65 Games In, Phillies Should Blow It Up

June 14, 2014

By Steve Bohnel
@SteveSportsGuy1

Just when the Fightin' Phils give you a reason to believe, they give you yet another example of why GM Ruben Amaro Jr. should be looking to trade whoever he can before the MLB trade deadline on July 31.

Home plate rule needs further review

April 21, 2014

By Steve Bohnel
@SteveSportsGuy1

The Phillies were in the second of a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies. In the bottom of third inning, a play at the plate illustrated one of the key additions to the MLB this season: expanded instant replay.

But this play was different. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who had singled to start the inning, was on his way home trying to score the first run of the game. Chase Utley fired the ball home. Ruiz blocked the plate, and Arenado was out...for a few minutes.

An emptying bank

April 16, 2014

By Steve Bohnel
@SteveSportsGuy1

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons had just smacked a hanging slider from Phils reliever B.J. Rosenberg into the left field bleachers at Citizens Bank Park.  Droves of fans departed from their seats with the score now 5-1 in favor of Atlanta in the eighth inning.

Not that it was exactly a sell-out crowd in the first place.  The attendance at the Bank on April 14 was 26,516—far short of the full capacity of nearly 44,000. 

This isn’t a new thing that has been happening just this year. Ever since 2010, when season attendance peaked at an all-time high at 3,777,322, the Phillies have seen a decline in the category, dropping down to 3,012,403 in 2013.

Phillies Week in Review 3/17-3/23: Rollins on the hot seat, Asche wins out, and more injuries

March 23, 2014

By Andrew Sifari

@Wild_Sifari

Record: 2-2-1

                   3/19                           3/20                   3/20                        3/21                          3/23

                     L                               W                      L                              T                             W

Games:  PHI @ TOR           PHI @ HOU      PHI vs.  TOR            PHI vs. BOS            PHI vs. MIN 

                  6     -   11              6    -      3           1       -    3                 2     -    2                  5   -      1           

This week was eventful for the Phillies, whose chances for winning have gotten no better as of late. Speculation swirled after a report from ESPN’s Buster Olney suggested that the Phillies are open to trading shortstop Jimmy Rollins. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. vehemently denied this shortly afterwards. Rollins would do the same later, citing his full no trade clause.

It was announced in the beginning of the week that Cliff Lee would start on Opening Day for the Phillies. This would be the second opening day start of Lee’s career, the other coming in 2009 as a member of the Indians. Lee went 14-8 with a 2.87 ERA for the Phillies last season so, with Cole Hamels out, it probably wasn’t a hard decision to go with Lee.

From the Review: The Rollins situation mirrors that of McNabb's in Philly

March 20, 2014

By Nick Tricome
@itssnick215

Donovan McNabb will forever be regarded as one of the better quarterbacks in Philadelphia football history, but even he was forced to deal with fledgling fan support during his final years as people grew weary of his attitude and personality.

McNabb overstayed his welcome in Philadelphia and it seems now the same can be said of Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

What to look for from Gonzalez

February 15, 2014

By Andrew Sifari

As Spring Training begins, one of the big question marks for the Phillies entering camp is Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. The Cuban right-hander, signed to a three-year, $12 million deal last August, has been the subject of much speculation in the time since teams began scouting him in earnest last April.

Bats a question heading into Spring Training

February 13, 2014

By Steve Bohnel

Spring Training is just around the corner,with the Phillies' pitchers and catchers already reporting.

One of the biggest problems for Philadelphia last season, however, was probably their offense. Finishing in the bottom half of the Major Leagues in batting average (21st at .248), runs (26th at 610), and on-base percentage (24th at .306). The Phillies have some work to do once April rolls around.  

Spring Training brings optimism, but questions

February 13, 2014

By Nick Tricome

February is a special month for all baseball fans.

As pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, it's a time of optimism, as fans begin to wonder if maybe this is the year for which ever team they follow.

That optimism is still there for the Phillies--the first signs of baseball coming back are hard not to get excited about--but at the same time, there is a lot about this team that makes you think.

Phils pick up recently released Bernadina

August 21, 2013

By Nick Tricome

Center field has become a problem for the Phillies, since losing Ben Revere to a broken foot back in July.

They claimed Casper Wells off waivers in an attempt to improve their outfield depth, now the Phillies are turning to the recently released Roger Bernadina.

Bats couldn't recover from Cloyd's rough start

August 20, 2013

Box Score (from ESPN.com)

By Nick Tricome

Give credit to Tyler Cloyd. He got off to a rough start on Tuesday night, but was able to settle down in the latter half of his outing.

Unfortunately, the Phillies' bats couldn't drive in enough runs to catch up with the Colorado Rockies and lost 5-3.

Phils win 5-4, Sandberg's second win arrives quicker

August 19, 2013

Box Score (from MLB.com)

By Nick Tricome

It took two shutouts from the Dodgers before Ryne Sandberg got his first win as the Phillies' manager, but the second was earned much sooner.

The Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies 5-4 on Monday night for their second win in a row and just their fifth in the month of August.

The Charlie Manuel era is over, but it still hasn't sunk in

August 17, 2013

By Nick Tricome

It's a day after the fact, but it still may not have fully sunk in yet.

Still, it is nonetheless true. Charlie Manuel is no longer the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Boston Globe report reveals tough times for Schilling

August 13, 2013

By Nick Tricome

August 2 was a night of celebration at Citizens Bank Park. 

Brad Lidge officially retired as a Phillie the night before, then it was Curt Schilling's time to be inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame.

It was a chance to reflect on Schilling's tenure in Philadelphia and his role on the 1993 team that won the NL pennant, especially.

But little did anyone in the stadium know, amidst all the joy in the air, that the past couple years have been tough for the former pitcher.

Hamels pitches gem, Asche homers in Manuels 1,000th win

August 12, 2013

Box Score (from ESPN.com)

By Nick Tricome

It took some time, but it finally happened.

Fresh off of being swept by the Nationals over the weekend, and after having to sit through an almost two-hour rain delay, the Phillies snapped an 11-game road losing streak and gave Charlie Manuel his 1,000th win as a manager.

Cole Hamels pitched a gem in Atlanta on Monday night, throwing a complete game with nine strikeouts in the Phils' 5-1 win.

Weekend Recap: Where's the fight?

August 12, 2013

By Nick Tricome

The Phillies gave Cliff Lee a 4-0 lead on Saturday night, but the game ended with the Nationals on top 8-5, after the bullpen blew yet another lead.

Sunday night wasn't any better, with Stephen Strasburg throwing his first complete game in a 6-0 shutout of the Phils.

Strasburg allowed just four hits that game, completing the first sweep of the Phillies in D.C.'s Nationals Park.

The weekend sweep made the Phillies losers in 17 of their last 20 games and they have a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves up next on the schedule.

Nats give Lannan a hard time in Phils' 9-2 loss

August 9, 2013

Box Score (from ESPN.com)

By Nick Tricome

These two teams had playoff expectations in the spring, but now even a .500 record has proven to be a bit much for them to achieve.

The Phillies and Nationals are both well out of NL East contention at this point and the same goes for a wild card spot.

So a series that could have been a pivotal point in deciding who would sit atop the division by the end of September, is now nothing more than a competition for bragging rights.

The Phillies didn't get off to a good start on that one, though, as they lost the series opener 9-2.

Delmon Young designated for assignment

August 9, 2013

By Nick Tricome

When the Phillies claimed outfielder Casper Wells off waivers Thursday, they opted to hold off on making the roster move until they headed to Washington to open up a road series with the Nationals on Friday.

The time has come and the Phillies have made their move. Wells has been added to the club's active roster, while Delmon Young has been designated for assignment to make room.

16-year old prospect inked by Phils

August 9, 2013

By Nick Tricome

The Phillies made another splash in the international market on Friday, adding a Dominican third baseman to the club's system.

Oh yeah, and he's only 16.

The Phillies signed Luis Encarnacion, who is considered the fourth best international prospect by Baseball America.

Rollins clears waivers, likely not going anywhere

August 8, 2013

By Nick Tricome

Like Michael Young from earlier Thursday, shortstop Jimmy Rollins has cleared waivers. He is now eligible for a trade to any team, provided he waive his full no-trade clause.

Phils rout Cubs, win series

August 8, 2013

Box Score (From ESPN.com)

By Zachary Geibler

On Thursday afternoon, the Phillies won there first series since the All-Star break. Lighting up the scoreboard and the Cubs, to win 12-1.