The Heart of the Season

We’re a little over half-way through the IronPigs season.  We enter a pivotal point.  This morning the IronPigs trail the Pawtucket RedSox by 6 1/2 games in the International League North Division.  However, the IronPigs lead in the Wild Card race over Buffalo and Norfolk by a game and a half.  There are ten games left versus Pawtucket–6 home and 4 away–and eight games left versus Buffalo.  The season series versus Norfolk is over, but the Tides are reeling–2-8 over their past 10 games.  There’s plenty of opportunity for this Lehigh Valley team to make the playoffs.

But don’t order your playoff tickets yet.  We’ve got work to do.  Over the next 27 days the IronPigs play 19 home games in 18 days, so go along with 6 away games (2 of which are 1 hour north in Moosic; 4 against last-place Syracuse) and three off-days for the All Star Break.  This massive home schedule is the opportunity this team needs to take control.  It won’t come with ease, though.  The Phillies continue to have problems scoring runs, and when they do have  a lead, their relievers haven’t been able to hold it.  We know these problems will trickle down to the IronPigs as pitchers get shuffled around and the Phils search for bats.  The trade deadline will  be approaching during this time too.  If the Phillies want a better player, they may decide to ship a couple prospects, which could cost the IronPigs some players.  There’s not much in Reading to help us, either.  On the flip side, though, should the Phillies trade away a couple high-priced veterans, it could yield MLB-ready prospects (or close) and that could give us an extra player or two for the playoff run.  The host team in the Gildan National Championship is still a possibility!  One final thing:  Expect to see tired and surly IronPigs staffers by the time the ‘Pigs leave for Rochester on July 21.  There’s plenty of work for them over this stretch.

The First Home Stand

The IronPigs will play at home the next nine days as they host Durham and Toledo for their annual 4-game visits.  The Pigs  then enjoy a one-game “series” against Syracuse on July 3 as their share of the Independence Day weekend.  Here are the events of this series:

• Tuesday, June 25: Salt and Pepper Voucher Day; Ballpark Bingo
• Wednesday, June 26: Domonic Brown Commemorative Glass
• Thursday, June 27: Comic Book Night; Happy Hour; Pig Roast
• Friday, June 28: Fireworks
• Saturday, June 29 (6:35): Fireworks
• Sunday, June 30 (1:35): Youth Replica Jersey Shirt (new away jersey design; #13 for Josh Fields?!?)
• Monday, July 1: Fireworks
• Tuesday, July 2: Fireworks (DOLLAR DOG NIGHT- the only one for 2013!)
• Wednesday, July 3: 3-D Fireworks Extravaganza

Roster

When Chase Utley was activated by the Phillies, Michael Martinez was optioned to the Lehigh Valley.  He was later DFA’d to be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for JC Ramirez, who was called up by Philadelphia as Mike Adams headed for the DL.  Mike Stutes also headed for the DL, so Phillipe Aumont was recalled by Philadelphia.  Michael Martinez then passed through waivers unclaimed, was outrighted to the IronPigs and will rejoin the team for this home stand.  The IronPigs received RHP Luis Garcia from the Reading Fightins.  He’s a reliever who’s been really good for both Clearwater and Reading this season.  He had a difficult year in Independent ball last season, and sources tell me had immigration trouble which has impacted his career trajectory. However, reports out of Reading have him hitting 97-98 MPH with his fastball.  He also reportedly throws a slider at various speeds which will effect its movement.  He should be interesting to watch.

Wait, How Did We Get Here?

The ‘Pigs are returning from their annual Ohio road trip where they took the Toledo series 3-1.  Although Toledo is in last place, they were on a hot streak when the IronPigs arrived in town.  The Pigs then split with Columbus 2-2.  The perennially tough Clippers were on a cold-streak, but the IronPigs managed to snatch defeat from the claws of victory via a Tyler Cloyd slow start and a bullpen melt down on BBQ day.  What’s worse is that Pawtucket was on the same Ohio junket playing opposite us, and went 7-1 to our 5-3, picking up two games in the process.

What to Expect from Durham

Well, don’t expect a return of Richie T.  He broke his foot/ankle making a play against the wall recently, and will be on the shelf with surgery and rehab for a time.  He’ll not make the trip back to Pennsylvania this time, unfortunately.  Durham is in first place in the IL South, with about the same record as Pawtucket in the North.  The come in having won one, 6-4 over their past 10.  They arrive from Buffalo where they dropped three of four.  Also don’t expect to see Super-Prospect Wil Myers, who is now up with Tampa.  Some familiar names with Durham right now:  INF Mike Fontenot, Pig-Killer Shelley Duncan, Pitching Prospect Jake Odorizzi (probable to face Zambrano on Friday).  The Bulls have only two active OF on their roster right now with Thompson injured and Cody Rogers on the restricted list; I suppose they have utility-type infielders who can play corner OF if the web roster’s not up to date.  That may be something to watch over this series:  Outfield play for the Bulls.

What to Expect from the IronPigs

The ‘Pigs have been playing solid ball on all levels in June with mostly solid starting pitching and relief.  Hitters doing well up and down the lineup–starters and reserves.  Here are the questions the IronPigs will face during the upcoming stretch:

1. Can Tyler Cloyd return to form?  I think that we all can agree that Tyler did a more-than-adequate job during his time will the Phillies.  He had one bad outing in Fenway, but was otherwise outstanding.  His three games “returning” for the IronPigs have been less so.  He seemed to get it together after a shaky start in Columbus.  I look forward to seeing how he does Thursday night against Durham.
   
2. How long will we have Carlos Zambrano?  I’ve been thinking about this question from a number of viewpoints.  On one hand, Z seemed to say publicly that he was ready and that he wanted the Phillies to make a decision before his July 1 opt-out.  In this case, he can’t be happy with his solid-but-not-spectacular performance Sunday night in Columbus, nor can he be pleased with having another start Friday night, two days prior to his opt-out (projected; not announced).  On the other hand, if other teams (the Orioles and the Blue Jays were the others initially interested) aren’t calling, there are worse places to pitch than with the IronPigs.  He could just stay in our rotation until he gets a bite, and THEN opt-out.  As a AAA I feel he’s really solid.  For MLB, I’m not so sure.  It will be fund to watch, as well.
3. How long will we have Darrin Ruf?  Ruf’s not hitting the cover off the ball, but he is playing some good baseball both at the plate as well as in Left Field.  You’ve got to wonder how long the Phillies are going to wait before they consider that he can’t be that much worse than Delmon Young.  When I hear that they’ve called up Darrin Ruf, I won’t be surprised.
4. How will the PawSox do over this time? Ehh, it’s probably too  early to start the scoreboard watching, but I don’t want them too far ahead.  They’re home for Toledo and Scranton before they head off to Rochester then down to Allentown.

What’s for Dinner?

PigStop Menu for the current home stand:

Tuesday: Pasta Station

Wednesday: Pig Trough: Pig Skins covered in Chili and the fixins

Thursday: Cheeseburger Quesadilla

Friday: Polish Committee (Kielbasa, Pierogies, Kraut, Mustard)

Saturday: Pretzel Dog

Sunday: Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders

Monday: Patty Melt – 1/2lb beef patty on rye

Tuesday: Build Your Own Panini (sounds good, but remember, this is dollar dog night)

Wednesday: Pie A-LA-MODE!

(good stuff, but I miss wing night..)

 

See you at the park

(maybe we should try to get a tailgate in there someplace)

@Kram209