Phillies Weekly Update - 5/24/2009

NEWS & STATISTICS

• The Phillies were 8-2 on their 10 game road trip which saw them make four stops in Washington to take on the Nationals - who they swept - before playing three in Cincinnati and New York. They were 2-1 versus the Reds and Yankees.
• The successful road trip stretched Philadelphia's road record to 16-6, best in MLB.
• With 8 wins in their last 10 games the Phillies have maintained a small lead over the rival Mets for the N.L. East lead. The Phillies are 24-18, 1.5 games in front of New York and Atlanta.
• One year ago the team was 28-24, 2.5 games behind first place Florida.
• The Phillies have the 4th best record in the National League and 8th best overall.
• In 42 games they have scored 239 runs, an average of ~5.69 per game, which is 6th best in MLB. They have allowed 219, an average of ~5.21 per game, 23rd in MLB.
• Raul Ibanez, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victorino remain the only Phillies players to start every game this season.
• Ibanez continues his torrid offensive pace, leading the team in runs (37), hits (58), doubles (11, tied with Howard), home runs (17), total bases (122), RBIs (43), average (.352), slugging (.739), and OPS (1.151). Chase Utley is first in walks (25) and OBP (.434), Howard is tied with Ibanez for most doubles (11), Victorino has the most triples (4), and Jayson Werth has the most steals (8).
• With the top of the rotation - Hamels, Myers, Happ, - settling down recently, it's time for the back end (Moyer, Blanton) to come around. They take the mound in the first two games at home versus the Marlins starting tomorrow night. Myers will close out the series on Wednesday. After a day off Thursday, the team hosts the Nationals and will send Happ, Hamels, and Moyer into battle. Hopefully by May 31st Moyer will have win 250 (and 251).
  

AROUND THE PHILLIES BLOGOSPHERE

• At Macho Row: Check out the 1950 World Series recap in honor of the Phillies-Yankees series this past weekend - Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, Game 4. Unfortunately it only lasted four games.
• At Swing and a Long Drive: Take a look at John Mayberry, Jr.'s impact through two games. Could the Phillies be looking for a prominent starter to go with Hamels, Myers, and Happ?
• At The Fightins: They're celebrating one year! Check out each contributor's reactions: How do you spell retard?, Chamomiles Davis, and Dash Treyhorn. No comments yet from site founder, meech.one.
• At The 700 Level: Some long-standing Yankee player records were broken by the Phillies during the interleague matchup this past weekend.
• At Phillies Nation: After a great debut on Saturday, Mayberry had a forgettable day Sunday. Should he stay on board or be sent back to AAA? Amanda Orr thinks he should be an IronPig, for now. (same article as Swing and a Long Drive)
• At Phinally Philly: WTF is wrong with Lidge? And there isn't anything wrong with Yankee hatred.
• At We Should be GM's: Lidge is upsetting some (OK, a lot) of people.