 101 p (67 strikes)
1993 Schilling: 9 IP 5 H 0 R 0 ER 3 BB 6 K 147 p (99 strikes)
2009 Lee: 8 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 10 K 114 p (76 strikes)
2009 Martinez: 7 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 87 p (57 strikes)
1983 Denny: 7.2 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 5 K 109 p (73 strikes)
1950 Konstanty: 8 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 4 BB 0 K no pitch count
2008 Hamels: 7 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 5 K 101 p (67 strikes)--won NLCS
1980 Carlton: 7 IP 7 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 3 K 105 p (66 strikes)
1983 Hudson: 9 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 9 K 120 p (84 strikes)
Now, after Cliff Lee's brilliant Game 3 effort last night--plus Pedro Martinez's NLCS Game 2 and an additional Cole Hamels outing later in 2008--the list needs some updating. Seems the Phillies are in the Golden Age of playoff pitching, considering Hamels, Lee, and Martinez bumped off legends like Grover Cleveland Alexander and Curt Schilling (and Danny Jackson) from the list.
Here's an update to the Phillies' top 10 postseason pitching efforts, with World Series games in bold. All the others were either NLCS or NLDS games, and all were victories except for games by Martinez and Konstanty.
1980 Carlton: 7 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 7 K 110 p (72 strikes)--won W.S.
2008 Hamels: 8 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 9 K 101 p (67 strikes)
1993 Schilling: 9 IP 5 H 0 R 0 ER 3 BB 6 K 147 p (99 strikes)
2009 Lee: 8 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 10 K 114 p (76 strikes)
2009 Martinez: 7 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 87 p (57 strikes)
1983 Denny: 7.2 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 5 K 109 p (73 strikes)
1950 Konstanty: 8 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 4 BB 0 K no pitch count
2008 Hamels: 7 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 5 K 101 p (67 strikes)--won NLCS
1980 Carlton: 7 IP 7 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 3 K 105 p (66 strikes)
1983 Hudson: 9 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 9 K 120 p (84 strikes)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Winning In Spite Of Themselves
Chase Utley's second error in as many games underscored the playoff pressure players feel. Utley is now tied with Jimmy Rollins for the team lead in errors with three over the last two seasons.
But the Phillies haven't let their defensive lapses stop them. Amazingly, the Phillies are 10-2 in the last two postseasons in games in which they've made an error.
Just how unlikely is that? Well, through the first half of 2009, the Phillies had the exact same number of wins in games in which they made an error. They were 10-14 through the first 81 games. For the year, the Phillies were 29-25 when they made an error.
They had just 76 regular-season errors and a .987 fielding percentage; in the National League, only Pittsburgh had fewer errors (73) and a higher percentage (.988).
But the Phillies haven't let their defensive lapses stop them. Amazingly, the Phillies are 10-2 in the last two postseasons in games in which they've made an error.
Just how unlikely is that? Well, through the first half of 2009, the Phillies had the exact same number of wins in games in which they made an error. They were 10-14 through the first 81 games. For the year, the Phillies were 29-25 when they made an error.
They had just 76 regular-season errors and a .987 fielding percentage; in the National League, only Pittsburgh had fewer errors (73) and a higher percentage (.988).
Friday, October 16, 2009
From MVP To Least Valuable?
Jimmy Rollins has a reputation as a star who shines brightest in the big games. It might be time for a makeover.
Rollins, a three-time All Star and the 2007 NL MVP, has been the least productive Phillies regular in the last four postseason series. Since the start of the 2008 NLCS, Rollins is hitting just .208, with a leadoff-hitter's nightmare .253 on-base percentage. He has just 1 home run and 1 RBI during the 15-game stretch.
He also leads the team in errors for the past two postseasons combined with three, which doesn't count his delayed toss to Chase Utley that threw off the play's timing in last night's game.
By comparison, Pedro Feliz, the next-worst productive regular, is hitting .229 over the last four postseason series, with 3 RBIs and a .312 OBP. He also has no errors the last two postseasons.
Rollins' inability to draw walks--amazingly, he has just 1 in the last 10 playoff games--is a major weakness for a leadoff hitter batting in front of 30-home-run sluggers like Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, and Raul Ibanez. It's also why Rollins is able to claim a 5-game playoff hitting streak; since he never walks, he typically records 5 at-bats a game, as he has for 11 of the last 15 postseason games.
It's possible either hitting coach Milt Thompson or manager Charlie Manuel has encouraged Rollins to be more patient at the plate recently, since he has seen significantly more pitches over the last three playoff games. He has averaged 5.2 pitches per at-bat in the last three games, compared to 3.76 per at-bat in the 12 previous games dating to the 2008 NLCS.
If that doesn't work, might Manuel consider dropping Rollins in the lineup? Even if Manuel did nothing more than flip Rollins and Feliz, the team would see an improvement in the on-base percentage of its leadoff hitter.
Rollins, a three-time All Star and the 2007 NL MVP, has been the least productive Phillies regular in the last four postseason series. Since the start of the 2008 NLCS, Rollins is hitting just .208, with a leadoff-hitter's nightmare .253 on-base percentage. He has just 1 home run and 1 RBI during the 15-game stretch.
He also leads the team in errors for the past two postseasons combined with three, which doesn't count his delayed toss to Chase Utley that threw off the play's timing in last night's game.
By comparison, Pedro Feliz, the next-worst productive regular, is hitting .229 over the last four postseason series, with 3 RBIs and a .312 OBP. He also has no errors the last two postseasons.
Rollins' inability to draw walks--amazingly, he has just 1 in the last 10 playoff games--is a major weakness for a leadoff hitter batting in front of 30-home-run sluggers like Utley, Ryan Howard, Jayson Werth, and Raul Ibanez. It's also why Rollins is able to claim a 5-game playoff hitting streak; since he never walks, he typically records 5 at-bats a game, as he has for 11 of the last 15 postseason games.
It's possible either hitting coach Milt Thompson or manager Charlie Manuel has encouraged Rollins to be more patient at the plate recently, since he has seen significantly more pitches over the last three playoff games. He has averaged 5.2 pitches per at-bat in the last three games, compared to 3.76 per at-bat in the 12 previous games dating to the 2008 NLCS.
If that doesn't work, might Manuel consider dropping Rollins in the lineup? Even if Manuel did nothing more than flip Rollins and Feliz, the team would see an improvement in the on-base percentage of its leadoff hitter.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
And Then There Was One
Things change fastball in baseball, as Brett Myers found out today. The Phillies' 2009 opening-day starter was not included on the team's NLCS roster.
His mid-season hip surgery, and a subsequent eye injury in August, kept Myers off the field for long stretches of the season. Still, Myers pitched in relief in eight games during September and October, as well as two-thirds of an inning in the NLDS against Colorado.
The absence of Myers, as well as Kyle Kendrick, from the 2009 NLCS roster means that only one Phillies pitcher remains active for the NLCS who was on the team's playoff roster just two years ago: Cole Hamels.
Besides Hamels, the other pitchers on the 2007 NLDS roster were: Myers, Kendrick, and Clay Condrey (all of whom weren't chosen), Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero--both of whom are injured--and Antonio Alfonseca, Tom Gordon, Kyle Lohse, and Jose Mesa, none of whom are with the team.
Talk about a change-up.
His mid-season hip surgery, and a subsequent eye injury in August, kept Myers off the field for long stretches of the season. Still, Myers pitched in relief in eight games during September and October, as well as two-thirds of an inning in the NLDS against Colorado.
The absence of Myers, as well as Kyle Kendrick, from the 2009 NLCS roster means that only one Phillies pitcher remains active for the NLCS who was on the team's playoff roster just two years ago: Cole Hamels.
Besides Hamels, the other pitchers on the 2007 NLDS roster were: Myers, Kendrick, and Clay Condrey (all of whom weren't chosen), Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero--both of whom are injured--and Antonio Alfonseca, Tom Gordon, Kyle Lohse, and Jose Mesa, none of whom are with the team.
Talk about a change-up.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Phillies' NLCS Best And Worst
It seems it wouldn't be a National League Championship Series for the Phillies if they didn't face the Dodgers. This will be the eighth NLCS for the franchise--and the fifth time the team has played Los Angeles.
The teams are split historically, with L.A. winning the first two league championship series (1977, '78) and the Phillies taking the NLCS in 1983 and 2008.
Including the club's three other NLCS appearances in 1976 (vs. Cincinnati), '80 (Houston), and '93 (Atlanta), here are the best and worst Phillies NLCS performances by position.
The best:
C: Bob Boone, 1977: .400 BA
1B: Pete Rose, 1980: .400 BA, .520 OBP
2B: Manny Trillo, 1980: .381 BA, .935 OPS, 4 RBI, NLCS MVP
SS: Larry Bowa, 1978: .333 BA
3B: Mike Schmidt, 1983: .467 BA, 1.329 OPS, 5 runs scored
LF: Gary Matthews, 1983: .429 BA, 1.571 OPS, 3 HR, 8 RBI, NLCS MVP
CF: Garry Maddox, 1980: .300 BA, 3 RBI
RF: Jay Johnstone, 1976: .778 BA, 1.911 OPS (7-for-9 in three-game series)
P: Steve Carlton, 1983: 2-0, 0.66 ERA, 13 K in 13.2 IP
P: Curt Schilling, 1993: 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 19 K in 16 IP, NLCS MVP
P: Cole Hamels, 2008: 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 13 K in 14 IP, NLCS MVP
P: Brad Lidge, 2008: 3 saves, 0.00 ERA, 6 K in 4.1 IP in 4 G
P: Mitch Williams, 1993: 2-0, 2 saves, 1.69 ERA, 5 K in 5.1 IP in 4 G
P: Ryan Madson, 2008: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 K in 5 IP in 4 G
The worst:
C: Bo Diaz, 1983: .154 BA, .231 SLG.
1B: Richie Hebner, 1978: .111 BA
2B: Joe Morgan, 1983: .067 BA, .176 OBP
SS: Jimmy Rollins, 2008: .143 BA, .217 OBP, 8 strikeouts
3B: Mike Schmidt, 1977: .063 BA, 1 RBI
LF: Pete Incaviglia, 1993: .167 BA, .167 OBP
CF: Garry Maddox, 1976: .231 BA
RF: Jim Eisenreich, 1993: .133 BA, .200 SLG
P: Jamie Moyer, 2008: 0-1, 40.50 ERA, 6 ER in 1.1 IP
P: Larry Christenson, 1978: 0-1, 12.46 ERA, 6 ER in 4.1 IP
P: Jim Lonborg, 1977: 0-1, 11.25 ERA, 5 ER in 4 IP
P: Ron Reed, 1980: 0-1, 18.00 ERA, 4 ER in 2 IP in 3 G
P: Larry Andersen, 1993: 0-0, 15.43 ERA, 4 ER in 2.1 IP in 3 G
P: Tug McGraw, 1976: 0-0, 11.57 ERA, 3 ER in 2 IP in 2 G
The teams are split historically, with L.A. winning the first two league championship series (1977, '78) and the Phillies taking the NLCS in 1983 and 2008.
Including the club's three other NLCS appearances in 1976 (vs. Cincinnati), '80 (Houston), and '93 (Atlanta), here are the best and worst Phillies NLCS performances by position.
The best:
C: Bob Boone, 1977: .400 BA
1B: Pete Rose, 1980: .400 BA, .520 OBP
2B: Manny Trillo, 1980: .381 BA, .935 OPS, 4 RBI, NLCS MVP
SS: Larry Bowa, 1978: .333 BA
3B: Mike Schmidt, 1983: .467 BA, 1.329 OPS, 5 runs scored
LF: Gary Matthews, 1983: .429 BA, 1.571 OPS, 3 HR, 8 RBI, NLCS MVP
CF: Garry Maddox, 1980: .300 BA, 3 RBI
RF: Jay Johnstone, 1976: .778 BA, 1.911 OPS (7-for-9 in three-game series)
P: Steve Carlton, 1983: 2-0, 0.66 ERA, 13 K in 13.2 IP
P: Curt Schilling, 1993: 0-0, 1.69 ERA, 19 K in 16 IP, NLCS MVP
P: Cole Hamels, 2008: 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 13 K in 14 IP, NLCS MVP
P: Brad Lidge, 2008: 3 saves, 0.00 ERA, 6 K in 4.1 IP in 4 G
P: Mitch Williams, 1993: 2-0, 2 saves, 1.69 ERA, 5 K in 5.1 IP in 4 G
P: Ryan Madson, 2008: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 K in 5 IP in 4 G
The worst:
C: Bo Diaz, 1983: .154 BA, .231 SLG.
1B: Richie Hebner, 1978: .111 BA
2B: Joe Morgan, 1983: .067 BA, .176 OBP
SS: Jimmy Rollins, 2008: .143 BA, .217 OBP, 8 strikeouts
3B: Mike Schmidt, 1977: .063 BA, 1 RBI
LF: Pete Incaviglia, 1993: .167 BA, .167 OBP
CF: Garry Maddox, 1976: .231 BA
RF: Jim Eisenreich, 1993: .133 BA, .200 SLG
P: Jamie Moyer, 2008: 0-1, 40.50 ERA, 6 ER in 1.1 IP
P: Larry Christenson, 1978: 0-1, 12.46 ERA, 6 ER in 4.1 IP
P: Jim Lonborg, 1977: 0-1, 11.25 ERA, 5 ER in 4 IP
P: Ron Reed, 1980: 0-1, 18.00 ERA, 4 ER in 2 IP in 3 G
P: Larry Andersen, 1993: 0-0, 15.43 ERA, 4 ER in 2.1 IP in 3 G
P: Tug McGraw, 1976: 0-0, 11.57 ERA, 3 ER in 2 IP in 2 G
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Phillies' Best Postseason Catcher
Carlos Ruiz twice gave the Phillies the lead in Sunday's 6-5 win with RBI singles. He also moved into a tie for the team record for most career postseason RBIs by a catcher. (Granted, the Phillies postseason records aren't like the Yankees'--Yogi Berra had 10 RBIs in the 1956 World Series alone, and 39 for his career.)
Ruiz is now tied at 7 with Bob Boone and Darren Daulton. With one more RBI this series, he'll also tie Boone ('80 World Series) and Darren Daulton ('93 World Series) for most RBIs in a postseason series with 4.
Ruiz has been a standout in his five postseason series, hitting at least .313 in four of them. He's at .333 against Colorado with three RBIs, following up on last year's World Series when he hit .375, with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, a .500 OBP, and a 1.188 OPS.
Ruiz's continued productivity is unique among Phillies catchers in the postseason. All Phillies catchers combined had just 2 RBIs in the club's first five postseason series (1915, '50, '76, '77, '78). The Phillies' first postseason RBI by a catcher wasn't until Boone got one--and only one--in 1976.
Meanwhile, Ruiz has now reached base safely in seven straight games. Not coincidentally, in his three full seasons as a starter, the Phillies have won the National League East all three years.
Ruiz is now tied at 7 with Bob Boone and Darren Daulton. With one more RBI this series, he'll also tie Boone ('80 World Series) and Darren Daulton ('93 World Series) for most RBIs in a postseason series with 4.
Ruiz has been a standout in his five postseason series, hitting at least .313 in four of them. He's at .333 against Colorado with three RBIs, following up on last year's World Series when he hit .375, with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, a .500 OBP, and a 1.188 OPS.
Ruiz's continued productivity is unique among Phillies catchers in the postseason. All Phillies catchers combined had just 2 RBIs in the club's first five postseason series (1915, '50, '76, '77, '78). The Phillies' first postseason RBI by a catcher wasn't until Boone got one--and only one--in 1976.
Meanwhile, Ruiz has now reached base safely in seven straight games. Not coincidentally, in his three full seasons as a starter, the Phillies have won the National League East all three years.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Werth Streaks Ahead
Jayson Werth’s eighth-inning home run did more than just offer hope to the Phillies in Thursday’s 5-4 loss. It also extended his postseason hitting streak to 11, giving him the highest total among active major leaguers. He was tied with Scott Rolen, who has a 10-game streak.
Werth also moved closer to the Phillies’ postseason hitting streak record of 13, held by Greg Luzinski. The Bull got hits in his first 13 postseason games, from the 1976 NLCS against Cincinnati into the 1980 NLCS against Houston.
Luzinski hit .326 during his postseason streak, going 16-for-49 through Game 2 of the ’80 NLCS. Then, Luzinski went colder than Colorado in October.
In his next 10 postseason games, including three ’80 NLCS games, three ’80 World Series appearances, and four ’83 ALCS games with the Chicago White Sox, Luzinski had just four hits in 33 at-bats, for a .121 average.
Unlike Luzinski, Werth got off to a slow start as a hitter in the playoffs before catching fire. He hit .235 in his first six playoff games prior to the 2008 season, when he played in the 2004 NLDS as a Dodger, and then the 2007 NLDS with the Phillies.
However, Werth is hitting .348 (15-for-43) during his streak, which began in Game 2 of the 2008 NLCS against Los Angeles.
The major-league record for longest postseason hitting streak is 17, shared by three players: Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, and Hank Bauer.
Werth also moved closer to the Phillies’ postseason hitting streak record of 13, held by Greg Luzinski. The Bull got hits in his first 13 postseason games, from the 1976 NLCS against Cincinnati into the 1980 NLCS against Houston.
Luzinski hit .326 during his postseason streak, going 16-for-49 through Game 2 of the ’80 NLCS. Then, Luzinski went colder than Colorado in October.
In his next 10 postseason games, including three ’80 NLCS games, three ’80 World Series appearances, and four ’83 ALCS games with the Chicago White Sox, Luzinski had just four hits in 33 at-bats, for a .121 average.
Unlike Luzinski, Werth got off to a slow start as a hitter in the playoffs before catching fire. He hit .235 in his first six playoff games prior to the 2008 season, when he played in the 2004 NLDS as a Dodger, and then the 2007 NLDS with the Phillies.
However, Werth is hitting .348 (15-for-43) during his streak, which began in Game 2 of the 2008 NLCS against Los Angeles.
The major-league record for longest postseason hitting streak is 17, shared by three players: Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, and Hank Bauer.
From Start To Finish
Charlie Manuel's decision yesterday to use starting pitchers Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ as relievers, while controversial, was hardly unprecedented in Phillies postseason history. And, except for one spectacular exception, the past results matched yesterday's loss.
Yesterday was the ninth time in Phillies history that a manager resorted to using a starting pitcher as a reliever in the playoffs. The team's record when it happens is now 1-8.
Here are the eight occasions when the Phillies lost:
Game 2 2009 NLDS: Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ
Game 2 2007 NLDS: Kyle Lohse
Game 3 1993 NLCS: Ben Rivera
Game 5 1983 NLCS: Marty Bystrom
Game 1 1950 World Series: Russ Meyer
Game 3 1950 World Series: Russ Meyer
Game 4 1950 World Series: Robin Roberts
Game 5 1915 World Series: Eppa Rixey
And the only time the Phillies used a starter as a reliever in the postseason and the team won was in Game 5 of the 1980 NLCS against Houston. In an electric series finale, manager Dallas Green turned to both Larry Christenson (in the seventh inning) and Dick Ruthven, who came on in the ninth and also pitched the tenth inning to get the win.
Yesterday was the ninth time in Phillies history that a manager resorted to using a starting pitcher as a reliever in the playoffs. The team's record when it happens is now 1-8.
Here are the eight occasions when the Phillies lost:
Game 2 2009 NLDS: Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ
Game 2 2007 NLDS: Kyle Lohse
Game 3 1993 NLCS: Ben Rivera
Game 5 1983 NLCS: Marty Bystrom
Game 1 1950 World Series: Russ Meyer
Game 3 1950 World Series: Russ Meyer
Game 4 1950 World Series: Robin Roberts
Game 5 1915 World Series: Eppa Rixey
And the only time the Phillies used a starter as a reliever in the postseason and the team won was in Game 5 of the 1980 NLCS against Houston. In an electric series finale, manager Dallas Green turned to both Larry Christenson (in the seventh inning) and Dick Ruthven, who came on in the ninth and also pitched the tenth inning to get the win.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Rollins Gets Defensive
Newcomers Cliff Lee (a complete-game victory) and Raul Ibanez (2-4, 2 RBIs) carried the Phillies as they began their World Series title defense. But the longest-tenured Phillie made a quieter impact in a way that typified his season and his career.
Jimmy Rollins made a running catch down the leftfield line early in the game, then made another wind-impacted into-leftfield-back-toward-the-infield catch that typified the Gold Glove defense he's displayed since his first full season as a starter and 2001 22-year-old All Star.
His offense, when better or worse, gets the most focus, but Rollins could join a select group of shortstops in major-league history. Rollins has won two straight Gold Gloves. If he wins a third this season--highly likely, since he made just six errors all year--he'd trail just seven shortstops all-time who have won more. And just two National League shortstops will have topped his three: Ozzie Smith and Dave Concepcion.
Jimmy Rollins made a running catch down the leftfield line early in the game, then made another wind-impacted into-leftfield-back-toward-the-infield catch that typified the Gold Glove defense he's displayed since his first full season as a starter and 2001 22-year-old All Star.
His offense, when better or worse, gets the most focus, but Rollins could join a select group of shortstops in major-league history. Rollins has won two straight Gold Gloves. If he wins a third this season--highly likely, since he made just six errors all year--he'd trail just seven shortstops all-time who have won more. And just two National League shortstops will have topped his three: Ozzie Smith and Dave Concepcion.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Comparing 2009 vs. 2007 NLDS Rosters
It's not surprising if this year's Phillies' pitching staff doesn't dwell on the team's 2007 NLDS loss to Colorado. That's because so few of the 2009 pitchers were around in 2007.
When the Phillies released their NLDS roster Tuesday, just three pitchers remained from the NLDS roster from 2007: Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Kyle Kendrick. The rest are either injured (Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero), not selected (Clay Condrey), or gone (Antonio Alfonseca, Tom Gordon, Kyle Lohse, and Jose Mesa).
Half of the position players are gone, too, including Wes Helms, Tadahito Iguchi, Abraham Nunez, Michael Bourn, Pat Burrell, and Aaron Rowand. The six remaining regulars are Greg Dobbs, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz is still around, but Chris Coste and Rod Barajas aren't. Half of the everyday starters return from the 2007 Game 1: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, and Howard.
When the Phillies released their NLDS roster Tuesday, just three pitchers remained from the NLDS roster from 2007: Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, and Kyle Kendrick. The rest are either injured (Jamie Moyer and J.C. Romero), not selected (Clay Condrey), or gone (Antonio Alfonseca, Tom Gordon, Kyle Lohse, and Jose Mesa).
Half of the position players are gone, too, including Wes Helms, Tadahito Iguchi, Abraham Nunez, Michael Bourn, Pat Burrell, and Aaron Rowand. The six remaining regulars are Greg Dobbs, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Jayson Werth.
Catcher Carlos Ruiz is still around, but Chris Coste and Rod Barajas aren't. Half of the everyday starters return from the 2007 Game 1: Rollins, Victorino, Utley, and Howard.
Monday, October 5, 2009
World Series Champions' Magic Number
Baseball has seen all sorts of world championship pitching staffs since the start of the modern World Series in 1903. One star young pitcher would lead his championship team in wins one year (Babe Ruth, with 23 wins for Boston in 1916) and then go on to become the all-time leading home run hitter and win four more World Series as a legendary outfielder for the team's rival.
There would be teams with a 34-game winner (Boston's Joe Wood in 1912) and ones with seven pitchers who'd record at least 10 wins (Cincinnati's 1976 Big Red Machine).
But never in baseball history has a team won the World Series if its winningest pitcher didn't have at least 14 victories for the team during a full season. (Fernando Valenzuela led Los Angeles with 13 in strike-shortened 1981.) In fact, just two World Series champs had a winningest pitcher with less than 15 wins: the 2003 Florida Marlins with three 14-game winners, and the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, led by John Candelaria (14).
In other words, the odds aren't in the Phillies' favor heading into the playoffs. And it doesn't look too good for L.A. either.
The winningest pitcher on both teams finished with just 12 wins. The Phillies' Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, and Jamie Moyer reached 12, while Chad Billingsley had 12 for the Dodgers. Every other team in this year's playoffs features a pitcher with at least 15 wins.
And you thought it was bad for the Phillies that their closer is 0-8 with 11 blown saves and a 7.21 ERA.
Looking for a bright side, or perhaps an asterisk to the rule? Cliff Lee finished with 14 total wins for the season if you count the seven he won before his trade from Cleveland.
There would be teams with a 34-game winner (Boston's Joe Wood in 1912) and ones with seven pitchers who'd record at least 10 wins (Cincinnati's 1976 Big Red Machine).
But never in baseball history has a team won the World Series if its winningest pitcher didn't have at least 14 victories for the team during a full season. (Fernando Valenzuela led Los Angeles with 13 in strike-shortened 1981.) In fact, just two World Series champs had a winningest pitcher with less than 15 wins: the 2003 Florida Marlins with three 14-game winners, and the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, led by John Candelaria (14).
In other words, the odds aren't in the Phillies' favor heading into the playoffs. And it doesn't look too good for L.A. either.
The winningest pitcher on both teams finished with just 12 wins. The Phillies' Joe Blanton, J.A. Happ, and Jamie Moyer reached 12, while Chad Billingsley had 12 for the Dodgers. Every other team in this year's playoffs features a pitcher with at least 15 wins.
And you thought it was bad for the Phillies that their closer is 0-8 with 11 blown saves and a 7.21 ERA.
Looking for a bright side, or perhaps an asterisk to the rule? Cliff Lee finished with 14 total wins for the season if you count the seven he won before his trade from Cleveland.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Going Long In The Postseason
The Phillies will enter the postseason as the National League's top power-hitting team. They lead the league in home runs, runs, slugging percentage, and total bases heading into the weekend series with Florida. Their 220 home runs is the most in team history, surpassing the previous high of 215 set in 2004.
The team also leads the majors in grand slams with 11, four more than the next closest teams. This season they also became just the 12th team in baseball history with four players to hit at least 30 home runs (Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, and Chase Utley).
What will all that power mean in the postseason?
Well, the Phillies set a team record with 18 postseason homers last year, topping the 14 hit by the 1993 National League champs. Only seven teams in baseball history have hit more during one season, including their 2008 World Series opponent. Tampa Bay's 26 last year is one shy of the record, held by the 2002 San Francisco Giants.
Of those seven teams, however, only the 2002 Angels (24 HRs in 16 games) and the 1995 Braves (19 HRs in 14 games) went on to win the World Series. (The full list is here.)
Six of the team's eight starting regulars have hit postseason home runs, with Ryan Howard's career total of five tying him with Greg Luzinski and Gary Matthews, one behind all-time team leader Lenny Dykstra. Ibanez and Pedro Feliz are the two Phillies who've yet to hit postseason home runs. Ibanez reached the '00 postseason with Seattle, while Feliz played in the '08 playoffs, as well as in '02 and '03 with San Francisco.
The team also leads the majors in grand slams with 11, four more than the next closest teams. This season they also became just the 12th team in baseball history with four players to hit at least 30 home runs (Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, and Chase Utley).
What will all that power mean in the postseason?
Well, the Phillies set a team record with 18 postseason homers last year, topping the 14 hit by the 1993 National League champs. Only seven teams in baseball history have hit more during one season, including their 2008 World Series opponent. Tampa Bay's 26 last year is one shy of the record, held by the 2002 San Francisco Giants.
Of those seven teams, however, only the 2002 Angels (24 HRs in 16 games) and the 1995 Braves (19 HRs in 14 games) went on to win the World Series. (The full list is here.)
Six of the team's eight starting regulars have hit postseason home runs, with Ryan Howard's career total of five tying him with Greg Luzinski and Gary Matthews, one behind all-time team leader Lenny Dykstra. Ibanez and Pedro Feliz are the two Phillies who've yet to hit postseason home runs. Ibanez reached the '00 postseason with Seattle, while Feliz played in the '08 playoffs, as well as in '02 and '03 with San Francisco.
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