OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The Dead Zone: The Philadelphia Phillies (1984-

The_Myth · 11-16-2019, 12:45 AM

Aug. 2, 1985

We arrive in St. Louis for four. I’m not exactly sure what else we can do but hope the offense turns this around soon. And hope that Montreal hits a skid soon, too.

Game 1985-101: Busch Stadium - Phillies 2, Cardinals 0 / 63-38

Shoot. Kevin Gross starts this one but leaves in the third with an injury. We’re not quite sure what’s wrong at this point, and that’s a problem.

At least the bullpen picks it up, with Tug McGraw turning in a heroic 3.1 scoreless innings (at this point, if Dick feels it, I’m just agreeing), followed by Bill Campbell and Kent Tekulve. Offensively, Mike Schmidt strikes a big two-run homer in the sixth. We need his bat right now. The Expos lose, so the deficit is now three.

Aug. 3, 1985

Early morning phone call from Chris Thomas. He has Blaise Ilsley’s latest line in Reading: 9 IP, 2 ER, 10 H, 9 K, 3 BB. Impressive, though he still needs seasoning. He’s 6-0 with a 2.73 ERA in AA.

Game 1985-102: Busch Stadium - Phillies 8, Cardinals 6 / 64-38

A wild one. St. Louis goes up 3-1. We score one in the seventh, then four in the eighth - a Mike Schmidt RBI double and Juan Samuel three-run home run - to grab a 6-3 lead. Then John Denny gives back that three-run lead. But we get two more in the ninth (Terry Puhl and Paul Molitor with big hits) to seize the win. We’re still three behind Montreal.

Aug. 4, 1985

We’re still a few days from Kevin Gross’ spot in the rotation, but we’ll need a pitcher. If it’s not Gross, the aligned pitcher in Portland is Joe Johnson (161 IP, 4.14 ERA, 84, 33 BB). We could do worse. I could possibly start Mike Maddux, as well (142 IP, 4.31 ERA, 82 K, 63 BB), but I’d rather go with Johnson.

Oh, in Reading, the aligned starter is Blaise Ilsley. Heh. I could ...

Speaking of draftees:

SS Gregg Jefferies promoted to A Peninsula
SS Ken Kraft demoted to R Bend

Let’s get Jefferies (121 PA, .291/.388/.495, 10 XBH, 7 K, 17 BB, 13 SB, 2 CS) moving.

Game 1985-103: Busch Stadium - Cardinals 1, Phillies 0 / 64-39

We need to hit. We just need to. It seems when Mike Schmidt isn’t hitting, we’re not winning. Joaquin Andujar throws 120 pitches and just keeps us off balance and hitting into poor outs. Scott Sanderson (8 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 3 BB) was good, the only blemish being an RBI double from - get this - Andujar. It kills. And naturally, Montreal wins to go back up four.

The power rankings:

1. Montreal Expos - 69-36
2. Toronto Blue Jays - 67-40
2. Detroit Tigers - 68-36
4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - 64-39
5. Los Angeles Dodgers - 60-44

Another great battle happening in the AL East between those two heavyweights. Otherwise the Dodgers (up six) are starting to run away with the NL West once again, while Seattle has overtaken first in a terrible AL West. They’re 52-53 (or 17 games back in our division), with five teams within four games. It peeves me that Texas, like us, is four back of first place, but they’re 47-56.

Aug. 5, 1985

We could really use a win here and an Expos loss. Let’s just hope.

Game 1985-104: Busch Stadium - Phillies 3, Cardinals 2 / 65-39

We go up 2-0 (another Mike Schmidt home run, his 23rd), but Steve Carlton lets St. Louis tie it in the seventh. A Glenn Wilson single breaks it back in our favor in the ninth, and Kent Tekulve notches a two-out save. Big win.

And Montreal loses. Big. Back to three. Let’s get it to two.

Aug. 6, 1985

We get the worst news. Kevin Gross has a partially torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season.

Damnit.

Here are his final numbers for 1985: 142.1 IP, 11-3, 1.83 ERA, 92 K, 29 BB, 3.7 WAR. He was our best starter throughout the season and now he’s done. We can second-guess not going out there and getting another starting pitcher like Mike Scott or Bert Blyleven, but let’s be honest, what’s done is done. All hindsight.

Here are our options right now:

SP Joe Johnson (AAA) - 161 IP, 8-10, 4.14 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 4.7 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, RATINGS 40/40/50, zero 50+ pitches
SP Mike Maddux (AAA) - 142 IP, 12-7, 4.31 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 5.2 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, RATINGS 50/35/45, one 50+ pitch
SP Blaise Ilsley (AA) - 56 IP, 6-0, 2.73 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, RATINGS 70/35/40, three 55+ pitches

Alternatively, we can juggle some things around and go with:

SP Kelly Downs (AAA) - 150.2 IP, 14-4, 3.76 ERA, 4.65 FIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, RATINGS 50/40/45, two 50+ pitches

Of all those options, let’s be honest, Ilsley is the best bet, though his movement would be an issue, and I don’t want to stunt his development. I really do think he needs to be in Reading for the rest of the season. Otherwise, we could go with a four-man rotation. The issue is we won’t have a day off until Aug. 19, and in the middle of that is a doubleheader against St. Louis. We really shouldn’t tax the starters that much yet.

Damnit. I do know that we won’t turn to Maddux, so we’re going to sleep on it for a day. Back home to face the Pirates.

Game 1985-105: Veterans Stadium - Pirates 12, Phillies 3 / 65-40

Everything is starting to fall apart, it seems. Charles Hudson, invincible for the first half of the season, gives up four earned in four innings. Donnie Moore has a terrible 1.2 innings (5 ER, 6 H). Eddie Vargas hits two homers. Maybe we’ve just run out of steam.

Over in Baltimore, Toronto’s Don Sutton and the Orioles’ Bob Tumpane got into a fight after a beaning. Tumpane will miss four games, while Sutton is out for eight.

Aug. 7, 1985

After sleeping on it, I’ve decided risking Ilsley’s development isn’t quite worth it yet. As much I want to go guns blazing, my whole mantra this year has been to stay the course with development - no big changes in either direction. Pushing Ilsley this quickly seems to defeat that purpose. Plus, if I can’t turn to Joe Johnson now, what good was the trade for? He has to be my guy right now.

SP Joe Johnson promoted to MLB Philadelphia

As for a scouting report, he’s a 23-year-old sidearmer who relies on deception, plus control, to get guys out. It’s worked this year, as he’s walked just 33 batters in 161 innings. He gives up a few too many hits, but if he limits them to singles, he’s usually in good shape. He’ll top out at 91-92 with the fastball, but he also throws a working sinker and curveball.

So, here we go. We can really use the offense tonight.

Game 1985-106: Veterans Stadium - Pirates 4, Phillies 3 / 65-41

Johnson pitches well enough, hanging in for seven innings of three-run ball. But the offense can’t do enough. No big hits in big moments. Tony Armas (0-for-3) has hit .167 since coming here. Glenn Wilson has been a sieve as of late. Von Hayes comes up lame in big spots. We just can’t do it. And it sucks, since Montreal has lost three straight, and we haven’t been able to make up ground.

Aug. 8, 1985

Last one against the Pirates until a three-gamer in mid-September. We have six left against Montreal, and about the same to go against each of St. Louis, New York, and Chicago.

Game 1985-107: Veterans Stadium - Pirates 5, Phillies 2 / 65-42

This one hurts, because we tie it in the sixth with three-straight doubles from Terry Puhl, Paul Molitor and Mike Schmidt. But then we give up three in the eighth, thanks in part to a Von Hayes error. Those errors are killing us. And once again, Montreal loses. We could’ve been tied now, but instead we got swept by the Pirates at home. Geez.

11-16-2019, 12:45 AM	#125
The_Myth Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: World Posts: 172	Aug. 2, 1985 We arrive in St. Louis for four. I’m not exactly sure what else we can do but hope the offense turns this around soon. And hope that Montreal hits a skid soon, too. Game 1985-101: Busch Stadium - Phillies 2, Cardinals 0 / 63-38 Shoot. Kevin Gross starts this one but leaves in the third with an injury. We’re not quite sure what’s wrong at this point, and that’s a problem. At least the bullpen picks it up, with Tug McGraw turning in a heroic 3.1 scoreless innings (at this point, if Dick feels it, I’m just agreeing), followed by Bill Campbell and Kent Tekulve. Offensively, Mike Schmidt strikes a big two-run homer in the sixth. We need his bat right now. The Expos lose, so the deficit is now three. Aug. 3, 1985 Early morning phone call from Chris Thomas. He has Blaise Ilsley’s latest line in Reading: 9 IP, 2 ER, 10 H, 9 K, 3 BB. Impressive, though he still needs seasoning. He’s 6-0 with a 2.73 ERA in AA. Game 1985-102: Busch Stadium - Phillies 8, Cardinals 6 / 64-38 A wild one. St. Louis goes up 3-1. We score one in the seventh, then four in the eighth - a Mike Schmidt RBI double and Juan Samuel three-run home run - to grab a 6-3 lead. Then John Denny gives back that three-run lead. But we get two more in the ninth (Terry Puhl and Paul Molitor with big hits) to seize the win. We’re still three behind Montreal. Aug. 4, 1985 We’re still a few days from Kevin Gross’ spot in the rotation, but we’ll need a pitcher. If it’s not Gross, the aligned pitcher in Portland is Joe Johnson (161 IP, 4.14 ERA, 84, 33 BB). We could do worse. I could possibly start Mike Maddux, as well (142 IP, 4.31 ERA, 82 K, 63 BB), but I’d rather go with Johnson. Oh, in Reading, the aligned starter is Blaise Ilsley. Heh. I could ... Speaking of draftees: SS Gregg Jefferies promoted to A Peninsula SS Ken Kraft demoted to R Bend Let’s get Jefferies (121 PA, .291/.388/.495, 10 XBH, 7 K, 17 BB, 13 SB, 2 CS) moving. Game 1985-103: Busch Stadium - Cardinals 1, Phillies 0 / 64-39 We need to hit. We just need to. It seems when Mike Schmidt isn’t hitting, we’re not winning. Joaquin Andujar throws 120 pitches and just keeps us off balance and hitting into poor outs. Scott Sanderson (8 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 3 BB) was good, the only blemish being an RBI double from - get this - Andujar. It kills. And naturally, Montreal wins to go back up four. The power rankings: 1. Montreal Expos - 69-36 2. Toronto Blue Jays - 67-40 2. Detroit Tigers - 68-36 4. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - 64-39 5. Los Angeles Dodgers - 60-44 Another great battle happening in the AL East between those two heavyweights. Otherwise the Dodgers (up six) are starting to run away with the NL West once again, while Seattle has overtaken first in a terrible AL West. They’re 52-53 (or 17 games back in our division), with five teams within four games. It peeves me that Texas, like us, is four back of first place, but they’re 47-56. Aug. 5, 1985 We could really use a win here and an Expos loss. Let’s just hope. Game 1985-104: Busch Stadium - Phillies 3, Cardinals 2 / 65-39 We go up 2-0 (another Mike Schmidt home run, his 23rd), but Steve Carlton lets St. Louis tie it in the seventh. A Glenn Wilson single breaks it back in our favor in the ninth, and Kent Tekulve notches a two-out save. Big win. And Montreal loses. Big. Back to three. Let’s get it to two. Aug. 6, 1985 We get the worst news. Kevin Gross has a partially torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season. Damnit. Here are his final numbers for 1985: 142.1 IP, 11-3, 1.83 ERA, 92 K, 29 BB, 3.7 WAR. He was our best starter throughout the season and now he’s done. We can second-guess not going out there and getting another starting pitcher like Mike Scott or Bert Blyleven, but let’s be honest, what’s done is done. All hindsight. Here are our options right now: SP Joe Johnson (AAA) - 161 IP, 8-10, 4.14 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 4.7 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, RATINGS 40/40/50, zero 50+ pitches SP Mike Maddux (AAA) - 142 IP, 12-7, 4.31 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 5.2 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, RATINGS 50/35/45, one 50+ pitch SP Blaise Ilsley (AA) - 56 IP, 6-0, 2.73 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 9.2 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, RATINGS 70/35/40, three 55+ pitches Alternatively, we can juggle some things around and go with: SP Kelly Downs (AAA) - 150.2 IP, 14-4, 3.76 ERA, 4.65 FIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, RATINGS 50/40/45, two 50+ pitches Of all those options, let’s be honest, Ilsley is the best bet, though his movement would be an issue, and I don’t want to stunt his development. I really do think he needs to be in Reading for the rest of the season. Otherwise, we could go with a four-man rotation. The issue is we won’t have a day off until Aug. 19, and in the middle of that is a doubleheader against St. Louis. We really shouldn’t tax the starters that much yet. Damnit. I do know that we won’t turn to Maddux, so we’re going to sleep on it for a day. Back home to face the Pirates. Game 1985-105: Veterans Stadium - Pirates 12, Phillies 3 / 65-40 Everything is starting to fall apart, it seems. Charles Hudson, invincible for the first half of the season, gives up four earned in four innings. Donnie Moore has a terrible 1.2 innings (5 ER, 6 H). Eddie Vargas hits two homers. Maybe we’ve just run out of steam. Over in Baltimore, Toronto’s Don Sutton and the Orioles’ Bob Tumpane got into a fight after a beaning. Tumpane will miss four games, while Sutton is out for eight. Aug. 7, 1985 After sleeping on it, I’ve decided risking Ilsley’s development isn’t quite worth it yet. As much I want to go guns blazing, my whole mantra this year has been to stay the course with development - no big changes in either direction. Pushing Ilsley this quickly seems to defeat that purpose. Plus, if I can’t turn to Joe Johnson now, what good was the trade for? He has to be my guy right now. SP Joe Johnson promoted to MLB Philadelphia As for a scouting report, he’s a 23-year-old sidearmer who relies on deception, plus control, to get guys out. It’s worked this year, as he’s walked just 33 batters in 161 innings. He gives up a few too many hits, but if he limits them to singles, he’s usually in good shape. He’ll top out at 91-92 with the fastball, but he also throws a working sinker and curveball. So, here we go. We can really use the offense tonight. Game 1985-106: Veterans Stadium - Pirates 4, Phillies 3 / 65-41 Johnson pitches well enough, hanging in for seven innings of three-run ball. But the offense can’t do enough. No big hits in big moments. Tony Armas (0-for-3) has hit .167 since coming here. Glenn Wilson has been a sieve as of late. Von Hayes comes up lame in big spots. We just can’t do it. And it sucks, since Montreal has lost three straight, and we haven’t been able to make up ground. Aug. 8, 1985 Last one against the Pirates until a three-gamer in mid-September. We have six left against Montreal, and about the same to go against each of St. Louis, New York, and Chicago. Game 1985-107: Veterans Stadium - Pirates 5, Phillies 2 / 65-42 This one hurts, because we tie it in the sixth with three-straight doubles from Terry Puhl, Paul Molitor and Mike Schmidt. But then we give up three in the eighth, thanks in part to a Von Hayes error. Those errors are killing us. And once again, Montreal loses. We could’ve been tied now, but instead we got swept by the Pirates at home. Geez.