Charlie Manuel Watch Thread - 2010 Edition

[BlueHen86]

It's actually 4 extra home games since the Braves and Cards play 4 this weekend. I think the Phillies have an easier schedule since the Cards are still alive and need to beat the Braves, that could be a very tough series for Atlanta.

I totally agree with you, but I'm sure the algorithm being used to calculate the %playoffs is seeing the Braves' home record (best in all of MLB at 49-19) and giving them a ton of credit for that. The Cards are only 29-40 on the road as well.

Agreed.

[93henfan]

The bats are a-jumpin' early tonight!

Nice sliding catch by Werth in the top of the first too.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

It certainly appears that Cole Hamels has re-found his 2008 form.

[93henfan]

It certainly appears that Cole Hamels has re-found his 2008 form.

Amen to that.

Boy are the Phils ever throwin' the Fish a beatin' tonight.

Everybody hits, WOO-HOO!!!

[SunCoastBlueHen]

It certainly appears that Cole Hamels has re-found his 2008 form.

Amen to that.

Boy are the Phils ever throwin' the Fish a beatin' tonight.

Everybody hits, WOO-HOO!!!

I love when the Philles play the Marlins 'cause I get all those games on the tube.

Utley and Howard rounding into form, Ibanez getting hot, three top notch starting pitchers...

The Phillies are staring to look like a dangerous team as we move toward the post season.

I hope the Rollins injury is nothing the worry about.

[93henfan]

And there's Ryan Howard's sixth RBI of the night.


Re J-Roll: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phil ... njury.html

[93henfan]

Uh, wasn't it just 10-0 about five minutes ago? WTF, over?

[bluehenbillk]

Scrub bullpen guys that won't see October make it respectable, good W and great hitting and pitching from Hamels.

[BlueHen86]

Scrub bullpen guys that won't see October make it respectable, good W and great hitting and pitching from Hamels.

It's about time the Phillies scored some runs for him.

[Ivytalk]

Nate "Specs" Robertson is scratched from my 2011 fantasy draft.

[93henfan]

It's always nice to increase your lead over the Braves on a day off.

[bluehenbillk]

Up 1, key to win 2 outta 3 against the Fish while the Braves get the Nats at home.

[93henfan]

Roy Oswalt must be pleased with his decision to come to Philadelphia.

His season stats after his final game in Houston: 6-12, 3.42 ERA
His stats in Philadelphia: 6-1, 1.98 ERA

[GannonFan]

Rollins to rejoin the team after just a mild strain diagnosis on the hammy. Be nice to get him back into the lineup - putting him in the 5 hole was an interesting development.

[93henfan]

The night of the long ball! Werth, Utley and Ruiz so far (top 4th) with Valdez just missing. Boy did Chooch ever crush his. That thing was WAY out.

[bluehenbillk]

Another strong performance from the H2O crew. Now 2 up with 16 to play, things looking good especially with another pitching mismatch tomorrow.

[93henfan]

Another strong performance from the H2O crew. Now 2 up with 16 to play, things looking good especially with another pitching mismatch tomorrow.

Two games over the Braves and perhaps more importantly, the Rockies lose their second straight and appear to be digging themselves a significant hole at 3.5 out of the wild card. The Rockies and Coors Field are not exactly what I want to see in October. That much streaky power and a weird park can cause problems in a short opening series. I'd much rather see the Padres.

[BlueHen86]

The Braves lose 4-2 to the Nats today, so the Phillies lead is currently as 2.5 games. Also, thanks to the off day tomorrow, Charlie is swapping Oswalt's and Kendrick's next starts. Oswalt will pitch on Friday and Kendrick will pitch on Saturday. This means that when the Braves come to Philly next week they will be facing Hamels, Halladay and Oswalt.

[BlueHen86]

Here was a really good article in today's Philly.com explaining Charlie's rationale for the rotation this week:

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/Rot ... g_run.html

Some questioned why he saved Halladay for tomorrow night against the Nats when he could have pitched tonight against the Giants. Turns out, it sets up Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt for all six games against the Braves in September, with five of the six starts on an extra day's rest.

I recall a Rockies fan stating in the All-Star game thread on here that Charlie couldn't manage his way out of a wet paper sack, or something to that effect. Wanna try again?

From the article, here's how the rotation shakes out in September with days rest in parentheses:

Sept. 4 - MIL - Halladay (4)
Sept. 5 - MIL - Kendrick (4)
Sept. 6 - FLA - Oswalt and Doubleheader spot starter (4)
Sept. 7 - FLA - Blanton (4)
Sept. 8 - FLA - Hamels (4)
Sept. 9 - OFF
Sept. 10 - at NYM - Halladay (5)
Sept. 11 - at NYM - Kendrick (5)
Sept. 12 - at NYM - Oswalt (5)
Sept. 13 - at FLA - Blanton (5)
Sept. 14 - at FLA - Hamels (5)
Sept. 15 - at FLA - Halladay (4)
Sept. 16 - OFF
Sept. 17 - WSH - Oswalt (4)
Sept. 18 - WSH - Kendrick (6)
Sept. 19 - WSH - Blanton (5)
Sept. 20 - ATL - Hamels (5)
Sept. 21 - ATL - Halladay (5)
Sept. 22 - ATL - Oswalt (4)
Sept. 23 - OFF
Sept. 24 - NYM - Blanton (4)
Sept. 25 - NYM - Hamels (4)
Sept. 26 - NYM - Halladay (4)
Sept. 27 - at WSH - Oswalt (4)
Sept. 28 - at WSH - Kendrick (9)
Sept. 29 - at WSH - Blanton (4)
Sept. 30 - OFF
Oct. 1 - at ATL - Halladay (5)
Oct. 2 - at ATL - Hamels (6)
Oct. 3 - at ATL - Oswalt (5)

It appears that the Phillies are still sticking to this rotation. If necessary Atlanta will have to face Hamles, Halladay and Oswalt twice each in the next few weeks. I'm hoping that the Phils can have the division wrapped up before the final weekend of the season.

[GannonFan]

Another strong performance from the H2O crew. Now 2 up with 16 to play, things looking good especially with another pitching mismatch tomorrow.

Two games over the Braves and perhaps more importantly, the Rockies lose their second straight and appear to be digging themselves a significant hole at 3.5 out of the wild card. The Rockies and Coors Field are not exactly what I want to see in October. That much streaky power and a weird park can cause problems in a short opening series. I'd much rather see the Padres.

Yeah, it could be a careful what you wish for, but I don't want to see the Rockies come October either. They're going to win today against the Padres so they're not out of it yet, especially with the Braves seeming to be channeling their inner Mets all of a sudden.

[93henfan]

Magic number: 11

[93henfan]

The much-maligned Jayson Werth was money today.

Howard drives in two on a single and then Werth brings em 'all in with a 2-run walkoff just left of center. Phils come back from a 6-3 deficit in the ninth to win it.

Magic number: 10

[BlueHen86]

The much-maligned Jayson Werth was money today.

Howard drives in two on a single and then Werth brings em 'all in with a 2-run walkoff just left of center. Phils come back from a 6-3 deficit in the ninth to win it.

Magic number: 10

It would be nice to wrap things up before the teams play in Atlanta. Phils need to take at least 2 of 3 this week.

[BlueHen86]

The much-maligned Jayson Werth was money today.

Howard drives in two on a single and then Werth brings em 'all in with a 2-run walkoff just left of center. Phils come back from a 6-3 deficit in the ninth to win it.

Magic number: 10

Because the Phillies play the Braves 6 times in the last 12 games the magic number is actually 8.

If the Phillies finish 8-4 they will beat the Braves at least twice in doing so. That means that the best the Braves could do is finish 10-2 in the last 12 games and that would put them in second place 1 game out.

[93henfan]

The much-maligned Jayson Werth was money today.

Howard drives in two on a single and then Werth brings em 'all in with a 2-run walkoff just left of center. Phils come back from a 6-3 deficit in the ninth to win it.

Magic number: 10

Because the Phillies play the Braves 6 times in the last 12 games the magic number is actually 8.

If the Phillies finish 8-4 they will beat the Braves at least twice in doing so. That means that the best the Braves could do is finish 10-2 in the last 12 games and that would put them in second place 1 game out.

Eight Phils wins and two Braves losses equals ten. That's the magic number. Not sure where you get eight.