Phillies Update - 4/17/2009

• The Phillies currently sit at 4-4, 3.5 games behind the first place Florida Marlins.
• Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez lead the team offensively. Utley gets the nod BA (.393), Runs (8), and OPS (1.050) while Ibanez leads the team in HRs (3) and RBIs (7).
• The pitching staff has been downright awful thus far, surrendering 54 runs and "earning" only two wins. The bullpen had been steady but last night was rocked by the previously winless Nationals. Dash Treyhorn and Kevin McGuire have the game recap. [The Fightins & Macho Row]
  
• After splitting the series with Washington 1-1 (the second game was rained out on Wednesday), the Phillies return home to the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park to start a four game series with the surprising Padres, who are 7-3.
• Tonight Cole Hamels will face off against Chris Young. Hamels was rocked (pun unintended but it works) by the Rockies in his first start of the year. He has a 17.18(!) ERA and lasted only 3.2 innings. Young has been fantastic for San Diego, going 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA thus far.
• The Phillies organization and fans are still mourning the loss of long-time announcer and broadcasting legen Harry Kalas, who died prior to the game versus Washington on Monday. The organization is doing its best to honor Harry, including events tonight and tomorrow as well as a few things lasting the entire season.
• Fans are doing tributes of their own. The folks at The Fightins and The 700 Level have memorial shirts for HK. The proceeds go to Phillies charities. [Tribute to Harry & HK]
• Though it is a touchy subject so soon, Timothy Malcolm takes a look at who will be replacing Harry Kalas as the lead play-by-play guy on TV. [Phillies Nation]
• Kevin McGuire has a preview of tonight's showdown versus the Padres. [Macho Row]
• Kieran Kelly would like everyone to "Paint the Bank Red" to honor Harry Kalas at tonight's game. [Phinally Philly]
• Jason Weitzel highlights the fast start the Marlins are off to and the similarities to their last championship season (2003). [Beerleaguer]
• Amanda, with help from Phightin Phils Phorum, points out that not only did Shane Victorino point to the broadcast booth after hitting a home run he actually CALLED HIS SHOT a la Babe Ruth. The "Flyin' Hawaiin" rules! [Swing and a Long Drive]
• With the start of a new series you know what it is time for... Tale of the Tape! Corey dissects the intricacies of the Padres/Phillies matchup in detail. Apparently the Phillies have the edge. [We Should Be GMs]
  

Baseball Mascot
San Diego - The Chicken.
Philly - The Phanatic.
Advantage - Philly. Best. Mascot. Ever. Don't believe me? It's been voted on.