Phillies Spring Training: Ranger Suarez Suffers a Setback, Opening Week Debut in Doubt

03/22/202303/25/2023 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Uh oh. Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has suffered a setback in his return from injury according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Suarez, who has been out of action since feeling pain in his left forearm during the World Baseball Classic, experienced inflammation in his left elbow prior to a scheduled bullpen session on Wednesday. There is no structural damage according to the team.

Continue reading →

World Series Game 6: Zack Wheeler vs. Framber Valdez

11/05/2022 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

It’s do or die for the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night in Houston, Texas. A win and the Fightin’s force a decisive World Series Game 7. A loss and it’s the end of a magical run for the Phillies, and a lot of questions for management.

In a rematch of World Series Game 2, the Phillies will look to Zack Wheeler to pitch the game of his life and Houston will counter with Framber Valdez. First pitch is set for 8:03 PM/Eastern in the Lone Star State.

Date: November 5, 2022
Where: Minute Maid Park – Houston, Texas
When: 8:03 PM/Eastern
TV: Fox and the Fox Sports App – with Joe Davis and John Smoltz
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP and the Phillies Radio Network – with Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy

Pitching Matchup

Zack Wheeler (1-2, 2.67 ERA) vs. Framber Valdez (2-0, 1.42 ERA)

Wheeler’s Last Outing: 10/29 at HOU (World Series Game 2), 5 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Valdez’s Last Outing: 10/29 vs PHI (World Series Game 2). 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K

Phillies vs. Valdez in World Series Game 2

Kyle Schwarber: 1-for-2, BB
Rhys Hoskins: 1-for-2, BB
JT Realmuto: 0-for-3, 2 K
Bryce Harper: 0-for-3, K, GIDP
Nick Castellanos: 1-for-3, 2B, K
Jean Segura: 1-for-2, K

Astros vs. Wheeler in World Series Game 2

Jose Altuve: 2-for-3, 2B
Jeremy Pena: 1-for-3 , 2B, RBI
Yordan Alvarez: 1-for-2, 2B, BB, RBI
Alex Bregman: 1-for-3, GIDP, HR, 2 RBI
Kyle Tucker: 0-for-2, BB

World Series Game 6 Storylines

Do or Die for the Philadelphia Phillies
Houston Astros blew a 3-2 lead in the 2019 World Series ( Washington Nationals) with Game 6 and Game 7 at home
Philadelphia has never played in a Game 7
Zack Wheeler is pitching on 6-days rest due to arm fatigue
Framber Valdez shutdown the Phillies in World Series Game 2
The Phillies offense has 26 strikeouts in the World Series
How long of a leash will Phillies manager Rob Thomson have with Wheeler, Ranger Suarez will be available out of the bullpen
Who other than Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper will set up for the Phillies offense

World Series Game 5: Justin Verlander vs. Noah Syndergaard

11/03/202211/03/2022 ~ Section247Staff ~ Leave a comment

The Philadelphia Phillies look to rebound from Wednesday’s no hitter and take a 3-2 series lead with the World Series set to shift back to Houston. The Fightin’s will send Noah Syndergaard to the mound to start the game. “Thor” is likely to only pitch three-to-four innings before the Phillies’ bullpen takes over. The Astros will counter with Justin Verlander, who pitched for Houston in Game 1.

First pitch is set for 8:03 PM/Eastern from Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia. The game will be broadcast on Fox and the Fox Sports app with Joe Davis and John Smoltz on the call. Phillies radio will switch to 1210 AM WPHT and KYW 103.9 FM due to Eagles-Texans airing on 94 WIP. Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy will once again have the call.

Pitching Matchup

Justin Verlander (1-0, 7.20 ERA) vs. Noah Syndergaard (0-0, 1.69 ERA)

Verlander’s Last Outing: World Series Game 1 vs PHI, 5 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, .302 BAA, 1.53 WHIP

Syndergaard’s Last Outing: 10/22/22 vs. SD (NLCS Game 4 ), 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, .158 BAA, .75 WHIP

Phillies vs. Verlander (World Series Game 1)

J.T. Realmuto: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Rhys Hoskins: 1-for-2
Bryce Harper: 1-for-2
Nick Castellanos: 1-for-2, RBI
Alec Bohm: 1-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI
Kyle Schwarber: 0-for-2, BB, R
Brandon Marsh: 1-for-3, 2B

Continue reading →

“I Really Don’t Give a Shit.” Phillies Turn the Page on World Series Game 4

11/03/202211/03/2022 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

In the course of 48-hours the Philadelphia Phillies ended up on the opposite ends of history. The Fightin’s offensive performance in World Series Game 3 –five home runs– was record breaking, so it was only natural the Phillies would be no-hit a day later. In fact, for anyone following the 2022 Phillies, Wednesday’s performance is very “on brand” for the club.

What’s also on brand, and it should be comforting for Phillies fans, was the response from Phils team leader Kyle Schwarber.

Kyle Schwarber postgame, via NBC Sports Philadelphia

Continue reading →

World Series Game 4: Cristian Javier vs. Aaron Nola

11/02/2022 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

The Philaelphia Phillies look to take a commanding 3-1 World Series lead when they send Aaron Nola to the mound on Wednesday night in South Philadelphia. The Houston Astros will look to even the World Series and force the series back to Houston on the arm of Cristian Javier.

First pitch is set for 8:03 PM/Eastern from Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia, PA. The game will be broadcast on Fox and the Fox Sports app with Joe Davis and John Smoltz on the call. Locally, the game can be heard on SportsRadio 94 WIP with Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy.

Pitching Matchup

Cristian Javier (1-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Aaron Nola (2-1, 4.57 ERA)

Javier’s Last Outing: 10/22 at NYY (ALCS Game 3 ) 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Nola’s Last Outing: 10/28/22 at HOU (WS Game 1) 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Phillies vs. Javier

Brandon Marsh: 4-for-7, 1 2B, 2 K
Kyle Schwarber: 0-for-2, 1 K
No other Phillie has an official at-bat against Javier

Astros vs. Nola

Kyle Tucker: 2-for-4, 2 HR
Jose Altuve: 2-for-8, 3 K
Chas McCormick: 1-for-2, 1 K
Yordan Alvarez: 1-for-4, BB, 2 K

Continue reading →

World Series Game 3: Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Noah Syndergaard

10/30/202211/01/2022 ~ Section247Staff ~ Leave a comment

Postponed due to rain. Game 3 will now take place Tuesday, November 1.

The Houston Astros scored 5-runs against Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler to take Game 2 by a score of 5-2. The ‘Stros win tied the World Series at one game a piece. The series now shifts to Philadelphia for the next three.

~~The Phillies will send Noah Syndergaard to the mound against Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. First pitch is set for 8:03 PM/Eastern however weather could be an issue on Monday night.~~

~~Date: October 31, 2022~~
~~Where: Citizens Bank Park —Philadelphia, PA~~
~~When: 8:03 PM/Eastern~~
TV~~: Fox, Fox Sports App —with Joe Davis and John Smoltz~~
~~Radio: SportsRadio 94WIP and the Phillies Radio Network — with Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy~~

Continue reading →

World Series: Phillies Pitching Depth to be Tested as the Series Shifts Back to Philadelphia

10/30/202210/30/2022 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

Let’s not get too crazy, the Philadelphia Phillies are sitting in an advantageous position with the World Series tied at one heading to South Philly on Monday. They are undefeated, 5-0, at The Bank and they’ve stolen home field from the Houston Astros.

That should not be understated.

But they’ve done it with both ace’s pitching well below expectations. Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler allowed 5-runs each in less than 10-total innings pitched in Game 1 and Game 2. This forced Phillies manager Rob Thomson to get creative with the bullpen, and by extension, the starting rotation.

This isn’t sustainable if the Phillies want a parade down Broad St in the next week or so. And now, thanks to the lackluster performances by Nola and Wheeler, the Fightin’s will be forced to go deeper into their pitching staff as the World Series hurdles towards critical mass.

There is no margin for error heading into Game 3 and Game 4 with Noah Syndergaard and Ranger Suarez on the mound.

Continue reading →

World Series Game 2: Zack Wheeler vs. Framber Valdez

10/29/202210/29/2022 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

The Philadelphia Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the World Series thanks to a comeback, extra innings win on Friday night. The loss was the Houston Astros first in the 2022 Postseason.

The Phillies will send Zack Wheeler to the mound looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back to Philadelphia. Houston will look to lefty Framber Valdez to even the series.

Date: October 29, 2022
Where: MinuteMaid Park — Houston, Texas
When: 8:03 PM/Eastern
TV: Fox, Fox Sports App — with Joe Davis and John Smoltz
Radio: SportsRadio 94WIP and the Phillies Radio Network — with Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy

Pitching Matchup

Zack Wheeler (1-1, 1.78 ERA) vs. Framber Valdez (1-0, 1.42 ERA)

Wheeler’s Last Outing: 10/23/22 vs SD (NLCS Game 5), 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 HR, 1 HB, 8 K

Valdez’s Last Outing: 10/20/22 vs NYY (ALCS Game 2), Win, 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 9 K

Continue reading →

2022 World Series Game 1: Aaron Nola vs. Justin Verlander

10/27/202210/27/2022 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe, but here we are talkin’ Philadelphia Phillies baseball at the end of October. Fans are hanging on every pitch and every at-bat of the Fightin’s quest to bring home a third baseball World Championship. But in their way will be the two-time, reigning and defending American League Champion Houston Astros.

The Phillies will send Aaron Nola to the mound to take on the Astros’ Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the 2022 World Series. First pitch is set for 8:03 PM/Eastern on Fox Sports.

Date: October 28, 2022
Where: MinuteMaid Park — Houston, Texas
When: 8:03 PM/Eastern
TV: Fox, Fox Sports App – with Joe Davis and John Smoltz
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP and the Phillies Radio Network – with Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy

Pitching Matchup

Aaron Nola (2-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (1-0, 6.30 ERA)

Nola’s Last Outing– 10/19/22 at San Diego (NLCS Game 2), Loss, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 HR, 6 K, 1.10 WHP

Verlander’s Last Outing– 10/19/22 at New York-AL (ALCS Game 3), Win, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 HB, 1 BB, 11 K, 1.50 WHIP

Continue reading →

2022 World Series Preview: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros

10/27/202210/28/2022 ~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe it, but the Philadelphia Phillies (9-2) are four wins away from the third World Championship in franchise history. The path to another title runs through the two-time defending American League Champion Houston Astros (7-0). In fact, Houston has represented the AL four of the last six seasons.

The series, a rematch of the classic 1980 NLCS, has been billed as David versus Goliath.

But this David –the 2022 Phillies– carries a big stick and is filled with a dangerous, never say die confidence. That makes them an incredibly dangerous team as the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres found out.

While Houston is being billed as the Goliath, the pressure is squarely on the Astros. Houston’s last two trips to the World Series have ended with white hot NL East teams –the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves, respectively– celebrating a championship on the field at Minute Maid Park. Houston’s only title in their six-season AL dominance was overshadowed by a cheating scandal that brings into question the legitimacy of that title.

Continue reading →