Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Series #23:

(32-44) vs. (34-41)

Game 1: After a terrible start to their season, the Miami Marlins are turning things around. Henderson Alvarez went 8 innings to earn his 9th win of the season. Cole Hamels, who has been the target of some trade talk, had one of his worst starts of the year. Rafael Furcal had a home run and three RBI to lead the Marlins.

Game 2: For the second straight game, Furcal played a big part in the Miami offense. The shortstop ripped a single to right in the top of the ninth to give the Marlins a 3-2 win on the road. Antonio Bastardo, one of the Philles most consistent relievers, earned his first loss of the season.

Game 3: Eleven singles, zero runs, zero extra base hits. It was an interesting day for the Phillies offense that's for sure. Tom Koehler surrendered 11 hits in 8.2 innings, while striking out 7. Garrett Jones got his revenge after a four strikeout game yesterday, with a three-run home run in the first inning.

Game 4: The Marlins complete the four game sweep of the Phillies, and move into sole possession of 2nd in the NL East. It was Jarrod Saltalamacchia's turn to carry the offense today, with a bases clearing double to start the game. Roberto Hernandez had trouble keeping his sinker down early, and paid for it with the early deficit. In all, an embarrassing series for the Phils, who now have to face the division leading Braves next.

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Game 3:



Game 4:

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Series #24:

(46-33) vs. (34-45)

Game 1: The Phillies and Braves opened their three game set with a game worth forgetting. Atlanta scored 16 runs between innings four and six to clobber the home team 17-4. Despite allowing all the runs, pitchers Kyle Kendrick and Jonathan Pettibone didn't see their ERA rise very much. Just five of the runs scored were earned thanks to two timely errors.

Game 2: Cole Hamels was filthy today, striking out thirteen Braves en route to his 4th win of the season. Jimmy Rollins drove in four runs for the Phillies to help end their six game losing streak.

Game 3: A career day for Chase Utley, and the Phillies needed every bit of it to earn the win. Utley finished 3/4 with three home runs, including a tie-breaking grand slam in the fifth inning. Cliff Lee went eight innings, but saw his usual struggles follow him again. Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman both homered off him, raising his HR allowed to 18 on the season. Jonathan Papelbon was able to strand the tying runner at third to earn save number 20 on the season.

Game 1:



Game 2:



Game 3:

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Possible Trade Partners

As we enter July, things are not looking good for the Philadelphia Phillies in the playoff picture. Over ten games back in both the NL East and the wildcard race, it is clear that the team must retool its roster. Today we take a look at who might be traded, and what teams are rumored to be interested.

***Note: I'm using players contracts that they have in the game, not their real life numbers. Will add or subtract value from players due to some big differences but not much I can do there. See: Ryan Howard.

SP Cole Hamels - 30 Years Old - (4-6, 2.25 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 80IP, 20BB, 78K) - Hamels is a prize piece in this upcoming trade season, but the team has not publicly shopped him yet. His contract is large, with the lefty being owed 79 million over the next 5 years. A big market club would love him though, and there should be a few suitors if the Phils really blow things up.
Possible Partners: Angels, Giants, Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles

SP Cliff Lee - 35 Years Old - (3-9, 5.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 107.2IP, 25BB, 102K) - The question with Lee is how unlucky has he been. His 3.975 DIPS is promising to other teams, and he doesn't look like he's lost his stuff. The home runs are a huge concern, however. He is on pace to make a run to set a personal record for HR allowed in a season, which stands at 30. His contract is at 20M/Year, but only runs for two more years. In addition, he has a no trade list of 20 teams that he would have to waive. Trading Lee could prove harder than the Phillies would like.
Possible Partners: Braves, Indians, Padres

SP AJ Burnett - 37 Years Old - (3-5, 3.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 76IP, 36BB, 69K) - Burnett has quietly had a solid year for the Phils, and is a prime candidate to be shipped off on deadline week.
Possible Partners: Pirates, Brewers, Padres, Orioles, Mariners, White Sox, Blue Jays

SP Roberto Hernandez - 33 Years Old - (7-4, 3.18 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 93.1IP, 26BB, 62K) - Hernandez has been the Phillies biggest surprise all year, and could be had cheaply by a number of playoff hopefuls. His sinker has been effective all year, and a hitters park could be a perfect fit for him.
Possible Partners: Rockies, Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox

1B Ryan Howard - 34 Years Old - (.277/.340/.571, 18HR, 42RBI) - It has been a bounce back year for Howard, after just 11 home runs in 2013. He has been on fire with RISP, hitting .349 on the season. As per usual, his 76 strikeouts lead the team. His contract is a bargain, collecting him just 6 million over the next three years (). There will be plenty of suitors after him if the Phillies decide to go with Darin Ruf at first.
Possible Partners: Indians, Brewers, Pirates, Rockies

2B Chase Utley - 35 Years Old - (.271/.323/.481, 15 HR, 45 RBI) - Utley has had a big time power surge in 2014. Capped off by a three homer game last week, the veteran looks like his 2009 former self. Second base has been a weak position around the league this year, and Utley could provoke a bidding war between contenders.
Possible Partners: Braves, Cardinals, Giants, Blue Jays, Athletics, Yankees, White Sox

SS Jimmy Rollins - 35 Years Old - (.255/.295/.359, 8HR, 39RBI, 15 Steals) - Jimmy Rollins would make a nice acquisition for some teams looking for leadership this fall. The 14 year veteran has dusted his legs off this year, tied for the team lead in steals.
Possible Partners: Cardinals, Mariners, Pirates

OF Marlon Byrd - 36 Years Old - (.251/.316/.409) - Byrd may finally be showing the effects of his age. After racing out of the gates to a great start, Byrd has been ice cold in June. Surprisingly, he is hitting just .164 against lefties this year, a number which should be much higher. His .209 average on the road may scare some teams, but theres always a GM looking for a veteran bat to add to the lineup.
Possible Partners: Braves, Giants, Mariners, Angels, Rays, White Sox

RP Antonio Bastardo - 28 Years Old - (33.1IP, 2.16 ERA, 1.02WHIP, 7HLD, 7BB, 38K) - Bastardo is a player that teams crave. A lefty that has superb control and the ability to blow it by you. Most teams will consider him a lefty specialist but he may be ready to make the leap to set up or even close.
Possible Partners: Giants, Rangers, Angels, Brewers, Tigers

CP Jonathan Papelbon - 33 Years Old - (3-2IP, 20 Saves, 27.1 IP, 4.28 ERA, 1.43WHIP, 11 BB, 32 K) - Perhaps the most likely Phillie to be traded, Jonathan Papelbon could have a small, but determined market after him. He has 2 years on his contract at 7.4 million per.
Possible Partners: Indians, Angels, Pirates, White Sox, Rays

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Series #25:

(36-46) vs. (37-46)

Game 1: Marcel Ozuna won the game today with an 11th inning walk off shot off Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon surrendered the tying hit in the 9th inning, but would work out of that jam to force extra innings. The Phillies left him in one batter to long, and Ozuna crushed the first pitch to start the inning. Marlon Byrd and Ryan Howard both homered for the Phillies.

Game 2: Kevin Slowey outpitched Ramon Hernandez, although both pitchers were on their game tonight. Garret Jones led the Marlins offense for the second straight game, racking up 6 total RBI.

Game 3: Not a good series for the closer. Jonathan Papelbon had issues for the second time this series. Giancarlo Stanton would hit a walk off double in the 11th to complete the sweep, and 7th win over the Phillies in ten days.

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[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Good grief, some tough luck against the Marlins. That's 7 in a row?

[saturn2187]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

This is done, I'm guessing?

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Still on hiatus! I can't get enough time to be able to play enough to be competitive. GTA, Fifa and NCAA 14 are way too fun right now. If I don't get this going by MLB 15 I plan to carry the save over to next years game.

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Series #26:

(36-49) vs. (40-45)

Game 1: Ronny Cedeno had himself a nice little game to start the Phils series in Pittsburgh. The infielder went 3/4 with 2 doubles. The problem, you ask? Cedeno recorded three of the four Philly hits, as Gerrit Cole threw a complete game shutout. Jody Mercer led the Pirates going 2/4 with an RBI double.

Game 2: When he's on his game, there may not be a pitcher in baseball who is harder to hit than Francisco Liriano. Liriano wowed the home crowd today, going 8 and 2/3, allowing no runs and fanning eight. Cliff Lee found his way to double digits in the loss column, but that's not his fault. The run support continues to evade Lee, who allowed just five baserunners in seven.

Game 3: The scoreless streak is over! The losing streak, however, is not. Wandy Rodriguez threw a strong 6 innings, earning his eleventh win of the season. Ryan Howard connected for his 19th homer of the season before leaving the game with an injury. The team is worried the slugger tore a muscle and if so, could be out for the remainder of the season.

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[OliDegu2008]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Awesome read as always!

Thanks for posting again.

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Awesome read as always!

Thanks for posting again.

Thanks for sticking with me! Nice to be back.

Losing Howard for the rest of the season is a real bummer

It is, if I'm lucky we might see him back in September. Probably wouldn't have been traded at the deadline, but now I have no choice but to hold onto him.

[Bluejaysfan65]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Losing Howard for the rest of the season is a real bummer

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Series #27:

(36-52) vs. (46-43)

Game 1: Potential all star Roberto Hernandez had a tough outing to start this four game series. The righty allowed four runs in six innings, struggling to keep his pitches down in the zone. Mike Fiers improved to 3-0 on the season, looking very sharp.

Game 2: The streak has ended. The Phillies exploded for four runs today, and Kyle Kendrick threw one of his best games this year. Kendrick allowed just a single run and six baserunners. Jonathan Papelbon threw a flawless 9th to earn his 21st save of the year.

Game 3: Two in a row! Jimmy Rollins hit his second homer in three games, driving in two runs. The top 6 of the lineup hit a combined 11/25 with all five RBI. Included in this is new addition Casey Kotchman, who went 2/4 with a double in his debut start.

Game 4: Wily Peralta was elusive on the mound to earn a series split for Milwaukee. Peralta tossed eight innings, surrendering four hits and one run. Carlos Ruiz is showing signs of life, and connected for two doubles this afternoon. Cliff Lee had the run support bug hit him yet again, and after throwing 6 scoreless innings, ran into some trouble. He falls to 3-11 on the year.

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[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Trade Announcement

Receive:

• 2B Brian Dozier

Spoiler

Receive:

• LF Mike O'Neill
• SP Ian McKinney

Spoiler

The 2014 trade season is underway, with a minor deal going down today before all star week. The Minnesota Twins (40-52) shipped Brian Dozier to St. Louis and received two prospects in return. Dozier, 26, is just a .243 career hitter in 1200 at bats. He is a versetile infielder with good power, and average speed. Starting 2B Mark Ellis is on the DL with a fractured foot, and should lose his job to Dozier even when he returns.

Mike O'Neill had no future with the Cardinals due to Oscar Tavaras towering over him on the depth chart. O'Neill will report to Minnesota right away, making his big league debut for the team. The 25 year old lefty could make a nice leadoff hitter if all goes well. O'Neill hit .307/.414/.433 with 10 steals in AAA this year. Eighteen year old Ian McKinney will be the player on which this trade is graded in 10 years. The lefty projects to be a top 4 starter, but most people expect him to be at least five years away.

[slowpokemcgee]

Re: Putting the Fight Back in the Phils - MLB the Show 14

Series #28:

(41-51) vs. (38-54)

Game 1: Rookie Maikel Franco led the charge today, going 3/3 with a 2 RBI double. The third baseman seems to be gaining comfort as he settles into the everyday role on the hot corner. AJ Burnett was wild, but still quite effective. Despite allowing nine baserunners, Burnett threw seven scoreless innings and fanned six.

Game 2: Two shutouts in a row for Philly. Roberto Hernandez threw five shutout innings today to earn his 8th win of the year. Looking a bit fatigued in the first, Hernandez was able to get out of a bases loaded jam scoreless in his final inning. Marlon Byrd, in the midst of a two month slump, launched his 10th homer of the year to give the Phillies some insurance and their 4th win in five games.

Game 3: Bryce Harper. The Phillies head into the allstar break on a sour note, losing 9-1. Harper's fourth inning grand slam effectively put the game away, and Tanner Roark threw 131 pitches in a complete game effort.

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