The Phillies have won 46 games and lost 60. They are in last place, 12.5 games out of first. The Mets (51-55), though a little better, sit in fourth, 7.5 games back. In Phillies/Ruben land at this point, it seems like no one will be traded. Lee isn't healthy, Papelbon won't go to a team unless he is the closer, Byrd wants his '16 option guaranteed and Burnett just didn't look good yesterday. You'll hear rumors, but it is unlikely the Phillies will deal Hamels, Utley or Rollins either. Though Byrd is not in tonight's lineup, it looks more like a scheduled day off for him rather then a looming trade, especially after fouling a ball off of his foot.
Sandberg said he planned to give Byrd a day off this week. Hobbling a bit after fouling ball off foot. Should be ok to play tomorrow.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 29, 2014
So, with it now set in your mind that you will probably be watching this less than mediocre team for the rest of the year, let's move on. Last night, AJ Burnett got shelled. After tossing eight shutout frames against the Giants last Wednesday, the veteran righty gave up seven runs on eight hits. While the reason for his struggle last night may not be known, I don't think having him throw 131 pitches in his last start was really necessary. The Phils offense scored one measly run on a Carlos Ruiz double in the eighth. Bartolo Colon held the Phils to one run on 10 hits and struck out six. Tonight, the Phils send Cole Hamels to the mound against the Mets' Dillon Gee.
Rumors have surfaced in the last few days regarding ace, Cole Hamels (5-5, 2.72). Amaro is asking for plenty in return and I don't blame him. You take nothing less than three high tier prospects. Hamels has given up just two earned runs combined over his last 15 innings of work, both of which resulted in 2-1 Phillies victories. His last time out against San Francisco, Cole tossed eight innings and surrendered just one run on six hits. He set down ten Giants via the strikeout and walked one. Hamels has faced the Mets three times this season and has fared well in two of the three, despite the lack of offensive support. Over 18.2 innings pitched againt the Mets this year, Cole has given up eight earned runs, six of which in the first start against them this season. In his last two starts against the Mets, he has pitched a combined 14 innings, giving up just two runs while striking out 18.
New York will send Dillon Gee (4-3, 3.49) to oppose Hamels. Gee has shown signs of greatness through the year, but injuries have kept him from being consistent. In April, he posted a 2.38 ERA before getting hurt in early May. Gee spent two months on the DL with back problems, but when he came back he looked good. July 9th was his first start since returning and he tosses seven innings of one-run ball in a 4-1 win against the Braves. His last two starts have not gone as well though. After giving up four runs in a 6-0 loss to the Padres on the 19th, Gee served up six runs to the Brewers in a 9-1 loss last Thursday. The 28-year-old right-hander faced the Phillies on May 10th this season and took a no decision in a 5-4 Phils win. Gee gave up three runs in six innings in that start.
Game Notes
- Ryan Howard has a career .500 (9-for-18) average against Gee. That includes six home runs and 14 RBI's. Jimmy Rollins is also sporting a .500 average against Gee in 22 at-bats, with two doubles, a homer and four RBI's.
- Daniel Murphy and David Wright have a combined .350 average (41-for-117) against Cole Hamels with eight doubles, six homers and 22 RBI's.
- Yesterday, the Phillies granted Tony Gwynn Jr. his release after designating him for assignment when Cliff Lee returned. He hit just .163 with the Phillies this season.
- Marlon Byrd is hitting .287 this month with five homers and 12 RBI's but has struck out 30 times. Byrd seemed likely to be dealt, but his demand for the 2016 option to be guaranteed will halt nearly any deal. He is not in tonight's lineup.
Phillies Lineup
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Carlos Ruiz C
- Grady Sizemore RF
- Domonic Brown LF
- Cody Asche 3B
- Cole Hamels P
Mets Lineup
- Curtis Granderson RF
- Daniel Murphy 2B
- David Wright 3B
- Eric Campbell 1B
- Chris Young LF
- Travis d'Arnaud C
- Juan Lagares CF
- Wilmer Flores SS
- Dillon Gee P
Location: Citi Field, New York, New York
Weather: 76° F – Partly Cloudy – 0% PoP
Game Time: 7:10 PM Eastern
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
