Game No. 56

The Phillies and Mets will get together for their third series of the year of the year this week. The Phillies are finishing a 10-game road trip at Shitty Field. They have won 5 of 7 on the trip to this point. They have blown two of the games, thanks to tough ninth innings by Brad Lidge. The Mets are coming off being swept by the Pirates last, before they took 2 of 3 in D.C. Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley all lead their positions in the all-star voting. David Wright and Carlos Beltran lead the Mets.

The Pitching Matchup:

• Philadelphia: LHP J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.48 era) Happ has thrown well since entering the starting rotation full-time, 2 weeks ago. Happ is 0-1 with a 4.40 era in his career against the Mets. Happ made his major league debut against the Mets in 2007, struggling in that game. He has made 4 career appearances against the Mets.
  
• New York: LHP Johan Santana (7-3, 2.00 era) Santana has been the best pitcher in the National League this year. Earlier this year, Santana out-dueled Chan Ho Park, beating him 1-0. Santana has made 7 career starts against the Fightins, going 3-0 with a 2.44 era.

The Phillies Lineup will be posted when it becomes available.

Game time is 7:10pm. It can be heard locally on 1210 wpht, and seen on myphl17.

North Penn and Parkland Head To Altoona

After a week of rainouts and playoffs, the state final is finally set. North Penn advanced to Altoona with a 12-1 trouncing of WPIAL champion, North Allegheny. The Knights scored in 5 of the 7 innings, and we in control from the first pitch on. 

Parkland beat St. Joseph's Prep, 6-2. Parkland was on the brink of elimination a week ago winning in extra innings, but now they will find themselves 7 innings from a State Championship.

First-pitch is 7:00pm Friday night. I'll post a preview later in the week. 

Monday in the NL East

The Mets and Phillies are both off tonight, preparing for their three-game series at Citi Field.

The Marlins got 8 innings of two-hit baseball, to shutout the Giants, 4-0. The teams split the four game series. Brett Carroll led the Marlins, going 3-for-4 with a 3-run homer.

• The Marlins now host the Cardinals for three. In game one, both teams throw their aces. Chris Carpenter against Josh Johnson both get the call.

Sunday in the NL East

The Phillies got another good start from rookie Antonio Bastardo. Bastardo left in the 6th with the lead, and the Phils didn't look back from there. Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, and Ryan Howard all homered in the game. The Phils now get an off day before starting a three-game set with the Mets in Queens. 

• In the series opener, J.A. Happ (4-0, 2.48 era) faces Johan Santana (7-3, 2.00 era).

The Mets took the rubber-game of their 3 gamer with the Nats. The Mets scored 5 first inning runs, on their way to 7-0 win. Livan Hernandez got the win for the Mets.

The Braves rallied from behind to beat the Brewers. Tommy Hanson struggled in his debut, giving up six earned runs over six innings. Chipper Jones went 4-for-4 with 5 rbi's in the comeback. Nate McClouth's first hit as a Brave was a 2-run double in the 8th inning, to tie the game. He later scored on a Yunel Escobar single.

• The Braves now open up a four game series at home against the Pirates. Kenshin Kawakami faces Zach Duke in game one.

Tim Lincecum beat the Marlins Sunday in game three of four in the series. Lincecum went into the 8th inning giving up just 2 runs. 

• In the series ender, Randy Johnson faces Sean West.
• The Nationals host the Reds for three. In game one, Jordan Zimmermann faces Johnny Queto.

Game No. 55

Tonight, the Phillies look to get the split with the Dodgers. The Phillies are making their second appearance on Sunday Night Baseball of the year tonight. Brad Lidge blew his second save of the series, and sixth on the season. The Phillies offense hope to get back on track offensively as well. Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard have gone hitless for the series. Following tonight's game, the Phils are off Monday before going to Citi Field to take on the Mets.

The Pitching Matchup:

• Philadelphia: LHP Antonio Bastardo (1-0, 1.50 era) Bastardo was outstanding in his debut Tuesday night in San Diego. He threw 6 innings, allowing just an Adrian Gonzalez homer. Bastardo has never faced the Dodgers in his career.
• Los Angeles: LHP Randy Wolf (3-1, 3.21 era) The ex-Phil has made two career starts against the Phillies and is 1-0 with a 2.25 era. He pitched against the Phillies earlier this year, going six innings and allowing just a run.

The Phillies Lineup:

1. Shane Victorino, cf
2. Chase Utley, 2b
3. Jayson Werth, rf
4. Ryan Howard, 1b
5. Raul Ibanez, lf
6. Jimmy Rollins, ss
7. Pedro Feliz, 3b
8. Carlos Ruiz, c
9. Antonio Bastardo, p

The Phillies have just 3 extra men tonight. Matt Stairs is home for his daughters high school graduation. Coste, Dobbs, and Bruntlett are the only ones available tonight.

Tonight's game is at 8:05pm. It can be heard locally on 1210 wpht, and seen nationally on ESPN.

What To Do With One Brad Lidge..

I could post about a lot of things today. We could talk about how Brian Westbrook is going to miss training camp. We could talk about how much of a wreck the Sixers are. We could even try to stir up some rumors, like the Flyers going after Jay Bouwmeester. 

However, the biggest problem today seems to be with the one of the biggest sure things this city had a year ago. That's the closer in the bullpen. Brad Lidge has seemed to lost all confidence in himself. Last year, he was perfect. This year, not so much. Look, we all knew he wasn't going to have the same season he had last year but I wouldn't have ever guessed Lidge would have a 7+ era and six blown saves before the fourth of July. So, now the Phillies are sitting there thinking of what they can do with Lidge. Here are some of the answers the Phillies have.

• Shut down Lidge, let someone else get a chance: This one is what most fans probably think should be done but there are steep consequences for this. Ryan Madson would most likely be the guy to get those chances. However, what happens if Madson struggles. You now have lost your two best relievers at the mid-point of the season. On the flip side, what if Madson is great? Well, you have solved your closer spot but now you also have no place for Brad Lidge. In Houston when Lidge lost the closer role, the wheels came off and that was it for him as an Astro. The Phillies still have Lidge under contract the next two seasons, and losing him would be the worst. That's why I don't see this happening.
• Keep giving Lidge the ball: I'm not sure how I feel about this one either. I do think Lidge will get it back, and I really don't think shutting him down will help him at all. He needs to pitch through this and get confidence back that way. No one has ever gotten their swagger back with a trip to the DL. This team needs Lidge, and hopefully he will work through it. 
• My solution: Let me stress, there is no perfect answer with Lidge. Right now, I would pick my spots with Lidge. I know they are worried about overworking Madson, but yesterday would've been a good day to try and have him go a second inning. Lidge needs to find himself. To me the only way to do that is to keep trying. 

Hopefully Lidge gets things going soon. Tonight the Phillies look for a split with the Dodgers at 8:05pm.

Baseball Final Four Set

After a few days of rainy weather postponed two of the quarterfinal games, the final four is now set for Monday. North Penn defeated Council Rock North, 2-1 in what was a pitcher's duel. Parkland upset Wyoming Valley West, and St. Joe's Prep stunned West Chester East. North Allegheny advanced Thursday afternoon, beating Pine-Richland. So, now each of these four teams is a win away from Altoona. Let's take a look at the match-ups for Monday afternoon.

• District 12's St. Joseph's Prep vs. District 11's Parkland, 2pm at Spring-Ford HS in Royersford.

St. Joseph's Prep was the District 12 champion and beat Garnet Valley and West Chester East, each by a run. Parkland also was the District champion, and beat Pennridge in 8 innings Monday. They defeated Wyoming Valley West on Thursday, 7-1.

• District 7's North Allegheny vs. District 1's North Penn, 4pm in Scotland. 

North Allegheny beat Hollidaysburg in round one, and then beat Pine-Richland in a rematch of their WPIAL championship game, 3-2 in 9 innings. North Penn enters winners of 4 in a row, after being District 1's 5-seed. They beat Chambersburg and Council Rock North to get to the semi's. 

I'll take St. Joseph's Prep and North Penn to meet in the finals on Friday. We will see how it ends up.  I went 2-2 in the quarterfinal round. Once again, the championship is Friday at 7pm in Altoona.