Philly Sports Blogs» Raul Ibanez

Another extra inning affair.

Joseph Birmingham — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 05:30:24 +0000

What next for the Phillies ?

Much has been made of Ryan Howard’s performance since his return from the disabled list, and now sources are saying there may still be something wrong with the big man preventing him from playing at 100%.

Last night, the first 6 innings were relatively uneventful as the teams played to a 1-1 draw. The Phillies looked lifeless after being swept by the Astros in a 4 game series that included losses to former Phillies… Finish Reading

When will the Phillies offense return?

Eric Schwartz — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:59:06 +0000

There are slumps and then there is what the Phillies offense is going through right now.

Things got no better yesterday when the Phillies wasted a great start by Cole Hamels in a 3-1 loss to the Padres. Hamels took a no-hitter into the seventh, but allowed a pair of solo home runs and the Phillies offense had no answer. It was a continuation of what has been a putrid three weeks that has seen the team relinquish first place.… Finish Reading

The fall of Pat Burrell

Eric Schwartz — Sat, 15 May 2010 20:40:52 +0000

When Raul Ibanez got off to such a poor start on the heals of a bad second half last season chatter began about whether or not the decision to sign him to a three year deal was a mistake. There is still fear that Ibanez’s contract could be one of the factors that keeps the team from re-signing Jayson Werth at season’s end. Time wll tell if that holds true.

There is one thing we know for sure, however.

The decision to… Finish Reading

Phils win home opener, now 6-1.

Joseph Birmingham — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:26:26 +0000

The Phillies won their home opener 7-4 behind Cole Hamels to run thier National League leading record to 6-1. They dealt Marquis his second loss of this young season. Hamels and Halladay are now both 2-0 and the Phillies bats are smoking hot.

Jimmy Rollins was a late scratch due to a calf injury but his replacement, Castro, was 1-4 with a double and an RBI. Rightfielder Jayson Werth left the game after the fifth inning due to a sore… Finish Reading

The best and worst of Spring Taining

Eric Schwartz — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:12:22 +0000

How do you view spring training numbers?

Spring Training is the time of year where all kinds of opinions get thrown out. A young player who comes up and gets six hits in their first 10 at-bats is referenced as the next Mike Schmidt.

Veteran players who struggle for a couple weeks get titles such as “washed up” and “over-the-hill”.

It’s all part of the baseball landscape. Judgments are made at a time of year when the players aren’t even… Finish Reading

Whiz Kids or the New and Improved Phitens, who is better ?

Joseph Birmingham — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:23:37 +0000

From 1976 to 1980 they won 4 NL East titles, 1 National League Pennant and 1 World Series.

From 2005 to present they have won 3 National League East titles, 2 National league Pennants and 1 World Series.

The first team included the group known as the Whiz Kids, with nearly every member of the team either in the hall of fame, or close to it, and known nationally as household names due to the exposure they recieved during their… Finish Reading

Road to a Dynasty is going to cost $$$

Joseph Birmingham — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:37:27 +0000

If the Phillies want to become a dynasty, I offer 5 suggestions to send them on their way. They have a good balanced ball club, one that has won the National League east three times in a row, been to 2 World Series and won one. That is a good 500 or so games for the team. But to truly become a dynasty, they need to sustain this level of play for 1000 or so more games.

That is tough… Finish Reading

Phillies win Game 5, keep title hopes alive

Eric Schwartz — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:00:06 +0000

Even with six run lead heading into the eighth inning it wasn’t easy for the Philadelphia Phillies.

In the end, though, Philly got exactly what it needed. Game Six is on the way.

Chase Utley pounded two home runs and Ryan Madson pitched a shaky ninth inning to close out an 8-6 victory for Philadelphia.

The Phillies offense got going, pounding out six runs over the first three innings off New York starter A.J. Burnett.

Phils’ ace Cliff Lee was… Finish Reading

Lights out on Philadelphia?

Eric Schwartz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:49:58 +0000

It wasn’t a blown save, it was something much worse.

Bard Lidge allowed three runs in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 7-4, to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the World Series, Sunday night.

Pedro Feliz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 8^th off Joba Chamberlain to tie the game at 4-4 and give the Phillies the momentum heading in to the ninth. Lidge came in and got the… Finish Reading

World Series offensive breakdown

Eric Schwartz — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:00:50 +0000

We are now just one day away fro Game 1 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. There promises to be plenty of drama as these two teams face off in the World Series for the first time in 50 years.

Bellow is a breakdown of how the teams match up position-by-position.

First Base: This would be the marquee position with two players who are not only of All-Star caliber, but MVP worthy. Ryan Howard… Finish Reading