PRC: Antonio Bastardo

Player: Antonio Bastardo
Number: 58
Position: RP
Bats/Throws: R/L

Consistency: Bastardo had only made six appearances all season because he got hurt in June. When healthy, he showed a lot of promise. His first start saw him going six strong innings, allowing a run on four hits versus the Padres. He followed that up with another quality start. His next three starts were not so good though. In that span, he only went 11.2 innings, allowing 15 runs (14 earned) on 15 hits and a WHIP of 1.88. His June ERA was 6.75 and he saw no more action until he made one relief stint in October where he pitched a scoreless inning versus Florida.

In the playoffs, he was put on the roster for all three series’ because JC Romero’s season was done. He pitched 1/3 inning total, allowing a hit and a strike out in 2 appearances.

Regular Season Stats: 2-3, 23.2 IP, 25 H, 18 R, 17 ER, 4 HR, 9 BB, 6.46 ERA, 1.51 WHIP

Post Season Stats: 0-0, .1 IP, 1 H, 1 K

Health: His only injury was when he strained his shoulder in June versus Tampa Bay. He didn’t return to the Phillies until late in the season.

Intangibles: Bastardo has a lot of upside. His fastball hits around 94 MPH and has a good slider and change-up. He didn’t get a lot of work this year for the Phillies but I can definitely see him getting more time next year. He’s only 23 and will learn. He also showed a lot of composure in the NLDS when he was called in to face Jason Giambi of the Rockies with the bases loaded, striking him out to end the inning.

Overall Grade: C. His three bad starts before getting hurt didn’t help him but his positive upside balanced that out. I like what this kid has and am hoping he earns a bull pen spot on next year’s roster.

Roster Moves

A day after the Phillies purchased injured pitcher John Ennis, the Phillies called up Jack Taschner to the bull pen. He's 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 21 appearances before he was previously designated for assignment two months ago. He went 0-2 with two saves and a 2.08 ERA and a .213 OBA with Triple A Lehigh Valley.

Ennis is recovering from Tommy John surgery. After the Phillies bought him, they placed him on the 15 day DL because any player on the 25 man roster or DL by August 31 can be eligible for the playoffs. They're hoping Ennis can pitch by then if they want. The Phillies have 31 players eligible which include the six on the DL: Brett Myers, J.C. Romero, Clay Condrey, Greg Dobbs, Antonio Bastardo and Ennis.

Phillies Lose 4th Straight Series

This day totally sucked (outside of my softball team kicking some serious butt to go 7-0). We lost the King of Pop and Ferrah Fawcett and now the Phillies lost their fourth straight series. They are just "Bad." They're no "Thriller" on the field. This skid is starting to get "Dangerous" as the Mets won again today to improve to 1/2 game out of first. OK I'm done with the MJ puns. The Phillies lost the series 2-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tuesday: Coming off their 1-8 home stand, the Phillies offense exploded and Jamie Moyer pitched stellar en route to a 10-1 victory. John Mayberry Jr. and Chase Utley hit homers and Moyer only allowed a solo homer to Pat Burrell.

Wednesday: JC Romero and Chan Ho Park got beat up when the Phillies were only down 2-1 in the eighth. But I won't put the blame on them as the offense completely disappeared despite Jayson Werth's solo homer. Phillies lost 7-1.

Thursday: The first inning looked like the Phillies would bust out of their slump when they plated four to start the game. But that was it as Antonio Bastardo got shelled, giving up six runs on seven hit before leaving the game in the fourth inning with a strained shoulder (severity unknown). Phillies lost 10-4.

This series was just plain ugly. My confidence was restored for one whole game and one whole inning on Thursday. The offense was just dead and the pitching was shotty. Despite great starts by Moyer and Joe Blanton, the offense could not support. I really have nothing more to say because I would just be redundant.

Series MVP's:

Phillies: Joe Blanton: 7 IP, 6 Hits, 2 runs, 10 K's

Rays: Carl Crawford: 5-11, 2 runs, 3 doubles, 2 RBI's

Rays: Matt Garza: 8 IP, 3 hits, run, 7 K's

Next Series: Philadelphia Phillies (37-33; 24-11 on road) @ Toronto Blue Jays (40-34; 23-14 at home)

Jays lead series 3-0. The Phillies suck. The Jays are playing solid ball. The Phillies are still good on the road and the offense is also showing some life in areas. I always expect a series win with this team but right now, I'm not too sure. With the Mets 1/2 a game back, I am afraid the Phillies may be the 2nd place team they are playing out to be. Pick up your game or the magic will run out.

Probables:

6/26: Hamels (4-3, 4.24), Romero, R (4-3, 3.59)

6/27: Happ (4-0, 3.47), Mills (0-0, 9.82)

6/28: Moyer (5-6, 5.97), Tallet (5-4, 4.36)

No Updates Today

Another Saturday where I'll be gone all day and what else is new... it's raining here in Atlantic City (or the entire east coast so the Phillies game has a shot at being in danger). I'll be working from 12-5 then hitting up the Jimmy Buffett concert in Camden (at least my seats are in the covered area).

So the Phillies are currently on a four game losing streak and with a Mets win, are now only two games up. This is f*cking sad. 3-7 versus the AL and 13-20 at home. At HOME! How is a first place team seven games under .500 at home? Luckily they are 23-9 on the road. I mean the Phillies are pretty healthy compared to the Mets, who are putting up a AAA baseball team at the moment, but are barely holding them off.

The Phils just got swept by the Blue Jays and got dominated 7-2 last night versus Baltimore. Granted he gave up four runs, Antonio Bastardo's seven-inning effort was the lone bright spot. Bastardo only gave up five hits and struck out five. Jack Taschner pitched the last two innings and gave up three runs to end any chance at a comeback for the Phillies. At least the cream of the bull pen was preserved.

The Phillies should hold a promotion at home: "Boo the Phillies Night." If we can convince the Phillies they're playing on the road, maybe they'll play better. This incompetence at home is really bugging me and the rest of the fans out there. If this doesn't right itself, the Mets will only get healthier and we'll be seeing a Philadelphia wild card race.

If the weather holds, the Phillies will play tonight at 7:05 ET.

Bastardo Gets NL POW Consideration

Not bad for your debut week, Antonio Bastardo. Pitching 12 innings, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA, surrendering three runs and striking out nine earned him a National League Player of the Week nominee. Ian Stewart of the Colorado Rockies took the honors. He earned his wins against the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.

In the midst of all his success are a couple observations I've made. He can't keep trying to blow it by the batters. One thing that's been talked about was his gripping of the baseball too tight and there for losing control of his change up. I think with 2 starts under his belt and the rookie jitters out of the way, he'll be mixing in his pitches a helluva lot more.

But other than those, I congratulate Bastardo and I hope he cements a starting role for the near future. Keep up the good work.

Phils Offense Comes Alive to Split Series

After failing to score more than three runs in the first three games of the series, the Phillies offense powered its way past the Dodgers last night to split the four-game series. After winning the first game, Brad Lidge blew the next two games, wasting good starts by Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer.

In the first game of the series, Cole Hamels went to work once again, this time shutting out the Dodgers on 97 pitches. He got runs from Ryan Howard's sacrifice fly, Raul Ibanez's RBI double, and Jayson Werth's RBI single.

Hamel's game was such a thing of beauty. He went the distance, striking out five and surrendering four hits and a walk. He also only allowed one runner into scoring position as he got plenty of help from his defense with a pair of double plays early in the game. He mixed his deadly change-up well with fastballs and curveballs to keep the Dodgers hitters off balance.

In the second game, things didn't go so hot for the Phillies. Moyer was fantastic, going seven innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He also struck out three. Up 3-2 going into the ninth, Lidge put two men on but had two outs. He forced a groundball to Pedro Feliz who booted it to load the bases. Next batter was Andre Ethier who hit the shot over Eric Bruntlett's head in right field to win it for the Dodgers.

The third game, as Yogi Berra would say it, "was deja-vu all over again." Holding a 2-1 lead in the ninth, Lidge gave up a home run to pinch hitter Rafael Furcal, his sixth blown save of the season. The ball just barely got past Werth's out-stretched arm. Chad Durbin would surrender the walk-off homer by Andre Ethier in the 12th.

Last night's game was a show as the Phillies dominated from start to finish. Antonio Bastardo took the mound for his second career start and pitched a good follow-up performance. He went five innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and fanning four. He got the win, starting his career 2-0. He is doing an excellent job at petitioning to the Phillies that they do not need any other help until the deadline.

Charlie Manuel shook up the offense by leading off with Shane Victorino and dropping Rollins down to sixth. It worked well as the offense featured some fire works from homers by Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, and Howard. Chan Ho Park pitched three strong innings in relief, giving up only one hit.

Series MVP's:

Dodgers: Ethier - 6-16, 2 doubles, 2 homers, 4 RBI's, 2 walk-off hits

Phillies: Hamels - 9 IP, CG, SHO, 5 K's, 5 hits

Next Series: @ New York Mets

6/9: Happ (4-0, 2.48); Santana (7-3, 2.00)

6/10: Hamels (4-2, 4.40), Pelfrey (4-2, 4.85)

6/11 Moyer (4-5, 6.27), Redding (0-2, 6.97)

Padilla/Glavine on Phillies Radar?

Tom Glavine and Vicente Padilla were recently released from the Braves and Rangers respectively and should not be on the free agent market for too long.

Rumor Mill on Baseball Digest.com:

One NL exec said... "The Phillies have been waiting for just this type of opportunity; take a veteran starter for a test drive for the next month or so before having to make any hard decisions about (San Diego’s Jake) Peavy or (Houston’s Roy) Oswalt.”

Glavine, who spurned the Phillies for the Mets back in 2003, is said to be “furious” with how the Braves handled the situation and “can’t wait to stick it up their a**.” Signing with the Phillies would go a long way towards fulfilling that goal.

The Phillies are said to prefer Glavine (and the NL exec said the veteran southpaw’s agent made an immediate call to Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. as soon as the release was requested by Glavine, who chose to get cut rather than retire a Brave), but would gladly take a flier on the former Phillie Padilla if they fail to come to terms with Glavine.

I honestly would take Glavine in a heartbeat just because he is better than Padilla, who played for the Phillies from 2000-2005. Glavine, a 305-game winner is also a future Hall of Famer and would be fun to watch on the mound. The only argument I can make for Padilla is that Glavine would give the Phillies four lefties and Padilla would atleast give them two righties.

I know this is not a permanent replacement for Brett Myers, who's season is done after hurting his right hip. The Phillies are said to make a play for a big time starter at the trade deadline on July 31. Antonio Bastardo impressed everyone in his Major League debut but will and should not be starting every five days until the trade deadline. Glavine or Padilla just be a fill in for that span and if they pitch well, could compete with Jamie Moyer or Joe Blanton to stay on as the 5th starter.

Glavine has not pitched at all this year as he couldn't make the Braves starting five. Padilla is 3-3 this year with a 5.57 ERA. He has gone 53.1 innings in nine starts (that's just under six innings per start) and has struck out 27.

I could see the Phillies rotation looking like this for the next two months and be comfortable (in current pitching order):
-Hamels
-Moyer
-Blanton
-Happ
-Glavine

Phillies Sweep Friars

Coming off of a sweep versus Washington, the Phillies started their little West Coast trip as they played three games in sunny Southern California versus the Padres. The Padres came into this series on a 10 game home winning streak. That came to a screeching halt as the Phillies starting pitching dominated all three games and Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez sparked the offense at key times.

Joe Blanton took the mound Monday in the Phillies weakest start of the series. He threw seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits with five strike outs, earning him a quality start. Chase Utley and Howard went back-to-back in the fifth to make it a 4-1 game and then Adrian Gonzalez and Scott Hairston mirrored that feat in the sixth to make it a 4-3 game. The Phillies would tack on another run and Brad Lidge made his only appearance of the series, earning his 13th save in 17 chances as the Phillies won 5-3.

Tuesday's pitching match up was very interesting as Antonio Bastardo was making his major league debut in place of Brett Myers and facing Jake Peavy, a player who the Phillies have interest in acquiring before the trade deadline. Peavy only lasted one inning as he got rocked for four runs in the first. Bastardo went six innings, giving up a solo home run and four hits total and striking out five. It was also Ibanez's birthday as he gave the rookie Bastardo a present, going 3-5 with two homers, a double, and five RBI's. The final was 10-5 as Ryan Madson earned a rare five-run save.

Last night's game was utter dominance from JA Happ, making his 3rd start of the season. He improved to 4-0 and dropped his ERA to a 2.48 after throwing seven shut out innings, giving up four hits and striking out four. Howard hit a two-run bomb in the first inning to get the scoring going. JC Romero made his season debut, going 1.3 innings, giving up the only run (which was unearned) on two hits and one walk and striking out a batter. He was having trouble locating his pitches which usually comes with a first appearance. He will be fine and I am far from worried. The Phillies won 5-1.

Series MVP: Ibanez (6-15, 2 HR's, 2 doubles, 6 RBI's)

Next Series: @ Los Angeles Dodgers

6/4 - Hamels (3-2, 5.21), Kershaw (3-3, 4.34)

6/5 - Moyer (4-5, 6.75), Milton (2-0, 3.14)

6/6 - Blanton (4-3, 5.86), Kuroda (1-1, 2.53)

6/7 - Bastardo (1-0, 1.50), Wolf (3-1, 3.21)

A Few Notes and News

Bastardo impresses in debut:

I'm still tired from watching these 10 PM starts but hey, that's what a true fan does. Besides, I didn't want to miss Antonio Bastardo's debut. And boy did he put on a nice little show. He went six strong innings and threw 101 pitches, eclipsing the 75 pitch handicap Charlie Manuel and set for him. In his six innings, he surrendered four hits and one run, a homer hit by Adrian Gonzalez in the 6th, and struck out an impressive five batters.

Another impressive fact about his first start was that he threw 77 strikes (out of 101 pitches), just under 80%. Now that number will decrease as he should be mixing his stuff up with more sliders and curve balls. A 4-0 head start was also a nice touch which definitely boosted the 23-year old's confidence. He'll face the Dodgers

The return of JC:

No not Jesus Christ, but JC Romero. Romero is officially off his 50 game suspension for "substance abuse," and will be activated for tonight's game verses the Padres. I found this out when perusing the Phillies Nation like I always do as PN writer Tim Malcolm got the news via David Murphey's Twitter page that with the activation of Romero will be the sending down of Sergio Escalona back to AAA.

Eyre talks retirment:

Scott Eyre is about 90% sure he'll retire after this season. The 37-year old lefty has been dominant for the Phillies this year in the absence of Romero. Eyre is 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 2/3 innings this year. He is 26-30 with a 4.33 earned run average in 632 innings lifetime.

A snippet from Philly Inquirer writer Andy Martino:

"My wife is probably ready for me to be home," said Eyre, who has two sons, ages 8 and 10. "I've been playing for 13 years, and it's basically all she's ever known. We'll talk about it at the end of the year, but as of now I would say, yeah, I'll retire."

OTHER NEWS: Johnson seeks 300:

One of my favorite players to watch growing up, Randy Johnson, will be chasing history tonight. He is set to take the mound versus the Nationals to try (well not really) to win his 300th game, becoming the 24th player in baseball history to do so.

Johnson, currently with the Giants, is 299-164 with a 3.29 ERA and 4843 strikeouts. His strikeouts numbers are 2nd all time and 1st among lefties. His k/9 is a historical 10.7, which leads every player to ever step on a major league mound. He started his career in Montreal and then played in Seattle, Houston, Arizona, and New York (AL).

That game versus the Nationals is at 7:05 ET tonight.

Howard Co-Wins Player of Week; Mayberry Sent Down

A couple weeks after Raul Ibanez wins NL Player of the Week, Ryan Howard split the honors with Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres. Howard hit 4 homers last week including his monstrous grand slam. He also totaled 10 RBI's and a slugging percentage of 1.000. This was Howard's 4th career honor and first of the season.

In other news, John Mayberry Jr's tenure ended for now in the majors as the Phillies sent him back down to AAA Lehigh. That move will make room for Antonio Bastardo, who will be making his major league debut in a start versus Jake Peavy and the Padres tonight. This was a smart move since Mayberry wasn't being used much at all in his tenure and was losing the valuable at bats he would be getting in Lehigh. We'll see him again when the Phillies travel to AL teams.

Bastardo to Start Tuesday in Place of Myers

Brett Myers will have surgery next week and his season is about 99.9% over. The Phillies will call up Antonio Bastardo to start in Myers' spot on Tuesday Comcast Sportsnet just reported. He will face the San Diego Padres. A roster move will be made by tomorrow.