Interesting Questions Surface During The Rest Day

GAME RECAP: No Game Yesterday

Phillies take some time to recover from a rough couple of series and to try and find the fire they had before their recent struggles.

PHILS PHACTS:

• Phillies leadoff hitter Odubel Herrera is tied for sixth in the NL batting race with a .327 average. He hit a three-run homer on Wednesday in Detroit.
• Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler is 9-for-27 in his last six games. He is 2-for-3 lifetime against Morgan.
• The Cubs have cooled off a little bit from their hot start to the season, going 4-6 in their past 10 games. But they took two out of three against the division-rival Cardinals. 

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies open a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Friday, with Adam Morgan (1-2, 5.61 ERA) taking the mound against Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (4-3, 2.60 ERA). Morgan gave up two runs in six innings in his last start against the Braves, a bounce-back performance after giving up seven earned runs on eight hits against the Reds in the outing before that. He's faced the Cubs only once in his career, losing to them last season after allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings. Lester will look to have a similar type of comeback outing after he got rocked for five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings at San Francisco last Saturday. He is 4-0 lifetime against Philadelphia, with a 1.76 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP.

PHILS PHACTS:

More Questions And Answers From Todd Zolecki – If the Phillies continue to win, will they be buyers before the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline? -- Corey K., Media, PA. How many people thought this question would be asked in May? Not many, I assume. The Phillies are one of baseball's best stories this season, but let's let things play out. Only 14 teams in the past 10 seasons have finished .500 or better despite being outscored. The 2009 Mariners were the most fortunate of the bunch, finishing 85-77 despite a -52 run differential. (Only four teams in baseball history have made the postseason despite being outscored.) The Phils are on pace to be outscored by 107 runs, so the odds are not in their favor. But OK, let's say the Phillies keep winning close games and defy the odds. I can see them buying before the Trade Deadline, but not in the way they have in the past when they acquired Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Hunter Pence. Those teams were going for the kill, sacrificing top young talent for the final piece to push them over the top. The 2016 Phillies are not a piece away, and they are still very much geared toward the future. For that reason, if the Phils acquire talent, they will not sacrifice one of their top prospects in the process. No, I think something more likely will be acquiring a player in a salary dump, or acquiring somebody of a more modest means. Think less about talents comparable to Lee, Oswalt and Pence and more about talents like Joe Blanton, who cost the Phillies relatively little in 2008. But if you're wondering if Philadelphia would trade prospects like Nick Williams and Zach Eflin for a two-month rental, I would be absolutely stunned. Phils president Andy MacPhail and general manager Matt Klentak have a plan in place, and they have stuck to it. I would be floored if they suddenly tossed that aside. What is going to happen with Ryan Howard? -- John G., Mt. Laurel, N.J. It is sometimes helpful to read between the lines. Pete Mackanin said in Spring Training he planned to platoon Howard and Darin Ruf at first. He held true to form, despite their struggles. Then once Tommy Joseph replaced Ruf on the 25-man roster, Mackanin said he still planned to platoon Howard at first base. But if you notice, Mackanin said earlier this week he now plans to evaluate the situation weekly. "At some point, it may come to that, but I wouldn't say it's imminent," Mackanin said about Joseph winning the first-base job. The door is ajar. The Phillies are playing well, despite Howard hitting .160 with a .585 OPS. But they need offense, and if Joseph hits consistently, he will get more playing time. What happens to Howard after that will be interesting. Howard showed leadership earlier this week when he pulled Odubel Herrera aside after he failed to hustle to first base. I'm not sure anybody else on the team could do that, other than maybe Carlos Ruiz. If Joseph starts playing more regularly, perhaps Howard adjusts to a backup role, mentoring the young players on the roster while playing a couple times a week. He could be released too, although I would be guessing if I said I thought it would happen. But I will say Howard's attitude has been remarkable this season. I think he sees the end is near and he is trying to make the best of it. That doesn't help the Phillies' offense, but it is worth noting.

Minor Performances – A pair of Phillies' top prospects had three-hit games in Lehigh Valley's win over Pawtucket. J.P. Crawford, the No. 3 overall prospect (Phillies' No. 1), scored a pair of runs in the game, but more importantly, he found his stroke offensively. Since he was promoted to Triple-A, Crawford got off to a bit of a slow start. The shortstop went 3-for-15 over his first four games, but on Thursday night everything was clicking as Crawford went 3-for-5. But Crawford wasn't the only Phillies' farmhand to have a good night at the plate. Nick Williams, Philadelphia's No. 3 prospect, was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and raised his average to .279.

Crawford Catching Attention – Here's a look at top prospects to watch Friday in Minor League action: Hitter to watch: J.P. Crawford (Phillies' No. 1) Lehigh Valley vs. Louisville. Crawford, the No. 3 overall prospect, got off to a bit of a slow start when he was promoted to Triple-A, but the young shortstop may be finding his rhythm. After going 3-for-15 over his first five games with the IronPigs, Crawford went 3-for-5 and scored a pair of runs Thursday, generating some momentum that he'd like to build on at 7:05 p.m. ET on MiLB.TV.

Today In Phils History – During the same game that the Giants’ Casey Stengel was ejected in 1923, the Phillies Cy Williams set a new major league homerun record when he hit his 15^th of the month. Speaking of homeruns, today marks 2 years since Ben Revere, after 1,566 career at bats, hit his first major league homerun. On the mound, Pretzel Pezzullo got start and the win in his major league debut in 1935 but lost his start the following day. In 1973, pitcher Wayne Twitchell struck out for a record 9^th consecutive time at the plate.  

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are currently 26-21 this season putting them on pace to beat most preseason predictions. The Phillies finished the spring exceeding most expectations compiling a record of 15-11-3 (18-11-3 if you include the exhibition games against Reading and the University of Tampa). All time, the Phillies are 47-55-1 on this day. I expect the Phillies to finish in the bottom half of the division but not last in the NL East by finishing the season with a 77-85 record. Let the rebuild begin!

It Should Be An Interesting Roster…

PHILS PHACTS:

Zolecki's Projections – Phillies pitchers and catchers hold their first workout today in Clearwater, Fla. Opening Day follows 46 days later. This figures to be the most interesting Spring Training for the Phillies since 2011, when they had arguably one of the greatest rotations in baseball history with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. This time, things will be interesting for different reasons. The Phillies are rebuilding, which means this camp will feature players with plenty to prove. In the fifth part of a seven-part series previewing Phillies' Spring Training, MLB.com takes a look at the projected lineup, rotation and back end of the bullpen. It is worth noting that while Cameron Rupp is expected to play more regularly than Carlos Ruiz behind the plate, it would not be a surprise to see the Phillies give the starting spot to Ruiz on Opening Day. It also is worth mentioning that there are multiple candidates for closer and setup men. Projecting a favorite at this point would be a bad bet. 2015 record: 63-99, fifth in the National League East. Projected batting order: 1. 2B Cesar Hernandez: .272 BA, .339 OBP, .348 SLG, 1 HR, 35 RBI in 2015; 2. CF Odubel Herrera: .297 BA, .344 OBP, .418 SLG, 8 HR, 41 RBI in 2015; 3. 3B Maikel Franco: .280 BA, .343 OBP, .497 SLG, 14 HR, 50 RBI in 2015; 4. 1B Ryan Howard: .229 BA, .277 OBP, .443 SLG, 23 HR, 77 RBI in 2015; 5. LF Aaron Altherr: .241 BA, .338 OBP, .489 SLG, 5 HR, 22 RBI in 2015; 6. C Cameron Rupp: .233 BA, .301 OBP, .374 SLG, 9 HR, 28 RBI in 2015; 7. SS Freddy Galvis: .263 BA, .302 OBP, .343 SLG, 7 HR, 50 RBI in 2015; 8. RF Peter Bourjos: .200 BA, .290 OBP, .333 SLG, 4 HR, 13 RBI in 2015. Projected rotation: 1. Aaron Nola , 6-2, 3.59 ERA in 2015; 2. Jeremy Hellickson , 9-12, 4.62 ERA in 2015; 3. Jerad Eickhoff , 3-3, 2.65 ERA in 2015; 4. Charlie Morton , 9-9, 4.81 ERA in 2015; 5. Vincent Velasquez , 1-1, 4.37 ERA in 2015. Projected bullpen: Closer: Edward Mujica, Ernesto Frieri or Andrew Bailey; RH setup man: David Hernandez , 4.28 ERA in 2015; LH setup man: Elvis Araujo , 3.38 ERA in 2015.

Today In Phils History - It was an interesting opening to spring training on this day in 1995 as with the strike still unresolved, the roster was full of minor-leaguers and replacement players, including former major-leaguers Marty Bystrom, Todd Cruz, Jeff Stone, and Greg Legg. A year later, the Phillies brought back Terry Mulholland. Also, happy birthday to Roger Craig (1930), Dave Roberts (1951), and Cody Ransom (1976). Still can't believe the latter of the 3 is turning 40. 

THE BEGINNING:

With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!

What Will The Roster Look Like In 2016?

PHILS PHACTS:

More Questions, Fewer Answers – Do you think Ryan Howard will be back next year? -- Matt H., Raleigh, N.C. Now that the Phillies have a new president and general manager, I'm not sure which way they will go with Howard, but I think everybody agrees it would be best to part ways. I'm not sure Howard is happy in Philadelphia. His good friends are gone. He is playing on a losing team and he knows he is not part of its plans once it starts winning again. He also knows the team would have cut him loose already if it had not committed $35 million to him next season ($25 million in salary, plus a $10 million buyout on a 2017 club option). The Phillies have been trying to trade Howard for a long time but have found no takers, despite being willing to eat most of his contract. Perhaps president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak will finally say the deal is a sunk cost, release him and move on. A fresh start might be best for everybody. Of course, the move would be easier if the Phillies had a definite replacement at first base. If the Phillies release Howard, it would be some combination of Darin Ruf and perhaps another left-handed bat in a platoon situation. With so many young players and prospects, are the Phillies subject to what just happened to them? That is, many players reaching their prime at the same time and thus commanding high-dollar, long-term contracts? Is there a way to come to a balance apparently like the Cardinals have done? -- Steve B., Carlisle, Pa. That would be a nice problem to have in a few years, wouldn't it? Let's say Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola, Odubel Herrera, J.P. Crawford, Jake Thompson, Nick Williams, etc., all live up to their potential and become very good players in the near future. How should the Phillies handle that? I think they actually dealt with things well when they bought out the first few years of free agency for players like Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. They got those players in their prime for a relative discount. But things went south when they continued to re-sign those players, despite evidence that their production had started to decline. Partner John Middleton said last month: "One of the criticisms the fans have leveled on the Phillies -- and I think it's justifiable -- is that we didn't recognize early enough and act upon that recognition that the window had closed and we needed to move on. That we were trying to extend guys that were older and trying to create a bridge and we needed to realize that the bridge didn't exist and we needed to move on." In short, the front office should not be sentimental about its star players, no matter how well they performed in the past. Because in the end, fans only want a winner. If I had told fans following the 2011 season that the Phillies would blow up the roster -- despite winning a franchise-record 102 games -- but it would guarantee another World Series title in five years, I bet almost everybody would say, "OK, let's do it." So the problem isn't signing players to long-term contracts or not. If it buys out their first couple years of free agency while they are in their prime, it makes sense. No, the problem is knowing how far to go with those players and realizing when they are on the decline to cut bait and move on. Because Cliff Lee is no longer pitching, would Klentak be open to offering him a pitching-coach position if one came open? -- Jodi S., Portland, Ore. Personally, I don't think Lee would be interested in being a pitching coach.

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.

Questions Abound This Offseason

PHILS PHACTS:

More Questions About The Rebuild – Do the Phillies have a target date for when they think they'll be playoff-ready? Are they looking for short-term free agents or building blocks this year? -- Bill S., Centennial, Colo. Matt Klentak has been asked a lot of questions since he became the Phillies' general manager, but it seems no question has been asked more than this one. People want to know when the Phils will be good again. It is understandable, but it also is impossible to answer. Why? Because nobody truly knows. The Phillies can hope they can contend as early as 2017, but that hope could crumble if players like Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff experience setbacks, or if prospects like J.P. Crawford, Jake Thompson, Nick Williams, Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro sustain injuries or don't pan out. So why would Klentak or anybody else with the Phils give a definitive date for when the club will be a contender? The Phillies first need to see improvement from their young players and prospects in 2016. And that is why they will probably acquire more short- than long-term solutions this offseason. It just doesn't make sense to sign a few players to lucrative multiyear deals when the Phils aren't certain about where their building blocks will be in a couple of years. How does Jeremy Hellickson help the Phillies next season? -- Jimmy C., Philadelphia. Simply put, Hellickson provides depth to the rotation. He is a veteran, but he also is just 28. So it isn't like Hellickson is at the tail end of his career. He went 22-27 with a 4.86 ERA in 72 appearances (71 starts) the previous three seasons. That isn't good -- consider that Aaron Harang posted a 4.86 ERA last season -- but the Phillies are rolling the dice, hoping that Hellickson can have a bounce-back year as he enters free agency. If he does, great. If he doesn't, they didn't lose much by trying. The Phillies didn't commit to more than one year of Hellickson. Based on Twitter and email, fans seemed to respond pretty positively to this acquisition. The ones that didn't either want the Phils to go out and get pitchers like Zack Greinke (which makes no sense, in my opinion -- see my answer to the first question) or they believe Philadelphia should be able to acquire young, controllable aces by Klentak performing some sort of Jedi mind trick on opposing GMs. That just isn't reality. Is trading Ken Giles this offseason really a good idea? I know he could net a huge return, but what if the Phillies pull a miraculous worst-to-first and make the World Series next year? Who's going to nail down that ninth inning? Would he be as good as Giles? -- Brett L., Broomall, Pa. First, trading anybody is a good idea if the return is right. It's not like the Phillies are going to trade Giles for a marginal player. They would only trade him if they believe they are getting a significant return. In my opinion, it's negligent not to be open to those possibilities. Second, you have to play the percentages here. You don't stop yourself from trading somebody on the very, very small chance the Phillies go from worst to first. In that scenario, nearly everything would have to go much better than expected next season. And if everything goes much better than expected, it probably means they already found somebody to replace Giles. I wouldn't worry about it. Giles won't get traded unless the Phils like the return. I've never been to Clearwater. Is it worth a trip this spring? -- Chelsea D., Philadelphia. Absolutely. Spring Training is fun for fans, regardless of the team's expectations. Clearwater, Fla., is a great place to visit in March. The ballpark is fantastic, and there is something cool about leaving home and being surrounded by fellow Phillies fans. Did I mention the weather and the fact the ballpark is great? Just make sure to get a grouper sandwich at Frenchy's while you're there.

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.

Would Schilling Be Inducted As A Phillie?

PHILS PHACTS:

Once again, beat reporter Todd Zolecki answers Phillies fans' questions including whether or not the team should be fishing in the free agent pool or focusing on taking the floaties off of their young talent. The full Q&A can be read/watched here.

An Interesting HOF Ballot This Year – Under new voting rules established this summer by the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the annual Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot was released Monday on the earliest date in recent history. Ken Griffey Jr. and his 630 homers and Trevor Hoffman and his National League-record 601 saves are the top candidates among a bevy of first-time qualifiers for the Class of 2016. Billy Wagner, who had 422 saves in 16 seasons for five teams, is another significant new name on the ballot. Mike Piazza (69.9 percent of the vote last year), Jeff Bagwell (55.7 percent) and Tim Raines (55 percent) are the returnees with the best chances of being elected this time around. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on July 24 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Griffey was selected first overall as a 17-year-old in the 1987 Draft and went on to play his first 13 seasons for the Mariners, ending his 22-year career with them in 2010. He batted .284 and produced 1,836 RBIs. Along the way, Griffey played parts of nine seasons with the Reds and part of one with the White Sox before returning to the Mariners for the final two. Griffey was a four-time American League home run champion, hitting 56 homers in back-to-back seasons in 1997-98, and he won the AL MVP Award in '97 and was a 13-time All-Star. Griffey would be both the first Mariner and the first No. 1 overall Draft pick to be inducted. "I am truly honored and humbled to be associated with these people here," Griffey said when he was inducted into the Mariners' Hall of Fame in 2013. "I may have sometimes been standoffish; I didn't mean to. I just wanted to play baseball. That's the only thing that mattered: playing and winning ballgames for this team. I want to thank all of you, and the Mariners organization, for letting me be part of something special. I just want to say thank you." Hoffman would be the third player to go into the Hall with an interlocking SD on his plaque. Dave Winfield and the late Tony Gwynn are the others. Hoffman had a 2.87 ERA and 61 wins in 1,035 games, plus a career-high 53 saves in 54 opportunities for a 1998 Padres club that lost to the Yankees in the World Series. "I know it would be a nice little bow tie if it would happen and to have the All-Star Game in San Diego the same year," Hoffman, who pitched 16 of his 18 big league seasons for the Padres, said in noting that the Midsummer Classic is to be played at Petco Park on July 12. "That would be amazing." Among the other newcomers on the latest ballot are Garret Anderson, David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, Luis Castillo, Troy Glaus, Mike Lowell and Mike Sweeney. The BBWAA ballot announcement commences the Hall of Fame voting season that includes elections by the 16-member Pre-Integration Committee and nominees for the Ford C. Frick Award and the J.G. Taylor Spink Award, all slated to be unveiled at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., from Dec. 7-10. This year's version of the Veterans Committee will vote on six players, three executives and an organizer who were all active in baseball prior to Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. The Frick Award voters will pick a baseball announcer who was a pioneer during that same period. The BBWAA honors a writer with the Spink Award for meritorious contributions to the baseball writing profession. The new rules for the BBWAA ballot winnowed the rolls by about 125 voters, a Hall official said. While 625 ballots were sent out last year, about 475 were put in the mail on Monday. The ballots historically had been mailed just prior to Thanksgiving and had to be returned by New Year's Day. Voters will now have until Dec. 24 to mail their ballots. The results are to be revealed on MLB Network on Jan. 6, with a news conference involving any of the electees to be held the following day. In the past, all members of the BBWAA with more than 10 consecutive years of membership received a ballot. Under the new rules passed in July by the Hall's board of directors, members who have not actively been a member of the BBWAA for 10 years must apply every year for their ballot. The Hall then determines by the number of games an applicant covered in the previous season whether to issue a ballot. As always, a candidate must have his name written on 75 percent of the ballots to be elected, and the electorate can vote for as many as 10 players. In another change, the Hall will release a roster of all voters, but not how they voted. It's up to each individual whether to release his or her ballot. The BBWAA was established in 1908 and has been voting players into the Hall of Fame since elections began in 1936. It remains to be seen what kind of impact a smaller group of voters will have on the election. In the last election, 549 ballots were cast and a player needed 412 votes to be elected. Piazza, now in his fourth year on the ballot, fell 38 votes short last year. Bagwell and Raines fell 106 and 110 votes short, respectively. Returnees Curt Schilling (39.2 percent), Roger Clemens (37.5), Barry Bonds (36.8) and Mike Mussina (24.6) are much further out. Like Piazza, Schilling, Bonds and Clemens are in their fourth year of eligibility. Others who received sufficient support to remain on the ballot for 2016 are first basemen Fred McGriff and Mark McGwire; second baseman Jeff Kent; third baseman-designated hitter Edgar Martinez; infielder Nomar Garciaparra; and outfielders Larry Walker, Gary Sheffield and Sammy Sosa. Another rule change seriously affects Raines, who is going into his ninth and next-to-last year on the BBWAA ballot. In the past, BBWAA eligibility was for as long as 15 years, but the Hall shortened that period by five years in 2014, grandfathering in three players who were already in the 11- to 15-year range: Don Mattingly, Lee Smith and Alan Trammell. It is also McGwire's final year on the ballot. Mattingly's BBWAA eligibility ended with the last ballot. On this one, Trammell is in his 15th and final year and Smith his 14th. Smith received 30.2 percent of the vote and Trammell 25.1 percent last time. A player must reach at least a five-percent threshold to be carried over to the next ballot until his 10 years of eligibility expires. The ballot: Garret Anderson, Brad Ausmus, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Luis Castillo, Roger Clemens, David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds, Nomar Garciaparra, Troy Glaus, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark Grudzielanek, Mike Hampton, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Kendall, Jeff Kent, Mike Lowell, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Mike Mussina, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, Curt Schilling, Gary Sheffield, Lee Smith, Sammy Sosa, Mike Sweeney, Alan Trammell, Billy Wagner, Larry Walker, Randy Winn.

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.

The Phillies Should Play All Their Games In The Bronx

GAME RECAP: Phillies Stun Yankees 11-6

Maikel Franco ripped a two-run double off Dellin Betances in the top of the ninth inning, capping a second consecutive five-RBI night for the rookie infielder and lifting the Phillies to an 11-6 victory over the Yankees on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Franco's go-ahead hit came after Ben Revere opened the ninth with a double and Cesar Hernandez was hit by a pitch while attempting a bunt. Andres Blanco ripped a three-run triple off Nick Rumbelow as the Phillies improved to 9-28 on the road this season, while Betances absorbed his first career loss. "I don't even know," Franco said, after being asked when he has felt this good at the plate. "I'm just like locked in right now, and I'm just in a good moment. I see a lot of good pitches to hit, and that's what's happening right now." The Yankees hit four home runs off Philadelphia starter Sean O'Sullivan, who surrendered 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings. Garrett Jones and Brett Gardner cleared the fences in the second and third innings, respectively, while Chase Headley and Alex Rodriguez hit back-to-back shots in the fifth to set up Chris Young's game-tying RBI double. New York's mid-game surge took CC Sabathia off the hook after an ineffective outing. Sabathia permitted six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, the third time this season that he has allowed five runs or more. Cameron Rupp hit his first Major League homer and Franco slugged a three-run blast, powering a five-run Phillies fourth inning against the former Cy Young Award winner. "It's tough, especially the way we've been swinging the bats," Sabathia said. "These guys are on fire, and you just want to get them in here and try to score some runs. It hasn't been working out for us." The game started after a rain delay of 1 hour and 21 minutes.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Franco hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, his third homer of the series. He has 10 home runs in 37 games this season, making him the first Phillies rookie to hit 10 homers in 37 or fewer games since Buzz Arlett (33 games) in 1933. He then ripped the game-winning double down the left-field line in the ninth.
• Phillies right-hander Ken Giles struck out the side in the eighth inning, flashing a 99.5 mph fastball at one point. Giles' velocity has been inching upward since the beginning of the season, which is a good sign for the Phillies' bullpen.
• The Phillies announced after the game that they have placed Chase Utley on the disabled list with inflammation in his right ankle. Utley will receive a cortisone injection in the ankle Wednesday. Utley's trip to the DL frees up regular playing time for Hernandez.
• The Phillies have won their first road series since Sept. 5-7, 2014, in Washington. They were 0-13-1 in 14 road series since then. They had not won a road series against an American League East opponent since July 1-3, 2011, in Toronto.
• The Phillies have scored 31 total runs in their previous three outings. In the 10 games before that, they had scored 19 total.
• Franco has 10 RBIs through the first two games of the series. He is the first Phillies player to record at least five RBIs in back-to-back games since the RBI became an official stat in 1920.
• The Yankees have scored a Major League-best 67 runs in the first inning, and they have scored in the opening frame 30 times in 71 games.

NEXT GAME:

Ivan Nova will make his 2015 debut for the Yankees on Wednesday, coming off of Tommy John surgery, and Cole Hamels will start amid trade rumors as the Yankees and Phillies play the finale of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium, with Philadelphia eyeing a sweep. Hamels, who was scratched on Friday due to a strained right hamstring, looks for his sixth win of the season and will assuredly be pitching in front of interested scouts -- as reports have indicated that the Phillies and Rangers have had conversations about a potential deal for Hamels. "Obviously the challenge is great in facing Cole Hamels. He's an outstanding pitcher, and he's been an outstanding pitcher for a long time," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I'm curious to see him pitch tomorrow." Nova is coming off three Minor League rehab starts. He was 2-2 with an 8.27 ERA over four starts in 2014.

PHILS PHACTS:

Franco Putting On Clinic In Bronx – Maikel Franco is making a heck of a name for himself in the Bronx. He went 2-for-3 with one double, one home run, one walk and five RBIs in the Phillies' 11-8 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. He hit a three-run home run to right field in the fourth inning to become the first Phillies rookie to hit 10 home runs in 37 or fewer games since Buzz Arlett (33 games) in 1933. Franco then ripped a game-winning two-run double down the left-field line in the ninth inning against Yankees reliever Dellin Betances, becoming the first Phillies player to have back-to-back five-RBI games since the statistic became official in 1920. "I don't even know," Franco said, asked when he has felt this good at the plate. "I'm just like locked in right now and I'm just in a good moment. I see a lot of good pitches to hit, and that's what's happening right now." Franco is 6-for-8 with two doubles, three home runs and 10 RBIs in two games against the Yankees. The kid looks legit. The Yankees seem to have noticed. Coincidence or not, Yankees left-hander Justin Wilson drilled Franco with a 95-mph fastball to start the top of the seventh inning. It was Franco's first at-bat following his three-run homer. "I don't think it fazed him," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. Franco is hitting .319 (46-for-144) with nine doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 29 RBIs and a .972 OPS. He almost single-handedly has helped the Phillies score nine or more runs in three consecutive games for the first time since July 29-30, 2006, when they scored 32 runs over three games in two days against Florida. Franco's homer in the fourth carried into the short porch in right field, but he ripped a breaking ball against Betances in the ninth. Betances had been dominant this season. He entered the night 4-0 with a 0.26 ERA, striking out 57 batters in 35 innings. "I'm just thinking about adjustments," Franco said. "I knew he was going to throw me a lot of breaking pitches." Franco smiled easily in the clubhouse afterward. Why wouldn't he be? He is on fire offensively, and his family got to watch his heroics in person. "I'm just in a great moment right now," he said. "I want to preserve the moment. I want to have fun."

Utley Goes Down – Chase Utley is down. The Phillies announced after Tuesday night's 11-6 win over the Yankees that they have placed him on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right ankle. It is the same ankle that Utley badly sprained in January during offseason workouts, and the same ankle that forced him to miss the beginning of Spring Training. "It's hard to tell," Utley said, asked how much the ankle has affected him at the plate. "Obviously, it's been bothering me for a little while. Most players have aches and pains through the year. So I'm not shocked with that. It's really showing no improvement. So I think it's a good time to get it right. We will have a cortisone shot tomorrow. We'll take a little time off, and hopefully that will get it squared away." Utley is hitting .179 (39-for-218) with seven doubles, one triple, four home runs, 25 RBIs and a .532 OPS in 65 games. His batting average and OPS are last among 163 qualified hitters in baseball. The Phillies almost certainly do not mind Utley's trip to the DL because he has a $15 million club option for 2016 that automatically vests if he reaches 500 plate appearances. He has 249 through the team's first 73 games. Depending on how much time he misses and how well Cesar Hernandez plays as his replacement, the option could no longer be an issue upon his return. "Talking to the doctor today, the more time I can lay off it the better chance it has to heal properly," Utley said. "I don't have an exact time frame. It will be at least 15 days." Utley said his knees, which have been an issue in the past, are healthy. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said he was surprised by the news, because he said Utley told him he had been fine. "My communication with Chase throughout this season about playing is that he's been up and willing to go, and no real reports of anything holding him back," Sandberg said. "I was a little bit surprised by it in some regards. "I don't know if it's affected him, but to get it taken care of with a stint on the DL is the next step to see if that helps him get that behind him. But the way that he's moved around and run the bases and run hard and played defense, I don't think it was holding him back all that much, in my opinion. But to have it bothering now -- as he said it has kind of crept up on him to the point of getting it rechecked and re-evaluated -- that's what he feels." Sandberg's comment that he was unaware of any issues with Utley's ankle is interesting, because the Phillies said Utley had an MRI on May 16, which showed some inflammation and swelling. "It was present on the bone itself," Phillies head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said. "Most of the ligaments on the outside are healing pretty well. The ligament on the inside still had some healing to still go. He has some symptoms that we want to take care of. So we'll place him on the DL and try to get him healthy."

Hamels On Display – If a contending team needs a starting pitcher, bet the farm it has called the Phillies about Cole Hamels. He is very much available. Hamels is pitching Wednesday afternoon against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, so expect plenty of scouts in attendance. He missed Friday's start against the Cardinals because of tightness in his right hamstring, but he gave the thumbs up following a bullpen session Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. "There's been a lot of talk about him since the offseason: 'How many more starts does he have in a Philadelphia uniform?'" Yankees manager Joe Girardi said before Tuesday night's game. "Nobody knows. I don't really get too caught up in it. Could he end up in our division? I guess. There are six divisions he could end up in, so I guess the chances are he could end up in ours. But I'm curious to see him pitch tomorrow." FOXSports.com reported Tuesday that the Phillies and Rangers have had continuing talks about Hamels, although one source told MLB.com that a Hamels trade with Texas is "not on the board." Not yet anyway. Phillies scout Gordon Lakey was in Chicago last week scouting the Rangers-White Sox series. Sources said that the Phillies and Rangers have been discussing Hamels since at least the offseason. The two teams actually have been talking for years about Phillies starting pitchers, including injured left-hander Cliff Lee. The Phillies have been talking to other teams, too. That group includes the Red Sox, Cubs, Blue Jays, Yankees, Astros and more. Hamels is 5-5 with a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts this season, and he has been one of the best pitchers in baseball for years. His 3.17 ERA from 2008-15 ranks 10th out of 103 qualified pitchers. His 1.13 WHIP ranks eighth, and his 3.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio is ninth. The Phillies hope Hamels can land them their greatest haul of prospects before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. There are obstacles. Hamels has a limited no-trade clause, and he can block trades to 20 teams. The Rangers and Yankees are not believed to be on that list, with The New York Post reporting that Hamels would waive his no-trade clause to join the Yanks. The Astros are also on the no-trade list, and KHOU-TV in Houston said Hamels has "blocked any possible trade" to Houston for now. But more important than that, Hamels is making $22.5 million this season and is owed at least $73.5 million from 2016-19, which includes a $6 million buyout on a $20 million club option. Phillies president Pat Gillick said Sunday the Phillies are willing to take on a portion of a player's salary to get the right players back in a trade. But at the moment, teams have said that the Phillies are asking for too much, while the Phillies have privately said teams are not offering them much of anything. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. These things happen more than a month before the Trade Deadline. Quite often, once the Deadline gets closer, teams interested in making a deal come together to find one that works. Nobody is there yet, but that time is expected to come.

Is Franco An All Star? – Cole Hamels or Jonathan Papelbon remain the favorites to represent the Phillies on the National League All-Star team, but Maikel Franco at least has entered the conversation as a long shot on the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot, as the latest round of NL voting was released Tuesday. Franco, who set career highs in hits (four), homers (two) and RBIs (five) in a game in Monday's 11-8 victory over the Yankees, drove in five more runs in Tuesday night's 11-6 win over the Yanks -- including a three-run home run and the tiebreaking two-run double in the ninth. He is hitting .319 with nine doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 154 plate appearances since his May 15 promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. But his late start means it is very unlikely he earns a nod. The NL has had 21 rookie position players make the All-Star team. Phillies outfielder Del Ennis and Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper both made the latest debuts of those rookies, playing their first games of the season on April 28, 1946, and April 28, 2012, respectively. If Franco had enough plate appearances to qualify, he would rank second among NL third basemen in OPS. Only Cincinnati's Todd Frazier (.993) is better. Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots. Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info. Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities. The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

Splitting Time – Carlos Ruiz still considers himself the Phillies' No. 1 catcher, but he also sees what is happening in front of him. Cameron Rupp has started three consecutive games behind the plate, including Tuesday night's game against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He also has started six of the last nine and 10 of the last 18. Ruiz, who is one of the only remaining pieces from the 2008 World Series championship team, said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg has not discussed his situation with him, but said, "I'm good. I'm ready to go. I'm not swinging the bat well. I have no excuse. At the same time, I'll keep working and stay in good shape. That's the only thing I can control. But I feel good." Ruiz entered Tuesday night's game hitting .227 (37-for-163) with six doubles, 11 RBIs and a .560 OPS in 49 games. Rupp is hitting .265 (22-for-83) with four doubles, one triple, four RBIs and a .671 OPS in 26 games. It is a very similar situation to what is happening at second base with Chase Utley and Cesar Hernandez. Hernandez has started three consecutive games at second base and six of the last nine, although Utley started two of those games as a designated hitter and one game as a first baseman. "I don't know what they're thinking, but I will play when they give me the chance, and we'll see what happens," Ruiz said. The Phillies have looked into trading Ruiz, like every other veteran on the roster. It is unclear if anything has been close, but there certainly are hurdles. First and foremost, Ruiz has a little more than half of this year's $8.5 million salary on the books. He also makes $8.5 million next season, plus has a $500,000 buyout on a 2017 club option. The Phillies would need to eat a large portion of that contract. "I don't have any control over that," Ruiz said. "But I'm happy I'm still in a Phillies uniform. We'll see." Ruiz remains the consummate team player, which is why he has been one of the most liked and well-respected players in the Phillies' clubhouse for years. He sees his struggles, he sees Rupp swinging a good bat and he understands the team is trying to win. "When given the chance, I have to improve with my bat," Ruiz said.

Bowa Backs Sandberg – Larry Bowa knows the Phillies and their fans better than anybody. After all, this is his fourth tour through the organization as a player, third-base coach, manager and now bench coach under his buddy, Ryne Sandberg. The Phillies, at 25-47, have the worst record in Major League Baseball, and the fans are howling in disapproval. Right now, Bowa doesn't know whether Sandberg will be back next year to serve out the final season on a three-year contract or whether even Bowa will be asked to return. This is the back end of his own two-year deal. Bowa has been dismissed twice in his career as a manager in San Diego and Philadelphia, and the one thing he does know is that too much heat for this lost season is being placed on Sandberg and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "Yeah, I do, and that's just my opinion," Bowa said during a wide-ranging interview in the Phils' dugout at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night before they played the Yankees. "You just don't become stupid after winning a World Series and winning division titles. Sandberg knows how to play the game, and he knows the strategy of it. If you don't have the horses, it doesn't matter how good a manager you are." The Phillies, as you might imagine, place a high premium on loyalty to those who have made a commitment to the organization. Amaro was named general manager in 2008 just after the Phils defeated the Rays to win the second World Series in club history. Before that, Amaro had spent a decade as an assistant to Pat Gillick and Ed Wade. Sandberg replaced Charlie Manuel as manager on Aug. 16, 2013. The Hall of Fame second baseman was a 20th-round Draft pick of the Phillies in 1978, played 13 games for them in 1981, and was traded with Bowa to the Cubs prior to the '82 season. With Bowa at shortstop and Sandberg at second base, the Cubs won a division title in 1984, the year Sandberg won the National League MVP Award. Bowa and Sandberg have been tied at the hip ever since. History. Loyalty. This is the main thing everyone needs to understand about the Phils. They're all trying to weather a very difficult storm, particularly Sandberg. "Ryno's doing good. He's been patient as heck. I told him the other day, 'I don't know how you do it,'" Bowa said. "He's never complained about the hand he's been dealt. He just keeps moving along. We do all the extra work at home. We take infield every day, bunting, PFP [pitchers' fielding practice]. Nobody does that. "He's just trying to get these young guys to improve. He's never once said, 'This is bad!' He just goes about his business, and he's getting a lot of heat for it." Bowa, the shortstop on Philadelphia's first World Series-winning team of 1980, has no compunction about speaking his mind. He never has. "This team is bad, at least as far as wins and losses are concerned," Bowa said. "It doesn't take a genius when you look at the pitching we run out there. You don't win if you don't have pitching. It's as simple as that. It's going to take a while." And the reaction of the local Phillies fans to all that? "They're not very happy," Bowa said. "When you've played there long enough and coach and manage, you get a feel for the pulse of the city. I go into a grocery store and people ask me, 'What's going on?' They're disgruntled. They don't like the product we're putting out there. They take it as a slap in the face." It wasn't supposed to be this way. Amaro thought he had built a starting rotation to last, adding Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay at considerable cost behind Cole Hamels, the MVP of both the NL Championship Series and World Series in 2008. The trio was intact for only the 2011-12 seasons. In 2011, they combined to win 50 games, and in Game 1 of their NL Division Series against the Reds, Halladay pitched only the second no-hitter in postseason history. Less than two years later, Halladay had right shoulder surgery, and by the end of the 2013 season, he was gone for good. Retired at the age of 36. Lee has made only 13 starts the past two seasons, hasn't pitched at all this year and is currently on the disabled list with a left forearm strain. At 36, he also appears to be done. That leaves a makeshift rotation behind Hamels, whom Amaro has reportedly shopped all year, thus far to no avail. Bowa said he's wary of that move and obtaining a new host of prospects instead of having a proven starter. "If we don't trade [Hamels], we won't get anything, and we'll have to continue to build through the Draft. And that's no lead-pipe cinch," Bowa said. "Say you did trade Hamels and you get three guys. You could miss on all three. It's a tenuous situation. Nobody knows if this is a short- or long-term fix." Regardless, the Phillies are on their fourth .500-or-lower season in a row and haven't made the playoffs since their last run of five straight ended in 2011. It's not the type of scenario anybody envisioned. Still, if Bowa remains healthy and vibrant, even at 69, he wants to remain involved.

The Franco File – Background: It appears that right-handed-hitting Maikel Franco has supplanted Cody Asche at third base for the Phillies. Asche has assumed a new role in the outfield. Franco received a brief big league look last season, appearing in 16 games and hitting only .179. But the strong 6-foot-1, 215-pound native of the Dominican Republic is having much better offensive results so far this season. Franco looks like he belongs in the Major Leagues. He is hitting for both power and average, and he is driving in runs. Franco is a major part of the Phils' future. Signed as an international free agent in 2010, Franco completed parts of six Minor League seasons in the Phillies' development program. He has a .280 batting average in 2,355 Minor League plate appearances. Franco was enjoying his best season, hitting .355 with 12 doubles, a triple and four home runs at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before his May promotion to Philadelphia. Batting: Franco feasts on fastballs. He has the power to let the pitcher's velocity combine with his upper-body strength to drive the ball. Franco has strong hands that form an important part of his hitting mechanics. Using a slight uppercut swing, Franco uses the barrel of the bat well, creating enough lift to put the ball out of most Major League parks. Franco can scuffle against slower breaking balls due to the long load and setup he uses as his timing mechanism. By the time he is ready, the breaking ball or offspeed pitch can be past his wheelhouse. Even so, Franco's swing is incredibly fast. As Franco likes to extend his hands to attack fastballs in the middle of the plate or even a bit outside, he has also shown some vulnerability to pitches in on his hands. An aggressive middle-of-the-order hitter, Franco doesn't like to walk. Throughout his career, he has shown low strikeout totals for a player of his strength and a low walk rate as well. That career strikeout and walk trend will likely continue as a big league hitter. Defense: Franco can play both corner infield positions. He is a bit sluggish and doesn't have the best ground-ball instincts at third base. Franco may be challenged coming in on slow ground balls hit in front of him. Franco's offense is ahead of his defense. He has a strong, accurate and reliable arm. Best tools: Franco's best tool is his power. He could ultimately hit between 25 and 30 home runs in his home park. Franco's aggressive approach at the plate could cut into his batting average, making his hit tool rather average. Franco's arm strength is an asset that can help him remain at third base. Due to the strength of his arm, he can afford to take a bit of extra time to settle himself prior to throwing. Strengths: Anytime a player can hit with the type of power Franco projects, it can help in a hitter-friendly park. Franco's hands can burst through a fastball. He recognizes pitches fairly well and can cover the center and outside of the plate as well as high and low fastballs. Franco's eye-hand coordination is a plus. Weaknesses: Franco recognizes breaking balls but has difficulty making solid contact against those pitches. He will have to adjust to big league pitchers that avoid throwing him fastballs and count on him swinging aggressively at offspeed breaking pitches. Franco has worked hard to overcome a "hitch" in his swing. Franco isn't very fast. Stolen bases will not likely be among the qualities he brings to his game. Interesting fact: Former Phils manager Charlie Manuel has worked with Franco. Manuel is a terrific hitting coach, and it is not a coincidence that Franco has improved markedly following Manuel's assistance. The Future: For now, Franco can be content playing third base. In the future, however, he may be converted to first base when Ryan Howard departs. An improving defensive infielder, Franco can play both corners adequately. Franco in a word: Aggressive.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 26-47. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance so far this season,  this could end up being the worst team in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 57-59-0 on this day.

Well, The Phillies Didn’t Lose Yesterday!

GAME RECAP: NO GAME YESTERDAY!

Phillies gave their phans a mercy day yesterday as they continue their road trip tonight in Pittsburgh.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• The Phillies are 7-23 away from home this season, their worst road record after 30 games since 1941 (6-24).
• This weekend's games wrap up the season series between the Pirates and Phillies. The teams split four games in Philadelphia on May 11-14.
• The 10 active Phillies who have faced Locke are a combined 6-for-45 (.133) against him.
• Pittsburgh's Corey Hart is 8-for-24 (.333) against Correia, with a double, triple, and home run.

NEXT GAME:

Kevin Correia realizes that, if he pitches well, he could very well be spending the rest of the summer in Philadelphia. "This is a good opportunity, but it's also a great city to play in, a great sports city," Correia said. "Philadelphia was always a place I would enjoy going to." The 34-year-old right-hander will try to take advantage of his opportunity Friday night when he makes his first start in a Phillies uniform against Pittsburgh at PNC Park. Teams closer to postseason contention than the Phillies are likely to soon begin asking about the availability of starting pitchers Cole Hamels and Aaron Harang. If one or both are traded, that leaves the door open for Correia. He signed a free-agent contract on Monday and threw a bullpen session Tuesday in preparation for his start in Pittsburgh. "Obviously, the business side of baseball is that, sometimes, guys get moved," Correia said. Correia exercised an opt-out clause in his contract on May 29 and was released by San Francisco after having made six starts for Triple-A Sacramento (0-1, 3.58 ERA). The California native made 32 appearances (26 starts) for the Twins and Dodgers last year (7-17, 5.44). He has a career 4.59 ERA while pitching for San Francisco, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Los Angeles. The Pirates will counter with Jeff Locke, who has owned the Phillies in four career starts against them. Locke is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in those games, including two victories in 2014. The 27-year-old left-hander began the season with a pair of wins over Milwaukee, but he has just one victory to show for his last nine starts.

PHILS PHACTS:

MLB.com Phillies Beat Reporter Todd Zolecki is back again answering questions from phans about trades, the draft, and whether Chase Utley is going to turn things around (again). The full article can be read here.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 22-39. 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 45-47-0 on this day.