Philadelphia Phillies looking for arms in tight market

By Todd Zolecki

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has been on his Blackberry incessantly in recent weeks.

He is looking for pitching help, and he is finding this year is much like previous years.

There isn't much out there.

"How many starting pitchers moved last year?" Amaro said Monday from his office at Citizens Bank Park. "Three?"

The Indians traded CC Sabathia to the Brewers, and the Athletics traded Joe Blanton to the Phillies and Rich Harden to the Cubs before last year's July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

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Jimmy Rollins ready to return Today

By George Winkler

Jimmy Rollins will be back atop the Phillies' lineup Today night -- .211 batting average, .254 on-base percentage and all. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, that's when Jimmy will return from his "mental break."

Jimmy Rollins has been out since Wednesday, when he committed a key defensive error by throwing to the wrong base. According to the report, that's when manager Charlie Manuel decided it was a good idea to give Jimmy Rollins some time off.

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Phils might plug gap with 'electric' Carrasco

By Jim Salisbury

Minor-league pitching coaches file a report with their parent organization after every game.

On Friday night, Rod Nichols used superlatives in assessing righthander Carlos Carrasco's work.

"I used the word 'electric,' " Nichols, pitching coach for the Phillies' triple-A Lehigh Valley club, said yesterday. "His stuff was electric."

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Philadelphia Phillies end interleague play with 5-4 win in Toronto

Chase Utley keyed a four-run fourth inning with a two-run triple as Philadelphia completed 2009 Interleague play with a 5-4 win in Toronto.

Brad Lidge allowed the first two runners to reach base but was able to wiggle out of the jam for his first save since returning from the disabled list on Thursday. Jamie Moyer pitched five innings to even his record at 6-6 on the season.

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Orioles bounce back against Nats

The roller coaster ride that has been the 2009 season for the Baltimore Orioles continued this weekend, as the team rebounded from a terrible series with the Florida Marlins to take two of three against the rival Washington Nationals.

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Left shoulder strain sidelines Bastardo

Philadelphia Phillies rookie lefty to visit doctor in Philadelphia on Monday

As expected, Philadelphia rookie left-hander Antonio Bastardo will miss his next start, scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta, due to a strained left shoulder, according to a team spokesman.

The 23-year-old Bastardo, who had posted a 6.75 ERA in five starts, is to meet with team doctor Michael Ciccotti in Philadelphia on Monday.

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Phillies beat up on Blue Jays

Mark Zwolinski

Brad Mills' stay in the big leagues had some common ground with his last two starts: they were both short.

Those two outings are the only starts of his fledgling major league career. They both came against the Philadelphia Phillies and unfortunately – for him – he was battered both times.

So, after a 10-0 washout to the Phillies Saturday in which Mills gave up eight runs, the Jays optioned him back to Class AAA Las Vegas.

Right now, the cold reality of his career is that he's better served in the minors where he can pitch without pressure and without the type of confidence-crushing moments that surfaced in Saturday's rout.

Philly right fielder and ex-Jay Jayson Werth got all – and we mean all – of a 2-2 pitch in the first inning. He sent it ridiculously high and far, putting it in the first row of the 500 level.

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Fan says Phillies pitcher assaulted him over steroids remark

By KAMEEL STANLEY

A New Port Richey man says he was assaulted by a Philadelphia Philies player following Thursday's game against the Rays.

Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old father of two, said Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero grabbed him by the neck and pushed him after he made a comment about steroids.

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Phils not panicking for good reason

By David Singh

Take one look at the Phillies' month-by-month records from last season, and you'll find something quite eerie.

During the last two weeks of June 2008, Philadelphia struggled mightily, dropping 11 of 14 games at one point.

Fast forward to the present, where the Phillies find themselves having lost 11 of their past 13 games near the end of June.

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Rays Out-Slug World Champion Phillies for Series Win

by JC De La Torre

I've never been one for moral victories. You either win or you lose.

A rematch of teams that met in a championship setting the previous season does not constitute a "revenge game" nor series.

The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series—they have the rings. No series win in June the following season will avenge that.

Perhaps that's what Tampa Bay fans were telling their team when they decided to keep Tropicana Field half-full the majority of the series.

The Rays took two out of three games of the set to improve to four games over .500, pull within six of the first place Boston Red Sox and within two of the current wild card holder, the Evil Empire (the New York Yankees for those just now being introduced to my blog posts).

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MLB - Philadelphia Phillies at Toronto Blue Jays

The ice cold Philadelphia Phillies must be hating interleague play right about now. They were pretty comfortable in the NL East before interleague play began, now they are just a half game up on the New York Mets with the Florida Marlins looming as well. The Blue Jays swept the Phillies about a week ago in Philadelphia and are hoping for more of the same now that they are in Toronto.

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Romero holds Phillies hitless for six innings

The Philadelphia Phillies held a closed-door meeting after losing for the 11th time in 13 games. The 20 minute session uncovered a lengthy list of problems but didn’t provide any solutions.

Ricky Romero held Philadelphia hitless for six innings and Aaron Hill hit a two-run double in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 6-1 victory over the slumping Phillies on Friday night.

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Phillies injuries begin to mount as RP Condrey hits DL

by Patrick Gallen

In what has been a rough week for the Philadelphia Phillies, it just got a even worse.

As the Phils head to Tampa to face the Rays, they will do so without their workhorse in the bullpen, Clay Condrey. According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, Condrey joins Brad Lidge and Scott Eyre on the disabled list with an oblique strain.

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Philadelphia Phillies Mid-Season Report

by Steven Wynocker

The Philadelphia Phillies are in first place in National League East and are five games over .500, but the season has been more disappointing than thrilling.

They are currently riding a six-game losing streak and now head into Tampa for a World Series rematch with the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays. With a few weeks to go before the mid-summer classic, let's look at a mid-season report on the reigning World Series Champions.

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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer gives back with Camp Erin

Erin Metcalf was thrilled almost speechless when she went to dinner with Jamie Moyer and his wife, Karen, during spring training in 1998. For a 15-year-old to be rendered speechless ...

The Seattle Mariners were her team, and Jamie Moyer was their star pitcher, coming off a 17-5 season.

Erin's cheerful, gracious demeanor in the face of a terribly tough break in her life left a lasting impression.

"She was down in Arizona through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, just a delightful young lady, and we got to know her and her family quite well," Moyer recalls.

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World Champion Philadelphia Phillies score over $10.2 Million for charity!

Even after their season ends with a World Series win, the Philadelphia Phillies continue the magic. Throughout the year, members of this thoughtful and dedicated organization donate time, money, and heart to making things better for people in need. A quick glance at their ‘community calendar’ is dizzying, as these heroes work tirelessly for what they believe in.

Here’s a quick glance at just part of their Summer Charity Schedule:

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Philadelphia Phillies Commentary: Raul Ibanez

by Kevin McGuire

Is Raul Ibanez on steroids?

That is the question that many fans have quietly wondered to themselves, hoping that the answer would be negative. The truth is we will never know for sure unless a test is made public. Under the current drug testing policy in baseball, there is no reason to suspect that everybody is clean.

I believe Ibanez to be clean and one of the hardest working players on the Phillies. I believe that Ibanez is a class act and has made himself to be a great role model for kids learning to play the game of baseball.

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New York Mets' Mike Pelfrey has heated exchange with Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley

After Utley stepped out of the batter's box on a 2-1 count, Pelfrey yelled at him to hurry up and "get in the box" — or at least that was the sanitized version Pelfrey gave afterward.

"A guy with an attitude."

Pelfrey had a testy exchange with Utley during the sixth inning of the Mets' 5-4, 11-inning loss at Citi Field. And now here was Pelfrey, barking at Philadelphia's Chase Utley, showing the same kind of fiery competitiveness.

That's what you want to see," Santana said. It was only a few weeks ago that Santana had heated words for Boston's Kevin Youkilis during a game at Fenway Park.

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Sitka pitcher drafted by the Phillies

By BETH BRAGG

A year ago, Sitka's Matt Way said no way to Major League Baseball.

He decided he was better off staying in college and pitching another season at Washington State.

And he was right: Way turned in a record-setting season as a senior, the Cougars ended a long playoff drought -- and the majors came calling again.

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New York Mets lose to Phillies, 5-4, after 11th inning home run

by Andy McCullough

Chase Utley cranked an 11th inning home run, his second of the night, off reliever Bobby Parnell to lead the Phillies to a 5-4 win over the Mets Tuesday night in front of 38,723 fans at Citi Field.

Parnell (2-1, 2.25 ERA) got the loss, while Phillies reliever Chan Ho Park (2-1, 6.50 ERA) got the win. Ryan Madson pitched a one-two-three inning in the bottom of the 11th to close out the game.

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New York Mets square off with chatty Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels

For the first time since Cole Hamels called them "choke artists" last December, the Mets will face off against the reigning World Series MVP tonight.

"We have to beat him," said Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran. "That's the way we have to approach him. We have to go out and score runs and win a ballgame. The most important thing is winning, and that's what we have to do."

Hamels (4-2, 4.40 ERA) faces Mike Pelfrey (4-2, 4.85 ERA) in the middle round of a three-game set between the National League East rivals. The Mets won last night, 6-5, to pull within two games of the Phils for the division lead.

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Philadelphia Phillies place Lidge on DL

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed closer Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right knee.

The move is retroactive to June 7.

Lidge has a record of 0-3 with 13 saves and a lofty 7.27 earned run average in 28 relief appearances this season. He was perfect in 41 save opportunities last year, but has blown six of his 19 chances in 2009.

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The Ten Greatest Players the Philadelphia Phillies Let Get Away

The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the greatest teams in baseball today.

However, they weren't always as good as they are now due to many poor trades, missed opportunities and terrible decisions that helped make them become the last place team they used to be.

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Will Philadelphia Phillies Trade for a Starter? Maybe Not

by Shawn Caswell

Phillies LHP Antonio Bastardo was a pleasant surprise this week posting a 2-0 record, a 2.45 ERA, and a 9/2 K/BB ratio. He defeated Jake Peavy, who was apparently struck with illness after giving up 4 runs, hmmm?

Then he defeated former Phillie Randy Wolf. Not too shabby. He can thank his offense for giving him support both games, but he pitched well as his starts show. Considering he started in AA as a reliever this season Bastardo has looked like a viable option to hang around for a while, but will he?

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Phillies Earn Tough Split against NL-Leading Dodgers

by Scott Eisenlohr

It's been an eventful week for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Cole Hamels pitched a five-hit complete game shutout victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, and the Phillies moved to a season-high 32-20 record. They took a four-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East.

Phillies fans who write for Bleacher Report began to chatter. Me? My story was “Philadelphia Phillies Making Own Breaks on Way to Third Straight NL East Crown.”

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Philadelphia Phillies All-Stars, Yes or No?

by Patrick Gallen

Ryan Howard: YES. The Big Guy hasn’t been to the Midsummer Classic since his MVP season of 2006. This year, he deserves another trip. While he is still striking out a ton (68 k’s in 220 at-bats) his power numbers remain among the games best. Howard has 17 home runs and 47 RBI, both good for fourth best in the NL. Albert Pujols is a given as the starter, but Howard, along with Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres, should be there as well.

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Your Former Philadelphia Phillies American League All-Star Squad

by Kevin McGuire

While at a Phillies game with the guys from On the DL Podcast last weekend, we were discussing the All-Star ballot. The idea of voting for former Phillies in the American League came up and we all started to analyze the AL ballot to see if it was possible to vote for a former Phillie at each position.

Turns out the idea was not so far-fetched.

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Top 10 Prospects in the Philadelphia Phillies' Organization

The Philadelphia Phillies have a nice young nucleus filled with players ready to step up when called upon. This year, the young guns have stepped up and delivered in clutch situations.

So, how better to get to know these guys than a slide show to break down the top 10 most promising prospects in the organization.

Are the Philadelphia Phillies Now Interested in Brad Penny?

by Anthony Emerson

The Brad Penny rumors just keep coming. Two days ago, he was supposed to go to the Atlanta Braves for Jeff Francouer. Now, apparently the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies for the Phillies top infield prospect Jason Donald.

Donald was a bronze medal winner with Team USA in the Beijing Olympics of 2008. Penny lost in his last start, leaving him at 5-2, and a 5.85 ERA. Donald has been off to a pretty slow start in the minors this season, but would the Phillies really trade one of their top prospects for the hefty right-hander Penny?

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Perfect father's day gift ideas, June 21

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Baseball Accessories

What makes baseball accessories fun for people? For one, it makes fans feel like part of a group, a community. It gives them a sense of camaraderie when they are together with fellow fans. And nothing makes a fan happier than displaying their team allegiances for everyone to see. Fortunately, you can get a whole range of baseball accessories from the site. Here are a few samples:

You can add a dash of team spirit when you come to the office wearing a tie that features your favorite club. Why not drive down to the office wearing officially licensed team sunglasses with matching soft carry case? If you’re more on the techie side, there are even team color-coordinated iPod and mobile phone protectors available. And for the ladies, there are nice little velvet pouches with team logos where you can organize and carry all your girly stuff, and then safely tuck it into your bag.

To complete your ensemble, there are all sorts of cool baseball accessories such as belt buckles, key chains, lighters, and even stationery such as pads and penholders. Not only will you be getting quality accessories, you’ll be showing everyone just how much you love the game and your team.

Visit MLB Shop for Baseball Accessories.

Taylor, Bastardo honored by Phils

Michael Taylor and Antonio Bastardo have been named the Philadelphia Phillies Player and Pitcher of the Month for May.

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Phillies on the Market for Pitching Help

by Tortured Phanatic

Overshadowed by their recent 7-game winning streak is the fact that the Philadelphia Phillies are on the market for a desperately needed starting pitcher. The recent injury and possible season-ending surgery to starter Brett Myers has left a hole in the rotation that the Phillies need to fill if they are going to successfully defend their World Series title.

Lots of speculation has been running rampant about who the Phillies are interested in acquiring. There is Jake Peavy, who the Padres have been trying to unload since the offseason, Erik Bedard, and, more recently, rumors of Roy Oswalt have popped up.

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MLB Merchandise

What makes this particular online MLB Merchandise Store so special? To put it simply, it has just about everything you can ever dream of. Even better, it has everything you can ever want – in your team’s official colors or with your favorite team’s logo on it.

Need something for the living room? Try getting a Big Daddy Recliner that has your favorite team’s logo on it. For the office, there’s a classically designed Desk Clock – with team logos too. There are various home decors, kitchen accessories, bedroom decorations, and yes even bathroom accessories. The variety of MLB Merchandise you can get from this MLB Shop is simply staggering. Not only will you be able to get almost any item you want, you can get them in your favorite team’s colors.

It’s also the perfect destination to pick up gift items for your family and friends. You can get the perfect gift for your friends, from team-logo emblazoned barbecuing accessories, eating and drinking utensils, coolers for all those tailgating parties, outdoor furniture for your after game parties, and game time paraphernalia such as pennants and banners. There’s also stuff for your kids such as team mascot plushies and electronic toys. And for the big boys, there’s team color-coordinated iPod and mobile phone covers.

Short Hops: Phillies winning without Myers, but void still must be filled

By Scott Miller

Short hops, quick pops and backhand stops:

• Talk about answering a challenge: The Philadelphia Phillies are 7-0 since starter Brett Myers was forced to leave the May 27 game against Florida and subsequently was ticketed for hip surgery that will put him out for the season.

Granted, the winning streak has been built against the incomprehensibly bad Washington Nationals and a weak San Diego club. Still, wins are wins, and the Phillies -- notorious in recent years for their slow starts -- have built a three-game NL East lead over an ailing New York Mets club (Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes and Ryan Church all are out, the news on Reyes' hamstring isn't great and Carlos Beltran was violently ill earlier this week).

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Hamels, Phillies beat Dodgers 3-0

Cole Hamels turned in another dominating performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching a five-hitter for his third career shutout, and the Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to seven games with a 3-0 victory Thursday night.

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Phillies Making Own Breaks Toward Third Straight NL East Crown

by Scott Eisenlohr

When the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 10-5 on Tuesday night, a couple important things happened.

The Phils went 10 games over .500 at 30-20 and 2 1/2 game lead over the New York Mets in the National League East. Certainly the race in the NL East is not over by a long shot. But temporarily, it gave the Phillies some breathing room from the week-to-week flip flop with the Mets.

The Phils followed up with a win the following night against the Padres, 5-1. The lead widened to three games, as the Mets got rained out Wednesday.

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Phillies Post-World Series Future Bright

by Chris May

The Philadelphia Phillies future is brighter than ever. With one championship already under their belt, Cole Hamels wasn’t kidding when he said he expects to be able to have a parade year after year after year.

With the bulk of the current core of stars all signed through the 2011 season this team is a legitimate threat to make another run at a World Series for years to come.

But that’s not what makes the Phillies future so bright necessarily. Just as they did with the current team of homegrown talent that includes everyday players Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Carlos Ruiz as well as pitchers Cole Hamels, JA Happ and Ryan Madson, the team looks like they have a second wave of core players emerging in the minor leagues.

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6/4 - 6/7: Philadelphia Phillies @ LA Dodgers

6/4

Philadelphia Phillies (31-20, 1st in NL East) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (37-18, 1st in NL West)

LHP Cole Hammels (3-2, 5.21 ERA) @ LHP Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 4.34 ERA)

Cole Hammels:
Last Start (5/30 vs. WAS): 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 7 K, WIN
On the Road: 1-1, 6.89 ERA, 1.72 WHIP (3 Starts)
Career vs. LAD: 1-0, 2.14 ERA, 0.95 WHIP (3 Starts)

Clayton Kershaw:
Last Start (5/27 @ COL): 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H (1 HR), 4 BB, 4 K, WIN
At Home: 1-0, 1.13 ERA, 0.96 WHIP (4 Starts)
Career vs. PHI: 0-2, 7.80 ERA, 1.67 WHIP (3 Starts)

Last 10:
PHI (8-2)
LAD (7-3)

Season Series: LAD (2-1)

Projected PHI Lineup vs. Kershaw:
1. SS Jimmy Rollins: 3-8 (.375), .444 OBP, 1 2B
2. CF Shane Victorino: 1-8 (.125), 0 BB, 2 K
3. 2B Chase Utley: 2-7 (.286), .444 OBP, 1 HR, 3 K
4. 1B Ryan Howard: 1-7 (.143), .333 OBP, 1 2B, 3 K
5. LF Raul Ibanez: 1-2, 1 2B, 1 K
6. RF Jayson Werth: 2-8 (.250), 0 BB, 2 K
7. 3B Pedro Feliz: 1-2, 2 BB
8. C Carlos Ruiz: 0-1, 1 BB

C Chris Coste: 1-4, 1 BB, 2 K


Projected LAD Lineup vs. Hammels:
1. LF Juan Pierre: 2-8 (.250), 0 BB, 1 2B
2. SS Rafael Furcal: 1-3, 1 K
3. 3B Casey Blake: 4-11 (.364), .417 OBP, 1 2B
4. 1B James Loney: 2-9 (.222), 0 BB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 K
5. C Russell Martin: 3-8 (.375), .444 OBP, 1 HR, 2 K
6. RF Andre Ethier: 0-7, 2 K
7. CF Matt Kemp: 3-9 (.333), 0 BB, 1 2B, 4 K
8. 2B Juan Castro: 0-4, 1 BB, 1 K

IF Mark Loretta: 1-3
2B Orlando Hudson (not probable): 2-9 (.222), 1 2B, 3 K
OF Jamie Hoffmann: Never faced


HOT
Chase Utley: 8-game hit streak (.333), 6 BB, 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 R, 5 RBI, 1 K, 2 SB
Ryan Howard: Hit in 9 out of last 10 games (.325), 3 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 8 R, 5 BB, 1 SB

COLD
Jayson Werth: 2 for his last 12, 0 XBH
Pedro Feliz: 3 for his last 17, 0 BB, 0 R, 0 XBH

HOT
Andre Ethier: Hit in 7 of his last 8 games (.333), 3 2B, 1 HR
Matt Kemp: 8-game hit streak (.444), 3 BB, 1 2B, 2 HR, 5 R, 3 SB

COLD
Casey Blake: 2 for his last 14, 0 XBH, 0 R
Rafael Furcal: 0 for his last 7, 1 BB, 3 K

Philadelphia Phillies: Say No To Penny, Glavine and Padilla

by Tom

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking everywhere for a starting pitcher (as if that's a surprise to anyone) and they are looking at the top-of-the-rotation to end-of-the-rotation guys.

Names like Erik Bedard, Roy Oswalt, and Jake Peavy have been linked to the Phillies in the last week or so, but the lower-end pitchers have also been somehow linked with the Phillies.

With Brett Myers season likely over after hip surgery, the Phillies are in need for another pitcher, preferably a top-of-the-rotation guy. However, they have been also looking at a middle-to-low guy as well.

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Romero back with Phillies after 50-game suspension

Reliever J.C. Romero returned to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night following his 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Meet the New and Improved Bullpen

by Kevin McGuire

The Phillies are now 30-20 and have their largest lead in the NL East race of the season at 2.5 games.

Raul Ibanez is playing like a freaking machine, Ryan Howard is heating up, Antonio Bastardo just had a brilliant debut, Brad Lidge had four saves in four games and Cole Hamels is pitching like Cole Hamels.

Can you believe that this team is about to get better, without having made any trades yet?

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Philadelphia Phillies' finest .. The Sultan of Swat, Raul Ibanez

by Michael Blouse

Raaauuuuuuuuuul! I realize I'm jumping on the bandwagon, but first-year Philadelphia Phillie Raul Ibanez is The Man!

To heck with A-Rod, Man-Ram and Albert. The best hitter, bar none, in Major League Baseball this season is an underappreciated (especially to fans on the East Coast) 37-year-old outfielder.

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Phillies Notebook: Calculating how Peavy would fit in with Phillies

By DAVID MURPHY

With his tender ankle still undergoing treatment and a looming start occupying his undivided attention, Padres righthander Jake Peavy said through a team spokesman yesterday that he would not discuss his trade availability with Philadelphia reporters until after he pitches tonight against the Phillies.


So, for at least 1 more day, the question remains unanswered:


Would the Phillies qualify as the type of National League contender he wants to pitch for? Or, as most baseball insiders believe, would the roughly 3,000 miles between Philadelphia and Peavy's home in Southern California, not to mention the cozy dimensions of Citizens Bank Park, preclude them from consideration?

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Phillies end Padres' home streak at 10

San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Ryan Howard and Chase Utley blasted back-to- back homers in the fifth inning, and Joe Blanton pitched seven strong innings, as the Philadelphia Phillies continued their road success with a 5-3 victory over the Padres, snapping San Diego's 10-game home winning streak.

Howard and Utley hit their 15th and 12th homers of the season, respectively, for the Phillies, who won their fourth straight game and improved their MLB- best road record to 17-6. Blanton (4-3) allowed three runs on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts to win his third straight decision.

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Philidelphia Phillies Need To Stop Playing Guardian

by Chris DiFrancesco

When you look at the Philadelphia Phillies this season, you notice a few things.

One, they are the defending World Champions. Two, their payroll went upwards of around $35 million. Three, they are too protective of their young prospects.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but maybe some have noticed that the Phillies are looking like the New York Yankees right now—just much more likeable and marketable.

Let me explain what I mean.

It looks like the Phillies just lost their number two starting pitcher, Brett Myers, for the rest of the season, but they needed another quality starter two weeks ago.

Now it's become a dire necessity.

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