Broad Street Heroes

With Brett Myers out for the season, the Phillies need to look at their farm system and at the free agent market for a starting pitcher. At this point they have the following options:

• Trade for Jake Peavy (most expensive choice)
• Trade for Roy Oswalt (also expensive)
• Trade for Erik Bedard or Jason Marquis (reasonable and comparable to Myers)
• Call up Carlos Carrasco, Kyle Kendrick, or Antonio Bastardo

With a team salary in excess of $125 million, the Phillies most likely will not try to acquire Peavy or Oswalt, and will probably opt for a quality starter who costs less or they will dip into their farm system. I would love to see Carrasco, but if the Phils call him up too early then it could turn into a Joba-esque scenario. In my opinion, the best choice for the Phillies would be to try to get Peavy without giving up the entire farm system, but if the price is too steep, I would be very happy with Erik Bedard or someone like him.

Your thoughts?

The Phillies prevailed tonight against the Nationals with a 9-6 victory. It was another high scoring affair highlighted by Ryan Howard’s two home runs, including a Grand Slam that went into the 3rd deck over the Powerade sign in right field. Cole Hamels pitched poorly by his standards, but the Phillies offense stepped up and scored some runs to get him the W. Ryan Madson provided excellent relief work yet again in a scoreless 8th, and for the second straight game Brad Lidge got the save in a scoreless 9th. Hopefully he is back on track.

To Recap, here are some highlights from the game:

• Cole Hamels improves to 3-2 on the season. He pitched 6 innings while letting up 6 runs and striking out 7 batters. Cole also had an RBI double in the game, his first extra base hit of the season.
• Ryan Howard hits his 13th and 14th home runs of the year and had 5 RBIs in the game, bringing his season total to 39.
• Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley turned a spectacular double play in the 9th inning which really helped Brad Lidge close out the game.
• Over 45,000 fans were in attendance. Keep supporting our Phightin’ Phils!
• With losses by the Mets and Braves, the Phillies are in 1st place in the NL East by a 1/2 game.

As a side note, now that we have reached game #47 there are only 3 more games to be played until we get back J.C. Romero from his 50 game suspension.

Cole Hamels unravels in the 2nd inning of tonight’s game against the Nationals, allowing 3 runs on four consecutive hits. The Phillies are down 3-0. Why should no Phillies fan be worried?

IT’S THE NATIONALS!

The Nationals have the worst ERA in Major League Baseball, so even though they enjoy the 3rd best lineup in the National League, they are a measly 13-34 this season.

Sure enough for Philly fans, Ryan Howard hit a moonshot into the second deck in right center field to cut the lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the 3rd Carlos Ruiz had a wonderful at bat to get on base and Cole Hamels dropped a bunt down to move him to second, which allowed Jimmy Rollins singled home Carlos Ruiz to cut the deficit to 3-2. The bases are loaded…

7:53 PM – RYAN HOWARD IS BACK BABY! GRAND SLAM RYAN HOWARD AND THE SCORE IS NOW 6-3! I LOVE THE NATIONALS PITCHING STAFF!!!