Will The Real Johnny Cueto Please Stand Up!

YESTERDAY IN POSTSEASON PLAY:

When the Royals traded for Johnny Cueto just before the deadline in July, this is the pitcher that they were hoping to see take the mound. After a close contest on Tuesday night, the Mets looked out of place in game 2 heading back to Queens in a 2-0 deficit. However, Mets fans should take note that their team has been here before having lost game 1 by one run and game 2 by six runs back in 1986 before eventually capturing the title. With that said, Cueto looks to be performing like Bret Saberhagen did in the 1985 World Series and Royals fans know what that means. So, basically, while the Royals have the advantage the series is still up in the air.  

Royals Dominate Mets 7-1

Now that's the Johnny Cueto who Royals fans have come to love, at least the one who pitches like an unhittable demon at Kauffman Stadium. Cueto certainly was Johnny B. Goode, two-hitting the Mets over nine innings as the Royals roared to a 7-1 win on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the World Series. His complete game was the first by an American League pitcher in the Fall Classic since Jack Morris went 10 innings for the Twins in Game 7 in 1991, and the first by a Royal in the World Series since Bret Saberhagen in Game 7 in '85. Much like Cueto overwhelmed the Astros at Kauffman Stadium in Game 5 of the AL Division Series, when he retired the last 19 batters he faced, the right-hander dominated the Mets while retiring 16 of the last 17. "I want to thank God for this opportunity and this outcome," said Cueto, the first pitcher from the Dominican Republic to throw a complete game in the World Series. "And it's a lot of pride being able to do what I did out there today and to do it for all of the Dominican." "Tonight was everything we expected Johnny to be," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was on the attack. He kept the ball down. He changed speeds. It was just a spectacular performance by him." Cueto gave up two softly hit singles to Lucas Duda while going the distance, walking three and striking out four. Kansas City is just two wins from its first World Series title in 30 years. "He's been good here at home, but you could tell he was locked in those first couple innings," Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said of Cueto. "When he was missing spots, he wasn't out over over the plate. It was either a hair off in or out. He was electric tonight." Hosmer, who won Tuesday's 14-inning Game 1 showdown with a sacrifice fly, again delivered the knockout punch, a two-run single in the fifth that put the Royals up for good at 3-1. Red-hot Alcides Escobar, who had an inside-the-park-homer in Game 1, had two more hits, including an RBI triple. "He wasn't going to go back out there in the ninth until we got three runs in the eighth," said Yost of Cueto. "We were glad we put up those runs so he could back and finish the job." The Series now shifts to New York for three games starting Friday. Teams up 2-0 in the World Series have gone on to win it 42 of 53 times (79.2 percent). Teams that have won the first two games of a World Series at home have gone on to win 31 of 38 times (81.6 percent). Of the 13 teams (20.8 percent) that overcame a 2-0 deficit to win the Series, 10 lost Games 1 and 2 on the road. "We know it's going to be loud in New York," Royals outfielder Alex Rios said. "But it was loud in Toronto, and it was loud in Houston. It's going to be loud no matter where we go." Jacob deGrom started for the Mets and breezed through three no-hit innings. He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, but got hit around in Kansas City's four-run fifth. The right-hander exited after five innings having given up four runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two. "They did exactly what people said, and they put the ball in play," Mets manager Terry Collins said of the Royals, who finished with 10 hits. "I told Jake, 'Not everything has to be a strike. You've got to move it around. You've got to change speeds, give them something to look at. If you continue to pound the strike zone, they're going to put it in play.' And that's what they did." "He's a great pitcher," Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas said of deGrom. "We're putting the ball in play all night and just weren't catching any breaks. We kept battling throughout the game, and then caught a break."

POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS: Read my post from October 6^th to see how many I have gotten wrong!

CURRENT POSTSEASON PICTURE:

World Series

Kansas City leads Series 2-0

Kansas City at New York

Game 3: Friday, October 30, at 8:00 PM

PHILS PHACTS:

Was There Even A Question? – After an epic, 14-inning Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday, to say that the Mets and Royals are evenly matched would be an understatement. Both teams notched 11 hits and committed one error in the game, which the Royals won, 5-4, on Eric Hosmer's walk-off sacrifice fly. And if that wasn't enough to prove just how perfectly these teams match up, here comes a report that mascots representing both franchises were named to "Good Morning America's" list of the best mascots in baseball. Host Lara Spencer and Co. braved the cold in New York on Tuesday to reveal the list of baseball's best mascots on Tuesday. Holding down the No. 5 spot was Mrs. Met, who was on hand for the presentation of the list. Royals' mascot Sluggerrr came in at No. 4, but the top mascot in all the land according to "Good Morning America" is... The Phillie Phanatic. And it's easy to see why when all the Phanatic does is dress like he's in GQ, dance like no one's watching, and give back to the community. On Tuesday afternoon, the Phanatic got all dressed up and made an appearance at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to host a Halloween party for kids battling cancer and other serious illnesses. 

Giving Back In The Off Season – Not all children have the opportunity to dress up and go trick-or-treating on Halloween, especially those receiving treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. For the past 23 years, the Phillies and Embassy Suites Hotel have been teaming up to bring an early Halloween treat to the patients and, this year, a new meaning to Halloween for one of their families. On Oct. 25, nearly 160 CHOP patients and their families were treated to a special Phillie Phanatic Ghostbusters-themed Halloween Bash. For mother Jaclyn Savery, who was waiting in line for balloon creations with her sons Grayson, 5, and Aydan, 6, this event was extra special. "Grayson was actually diagnosed on Halloween 2012," Savery said. "So Halloween for us, historically, isn't a very good date, and something like this, where we can add fun and excitement, adds a positive twist to a very dark day for us." Fun for the kids could be found all around the room. As families entered the Liberty Ballroom at the Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport, they were greeted with music and dancing, clowns, face painting, arts and crafts, and later in the afternoon, a special Ghostbusters dance performance. Former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene and broadcaster Scott Franzke attended the party, signing autographs and taking pictures with young fans, while the Phillie Phanatic, along with his mom Phoebe and Phillies Ballgirls, danced the day away with the kids. Sweet treats were available everywhere the children went, including fully-stocked candy for trick-or-treating, mini cakes and assorted goodies, and a life-like Phanatic cake, complete with a Ghostbusters suit and proton pack. Also available were kid-friendly snacks like chicken fingers, pizza, and smiley fries. Grayson and Aydan, dressed as green and red ninjas, respectively, enjoyed all of the perks of the party. They decorated pumpkins, raided the candy table, made balloon creations (a skeleton for Grayson and ninja swords for Aydan), and loved the Phanatic. "This is the first year he is not in treatment, so we were like, 'Let's live again, let's make Halloween fun,'" Savery added. "This event means so much for these kids. There's no chemo, no treatment, no hospital; they can just be a normal, typical child, and that's priceless." Maureen Mason, director of event fundraising and community partnerships at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, shared a similar sentiment on the Halloween Bash. "The whole family gets to come and do something that doesn't have to do with getting chemotherapy or radiation," Mason said. "When cancer affects a child, it really affects the entire family. It's great for the family to do something where the main focus is fun." Mason has been a part of planning this event for a long time alongside Phillies community outreach coordinator Kelly Yurgin, who has been involved with the Halloween Bash since 1994. The event, which originated as a player initiative with former Phillies second baseman Mickey Morandini called "Mickey's MVPs," has since grown tremendously. "No matter what, it has always been such a great party in the end," Yurgin said. "Whether it is for 80 people or close to 200, when it's all said and done, all that matters is seeing the patients in treatment have a day of normalcy -- to just have fun and be kids."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! However, there are some former Phillies still making headlines in the playoffs this year.

Phillies Falter In Final Florida Game

GAME RECAP: Rays Rout Phillies 10-1

The Rays jumped on Phillies right-hander Jerome Williams in the second inning Thursday in a 10-1 victory at Bright House Field. Logan Forsythe, Tim Beckham and Jake Elmore each singled with one out to score a run. David DeJesus followed two batters later with a three-run home run to right-center field. It was DeJesus' second home run of the spring. Williams allowed nine hits, six runs and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies host the Pirates in a pair of exhibition games beginning Friday night at Citizens Bank Park, free on MLB.TV at 7:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Aaron Harang will make his final start of the spring. He is scheduled to pitch the second game of the regular season for the Phillies on April 8 against the Red Sox.

PHILS PHACTS:

Williams Frustrated By Latest Outing – Phillies right-hander Jerome Williams is from Hawaii, and he has the laid back personality of the tropical islands to match. Nothing seems to bother the guy. But he was not happy following Thursday's start against the Rays at Bright House Field. He allowed nine hits, six runs and one home run with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Williams allowed 28 hits, 17 runs (14 earned runs) and two walks with 10 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings in his final three Grapefruit League starts. "A little bit frustrated because I know I'm better than that," Williams said. "It's just not acceptable. In my eyes, it's not acceptable. It's just trying to do things the right way every time, every inning. Right now that's not happening. It's going to happen. I'm going to force it to happen." Next week at Citizens Bank Park he will start the third or fourth game of the 2015 season. Williams said he is not concerned about that next start, considering the way the last three went. "It's all about just kicking myself in the butt and doing it right," he said. "It's the first time you've actually heard me say that. I'm very hard on myself right now. Whatever I need to do to get this thing right, I'm going to do it." Also on Thursday, right-hander Chad Billingsley threw 40 pitches over three innings in a Minor League game at the Carpenter Complex, allowing one hit and no runs with one strikeout and no walks.

Making The Right (Field) Decision – Phillies outfielder Grady Sizemore started his third consecutive game in right field Thursday at Bright House Field. It seems to point to Sizemore being the team's Opening Day right fielder, although Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg declined to commit to him. Domonic Brown had been the presumed right fielder, but he will open the season on the disabled list with left Achilles tendinitis. "To read into it, he's definitely a candidate for right field as we go forward here," Sandberg said about Sizemore. Seven of the team's eight position players appear set for Monday's season opener against the Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park: catcher Carlos Ruiz, first baseman Ryan Howard, second baseman Chase Utley, third baseman Cody Asche, shortstop Freddy Galvis, left fielder Ben Revere and center fielder Odubel Herrera. Sizemore is a lock to make the team -- Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said as much Monday -- despite a disappointing Spring Training. Sizemore entered Thursday hitting .200 (9-for-45) with three RBIs. That leaves eight players competing for a potential six bench jobs with the Phillies carrying a sixth bench player until April 12, when they need a No. 5 starter. Catcher Cameron Rupp and outfielder Darin Ruf are locks. Infielder Cesar Hernandez has had a poor spring, but he remains a heavy favorite because he is out of options and the Phillies do not want to risk losing him on waivers. Outfielder Jeff Francoeur has hit just .184 (7-for-38), but he remains a favorite because the Phillies do not have many right-handed bats. Francoeur also has been a tremendous presence in the clubhouse this spring, and that is something the front office and coaching staff might want in what could be a challenging season. Outfielder Jordan Danks and infielders Andres Blanco, Russ Canzler and Cord Phelps figure to be battling for the final two jobs, which becomes one job come April 12. Blanco might be fourth on that list. It is hard to read which way the Phillies are leaning with the other three, although Phelps has had the best spring, offensively, of the three. Phelps, who is a non-roster invitee, entered Thursday hitting .310 (13-for-42) with one double, one triple, one home run, six RBIs and nine walks. Canzler, who also is a non-roster invitee, is hitting .279 (12-for-43) with two doubles, one homer, four RBIs and one walk. Danks, who is on the 40-man roster and has options remaining, is hitting .268 (11-for-41) with two doubles, one home run, five RBIs and six walks.

Giles Ready For Opening Day – Phillies setup man Ken Giles said he remains on course to be on the Opening Day roster. He played catch again Thursday morning at Bright House Field, less than 48 hours after he had to leave Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays because of a mildly strained back. The Phillies and Giles said they think he will be ready to go Monday, when the Phillies play the Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park. "I let it loose," Giles said. "No pain. No nothing." Giles said he is not sure if he will pitch in the team's exhibition games against the Pirates on Friday and Saturday in Philadelphia, but the Phillies said they would like to see him throw off a mound at least once before putting him on the active roster.

Focusing On Philly – It became the standard joke every time Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels made another Spring Training start and moved closer and closer to Monday's Opening Day start at Citizens Bank Park. It went something like this: Hey, Hamels is starting Opening Day. Ah, but for what team? Ba-dum-bump. Hamels arrived to Phillies camp in February already the subject of incessant trade speculation because the Phillies are trying to dismantle and rebuild their team in an attempt to compete again in a few years. But the talk really picked up when he told USA Today he wants to win and, "I know it's not going to happen here." Hamels never recanted, but he backed away from those words, understanding he is going to be in a Phillies uniform until somebody tells him otherwise. In other words, he needs to make the best of the situation. He also appreciates the Phillies and the fans, and everything that has happened to him in his career. The Phillies selected him in the first round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. He won a World Series in 2008. He signed a six-year, $144 million contract extension in 2012. He has a home outside Philadelphia. Hamels does not want to disrespect anybody. If he is going to leave, he wants to leave on good terms. So he has dodged, ducked, dipped and dived at nearly every question this spring about his uncertain future. Asked Wednesday if it will feel funny pitching against the Red Sox on Opening Day, considering Boston is often mentioned as a landing spot for Hamels because the Phillies covet Boston's top prospects, he said, "No, we knew we were going to face the Red Sox. When did they come out with the schedule? August? September? "This is where I am, and this is what I'm doing," he said. "To be able to pitch at Citizens Bank [Park] is going to be the vision I had. For what it is and what people want to make it, it doesn't affect me. I'm just happy enough that I get to go pitch and get guys out and try to pitch a full season." Other teams have expressed serious interest in Hamels, including the Padres, Rangers and Blue Jays. Maybe one of those teams (or the always exciting mystery team) finally makes the offer the Phillies want to trade their ace. Maybe it happens in the offseason. Maybe it happens next year or beyond. In the meantime, Hamels will pitch for a team moving in an unfamiliar direction. This is the first time Hamels has opened the season with the Phillies not expected to compete for the postseason. In fact, many think this team could lose 100 games for the first time since 1961, when it lost 107. "I have no control over a certain direction," Hamels said. "An organization, they have a bigger picture that they have to worry about. As a player, we really have to take the straight and narrow approach. We have a job to do, people are counting on us, and I think that's kind of what an organization, an upper management, has to worry about is what players are going to be accountable, what direction can we go with what we have. I'm just one piece of the puzzle, and as long as I can go out and do what they expect, then I'm fulfilling my end of the bargain."

Speed At The Top – Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said nobody should read anything into Thursday's lineup at Bright House Field. He said Monday following an 18-4 loss to the Pirates that he hoped to play his Opening Day lineup at least once before next Monday's season opener against the Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park. So Thursday's lineup appeared to offer some clues with the exception of backup catcher Cameron Rupp playing over Carlos Ruiz. Left fielder Ben Revere and center fielder Odubel Herrera hit first and second, respectively, which made sense. "It's a possible combination," Sandberg said. Revere and Herrera both offer speed and the possibility of respectable on-base percentages atop the lineup. Revere hit .306 with a .325 on-base percentage and 49 stolen bases last season. Herrera, who is a Rule 5 Draft pick, won batting titles in the Double-A Texas League and Venezuelan Winter League. He entered Thursday hitting .328 with a .355 on-base percentage in the Grapefruit League. "[Freddy] Galvis is another guy in the No. 2 spot," Sandberg said. "He's another option depending on that day's lineup." Galvis has hit .218 with a .259 on-base percentage in 550 career plate appearances with the Phillies. He has hit .246 with a .291 on-base percentage in 2,631 plate appearances in the Minor Leagues. Asked if Galvis has enough hitting ability to warrant the No. 2 spot, Sandberg said, "Playing the game the right way. Setting up base runners, moving the runners and doing some things for the three, four, five hitters. That's what Freddy has done so well this spring. He fits that mold very well, too." But the occasional opportunity to potentially advance a base runner might not benefit the lineup as a whole. The No. 2 hitter in baseball last season averaged 731.8 plate appearances per team. The No. 8 hitter averaged 628 plate appearances. That is a difference of 103.8 plate appearances in a season. Those plate appearances could be the difference between an extra run here or there, depending on the hitters in those spots. Galvis has hit a bit better this spring. He entered Thursday hitting .288 with a .309 on-base percentage. If he can keep up that pace, perhaps some time hitting second works. But if he hits like he has in the past, that spot might be better reserved for Revere, Herrera or somebody else more productive. Only time will tell, but right now Sandberg said not to read into anything.

Sandberg Discusses Spring – The Phillies had a remarkably troubling finish to their Grapefruit League season. They lost Thursday afternoon to the Rays at Bright House Field, 10-1, to finish 1-7-1 in their last nine games. They were outscored 72-27 in that stretch. "Yeah," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said, when asked if that finish was troubling. "That's why I'm glad we have a couple games there in Philadelphia to straighten that out. We can still have a couple good games and start off on a different note than it has been the past week." Sandberg expressed his frustration Monday following an 18-4 loss to the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. But asked if he planned to speak to the team, he said he had not thought about it. It is unclear if he will talk to them before Monday's season opener against the Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park, but clearly the spring has done nothing to change opinions that the Phillies are at the beginning of a long rebuilding season. "Today's game wasn't a good game on the effort side of things," Sandberg said. "I think traveling to Philadelphia, and a little change of scenery and really getting after the two exhibition games … we need those two games to really get ready for Opening Day." The Phillies finished 12-17-2 this spring. "We did show some good things the first 20 games or so," Sandberg said. Howard's spring struggles: The Phillies were optimistic about Ryan Howard entering camp. He appeared to be in his best shape in years, and he also has some serious family issues behind him. The Phillies hoped a healthier Howard with a clearer mind would bounce back in 2015. Howard went 0-for-3 Thursday to finish the spring hitting .171 (12-for-70) with three doubles, three home runs, nine RBIs, four walks and 24 strikeouts. "You know what?" Sandberg said. "He's put in the work. He's done everything that's been asked. Hopefully all of that will pay off in the season. He's in a good place as far as his stance. He's done a lot of extra hitting. I think he has more bat speed than he had all of last year. So I look forward to those things to click and I look for him to hopefully get off to a good start and a good season."

Identity Crisis (Again) – For the second year in a row, with Spring Training coming to a close, Jonathan Papelbon has forgotten who he is. When the pitcher entered the ninth inning of Wednesday's Phillies-Rays Spring Training game, he took the mound not as himself, but as catcher Carlos Ruiz. It was a repeat of last March, and we remain filled with questions. What is it about the end of Spring Training that sends Papelbon into a blistering loss of identity? Perhaps this is merely an annual, temporary "Freaky Friday"-esque body swap. Or perhaps the two are attempting to fuse into a one-body battery tandem named PapelRuiz, and they can only do it with a certain number of hours until the season begins each year. We just hope he remembers that he is 34-year-old Jonathan Robert Papelbon from Baton Rouge, La., and not 36-year-old Carlos Joaquin Ruiz from Chiriqui, Panama, in time for the Phillies' opener on April 6. 

Hooters Sighting – You might not have heard of Odubel Herrera yet, but the Phillies center fielder has been making a (new) name for himself down at Spring Training. Herrera, who used to go by "David" (Odubel is his middle name), is trying out a new position. Previously an infielder, he's set to patrol center field for the Phils on Opening Day as the club moved Ben Revere and his impressive glove over to left. If Herrera's .328 Spring Training average this year didn't get your attention, his recent warmup outfit surely will. Clearwater, Fla., is the home of Phillies Spring Training and the birthplace of Hooters. Hooters girls actually patrol foul territory for the Phils at Bright House Field, so it's not entirely shocking that Herrera was able to snag one of the shirts. Suns out guns out, amirite?

Remembering Schilling’s Unceremonious Arrival – Heading into the 1992 season, Curt Schilling was a 25-year-old pitcher who had already spent time with three Major League franchises and started a total of five big league games. He'd amassed a 5-11 record and maintained a 4.15 ERA. Then he became a Phillie. The Phillies sent Jason Grimsley to the Astros for Schilling, straight-up, on April 2, 1992. Over the next nine -- well, eight-and-a-half -- seasons, Schilling threw 61 complete games for the Fightin's on his way to 101 wins and a 3.35 ERA. During the Phils' magical 1993 season, Schilling won half of his starts in the regular season and proved he could hang with the best of them in October, shutting out the Blue Jays in Game 5 of the World Series. He threw 147 pitches and only faced 33 batters. In '98, Schilling led MLB with 15 complete games and 268 2/3 innings pitched. It was his second straight 300-strikeout season and marked the second of three All-Star appearances while he was with the Phillies. We all know how this story ends, though: The Phils traded Schilling to the D-backs in 2000 for Travis Lee, Omar Daal, Vicente Padilla and Nelson Figeroa. Schilling helped the D-backs to the '01 World Series, then took his talents to the Red Sox (the team that drafted him in 1986) where he and his bloody sock became a part of baseball lore. During the 2013 season, the Phillies inducted Schilling onto the Wall of Fame at Citizens Bank Park. He used the opportunity to speak afffectionately about his time in the City of Brotherly Love.

THE BEGINNING

After ending 2014 with a 73-89 record, there second consecutive losing season, the Phillies are currently tied for first place for the 2015 season. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance this spring, don’t expect their competitive place in the standings to last. All time, the Phillies are 6-5-0 on this day.