Has It Already Been That Long?

PHILS PHACTS:

The Beginning Of The Lidge Legend – On this date [yesterday] eight years ago, the Astros sent Brad Lidge to Philadelphia as part of a five-player deal. Lidge was two years removed from his last All-Star appearance and coming off a 2007 season during which he converted 19 of 27 save opportunities and sported a 3.36 ERA -- not a bad season by any means, but nothing historic. His first season as a Phillie, though, can only be described as "tearing it up." Lidge was literally perfect, going 41-for-41 in saves (the first Phillie ever to do so), while averaging 11.94 strikeouts per nine innings. He was an All-Star and finished fourth in Cy Young Award voting that year, but Phillies fans probably remember his seven saves in the postseason more than anything he did in the regular season -- including Lidge's World Series Game 5 save that clinched Philly's first championship in 28 years. Your browser does not support iframes.  Did the Phillies win the World Series because they traded for Brad Lidge? It's impossible to prove otherwise. Fun fact: Joining Lidge in that deal was Eric Bruntlett, who turned the 14th unassisted triple play in MLB history as a Phillie in 2009.

Phillies Host Sleepover – On Friday night, Citizens Bank Park turned into a wonderland for a special group of Philadelphia-area children, who were able to turn from hospital patients into Major Leaguers for the Sleepover in the Phillies Clubhouse. The children, all being treated for serious illnesses, had the rigors of that routine wiped off their faces by wide smiles as they filed into the clubhouse in the early evening, accompanied by their parents and lugging sleeping bags and duffel bags of baseball equipment. Participants ranged in age from 3-year-old Noah Sierra, a patient at Temple University Hospital, to 16-year-old Riley Hunter, undergoing treatment at Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Others came from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. Each youngster was assigned a balloons-bedecked locker; one reedy teen broke into a grin as he entered the room and, with glee, immediately pointed to the nameplate "Marcus Quattlebaum" above a locker. As the kids began to settle in, new Phillies general manager Matt Klentak welcomed them with a video message to inform them that they would each sign an official players contract to become Phillies for a day as "my first official signings." Bending over the contracts placed in their lockers, the kids affixed their signatures, then made a beeline for the indoor batting cage, where they took turns taking cuts off tees with the help of a quartet of Phillies ballgirls. After slicing line drives, the kids took slices of pizza, as well as french fries and chicken fingers, from a buffet in the middle of the clubhouse. The Phillie Phanatic crashed the feast, adding selfies to the menu. The meal was followed by movies with the usual accompaniments -- ice cream and popcorn. A scavenger hunt, chaperoned by Phillies staff, ensured that by midnight the kids would be ready to drop into the sleeping bags laid out in the footprints of Ryan Howard, Freddy Galvis and company. It wasn't easy, with the prospect of sleep interrupting this special experience. Usually, dreams only come in sleep, but these kids were dreaming with their eyes wide open. Eventually, they drifted off, knowing that the treats would continue in the morning, with breakfast in the clubhouse followed by a photo session in the Phillies dugout. The Phillies did not have a successful season in 2015, but it got a whole lot better on a night-into-morning when they gave a bunch of kids the gifts of mirth, and of hope for all of their tomorrows.

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, at least Ryan Madson got another ring this year.

Royals Regain Crown After 30 Years… Welcome Back To 1985!

YESTERDAY IN POSTSEASON PLAY:

Last night the clocks turned back more than an hour, they traveled back to 1985 as the Royals captured their first title in 30 years. It took a lot of grit and determination but the throne was regained by Kansas City in another extra innings battle after having broken the back of the dark knight. As this series has exemplified, sometimes the little things can add up as a few decisions by the Mets and errors in execution cost them both the game and the series. However, there is still one question that remains… if this is 1985, does that make George Brett Emmett Brown?

Royals Outlast Mets 7-2

The magic ride didn't end until the Royals took their fans and all of Kansas City back to the ultimate joy: A World Series championship. After narrowly missing out on a title in 2014, the Royals took care of business in five games this time, launching another breathtaking rally to tie the Mets in the ninth inning and then disposing of them with a five-run outburst in the 12th to secure a 7-2 win in Game 5 on Sunday night at Citi Field, grabbing their first World Series championship since 1985. "It's the best," Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "We came back and won a world championship. Words can't even describe how awesome this feels right now. Couldn't have done it with a better group of guys. We battled since Day 1, Minor Leagues a lot of us, and this is an unbelievable feeling." Added center fielder Lorenzo Cain, "Never die, never quit attitude. I mean this entire clubhouse, front office, fans, they're all amazing. I say just that never quit attitude. We continue to push no matter if it's not in our favor, continue to fight as a team." The Royals, down 2-0 in the ninth, began to put together their record eighth come-from-behind victory this postseason. Cain walked and stole second against Mets starter Matt Harvey, who had been virtually unhittable for eight innings. Then, Hosmer rifled a run-scoring double off the wall, and Mets manager Terry Collins went to closer Jeurys Familia, who induced a Mike Moustakas groundout that moved Hosmer to third. Then the Royals pulled off yet another one of their trademark daring plays: Salvador Perez sent a chopper to third baseman David Wright, who looked back Hosmer then threw to first to get the second out. As soon as Wright released the ball, Hosmer broke for home. A good throw to the plate by first baseman Lucas Duda likely would have ended the game with a double play, but the ball sailed wide and to the backstop and the game was tied, 2-2. The fateful 12th inning started with a single by Perez off right-hander Addison Reed. Pinch-runner Jarrod Dyson promptly stole second and went to third on an Alex Gordon groundout. Christian Colon pinch-hit and, in his only postseason at-bat, delivered the hit that will go down in Royals lore -- a sharp RBI single to left-center that gave Kansas City a 3-2 lead. After an RBI double from Alcides Escobar and a three-run double from Cain, the Royals had the highest-scoring extra inning in World Series history. "I was ready," Colon said. "It's like studying for a test. You study and you get ready." Royals closer Wade Davis nailed down the final three outs, combining with Kelvin Herrera and Luke Hochevar for six scoreless relief innings. And the World Series trophy was headed back to Kansas City. "To be able to win this is very, very special, with this group of guys," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "With their character, with their heart, with their passion, with the energy that they bring every single day, I mean, they leave everything on the field." Kansas City's amazing comeback undid all the early work of Harvey, who pitched with a lead from the second inning on, thanks to Curtis Granderson's first-inning homer against Royals starter Edinson Volquez. The Mets also used a Hosmer error to their advantage during a sixth-inning rally off Volquez, plating a second run on Duda's sacrifice fly. Pitching for the first time since learning of the death of his father, Volquez allowed only those two runs in six innings. Collins, who had planned to start the ninth inning with Familia but changed his mind, took the blame for sending Harvey back out. "I said, 'Matt, you've got us exactly where we wanted to get you.' He said, 'I want this game in the worst way.' So obviously I let my heart get in the way of my gut. I love my players, and I trust them. And so I said, 'Go get 'em out,'" Collins said. "It didn't work. It was my fault."

POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS: Read my post from October 6^th to see how many I have gotten wrong! Almost got it but, in the end, I was completely wrong!

CURRENT POSTSEASON PICTURE:

World Series

Kansas City Defeats New York 4-1

PHILS PHACTS:

All quiet on the Eastern Front!

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, at least Ryan Madson got another ring this year.

Time For The GM Shuffle!

YESTERDAY IN POSTSEASON PLAY: Mets And Royals World Series Previews

METS: On the eve of Matt Harvey's start in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday, one of his college teammates recalled the brash freshman who arrived on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2007. Harvey had just turned down $1 million after the Angels made him a third-round Draft pick, opting instead to boost his stock with a Tar Heels team coming off back-to-back appearances in the championship round of the College World Series. "We knew he could help us, but he hadn't been there those previous two years, and he might not have taken it as seriously as we were during those fall practices," said Rob Wooten, an ace reliever for those teams who made it to the big leagues himself, with the Brewers. "I think he thought he was going to come in and breeze right through college. It didn't work that way at the beginning. I think he got humbled pretty quick. But he put his head down and he got to work. "I love Matt. He's an All-Star and he's going to win a Cy Young Award someday and now he's pitching Game 1 of the World Series. I'm definitely going to be watching." It will be a well-rested, unrestricted Harvey who takes the Kauffman Stadium mound, the fascination with Harvey's workload having been stifled after serving as a source of controversy in August and September. The fact remains that Harvey, who missed all of 2014 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, continues to push into uncharted innings. In August, Harvey's agent, Scott Boras, made the case for a hard cap around 180 innings, while the Mets insisted they would proceed on a start-to-start basis. Now, with the Mets on the brink of their first championship since 1986, the sides appear united. Including his two postseason starts (2-0, 2.84 ERA), Harvey has logged 202 innings since the start of the regular season. "We kind of cleared that up at the end," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "It goes back to after the Yankee game [on Sept. 20, when Collins removed Harvey after 77 pitches and five scoreless innings]. "Couple days later he walked in and said, 'Listen, we're going to get in the postseason and I've got to be ready, and I'm not ready.' He said, 'My next two starts I've got to throw at least a hundred pitches to get myself back where I need to be.'" Collins conferred with Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, who said it was Harvey's call. "It's pretty much been Matt and me ever since," Collins said. "I don't think we've needed to go elsewhere. As long as I know he's ready to go." Harvey indicated he's ready to go. "I think there were some people that threw me under the bus a little bit about what was going on," Harvey said. "But for me being out here with my teammates is all I want, and I couldn't be happier to be with them here now." In Game 1 of the National League Championship Series he delivered a vintage performance, holding the Cubs to two runs on four hits in 7 2/3 innings, with nine strikeouts. It marked the first time Harvey threw a pitch beyond the seventh inning since Aug. 11. That outing did come at a price. Harvey took a liner directly on his right arm off the bat of Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler, and there was more swelling than expected in his triceps two days later. But he improved to the point that he was slated to start Game 5 of the NLCS had the Mets not completed their four-game sweep. Harvey will pitch Tuesday on nine days' rest. "I think the best thing and the most positive thing is how I feel after the 200-inning mark, and quite honestly, it's probably better than I did at the 100 mark," he said. Said Collins: "I think in conversations with David [Wright] and some of the other veterans, he realized that the only way he's going to be that person he wants to be is to be out in the middle of that field. So he took the baseball back. He said, 'Give me the ball.' "So I salute that. Certainly we all realize any time you're out on the baseball field something freaky could happen and your career could come to an end, but it's about the competition side and being out there with your teammates, and he wants to do that. I'm not shocked by it. And I'm thrilled that he said, 'Give me the baseball,' because he's going to get it." His old Tar Heels teammate will be watching. Harvey and Wooten remain in touch, though the last time they had an extended conversation in person was last December in Orlando during Major League Baseball Players Association meetings. Wooten said Harvey expressed supreme confidence in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, and was bullish about the Mets' young starting pitching. "He told me they were going to win there," Wooten said. "And sure enough, there they are in the World Series."

ROYALS: Game 1 of the World Series is kind of a big deal, but Royals right-handed pitcher Edinson Volquez, preparing for his start Tuesday night against the Mets, smiles the same old relaxed way. "It's another game," said Volquez. "I don't have to do anything different than what I've been doing. I've got to stay focused in what I'm doing, especially this game, because this is a World Series game. You don't have too many chances to make a lot of mistakes in those games. So I've got to stay under control and pitch my game." Volquez's postseason has been up and down. He yielded five hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings of a loss to the Astros in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Then he beat the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series by giving up just two hits in six innings of a shutout victory, before giving up five runs in five innings in a 7-1 loss to the Jays in Game 5. The results have swung, but Volquez has remained his happy-go-lucky self. "I don't think Dominican guys get nervous, ever," Royals catcher Salvador Perez said. "He just likes to compete, have fun and do his job -- keep the ball down, use the changeup, use his breaking ball, pitch inside." Volquez has found slightly more fastball velocity in the postseason. He is touching 97 and 98 mph. According to FanGraphs, Volquez's fastball is averaging 95.2 mph in the postseason, as opposed to 93.8 during the regular season. The Jays' Aaron Sanchez, the Mets' Steven Matz, the Cubs' Trevor Cahill and Royals teammate Chris Young have experienced greater bumps in average velocity (among pitchers with 70 or more postseason pitches), but Volquez's 1.4 mph increase is considered significant. Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland said the uptick is a testament of a clean, fundamental delivery that allows Volquez to direct his power toward home plate. At times during the regular season, he became rotational and lost power by spinning to the side. Volquez prefers to use humor over technical explanation of his newfound velocity. "I don't know, from the Gatorade," he said when asked for his thoughts on a reason. "A lot of energy helps me a little bit more. I think pitching the playoffs is more exciting. And everything I pitch, everything I've got, that's what I've got. I was throwing 97, 98 the other day. I don't do that very often, but I think I've still got it a little bit." Volquez's charge against the selective Mets will be to stay in the strike zone consistently, since he has walked 12 in 16 2/3 postseason innings, with 15 strikeouts. Eiland said Volquez's faster fastball is also a sign of a free mind. After a promising early career with the Reds, Volquez was discarded by the Padres and Dodgers in 2013, only to resurface as a competitive starter with the Pirates last year. He continued that trend when he joined the Royals this season. "This guy's been around," Eiland said. "He's been released a couple of times, bounced around, given up on. He's got nothing to lose. He's very fortunate and grateful to be in this situation. He's coming right at you. He's not going to let this opportunity slip away, throwing caution to the wind. "Usually when a player throws caution to the wind, you get the best out of him."

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

CURRENT POSTSEASON PICTURE:

World Series

New York at Kansas City

Game 1: Tuesday, October 27, at 8:00 PM

PHILS PHACTS:

New GM – Andy MacPhail got his man. Matt Klentak, previously an Angels assistant general manager, was named vice president and general manager on Monday. The Phillies introduced him during a news conference at Citizens Bank Park. "I am honored, I am humbled, I am unbelievably excited to be here today," Klentak said. Klentak, 35, appeared to be the favorite for the job from the moment MacPhail joined the organization in June. Sources told MLB.com at the time that if MacPhail decided not to renew Ruben Amaro Jr.'s contract, Klentak would be his top target. The Phillies announced last month that Amaro would not return, opening the door for Klentak's arrival. MacPhail kept his GM search quiet, declining interview requests along the way. He conducted many of his first-round interviews in Chicago before holding second and final interviews this week. Those interviews involved Phillies ownership, which included John Middleton. Klentak, A's assistant GM Dan Kantrovitz and Rays vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom were the three finalists for the job. But Klentak evidently impressed everybody the most. "In Matt we found an executive with the keen ability to understand cutting-edge baseball analytics, coupled with superior scouting, player development and leadership skills," MacPhail said. "Additionally, his commitment and resolve to build the foundation for a championship-caliber team was evident every step of the way through the process. I trust Matt to lead the Phillies as we all rededicate ourselves to return championship baseball to Philadelphia." So who is Klentak? He grew up in Massachusetts and attended Dartmouth College, where he majored in economics and played shortstop. Following graduation in 2002, he took an internship with the Rockies before he joined Major League Baseball's Labor Relations Department, where he helped negotiate the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement. He remained there until 2008, when MacPhail hired him as director of baseball operations with the Orioles, making him one of the youngest executives in baseball. Klentak worked with MacPhail in scouting, player development, contract negotiations and the construction of the 40-man roster. The Angels hired him as assistant general manager in late 2011, where he handled many of those same responsibilities. Klentak has an analytics background, but those who are familiar with him say he has a well-balanced approach to his duties. In other words, sabermetrics aren't the only thing he knows. He was former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto's No. 2 man, meaning he worked with scouts, agents and other general managers and assistant general managers. "We want to be the best at everything that we do," Klentak said. "We want to have the best scouts on the field, we want to have the best coaches, we want to have the best players, and we will. And we will use every form of technology available to us to have the best information in this industry." Scouts who know him seem to like and respect him. Field personnel seem to like him, too. He could be seen chatting in the clubhouse with Angels coaches and players following Dipoto's resignation July 1, which was a tumultuous time for the organization. Klentak is said to be likeable and a good communicator, which should help him early with a demanding Phillies fanbase and media. "This is a phenomenal sports town and the fans are equally phenomenal," Phillies partner John Middleton said to Klentak during the news conference. "As a group, we are passionate, we are knowledgeable, we are loyal, we have high standards and I think you will love be here. And when you win here, you will really love being here. There is nothing like winning in Philadelphia."

Old GM – The Red Sox took an unconventional route in the selection of a new first-base coach/outfield instructor, hiring former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. on Monday to fill that role. Amaro, 50, has no previous coaching experience and went straight to the Phillies' front office after his playing career ended in 1998. Red Sox manager John Farrell was teammates with Amaro for a short period in 1995 with the Indians. Amaro will also assist in baserunning instruction. "I am truly honored to join the Red Sox, a first-class organization with a tremendous history," Amaro said. "I was honored that Dave and John would consider me for this opportunity and add me to this dynamic coaching staff. I am poised, focused and ready to bring anything I can in terms of experience and knowledge to this position, and I look forward to being a part of the Boston Red Sox." The fact that Amaro is ready to take an on-field job lends credence to a recent report that he might be interested in managing some day. Amaro became the general manager of the Phillies on Nov. 1, 2008, right after the club won the World Series. He took over for Pat Gillick. Under Amaro, the Phillies got back to the World Series the next year, losing to the Yankees. The Phillies won the National League East from '09-11, but didn't make it to the postseason the past four years. The Phillies announced on Sept. 10 that they would not be renewing Amaro's contract. Amaro replaces Arnie Beyeler as Boston's first-base coach and outfield instructor. Beyeler was the only coach not retained from Farrell's staff. An outfielder for the entirety of his eight-year career in the Majors, Amaro should be well positioned to teach defense to Boston's young and exciting trio of Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr.

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.

Day Or Night, Phillies Can’t Find A Way To Win

GAME 1 RECAP: Cubs Beat Phillies 5-1

Jake Arrieta won his Major League-leading 19th game Friday night and helped the Cubs keep pace in their push for the playoffs with a 5-1 win over the Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. Austin Jackson and Kris Bryant hit consecutive RBI doubles in the fifth, Addison Russell added a two-run double in the sixth and Starlin Castro belted a solo homer in the seventh to back Arrieta, now 19-6. The right-hander did serve up Aaron Altherr's solo homer, but still notched his 16th straight quality start, the most by a Cubs pitcher since Lon Warneke posted 17 in a row in 1933. Arrieta's ERA dropped to 1.99 for the season. He's not looking at individual statistics at this point, although Cy Young voters should be. "It doesn't matter to me," Arrieta said of his personal numbers. "After the season is over, you look at your line and you can appreciate it then. It's not even where my mind's at. Those are things people strive for. They set their sights high and try to reach the milestones. Obviously, I'll get 200 innings, I got 200 strikeouts, and that's great. I just want to be quality for the team and finish good enough." The Phillies were the only team to beat Arrieta in his last 16 starts, doing so on July 25 at Wrigley Field when Cole Hamels threw a no-hitter. The Cubs' ace now has won eight consecutive starts. "Arrieta is a potential Cy Young candidate," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He pitched very well." The Cubs began the day with a firm hold on the second National League Wild Card spot, trailing the Pirates by 2 1/2 games for the first spot. The Giants were third in the Wild Card standings, nine games back.

GAME 2 RECAP: Cubs Beat Phillies 7-3

Rookie Kyle Schwarber needed just two pitches to hit two home runs, both monster shots, and Kris Bryant drove in three runs, including two on his 24th homer, to power the Cubs to a 7-3 victory Friday and complete a sweep of a doubleheader against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Bryant's blast, a two-run shot in the fifth, and his RBI single in the seventh raised his season RBI total to 90, a Cubs rookie record and tops on the team. He broke the mark in the first game with an RBI double. Bryant now is tied with the Dodgers' Joc Pederson for the most homers among Major League rookies. Schwarber, meanwhile, connected on Nos. 14 and 15, the latter of which included a face plant rounding first while circling the bases. The Cubs' three home runs all came off the Phillies' Alec Asher, who remains winless in three starts. Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks benefited from the power and notched his first win since Aug. 8. "Schwarber is a monster, boy," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He's got a real strong, quick swing. You can't leave the ball out over the plate to him." Chicago won the first game, 5-1, behind Jake Arrieta, who picked up his Major League-leading 19th win. With the sweep, the Cubs moved within two games of the Pirates for the top National League Wild Card spot. "The consensus here is everybody's thinking about October," Hendricks said. "We're that close. We can smell it. With that lead, you never can take anything for granted. We're in a good spot."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Phillies left-hander Adam Morgan retired 14 of the first 18 batters he faced, but the Cubs got to Morgan their third time through the lineup. He allowed hits to five of the final seven batters he faced, allowing seven hits and four runs in five-plus innings to fall to 5-6 with a 4.60 ERA. "I just left some pitches over the plate for them to hit," Morgan said. "That's a good hitting team."
• Rookie Altherr continues to show some pop. He hit a solo home run to left field in the second inning to hand the Phillies a 1-0 lead. It was Altherr's 10th extra-base hit in 80 plate appearances since being promoted from Triple-A. Meanwhile, Howard went 0-for-4 to extend his hitless streak to 33 at-bats. It is the longest such stretch by a Phillies player since Raul Ibanez had a 35 at-bat hitless streak in 2011. "He's our first baseman," Mackanin said of Howard. "He's got to battle his way out of it. We really need him. He's the power guy in our fourth spot."
• The Phillies challenged a call in the fourth inning after Howard grounded into a double play. First-base umpire Ben May ruled Howard out at first base, but replay officials in New York overturned the call and Howard was safe.
• Asher has not found the big leagues to be kind since the Phillies promoted him from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He is 0-3 with a 10.67 ERA in his first three big league starts. He allowed seven hits, six runs, three walks and three home runs in just five innings against the Cubs. "I'm concerned about it," Mackanin said. "We knew he was going to take his lumps. Everybody is really happy when they get here. They come with confidence because they've had success in the Minor Leagues. After a few poor outings, they learn quick that, 'This is a better league than I was in. I can't make many mistakes. I've got to regroup.'"
• Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard doubled to right-center field in the seventh inning to snap an 0-for-35 slump. It was the longest slump by a Phillies hitter since Raul Ibanez went 0-for-35 in 2011. No Phillies non-pitcher had gone longer without a hit since Desi Relaford went 0-for-36 in 1998. Brett Myers went 0-for-40 from 2006-08. "[Ibanez], pretty good hitter, so it happens to the best of them," Mackanin said. "It was nice to see Howie break out, so that probably took a little pressure off. You know how hot he can get. We're just hoping he can get hot again."
• Friday marked the Cubs' first traditional (non-split admission) doubleheader since they played two against the D-backs on Aug. 3, 2006, at Wrigley Field. The Phillies, on the other hand, already had played a traditional twin bill this season.
• Phillies rookie center fielder Odubel Herrera entered Friday's doubleheader leading all rookies with a .300 batting average and 26 doubles.
• The Cubs entered the twin bill with at least one extra-base hit in every game since Cole Hamels no-hit them July 26.
• With his RBI double in the fifth inning Friday, Cubs outfielder Kris Bryant established a club rookie record with 87 RBIs.

NEXT GAME:

Travis Wood makes his first start since mid-May, hoping to keep things going Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park when the Cubs and Phillies play the third of a four-game set, with rookie Jerad Eickhoff starting for Philadelphia. With wet weather on the horizon, the Cubs are tabbed Wood over scheduled starter Dan Haren, who will now start on Sunday. Wood is 2-2 with a 5.59 ERA in seven starts this season. Since being moved to the bullpen after a May 14 start, Wood pitched in 38 games, going 3-2 with a save over 50 innings. Eickhoff will be making his fifth start since his promotion from Triple-A. He allowed six runs in four innings last weekend in Boston, after allowing six runs in 19 innings in his first three starts.

PHILS PHACTS:

Is Howard Back? – Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin showed his respect for Ryan Howard a couple of weeks ago at Citi Field in New York, when he said he would not be the manager to pinch-hit for him. Mackanin continued to stick with Howard following a 5-1 loss to the Cubs in Game 1 of Friday night's doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. Howard went 0-for-4 to extend his hitless streak to 33 at-bats, which was the longest slump by a Phillies batter since Raul Ibanez went hitless in 35 consecutive at-bats in 2011. Howard matched Ibanez, when he went hitless in his first two at-bats in Game 2, but he doubled to right-center field in the seventh inning of the 7-3 loss to snap the skid. Howard avoided becoming the first Phillies non-pitcher to go hitless in 36 at-bats since Desi Relaford in 1998. Len Matuszek also went hitless in 36 at-bats in 1982-83, with no non-pitcher going longer than 37 at-bats without a hit since '74. Phillies right-hander Brett Myers went 0-for-40 from 2006-08. "[Ibanez], pretty good hitter, so it happens to the best of them," Mackanin said. "It was nice to see Howie break out, so that probably took a little pressure off. You know how hot he can get. We're just hoping he can get hot again." Mackanin has told Howard he will not start against left-handed starters the rest of the season, although he also said he would not pinch-hit for the veteran first baseman when a left-handed reliever entered the game to face him. Howard had been one of the most feared sluggers in baseball for years, but he has posted a .426 OPS against left-handers this season, which would be the lowest mark in baseball if he had enough plate appearances to quality. Howard also has a .620 OPS against lefties since 2011, which is 233rd out of 252 hitters in baseball in that span. Howard left the clubhouse before it opened to reporters, so he was unavailable to comment. "I've seen him in slumps before," Mackanin said. "In the past, he's been very streaky. I haven't seen him in this big of a slump. There's no other alternative. He's got to keep playing and he's got to keep swinging the bat." Howard is making $25 million this season. He will make $25 million next season, plus he will receive a $10 million buyout on a 2017 club option. The Phillies have tried to trade him for more than a year, but have found no takers -- even after offering to pay almost everything owed on Howard's contract. So Howard will continue to play this season. He could be back next season, too. "He's our first baseman," Mackanin said.

Hamels Trade Looking Good – Jake Thompson couldn't have picked a better time to throw the first shutout of his career. The Phillies' No. 2 prospect scattered three hits over nine scoreless innings Friday in a 3-0 win against Binghamton, giving Double-A Reading a 2-0 series advantage in the best-of-five Eastern League semifinals. He issued one walk and struck out eight, throwing 66 of 108 pitches for strikes. Thompson, baseball's No. 55 overall prospect, had completed eight innings just once in his four-year Minor League career before Friday's outing, while it was the 10th time in 72 starts in which he's struck out at least eight batters. "I threw a lot of strikes, got ahead in counts and was able to get them to put balls in play. And the defense made every play behind me," Thompson told MiLB.com. "I was throwing good pitches in the bottom of the zone and was able to use off-speed early in the count to get ground-ball outs." I love all my teammates. Most memorable game of my life, let's get to the ship boys! @ReadingFightins @theknappyboy5 pic.twitter.com/dYv52hHx39 — Jake Thompson (@jthomp15) September 12, 2015. The 21-year-old right-hander was outstanding after coming over from the Rangers in the Cole Hamels deal, going 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 34 strikeouts and 12 walks in 45 innings over his final seven regular-season starts. Thompson's performance down the stretch was particularly encouraging after his up-and-down showing in the Texas League, where he pitched to a 4.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 87 2/3 innings (17 starts) for Double-A Frisco. Overall, the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder registered a 3.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 112/42 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 132 2/3 innings during the regular season, making 24 starts between Frisco and Reading. Thompson's effort was aided by a solo home run from Phillies No. 3 prospect (No. 59 overall) Nick Williams -- also acquired from the Rangers in the Hamels blockbuster -- who went 2-for-5 in his third game back from the disabled list (concussion).

 Will Bowa Be Back? – Incoming Phillies president Andy MacPhail dropped a hint about interim manager Pete Mackanin's future on Thursday. "I know the tradition is that the GM picks his manager," MacPhail said. "I'll just go full disclosure here; if that happens, and it takes you a while to find a GM and then he gets consumed the first month or two with a manager and coaching staff, look how much of the offseason we've lost. That's a high price to pay. So we have to keep that in mind." If Mackanin sheds the interim label to become the Phils' manager in 2016, he is expected to ask most of his coaching staff to return. That certainly includes bench coach Larry Bowa. But does Bowa want to return? "If I'm going to be in uniform as a coach, I would want it to be with Philadelphia," Bowa said before Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. "I've got a lot of energy. I like what I'm doing. But right now I'm not even thinking about it. I'm just trying to get through these final 23 games." The Phillies celebrated Bowa's 50th year in baseball this year. He turns 70 in December. Does Bowa need the stress that comes with a rebuilding team? Comcast SportsNet contacted Bowa in the offseason about joining their broadcast booth this season, but he declined. There seems to be little question he would get offers to return to TV, if he wanted to leave the field. Bowa did an excellent job with MLB Network. "Let's face it, it's been a terrible year," Bowa said. "It wears on you. You've got to sit back, take a deep breath and see where we're going. I think they've made great strides in continuing the youth movement, but I don't think we're there yet. "I was beating myself up earlier. I knew we were going to be subpar. I knew that. I saw it in Spring Training that we were short. Usually when I go home, I wouldn't talk. I'd go down in my cave and watch West Coast games. But after the All-Star break, I learned how to take a deep breath and say, 'It is what it is.' I never thought I would say that, but this year I've said over and over, 'It is what it is. Keep working.'" The work is what might keep Bowa on the field. "I do have a passion for baseball," he said. "And in my mind, Cesar [Hernandez] and Freddy [Galvis] today are better than they were April 5. I get satisfaction out of that."

Where To Go From Here? – Pat Gillick plans to officially hand the reins as Phillies president to Andy MacPhail sometime before the end of October. The exact date seems insignificant at this point. MacPhail relieved Ruben Amaro Jr. of his duties as general manager on Thursday. MacPhail will be making any significant baseball decisions from this point forward. He already informed the baseball operations staff it will return in 2016, and it seems very likely Pete Mackanin will return as the manager next year, too. So what's next for Gillick, who turned 78 in August? "I don't know," Gillick said. "At this point, I haven't even thought about it." Gillick has a small ownership stake with the Phils, so if he wanted to join a different organization, he would have to sell his portion. But Gillick's legacy with the Phillies is secure. He replaced Ed Wade as general manager following the 2005 season, and three seasons later, the Phils won the '08 World Series. Gillick remained in an advisory role until he replaced David Montgomery as president in August 2014. "I've been here 10 years now, one of the longer periods [with an organization]," Gillick said. "I was in Toronto, and this is second." Gillick declined to discuss the characteristics needed in the Phillies' next general manager. He deferred to MacPhail on that, but he said the job remains the same as it was when he served in that role through 2008. "The job is hiring the right people," Gillick said. "You can talk about everything you want to talk about, but it's hiring the right people and slotting them in the right spots so they can be successful. That's the whole gig." Gillick seemed to be an Amaro supporter until the end. He touted Amaro whenever he could. Asked if Amaro had his hands tied at times over the past few seasons, Gillick declined comment. But Gillick also acknowledged it would have been tough for MacPhail to bring back Amaro. "I don't think ... the public really would accept that," Gillick said. "That wasn't the reason the decision was made, but certainly the fans and the public play into every organization in the sports industry."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have returned to their lackluster ways and regained their grip on last place in the NL East with a record of 54-88. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this could still end up being the worst team in franchise history… at least that is something to hope for this year! All time, the Phillies are 42-64-0 on this day.