Florida Marlins aware stakes high in series against Philadelphia Phillies

By JOE CAPOZZI

After getting swept by the last-place Nationals on Thursday, the Marlins didn't need a reminder about what's at stake tonight when they open a three-game series against the Phillies.

The Marlins are seven games behind the Phillies in the division and five back in the wild-card race.

"If there's a time to respond and bounce back, it's right now because we can walk out of Philadelphia 10 games out of the race and that's not where we want to be," catcher John Baker said. "It's a very important series for us and it comes at the right time to lock us back in."

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Florida Marlins' series in Philadelphia takes on crucial status

BY CLARK SPENCER

By the end of the day Sunday, the season could be all but over for the Marlins.

And they know it.

After being swept by the last-place Washington Nationals, the Marlins moved on to Philadelphia for a must-win series that could leave them on life support.

The Marlins now trail the Phillies by seven games in the National League East and the San Francisco Giants by five games in the wild-card race.

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Phillies Fans: Always Faithful

by Schmitters

Yesterday, I went to the Red Sox-Orioles game in Baltimore. It was my first time going to Camden Yards, and I had a fun time.

I didn’t go because I’m a Red Sox fan or an Orioles fan. I went because I have a goal to visit every Major League Baseball stadium. It will be a fun goal to reach.

But I noticed a few things at the game.

1. The Orioles don’t have a very large fan base.
2. There were more Red Sox fans than Orioles fans.
3. Red Sox fans are loud.

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Phillies have unusual cushion in NL East

By Alden Gonzalez

The Phillies came into the second game of a four-game series against the Marlins at Land Shark Stadium on Friday with a level of easiness they haven't felt the last couple of years.

In winning back-to-back National League East crowns, Philadelphia has been in tight races and needed to get hot -- smoking hot -- in the last couple of months of the regular season to pull off an automatic trip to the postseason.

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First Half Report Card: Outfielders

by Kevin McGuire

On the final day of the break for the Phillies, we finish up by assessing the outfielders. Things have been pretty stable in the outfield as the Phillies sent their entire starting outfield to St. Louis for the all star game. The backups are not bad either.

Raul Ibanez, Left Field
.309 AVG, 80 H, 22 HR, 60 RBI

When Pat Burrell left the Phillies the fan support was so overwhelming for the long-time Phillie that the addition of Raul Ibanez was initially met with mediocre response. Some fans wanted the Phillies to make a push for Manny Ramirez if they were not going to bring back Burrell.

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Phillies reportedly ink PedrPhillies reportedly ink Pedro Martinez to one-year dealo Martinez to one-year deal

The defending champion Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly signed veteran right-hander Pedro Martinez.

Baseball sources told MLB.com that the one-year pact is worth about $1 million, plus another $1.5 million in incentives. A news conference in Philadelphia is scheduled for Wednesday. The eight-time All-Star will need to make at least a few starts in the minors before joining Philadelphia's depleted rotation. He was 5-6 with a 5.61 earned-run average for the New York Mets last year and pitched in the World Baseball Classic before this season.

After pitching twice in front of Phillies brass last week, Martinez underwent, and reportedly passed, a physical on Tuesday.

Count Commissioner Bud Selig among those who didn't think it was fair the Dodgers' Manny Ramirez was able to play in the minor leagues while serving a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy.

Physical final step for Pedro Martinez to join Phils

By Todd Zolecki

The only thing standing between Pedro and the Phillies is a physical.

A baseball source said Monday that Pedro Martinez will arrive in Philadelphia from the Dominican Republic on Monday night. He is scheduled to take a physical Tuesday morning. If he passes the physical, he could be introduced at a news conference Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.

Martinez, 37, has not pitched in the Majors since last season, when he went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA with the Mets. But Martinez impressed Phillies scouts last week during two simulated games at the team's baseball academy in the Dominican.

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Phillies' 2009 Midseason Review

by Christian Karcole

Nearly two weeks prior to my writing questions and a ballot for a midseason report for the Philadelphia Phillies, the team was playing terrible baseball. After an 1-8 home stand, I set up a series of questions and a voting ballot for four members of the Phillies community to answer.

Yet, because of a few setbacks and other blocks in the road, the article was delayed. When all was cleared, only three of the writers had been able to contribute.

It got to a point where I doubted that posting the article would make sense, since the questions became outdated, largely due to the Phillies' improved play. Yet, I had a change of heart tonight and decided to go through with the article, even if a few of the issues in the questions have been solved.

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Is Roy Worth the Philadelphia Phillies' Future?

by Christian Karcole

Roy Halladay has long been one of my favorite pitchers in baseball.

Although he was not commonly known by the casual fan until these past few seasons (largely due to the fact he plays in Toronto), Halladay has been a consistent and talented pitcher his entire career.

Except for one major league season in which he posted an ERA of 10.64 in 13 starts and 19 overall appearances (that disaster was in 2000, his second full season), Halladay has only had an ERA above 4.00 one time, in 2004.

He was awarded with the American League Cy Young Award in 2003, and was a worthy candidate for the award in many of his other seasons, including this year.

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Philadelphia Phillies Must, Not Should, Acquire The Ace - Roy Halladay

by Tom Dougherty

Ken Rosenthal first reported yesterday that the Toronto Blue Jays will listen to offers about their stud ace, Roy Halladay, speculation started to fly around the sports world as if Brett Favre was considering a comeback.

ESPN picked it up and ran with it, Comcast Sportsnet ran with it as well. Just about every source for baseball did as well like they did last season with C.C. Sabathia.

This time last season, Sabathia was already traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. However for weeks prior to the blockbuster between the Cleveland Indians and the Brew Crew, there were rumours that he would land in one of eight different cities.

The Philadelphia Phillies were one of those teams, and were believed to be the front runners for his services for a long period of time. But they lacked major-league-ready prospects to offer to Cleveland.

Sabathia was eventually dealt to Milwaukee for Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Taylor Green, and Zach Jackson.

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Spring Break’s Over! It’s back to baseball and shopping for baseball gifts at my favorite MLB shop!

With spring break nearly over, it’s time for me to get right back into the heat of things with baseball, and my annual tradition goes like this…visit my favorite online MLB shop or memorabilia shop and get (and sometimes my friends) some MLB gifts or traditional baseball gifts to get back into the baseball groove. It’s partly to get rid of my spring break hangover, and partly because I just love getting myself new baseball gifts. Right now, I’m eyeing a nice Derek Jeter jersey from my favorite online MLB Shop.

Last year, I was into collecting limited edition coins from a baseball memorabilia shop out in the town, but now I’m sticking with the less expensive stuff from the MLB shop, like shirts and caps. It’s perfect to wear anytime I want (as long as it’s still baseball season). Come to think of it, I might just turn my annual baseball gift shopping into a whole year thing. Not for me of course, but for everyone. I know a lot of people who have birthdays coming up, and I know they’ll all appreciate MLB gifts or other kinds of baseball gifts – what fan wouldn’t, right?

Now that I think about it, stuff from the MLB shop and the memorabilia shop isn’t that expensive. Perfect since everyone seems to be penny pinching these days. Giving MLB gifts and baseball gifts is looking more and more like a great idea. Better than getting expensive brands that you know are just overpriced. At least baseball gifts can be used both for fun and for wearing when going out.

Now that I think about it, there are a couple of guys I need to get some stuff for next week. I guess it’s off to the MLB shop for me.

Without Ibanez, Philadelphia Phils' offense scuffling

By Todd Zolecki

Time has dragged for Phillies left fielder Raul Ibanez since he landed on the 15-day disabled list June 18 with a strained left groin.

The Philadelphia Phillies' offense has dragged, too.

Philadelphia entered Tuesday's series opener against Atlanta at Turner Field hitting just .237 with a .317 on-base percentage and a .395 slugging percentage in 10 games without Ibanez. The club has averaged 4.6 runs per game.

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MLB - Baltimore Orioles at Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are still in first place in their division, but they are in a bit of a slump, losing 6 of their last 7, which included getting swept at home by the Blue Jays recently.

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