NL East: RIP Harry Kalas

[The Dude]

So...how'd that Santana trade work out?

[nitz]

The Phillies stink like a pus filled cloaca.

[Stax]

So...how'd that Santana trade work out?

Incredibly well? He's pitching among the best in the NL, the Mets are just fucktards and can't score/suck dick in the pen when he starts.

[Pollo]

fuck, Brad Penny is getting blasted in the first two innings right now vs. the Phils. just brutal to watch.

the good thing is that Blanton is pitching ... well, if he continues to struggle finding his location on his pitches and walks some batters.

[Pollo]

I love me some Phillies' bullpen pitching. I think the Phillies forgot they needed to hit for 9 innings, not 3.

[Draven X 23]

So...how'd that Santana trade work out?

7th in NL in K's and 5th in ERA

[Pollo]

I wish the Dodgers can just face the Phillies all the time ... if their offense is going to be this stagnant.

[Draven X 23]

Wow sucks for Glavine. He pretty much never hit the DL until this season. And now it looks like that might be it for him.


ATLANTA (AP) - Braves (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71601) pitcher Tom Glavine (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/85443) is out for the season, and his illustrious career could be over if he needs major surgery on his injured left elbow.

The 42-year-old Glavine still hopes to return next year — unless he needs elbow ligament replacement surgery.
A 300-game winner, Glavine said Saturday he will be examined by Dr. James Andrews next week in Alabama. Glavine, placed on the disabled list Friday with a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow, plans to have surgery to repair the tendon.
He said he'd give up his comeback hopes for 2009 if Andrews determines the pitcher needs the ligament replacement procedure, known as Tommy John surgery. Rehabilitation after that procedure often takes at least a year.
A two-time NL Cy Young Award winner with Atlanta, Glavine gave up seven runs in four innings against the Chicago Cubs (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71602) on Thursday in his first start since June 10. He is 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 13 games this season, and 305-203 in his career.
Glavine said his elbow began to stiffen in the fourth inning against the Cubs (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71602). "I know it's not going to get any better," he said. "Clearly it's not going to hold up under the stress of me going out there every five days and throwing a lot of pitches."


Glavine said Braves (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71601) doctors think the damage in his elbow is limited to the tendon. If Andrews confirms Glavine does not need ligament replacement surgery, the pitcher said he could have the tendon surgery immediately and recover in time for a normal offseason program.
"By no means do I want to go through another year with what I'm going through now," he said. "But at the same time, I don't think I want my career to end this way, either. I think that lends me to think I want to pitch next year. I think it's easier to walk away if you can honestly tell yourself, you know what, I can't do it anymore. And I don't know that I can answer that question right now because my body hasn't allowed me to do it this year as much I wanted to."
Though his overall numbers are disappointing, Glavine said: "When I was healthy, I pitched well. When I wasn't, I didn't. That makes it harder to say I can't do it anymore."
He said he would have the tendon repaired even if he retires so he could play baseball and hockey with his children.
Glavine turned down a $13 million option with the Mets (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71607) to sign an $8 million deal with the Braves (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71601) for 2008. He kept his offseason home in Atlanta while pitching five years with the Mets (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71607).
Glavine pitched for Atlanta from 1987-2002 and won 20 games or more five times. He said he would only pitch for the Braves (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71601) in 2009, but he doesn't know if he will be offered a contract.
"I can want to all I want," he said. "If they don't want me to come back, it really doesn't matter.
"I don't want to go anywhere else. At this stage in my life, I've done that. I don't want to do it anymore."
Braves (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71601) general manager Frank Wren talked with Glavine on Saturday but said "it's way too early" to give a commitment for next season.
"We'll see how things play out over the course of the winter for us and for him, and his prognosis if he does have to have surgery," Wren said. "There's a lot of factors that we just don't have enough answers yet."
The Braves (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team/71601) have lost their top three starters — Glavine, John Smoltz (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/85445) and Tim Hudson (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/85308) — for the season, leaving rookies Jair Jurrjens (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/475695), Jorge Campillo (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/311687) and Charlie Morton (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/547859) in the rotation. Rafael Soriano (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/player/104125), who began the season as the closer, is on the disabled list for the third time this year with a sore elbow.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

I wish the Dodgers can just face the Phillies all the time ... if their offense is going to be this stagnant.


goddamnit, I was excited to see we have a three game series vs. the nats but then the dodgers come to town for another 4 game debacle...followed by a series with the mets....we're fucked.

[BooBooBear]

Whether it's the D'Backs or the Dodgers they're done in the first round.

[Penguin Rick]

I wouldn't say that about the D-Backs. Webb/Haren is as good a 1-2 in the NL. And Owings and Johnson aren't bad as #3 and #4.

[ADD]

Owings is a Red, they just can't trade him till he comes off the DL (the Dunn deal)

[Stax]

Owings is a Red, they just can't trade him till he comes off the DL (the Dunn deal)

As I understand it it's not the DL but that were he to be named now during the season he'd have to pass waiver wires and teams would certainly snatch him up, so they're waiting to name him.

[ADD]

It's DL, then waivers. You can't waive someone on the DL. It's a pain in the ass. If any team claims him, they'll pull him back and trade him to the Reds in the off season.

[Pollo]

Whether it's the D'Backs or the Dodgers they're done in the first round.

I've come to learn you can't underestimate any team ... the Cardinals (the year they recently won the WS) and Rockies proved that. and if it were the Dodgers in the playoffs, they currently possess the best ERA (in the NL) and have arguably the best bullpen in the NL.

obviously the Dodgers' biggest concern is their offense, but it's looked completely different with the Manny acquisition. I felt this homestand (4 with Phillies, 3 with Brewers) was a good test for this team, and they did very well going 6-1. don't get me wrong, I still feel Chicago is the best all-around team in the NL, but don't discount any team that makes the postseason.

[PWalk]

I don't want to say this series with the Nats is a must win for the Phils but with LA coming in I think it is.

5-4 Phils win.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

I don't want to say this series with the Nats is a must win for the Phils but with LA coming in I think it is.

5-4 Phils win.


The next four series' are huge for the Phils: 3 (now 2) with the nats which we need to win, 4 with the dodgers, a two game stint with the mets, and then 4 games vs. the cubs after that. train wreck...but if we finish the season like they did last year, no worries.

[Pollo]

ouch ... that's a bad stretch of games for the Phillies. the Dodgers have a tough 10-game road trip starting this Thursday: 4 @ Phillies, 3 @ Washington, and 3 @ Arizona (with no off days at all in that trip).

the Phillies series will be interesting since we don't get an off day to travel plus Maddux will debut in a tough hitters park. I'd be happy with a split, then sweeping the Nats, and take 2 out of 3 from Arizona.

[awonderful]

The mets are surging even without a pen. I love how the media said we have a shit Minor league system.

[nuclearjew]

Oh Ricky Nolasco, you so fine, you so fine you blow my mind, hey Ricky

[iKnowJohnStamos]

goddamn that Phils comeback was awesome I hope we can really rally off that and keep it up when we play the cubs...

[merlin13]

The Phils have a knack for driving us fans crazy with the late inning heroics. I hope tonight they jump out to a big lead and milk it to the eighth, where they are bullet-proof.

[Philip Lombard]

Let's not get too excited Phillies fans. It's the Phillies. Come on.

[merlin13]

No, you are right. if anyone can screw it up ANY Philly team can. I've seen before and I'm sure I will see it again. But , just think of the possibilities.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

The Phils have a knack for driving us fans crazy with the late inning heroics. I hope tonight they jump out to a big lead and milk it to the eighth, where they are bullet-proof.

lol

[awonderful]

Yea the phillies kinda suck my sweaty ballz

[iKnowJohnStamos]

Ryan Madsen can suck my balls.

[awonderful]

Hey I heard alfonso soriano took a huge shit on the phillies today.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

First off I would like to compliment this thread for being much more civil (albeit more boring) than the centrals thread.

Now FUCK YOU MET FAN PIECES OF SHIT THIS LAST 25 GAMES IS GOING TO FACEFUCK ALL OF YOU...we lost to who today? shit.

[awonderful]

Holla!!!!!! Lets go mets!!!!! fuckn douchebag phillies

[iKnowJohnStamos]

I wish this thread wasn't just awonderful and me calling each other douchebags

[Philip Lombard]

god damn mets

[ADD]

Normally I'd agree, but they helped me these last 2 days

[awonderful]

cmon really the phillie fan calling a met fan a douchebag. Your own players dont even like philadelphian sports fans.

[nuclearjew]

Don't Philly fans throw batteries at the players? Maybe I'm thinking of Eagles fans.

[Philip Lombard]

i think we threw some at J.D. Drew


EDIT: eagles fans throw snowballs at santa

[PWalk]

Don't Philly fans throw batteries at the players? Maybe I'm thinking of Eagles fans.


Yeah that only happened when JD Drew came back to town.

I gotta hand it to Delgado, the Mets might actually make the playoffs this year. Also doesn't help that the Phils can't sweep a fucking minor league team in the Nats.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

i think we threw some at J.D. Drew


EDIT: eagles fans throw snowballs at santa

We throw everything at everyone...and we cheered when we ended Michael Irvin's career.

But back to the Phils. This season starts September 5th. Then we'll see who's who (hopefully after Delgado simmers down a little).

[awonderful]

another day, another win.

[eightkid]

Even if Delgado slows down......Beltran is heating up, Wright is due to break out of a slump and Reyes has been a beast all season.

I can't wait to see the Mets pound the fuck out of that pussy Cole Hamels.

Shea isn't a little tiny shitbox like that wiffle ball field the Phils call home.

[awonderful]

I want to shit on cole hamels and brett meyers then bang their wives afterwards then after that tattoo mr met on their faces.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

I want to shit on cole hamels and brett meyers then bang their wives afterwards then after that tattoo mr met on their faces.


You'll have to gentle on Brett Myers' wife...she's been through a lot.

[awonderful]

Stamos I am stoked for the series this week. Hopefully the phillies get buried

[iKnowJohnStamos]

Listen: I think we'll win it 2-1 because we got Myers tonight who has been pretty good since we sent him down to the Iron Pigs to get his head straight, Moyer (with the exception of his last start) is granite solid, and Cole Hamels is anything but a "pussy." You're not hitting against Kendrick or Blanton so we got 2 of these. If we sweep though, consider your season over.

[awonderful]

i hate you stamos

[iKnowJohnStamos]

i hate you stamos

PWN3D

[PWalk]

Myers looked good last night, hell he's looked great ever since the trip up the turnpike. Hurrican Hanna is coming up the coast today but I'm still heading up to Shea to sit in the rain. Anyone else going to be up there?

[awonderful]

I should be there sunday for the espn game. i still hate stamos and his cockloving phillie team

[iKnowJohnStamos]

Is this game happening tonight?

[merlin13]

Looks like we got a double-dip today. 2:15 & 8:05. Hopefully when I get up Monday am it will be all tied up and not 4 games back. We have Moyer and Hamels vs. Martinez & Santana.

[PWalk]

Is Moyer the most fun to watch pitcher in baseball? I think so.

[awonderful]

stamos i still hate your guts. Johan better come through for me tonight. fuck you moyer

[ADD]

Mets need a new closer, cuz they ain't got one for at least a year

MLB.com - Billy Wagner will undergo surgery this week on his left elbow, and will miss one year, a Mets official confirmed early Monday afternoon.

An MRI exam taken Monday revealed that Wagner has suffered a torn MCL in his left elbow, requiring surgery.

[Penguin Rick]

Whoa whoa whoa hold up a sec here.

There's an MCL in your elbow?

[ADD]

I just copy and paste. I didn't write the release

[PWalk]

Whoa whoa whoa hold up a sec here.

There's an MCL in your elbow?


There's no MCL in the elbow. I believe his injury is with the Pronator teres or the supinator. Either way I won't miss him.

[Pollo]

Mets need a new closer, cuz they ain't got one for at least a year

I might be crazy on my part to suggest this, but I think the Mets are probably going to make a push to get Francisco Rodriguez, despite Wagner being in his 3rd year of a 4-yr deal next year ... unless the Mets really think Sanchez or Feliciano can be closers, which I don't think.

[ADD]

I might be crazy on my part to suggest this, but I think the Mets are probably going to make a push to get Francisco Rodriguez, despite Wagner being in his 3rd year of a 4-yr deal next year ... unless the Mets really think Sanchez or Feliciano can be closers, which I don't think.

I fully expect to make a push to sign K-Rod in the winter. If he falls through, Brian Fuentes and Matt Holliday to the Mets in some package (both are expected to be shopped hard this winter).

[Draven X 23]

Fuentes is a FA after this season. Also Wagner is out until 2010. He will be a FA after '09. So K-Rod is most likely the big pick up for the Mets.

[Pollo]

I fully expect to make a push to sign K-Rod in the winter. If he falls through, Brian Fuentes and Matt Holliday to the Mets in some package (both are expected to be shopped hard this winter).

if that happens and they give up the same garbage like they did to the Twins, I would be pissed. the Rockies are going to want some top-tier prospects, and frankly the Mets don't have that. I could see the Angels possibly doing a Holliday deal if they lose Tex. the Dodgers -- maybe if Ramirez walks away but the Rockies are going to ask a crapload since it's a division rival, so it's not likely that's happening.

[awonderful]

The mets dont need matt Holliday. We sign KROD because hes latin. Lf and 2b need to be addressed but I think we fill the LF need internally. if castillo can be dumped somewhere hello orlando hudson.

[ADD]

Too bad someone gave Minaya a check book, because he will go after some high priced FAs or trades this winter that aren't needed

[awonderful]

say what you want about that hispanic sob but he did steal john maine, ollie perez away.

[ADD]

Even a fat chick gets some dick every now and then

[iKnowJohnStamos]

Listen: I think we'll win it 2-1

1.5 back

[PWalk]

It's the last Dollar Dog night tonight here in Philly so if that wasn't a good enough reason to head down to the park tonight watching Kyle Kendrick pitch has to be... right? If he shits all over this start like he has his last four I'm of the mind to keep him off any post season roster.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

I just got home from my girlfriend's...I'm assuming I can consider Kendrick's start "shat"?

[awonderful]

suck it uncle jessie. so where exactly is tony lukes i am going to be in philly in like 3 weeks

[PWalk]

Fuck Kyle Kendrick.
Plus now the limit at Citizens Bank Park for Dollar Dog night is only 4 dogs per person. What kind of shit is that?

[awonderful]

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sport/rollins.jpeg

[iKnowJohnStamos]

I'm too lazy to check... I know we play the Brewers in a four game series but how is the remainder of their schedule? It's nice we play them four times so we are somewhat in charge of our own destiny in the wild card chase at least. Do they have any games left with the Cubbies?

[ADD]

Yes. The Brewers play the Cubs 6 more times, including the last 3 of the season in Milwaukee.

Other than that, the Brews play at the Phils (4), the Bucs (3) and at the Reds (3). They start a 10-game roadies tomorrow

[eightkid]

Carlos Delgado.............that is all that needs to be said.

[ADD]

Carlos Delgado.............that is all that needs to be said.

You should jump in the Central thread

[iKnowJohnStamos]

he's such a man...but goddamnit Howard's turning it up too this is gonna be a close one.

[ADD]

Whoever makes the playoffs, that might be what it comes down to

[awonderful]

you guys have 4 with the brew crew then its just a NL east buffet. I think the games the mets play against the cubs will be a cake walk, at min a split since they will be setting up their rotation for the playoffs.

[Stax]

Whoever makes the playoffs, that might be what it comes down to

Wait wait wait, if the Phils make the playoffs you think RYAN HOWARD should be the MVP?

[iKnowJohnStamos]

Consistency should play some part in the MVP voting...Delgado picked the right time to turn it on...Utley doesn't deserve it. Howard certainly doesn't (although he's hit 40+ three years in a row which is very impressive). There are more deserving even if that person doesn't see anytime in October.

[ADD]

Wait wait wait, if the Phils make the playoffs you think RYAN HOWARD should be the MVP?

Not at all. But we know how voting goes.

If I had to vote this minute, it would be Delgado 1, DeRosa 2, Pujols 3 (you get a first, second and third place vote)

[Stax]

Not at all. But we know how voting goes.

If I had to vote this minute, it would be Delgado 1, DeRosa 2, Pujols 3

Then if I had to pick three adjectives to describe you right now it would be:

1. Retard
2. Retard-er
3. Correct

Consistency should play some part in the MVP voting...Delgado picked the right time to turn it on...Utley doesn't deserve it. Howard certainly doesn't (although he's hit 40+ three years in a row which is very impressive). There are more deserving even if that person doesn't see anytime in October.

A. Do you know what consistency means? How does one good month at the right time (Delgado) equal consistency?
B. Pujols had a better late month than Delgado, and that's like all his case is built on.

[ADD]

It all depends on how you view MVP. If it's too be "best offensive player", then call it that.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

A. Do you know what consistency means? How does one good month at the right time (Delgado) equal consistency?
B. Pujols had a better late month than Delgado, and that's like all his case is built on.

I was agreeing with you, I said nothing about Delgado being a viable MVP candidate. I was thinking Pujols when I was saying that they player doesn't need to play in October. What are you Vince Younging about?

[Stax]

I was agreeing with you, I said nothing about Delgado being a viable MVP candidate. I was thinking Pujols when I was saying that they player doesn't need to play in October. What are you Vince Younging about?

Oooh, sorry, I've been replying to ADD's crap all day so I'm in a bad frame of mind.

It all depends on how you view MVP. If it's too be "best offensive player", then call it that.

No, it isn't about 'how you view' it. The AL and NL Most Valuable Player awards are perhaps the most clearly named things ON EARTH. They are awards for the most valuable players (of baseball, I suppose that's not right in the name) in the American and National League. Period. Value is a measurable force. It isn't team success, it isn't 'turning it on down the stretch', it is scoring runs as an offensive player and preventing them as a fielder or pitcher. These are measurable (fielding metrics being the least accurate but fielding also the force with the smallest impact) things and from this you and clearly quantify who is the most valuable player in each league. In some cases (ARod or Grady in the AL, this year, as an example) the choices are relatively close and small differences of opinion and such can change things around (how much does the Yankee lineup help ARod? How does ARod's fielding at 3B measure against Grady in center?) but there is absolutely zero argument for anyone other than:

1. Pujols
2. Berkman
3. A pitcher

Winning the NL MVP.

[awonderful]

Delgado has too much protection in the lineup. Pujols will get it

[iKnowJohnStamos]

the Phils (pending a ridiculous 9th inning comeback just lost to the marlins again)

[awonderful]

its ok uncle jessie you only have to face ben sheets next game

[zaphrodesiac]

Chipper is still gonna get the batting title and the poor bastard can't even run, not to mention has no protection

[Hobnail_Boot]

Chipper is still gonna get the batting title and the poor bastard can't even run, not to mention has no protection
Yea. This is the worst Braves season in almost 20 years. Good thing football season is here!

[Pollo]

what's been up with Casey Kotchman with you guys? it looks like he hasn't done crap for your team.

[Stax]

what's been up with Casey Kotchman with you guys? it looks like he hasn't done crap for your team.

He's a mediocre player, that's what's up with him. He's performed much worse in the 88 ABs Atlanta has given him, but when fielding a league average offensive player at the most offensively primed position in the game... *shrug*

[zaphrodesiac]

Kotchrot doesn't cost anything and he's servicable at first.

Braves are rebuilding, quit trying to look us in the eye.

[TheImpossibleMan]

Yea. This is the worst Braves season in almost 20 years. Good thing football season is here!
Yeah, now you get to experience the majesty of the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons football - catch the magic!

[nuclearjew]

And then after that the Hawks and Thrashers. It's like year-round fail there.

[TheImpossibleMan]

Atlanta is the east coast version of Seattle.

Seahawks - terrible and getting worse
Mariners - one of the worst teams in baseball, their payroll is a mess
Sonics - ....

[Hobnail_Boot]

Yeah, now you get to experience the majesty of the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons football - catch the magic!
I'm thinking more the Georgia Bulldogs football.
And then after that the Hawks and Thrashers. It's like year-round fail there.
Don't remind me.

[iKnowJohnStamos]

its ok uncle jessie you only have to face ben sheets next game

Ben Sheets=fail

[ADD]

Thank you, Phils!

[awonderful]

fuckn stamos!

[Titus_Pullo]

Thank you, Phils!

Thank you Brewers for not showing up.

[ADD]

Thanks to both as it turns out for me

[iKnowJohnStamos]

YES YES YES YES OMG Braves Win Braves Win!!!

[Hobnail_Boot]

YES YES YES YES OMG Braves Win Braves Win!!!
Yep. The Braves still pretty much pw0n the Mets. Even when we're 20 games under .500. Perhaps this is the start of the Mets' collapse: 2008 Edition?

[awonderful]

stamos i want to pee in your coffee. !@#$% omar and his scavenger pen.

[PWalk]

Maybe we should have sent Myers down to the IronPigs a little earlier in the season? 7-2 since returning from his demotion with a sub 2.00 ERA. Also he's pitched into the 7th and beyond in a bunch of those starts.

Here's hoping the Phils actually beat the teams they are supposed to beat the rest of the way.

[awonderful]

phuck the fillies

[eightkid]

At least the Soul won a championship............Metropolitans buckle down for the next 2 weeks......Philly shits the bed.........

[iKnowJohnStamos]

We got a manager fired with 12 games left ok?

[ADD]

Don't get too high on yourself. The Brewers owner was looking for any excuse to can Yost.

[awonderful]

i am going to shit a brick if we blow this again

[Hobnail_Boot]

i am going to shit a brick if we blow this again
I'll provide the TP.

[awonderful]

hobnail i want to shit on the braves btw

[Hobnail_Boot]

hobnail i want to shit on the braves btw
I accept your apology.

[awonderful]

they better beat the phillies tonight

[awonderful]

im shitting a brick as i type...good one braves

[Celtickliq]

Ah the Mets are fine. Its either the Mets or the Phillies for the Wild Card. Still would have liked the win last night. Great starting pitching. Everyone hot the ball well just happened to be right where the Nats were standing.

[Pollo]

yeah, with the way the Brewers are falling, it's all but inevitable the Mets or Phillies get the WC, and looking at both schedules, I feel Philly gets the division with the Mets getting the WC (with still the Cubs and those picky Marlins to play).

either way, I'm happy since it allows the Dodgers to avoid the Cubs in the first round.

[Celtickliq]

yeah, with the way the Brewers are falling, it's all but inevitable the Mets or Phillies get the WC, and looking at both schedules, I feel Philly gets the division with the Mets getting the WC (with still the Cubs and those picky Marlins to play).

either way, I'm happy since it allows the Dodgers to avoid the Cubs in the first round.


I was thinking the Cubs will have the best NL record wrapped up and might sit people. That could help the Mets.

[ADD]

I have a feeling too, once the Cubs have clinched top record in the NL, they'd sit people. It would benefit the Mets only if they had it wrapped up by then. It would benefit the Brewers as well, who the Cubs finish at.

[awonderful]

yes! we are destroying tonight. too bad thebraves wont help me out

[ADD]

Or the Cubs it seems. Fuck

[awonderful]

ooh yea son. we actually won tonight

[Philip Lombard]

7 in a row, bitches!

we will still find some way to fuck it up though

[iKnowJohnStamos]

It's Always Sunny comeback coincides with the Phillies...it's all gravy.

[awonderful]

yea boooooooooy. manuel only had to use 6 pitchers tonight to get it done.

[Philip Lombard]

the phils are in first again and i hope they can build some momentum

[awonderful]

its going to be one hell of a seesaw. I just hope the cubs roll over for the mets since they have their division wrapped up

[ADD]

Don't bet on it. Once we've wrapped home field we're sitting everyone. Could be as early as today.

[Pollo]

its going to be one hell of a seesaw. I just hope the cubs roll over for the mets since they have their division wrapped up

and even if they rest some of their starters, they won't be easy to beat with their pitching (although I'm certain Zambrano will be rested and perhaps Harden).

[awonderful]

well its good to know if the mets and phils tie the mets get the division. I think it actually might come to that

[Pollo]

it definitely could, but I don't see it happening. here's a look at both teams' schedules:

Mets - 4 with CHI, 3 with FLA (all home)
Phils - 3 with ATL, 3 with WAS (all home)

the Phillies easily have a more favorable schedule (and practically have owned Atlanta all year). and I wouldn't want to face Florida to decide the division over the weekend: they're always a scary team to face and won't go down without a fight.

[awonderful]

fuck you marquis

[Pollo]

LMAO, a pitcher hit a grand slam off you guys?!?

[ADD]

A Jewish pitcher who sucks at pitching hit a GS off them

[Philip Lombard]

Thanks so far, Cubbies

Keep up the good work. We're busy sucking.

[ADD]

Just keep the sucking up in the playoffs. It's only fair.

[PWalk]

Brett Myers is not the Phillies #2 anymore, hell he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the park.

Thanks Cubs!

[awonderful]

fuck fuck fuck

[Pollo]

didn't I tell you the Cubs wouldn't give you a free pass?

the only reason I'm rooting for the Mets to get the WC is so the Dodgers avoid the Cubs at least for one round, if we make it to the NLCS. but if the Mets do choke again, I can imagine the hilarity that will ensue now that Minaya is on the brink of signing a contract extension.

[awonderful]

i dont think this was all minayas fault. losing wagner so late robbed us of at leas 2 wins.

[awonderful]

man this is getting tight.

[ADD]

man this is getting tight.

And the Brewers just won

[Philip Lombard]

i have a feeling the phillies will blow it

i hope i'm wrong

[iKnowJohnStamos]

That's exactly the kind of self-loathing that we can't have right now.

[Da Raider]

so is there going to be any rainouts tonight?

[Pollo]

Florida looks to be playing the 'spoiler' role well vs. NY -- 4-1 FLA in the 7th.

[awonderful]

the mets suck. what the fuck!

[Pollo]

Florida isn't too bad a team?

they screwed you guys out of the playoffs last year, too.

[nuclearjew]

Florida is gonna be scary next year. What an awesome staff. Nolasco/Johnson/Sanchez/Volstad/Olsen? Yikes.

[awonderful]

the marlins took a shit on the mets pen

[Pollo]

well Santana certainly earned his money today with the much needed win and shutout. they should probably pitch him tomorrow with no rest rather rely on Oliver Perez, although Olsen (opposing FLA pitcher) is as inconsistent a pitcher you'll find in baseball these days.

[nitz]

I think Jamie Moyer could pitch in the majors with a 40 mph fastball. His understanding of the fundamentals of pitching are crazy.

[ADD]

The Phils win the East! We can't play them now in the first round! WOOOOOO!

[nitz]

The Phils win the East! We can't play them now in the first round! WOOOOOO!

who does Chicago want to play?

[ADD]

The Mets first if possible. If not, then the Dodgers.

[nitz]

I think the Phils would want to play LA, but you n ever know which teams catch fire.

[ADD]

I think the Phils would want to play LA, but you n ever know which teams catch fire.

Unless Milwaukee or Houston get in, it's Phils-Dodgers

[Pollo]

I think the Phils would want to play LA, but you n ever know which teams catch fire.

well, it certainly would be an interesting series. both teams did sweep one another in their homestands. obviously it's well known Philly has an exciting offense, but the Dodgers arguably (and statistically) have the best pitching in the NL. Colorado proved last year vs. Philly their pitching was overwhelming (since they came into that series on a hot streak) ... and their offense couldn't do anything.

Torre announced the first three starters of the NLDS vs. either Philly/Chicago: Lowe, Billingsley, and Kuroda in that order. if it gets to a Game 4, he might go with another starter, but let's see if that happens first.

Unless Milwaukee or Houston get in, it's Phils-Dodgers

Houston is dead now since Florida didn't sweep NY and the Cubs losing one to Milwaukee.

[awonderful]

ya gotta believe!

[Da Raider]

How bout them Mets?!?!?!

[BiōHazard]

How bout them Mets?!?!?!
FTL!

[Pollo]

How bout them Mets?!?!?!

choking at its finest indeed.

and better yet, it was the Marlins that knocked them out for the 2nd straight year. you know MLB will schedule Florida to face them in the final series next year for the drama.

[Hobnail_Boot]

How bout them Mets?!?!?!
As much as I'd love to talk trash, my team just barely held off the Nationals for last place. But yea, the Mets suck.

[Pollo]

As much as I'd love to talk trash, my team just barely held off the Nationals for last place. But yea, the Mets suck.

I know it's embarrassing given Atlanta's success, but the Tigers finishing last in the AL Central is far more depressing given all the expectations for that 'murderer's row' offense picking up Cabrera from Florida. and really, how did that team do worse than the fucking Royals?

[Hobnail_Boot]

I know it's embarrassing given Atlanta's success, but the Tigers finishing last in the AL Central is far more depressing given all the expectations for that 'murderer's row' offense picking up Cabrera from Florida. and really, how did that team do worse than the fucking Royals?
Dude, you're on the west coast, right? What the hell are you doing awake?

[Pollo]

it's one of those 'I can't fall asleep for shit' nights.

[PWalk]

choking at its finest indeed.

and better yet, it was the Marlins that knocked them out for the 2nd straight year. you know MLB will schedule Florida to face them in the final series next year for the drama.

I said that to a buddy of mine who is a Mets fan. If MLB skips out next year on a final series against the Fish for the Mets then there is just no fun being had in the MLB scheduling office.

Meanwhile I will be paying $80 a ticket for this Wednesday's game down at the Bank. Just cleared my Wednesday afternoon schedule and leaving the office no later than 12. Go Phils.

[Philip Lombard]

Phillies will sweep the Brewers.

[ADD]

C.C. will win his. Too bad for them, he can't pitch 5 times (or can he?....). Phils in 4.

[Hobnail_Boot]

Chipper wins the NL bating title (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080927&content_id=3560413&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb). In other news: the Atlanta Braves miss the playoffs for the third straight year.

[ADD]

Chipper also said he wants to retire a Brave. Hopefully for him, they keep him.

[zaphrodesiac]

As much as I'd love to talk trash, my team just barely held off the Nationals for last place.
Dude awesome draft pick placement!

As long as we don't waste our first round pick signing someone like TOM GLAVINE who was done when he signed with the Mets and idgaf what his numbers were there. I SAW Glavine in the playoffs every year with the Braves. He always got rocked. I was in the good riddance section when he left for money. I didn't like Maddux leaving, and I could never fathom Smoltz pitching in a different uni, but Glavine was always expendable to me. You see the offseason highlights for the minor leagues in the AJC section Brian? I can't wait till Heyward comes up. He is going to be a monster.

[Hobnail_Boot]

Dude awesome draft pick placement!

As long as we don't waste our first round pick signing someone like TOM GLAVINE who was done when he signed with the Mets and idgaf what his numbers were there. I SAW Glavine in the playoffs every year with the Braves. He always got rocked. I was in the good riddance section when he left for money. I didn't like Maddux leaving, and I could never fathom Smoltz pitching in a different uni, but Glavine was always expendable to me. You see the offseason highlights for the minor leagues in the AJC section Brian? I can't wait till Heyward comes up. He is going to be a monster.
I agree about Glavine. He was particularly disaterous in 2002 when we couldn't be Russ Ortiz and the Giants in the playoffs. Yes, that Russ Ortiz.

Is Heyward a starting pitcher? Perhaps a closer? Because that is what we needed while we were sitting at home in October during the last 3 seasons.

[ninja33]

I said that to a buddy of mine who is a Mets fan. If MLB skips out next year on a final series against the Fish for the Mets then there is just no fun being had in the MLB scheduling office.

Meanwhile I will be paying $80 a ticket for this Wednesday's game down at the Bank. Just cleared my Wednesday afternoon schedule and leaving the office no later than 12. Go Phils.

only $80? The worst seats in miller park are going for 125+ right now. damn these 26 year droughts jacking up prices.

Game 1 will be good, the Brewers have hit Hamels in the past and Gallardo was lights out in his first start back (against the pirates though...), i think he'll pitch really well. It wont matter if the offense cant get on track though, even in this last winning streak it was really inconsistent, and they needed a few late inning homers to win...thats not going to happen against philly.

[Hawk the Slayer]

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/struggling_mets_combine_to_form
...
Worth a read... at least it is if you're old enough to remember Voltron.

[ADD]

lulz

[Penguin Rick]

Johan is a man (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3620064)

He pulled a Philip Rivers and went out with torn cartilage in his knee.

Only he pitched a shutout.

[ADD]

Or he's just stupid

[Penguin Rick]

Well they say he's going to be ready for Spring Training. So if he's healthy come then, that was a smart gutsy move.

[merlin13]

It's true the sun does shine on a dog's ass every now and then. Phils won 3-1.

[UNC]

I don't think it takes luck to beat the brewers

[merlin13]

Lidge almost let that one get away.

[UNC]

Good thing that the sucky brewer hitters let him off the hook

[merlin13]

True dat, his last few outings bring back memories of "Wild Thing" .

[ADD]

Good thing that the sucky brewer hitters let him off the hook

Hey, they're just happy to be there

[Penguin Rick]

By going all in for this year, they better not be happy just to be there.

[ADD]

That's what makes it so much more awesome. They're done come Sunday and possibly forever

[iKnowJohnStamos]

True dat, his last few outings bring back memories of "Wild Thing" .

That's funny you said that because Mitchy threw out the first pitch yesterday.

[ADD]

The Mets' Burgos is in troublez

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Ambiorix Burgos was driving an SUV when it slammed into two women who later died of their injuries, police said.

Local police still were searching for Burgos on Wednesday.

Police Col. Eulogio Taveras said Josefina Minaya Martinez, 38, and Angely Fana, 29, were struck Tuesday evening by a new Hummer registered to the 24-year-old reliever in his Caribbean homeland. The women died at a hospital in Nagua, a town 112 miles north of the capital, Santo Domingo.

``The investigation indicates that Burgos was the driver of the (vehicle) that hit the women,'' Taveras said in a statement, adding several witnesses identified Burgos as the driver.

Although a relative of the right-hander, Edwin Silvestre Sanchez, told police investigators he was the driver at fault, Taveras indicated Sanchez likely will be considered an accomplice.

``We are extremely disturbed by the reports regarding the player's potential involvement in the hit-and-run accident that unfortunately killed two women in the Dominican Republic,'' the Mets said in a statement. ``We take this matter very seriously and have begun an internal investigation to ascertain the facts. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of the victims.''

The crash is the latest trouble for Burgos, who spent the entire season on the disabled list while recovering from elbow ligament replacement surgery.

He was arrested last month in New York on assault and harassment charges after being accused of throwing his girlfriend to the ground. Police said the injured girlfriend was treated at a hospital and released.

Prosecutors said Burgos appeared in court on those charges but did not enter a plea. He's due in U.S. court again Oct. 23. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted of the more serious misdemeanor assault charge.

Burgos hasn't pitched in the major leagues since last year. He appeared in the minors in August while on a rehabilitation assignment.

[nitz]

Philly v LA. Pretty even matchup across the board, and both teams are playing well. It has the feeling of a nail-biting 7 game series.

[Pollo]

since I don't know the pitching matchups, my early prediction is Dodgers in 6, but now I'm learning the Dodgers will be at home from games 3-5. if they can somehow steal one from Philly in the first two, for how well we've played at home in Sept. & sweeping Philly in a 4-game series in LA, it could potentially be a 5-game series.

if I'm a Phillies fan, though, I'd be somewhat concerned: the longball really helped them beat the Brewers against mediocre pitching. as you just saw in the Cubs series, LA only surrendered one HR to DeRosa in Game 1.

[nitz]

since I don't know the pitching matchups, my early prediction is Dodgers in 6, but now I'm learning the Dodgers will be at home from games 3-5. if they can somehow steal one from Philly in the first two, for how well we've played at home in Sept. & sweeping Philly in a 4-game series in LA, it could potentially be a 5-game series.

if I'm a Phillies fan, though, I'd be somewhat concerned: the longball really helped them beat the Brewers against mediocre pitching. as you just saw in the Cubs series, LA only surrendered one HR to DeRosa in Game 1.

I think it's gonna be:

Hamels v Lowe
Myers v Billingsly
Moyer v Kuroda
Blanton v ???

Don't forget that after that 4 game sweep by LA in LA, Philly took 4 from LA in Philly, just a mere week or so later. And Philly had the best road record in the NL, and second best overall (Angels).

Longball only showed up in the game clincher really. Victorino hit the grand slam, but he really isn't known for his power at all. Lucky swing against a tired CC.

I'm leaning towards a split in Philly, and still a 7 game overall.

[Pollo]

chances are the starter for Game 4 will probably be Kershaw now that it's expected Kuo will be back for the NLCS.

[CrazyCarl]

Mets > Phillies

[Hobnail_Boot]

Braves > Mets

[Triumph]

Marlins > Braves

[Hobnail_Boot]

The Braves should be undefeated right now. Their bullpen is once again very suspect.

[eleveneighteen]

Harry Kalas died before today's game. Too bad, seemed like a good guy and a good broadcaster. At least he got to see the Series.

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090413&content_id=4249566&vkey=pr_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

[smahoo]

Yea, too bad... he's Outta Here

[rthie4344]

harry had one of the best voices of any sportscaster

[mongo]

i used to listen to his broadcasts when i was at bucknell. good voice, but the guy was a fucking idiot.

[TheImpossibleMan]

RIP Kalas, that guy was a great broadcaster.

[Hobnail_Boot]

R.I.P. Harry Kalas. I enjoyed his voice over work for NFL Films and Inside the NFL.

[theAlbinoWine-O]

WHAT THE FUCK! This was an awesome thread up till page 8! mother fucker. nothin about the series. I'm so late on this. Damn It! well, any way, go Phillies.

and dont know whats going on with them right now anyway.. there here and loses something like 8 outta 9 and then leave and win 10-1 theyre first game away? its ok, im pretty sure theyre barly here for the next two months. which kinda suck actualy.

[mongo]

um, retard?

the world series gets its own fucking thread.

[theAlbinoWine-O]

yeah i saw that. well, theres a playoff thread w/ the world series in it, but i thought there'd be more to this. whatever. im outta the loop and slightly impaired. shoot the mongoloid

[theAlbinoWine-O]

i didnt realize your name was mongo till after i posted that...

i was actually referring to me..