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.
Monday, October 12, 2009
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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