(Photo originally uploaded by jrab.)
I like J.A. Happ, I really do, but every time somebody says no way the Phillies should include him in a trade for Roy Halladay, I become just a little more unhinged. He's been great, undefeated with a 2.68 ERA. He's also beaten the Nationals, Padres, Blue Jays, Pirates, and Marlins, the last four of which he had the lead by the second inning. He was competent against the Orioles, Braves, and Reds. Folks, none of these teams are going to the playoffs.
Tonight, Happ will be tested by the Cardinals, the current leaders in the NL Central. He's been dealing in his last five starts, going at least seven in each and allowing a total of six runs. Let's see what he does when Albert Pujols (1 for 2 v. Happ) hops into the box and starts taking some cuts, and now Matt Holliday who was acquired about 15 minutes ago. I dispatched Matt P. to the airport to find Holliday's flight and create a diversion, so you know who to blame when he lights up the Phillies like a pinball machine.
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Taking the hill for St. Louis is right-hander Joel Pinieiro, who's having something of a career year, though it doesn't show up in the win column. Pinieiro has 3.09 ERA, is sixth in the NL with a 4.25:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and leads the league with three complete games and two shutouts. He's also serving the fewest homers and walks per nine. In his last meeting with the Phils, Pinieiro picked up the W, denying so much as a run in 6.1 innings of work. He and Raul Ibanez (1 for 5 v. Pinieiro) were teammates for awhile in Seattle, so maybe he can give the hitters some hints to solve that curveball.
It sounds like the Phillies require another impressive performance from Happ tonight to get the win, and in turn Happ needs to prove to the Phillies he isn't just beating up on mediocre competetion. Even if he does that, I'm still not convinced they can't deal him for one of the best pitchers in baseball.
And the hype is building behind some reports this thing will be done in the next 24 hours. Amazing.