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

The_Myth · 12-03-2019, 12:30 AM

Aug. 26, 1985

Charles Hudson is on the hill to start a two-gamer against the Padres, which finishes off the homestand.

Game 1985-125: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 2, Padres 1 / 75-50

Not a lot of offense lately, but in this one we don’t need it, as Hudson goes eight and gives up just one run on three hits. Juan Samuel’s fourth-inning homer provides the difference.

Aug. 27, 1985

Closer we come to September. Day off tomorrow, but first, we need a win against the Padres. Let’s head out West feeling good. Lefty on the bump.

Game 1985-126: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 5, Padres 4 (14) / 76-50

Torturous, but a win nonetheless, and hey, we surpass our win total of 1984. A 4-2 lead evaporates by the sixth inning, as Steve Carlton labors quite a bit (7 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 2 K, 5 BB). The bullpen, however, is masterful, blanking San Diego for seven innings, with Paul Assenmacher striking out four in his two frames. We also get lucky, as Terry Puhl throws out Carmelo Martinez trying to score in the top of the 14th. We win, meanwhile, with a Puhl walk-off walk. Von Hayes has the best game offensively, going 2-for-4 with three walks and two runs scored. So glad this is over - let’s hop on a plane and head to Los Angeles.

We remain 1.5 back of Montreal, and awaiting us are four games with the Dodgers. Pretty important.

Aug. 28, 1985

Tough break for the Orioles: Cal Ripken Jr. is done for the season with a torn back muscle. After starting in every game in 1983, he missed four games last season and is now done at 122 games in 1985. He finishes with a .299/.360/.502 mark; at that pace he would’ve likely had his best season to date.

The Ripken news made me look over the AL MVP race, and it seems Wade Boggs could get his second-straight honor (.347/.444/.479, 6.7 WAR), but it’s more likely the award goes to Jesse Barfield in Toronto (.317/.393/.589, 34 HR, 115 RBI, 8.3 WAR). His teammates George Bell, Rance Mulliniks and Tony Fernandez are also having great seasons.

Aug. 29, 1985

Another Blaise Ilsley report: Bad luck in this one, as he gets a no-decision against the Nashua Pirates: 8 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 11 K, 0 BB. The one run was a home run by Brian Harper. That team also has Jim Olander, whom I dealt for Kent Tekulve. His line in Nashua: 110 PA, .202/.255/.263, 2 HR, 13 RBI, -0.6 WAR. Also in that trade was Dave Kennard, who’s in class-A Prince William: 6 PA, .400/.500/.400, 0.1 WAR.

Four coming against the Dodgers in L.A. Fernando goes first for them, while we counter with John Denny. I’ll take a split, if it’s even possible.

Game 1985-127: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 8, Phillies 3 / 76-51

Feels like one of the games last week in Philly. We get to Fernando just enough, but the Dodgers offense is relentless. Sid Bream hits two homers - he’s now at .265/.341/.426, and I’d kill for a little of that rubbing off on our second-year player, Juan Samuel (.241/.275/.378). And what do you know: Montreal wins and is up 2.5. This series could really kill us.

Aug. 30, 1985

Today we get Orel Hershiser (1.78 ERA). We counter with Joe Johnson. Cool!

Game 1985-128: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 7, Phillies 2 / 76-52

Dick Howser probably leaves Joe Johnson in a slight too long here (6.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 1 K, 4 BB). We have a 2-0 lead that becomes 2-1, then 2-2, then 2-3, and then a two-run triple from Franklin Stubbs ruins us. And our offense can’t do much more. This Dodgers team is thoroughly better in every way, and they’re playing their best baseball at the right time. Apparently we needed to win more games earlier this year against Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. We’re three in back of Montreal.

Aug. 31, 1985

We can really use a huge Charles Hudson start, and no bullpen issues, enough offense, and a win. We can really use it.

Game 1985-129: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 4, Phillies 3 / 76-53

Depressed. We get up 2-0 once again, but then the Dodgers get three off Hudson in the fourth. We tie it in the sixth with a Darren Daulton double, but the Dodgers grab the lead in the seventh with a Pedro Guerrero single. That’s the end. Another loss to Los Angeles. We’re still three back somehow.

Sept. 1, 1985

Roster expansion day, and maybe some reinforcements will help. We’re going to wait until after this final game to call up some folks, but I imagine at least a bench bat, long-man and reliever are coming up right away.

I can’t wait to leave Los Angeles.

Game 1985-130: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 5, Phillies 3 / 76-54

No more words for this one. Up 1-0, then 2-1, then 3-2, and then that’s it. Every game the freaking same. The Dodgers basically let you hang around until the fifth or sixth, wait you out and beat you down. Tom Niedenfuer may have a 1.67 ERA, but I don’t believe he’s given up a run at all. Rick Honeycutt allows 12 hits and yet none really do much damage. On that end, we can’t get the big hit early.

Thankfully we remain just three behind Montreal. There’s still a chance, but if we even make it, we’re getting pounded by the Dodgers in the NLCS. No two ways around it.

Alright, callup time. Here’s our list of immediate promotions:

SP Mike Maddux promoted to MLB Philadelphia
RP Don Carman promoted to MLB Philadelphia
LF/RF Jeff Stone promoted to MLB Philadelphia

Maddux was added to the 40-man, and I removed reliever Rich Gaynor, who heads to waivers. I don’t imagine he’ll be claimed, but we’ll see. These seem obvious to me - it would’ve been Kelly Downs if not Maddux, Carman is the best and most polished reliever in the bin (apologies to Todd Worrell), and Stone could really provide a change of pace. I might even move Von Hayes back to center field for a few games to get Stone in these contests a bit. Portland is 6.5 out in their division race, so it’s likely they’re just on the wrong side of things now. Fine to call up the best.

I imagine once the Reading season ends (Sept. 6), we’ll promote some of those folks to Portland for the final few weeks, bringing up another few players from the 40-man. I don’t want a roster any larger than 34-35.

Meanwhile, Peninsula’s season has ended with a poor 59-81 mark. That means a few players head up to Clearwater to get those boys through the postseason (they’re up 18 on the whole league with an 89-38 record).

RP Todd Frohwirth promoted to A Clearwater
RP Woodrow Broussard promoted to A Clearwater
1B Ronnie Gideon promoted to A Clearwater
SS Gregg Jefferies promoted to A Clearwater

The big one is Jefferies, obviously. Fun lines in both R Bend and A Peninsula:

Bend - 26 G, 26 GS, 121 PA, .291/.388/.495, 3 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 22 R, 7 K, 17 BB, 13 SB, 2 CS, 0.9 WAR
Peninsula - 26 G, 26 GS, 121 PA, .391/.421/.564, 8 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 20 R, 6 K, 8 BB, 8 SB, 1 CS, 1.7 WAR

Same amount of appearances and games in Peninsula, but a better hitter who attacked a lot more. His fielding was rated better, too. He’s very likely starting 1986 in Reading, and to end ‘85 he’ll get to help Clearwater win the Florida State League.

New power rankings. Woo-hoo:

1. Toronto Blue Jays - 84-47
2. Detroit Tigers - 84-46
3. Los Angeles Dodgers - 80-50
4. New York Mets - 71-59
5. Montreal Expos -79-51

We’re 10th. Tenth! Look, I know the Dodgers swept us, but we started the week going 2-0 against San Diego! Whatever. We’re just five ahead of the Mets now. Gotta win some games this week.

Also, Atlanta (46-84) is eliminated from postseason contention. The Dodgers have a 13.5-game lead. Dag. Also, the Mariners are now up 2.5 in the AL West, playing at a respectable 70-61. Detroit is up 0.5 over Toronto (another fun race here!).

12-03-2019, 12:30 AM	#131
The_Myth Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: World Posts: 172	Aug. 26, 1985 Charles Hudson is on the hill to start a two-gamer against the Padres, which finishes off the homestand. Game 1985-125: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 2, Padres 1 / 75-50 Not a lot of offense lately, but in this one we don’t need it, as Hudson goes eight and gives up just one run on three hits. Juan Samuel’s fourth-inning homer provides the difference. Aug. 27, 1985 Closer we come to September. Day off tomorrow, but first, we need a win against the Padres. Let’s head out West feeling good. Lefty on the bump. Game 1985-126: Veterans Stadium - Phillies 5, Padres 4 (14) / 76-50 Torturous, but a win nonetheless, and hey, we surpass our win total of 1984. A 4-2 lead evaporates by the sixth inning, as Steve Carlton labors quite a bit (7 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 2 K, 5 BB). The bullpen, however, is masterful, blanking San Diego for seven innings, with Paul Assenmacher striking out four in his two frames. We also get lucky, as Terry Puhl throws out Carmelo Martinez trying to score in the top of the 14th. We win, meanwhile, with a Puhl walk-off walk. Von Hayes has the best game offensively, going 2-for-4 with three walks and two runs scored. So glad this is over - let’s hop on a plane and head to Los Angeles. We remain 1.5 back of Montreal, and awaiting us are four games with the Dodgers. Pretty important. Aug. 28, 1985 Tough break for the Orioles: Cal Ripken Jr. is done for the season with a torn back muscle. After starting in every game in 1983, he missed four games last season and is now done at 122 games in 1985. He finishes with a .299/.360/.502 mark; at that pace he would’ve likely had his best season to date. The Ripken news made me look over the AL MVP race, and it seems Wade Boggs could get his second-straight honor (.347/.444/.479, 6.7 WAR), but it’s more likely the award goes to Jesse Barfield in Toronto (.317/.393/.589, 34 HR, 115 RBI, 8.3 WAR). His teammates George Bell, Rance Mulliniks and Tony Fernandez are also having great seasons. Aug. 29, 1985 Another Blaise Ilsley report: Bad luck in this one, as he gets a no-decision against the Nashua Pirates: 8 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 11 K, 0 BB. The one run was a home run by Brian Harper. That team also has Jim Olander, whom I dealt for Kent Tekulve. His line in Nashua: 110 PA, .202/.255/.263, 2 HR, 13 RBI, -0.6 WAR. Also in that trade was Dave Kennard, who’s in class-A Prince William: 6 PA, .400/.500/.400, 0.1 WAR. Four coming against the Dodgers in L.A. Fernando goes first for them, while we counter with John Denny. I’ll take a split, if it’s even possible. Game 1985-127: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 8, Phillies 3 / 76-51 Feels like one of the games last week in Philly. We get to Fernando just enough, but the Dodgers offense is relentless. Sid Bream hits two homers - he’s now at .265/.341/.426, and I’d kill for a little of that rubbing off on our second-year player, Juan Samuel (.241/.275/.378). And what do you know: Montreal wins and is up 2.5. This series could really kill us. Aug. 30, 1985 Today we get Orel Hershiser (1.78 ERA). We counter with Joe Johnson. Cool! Game 1985-128: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 7, Phillies 2 / 76-52 Dick Howser probably leaves Joe Johnson in a slight too long here (6.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 1 K, 4 BB). We have a 2-0 lead that becomes 2-1, then 2-2, then 2-3, and then a two-run triple from Franklin Stubbs ruins us. And our offense can’t do much more. This Dodgers team is thoroughly better in every way, and they’re playing their best baseball at the right time. Apparently we needed to win more games earlier this year against Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. We’re three in back of Montreal. Aug. 31, 1985 We can really use a huge Charles Hudson start, and no bullpen issues, enough offense, and a win. We can really use it. Game 1985-129: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 4, Phillies 3 / 76-53 Depressed. We get up 2-0 once again, but then the Dodgers get three off Hudson in the fourth. We tie it in the sixth with a Darren Daulton double, but the Dodgers grab the lead in the seventh with a Pedro Guerrero single. That’s the end. Another loss to Los Angeles. We’re still three back somehow. Sept. 1, 1985 Roster expansion day, and maybe some reinforcements will help. We’re going to wait until after this final game to call up some folks, but I imagine at least a bench bat, long-man and reliever are coming up right away. I can’t wait to leave Los Angeles. Game 1985-130: Dodger Stadium - Dodgers 5, Phillies 3 / 76-54 No more words for this one. Up 1-0, then 2-1, then 3-2, and then that’s it. Every game the freaking same. The Dodgers basically let you hang around until the fifth or sixth, wait you out and beat you down. Tom Niedenfuer may have a 1.67 ERA, but I don’t believe he’s given up a run at all. Rick Honeycutt allows 12 hits and yet none really do much damage. On that end, we can’t get the big hit early. Thankfully we remain just three behind Montreal. There’s still a chance, but if we even make it, we’re getting pounded by the Dodgers in the NLCS. No two ways around it. Alright, callup time. Here’s our list of immediate promotions: SP Mike Maddux promoted to MLB Philadelphia RP Don Carman promoted to MLB Philadelphia LF/RF Jeff Stone promoted to MLB Philadelphia Maddux was added to the 40-man, and I removed reliever Rich Gaynor, who heads to waivers. I don’t imagine he’ll be claimed, but we’ll see. These seem obvious to me - it would’ve been Kelly Downs if not Maddux, Carman is the best and most polished reliever in the bin (apologies to Todd Worrell), and Stone could really provide a change of pace. I might even move Von Hayes back to center field for a few games to get Stone in these contests a bit. Portland is 6.5 out in their division race, so it’s likely they’re just on the wrong side of things now. Fine to call up the best. I imagine once the Reading season ends (Sept. 6), we’ll promote some of those folks to Portland for the final few weeks, bringing up another few players from the 40-man. I don’t want a roster any larger than 34-35. Meanwhile, Peninsula’s season has ended with a poor 59-81 mark. That means a few players head up to Clearwater to get those boys through the postseason (they’re up 18 on the whole league with an 89-38 record). RP Todd Frohwirth promoted to A Clearwater RP Woodrow Broussard promoted to A Clearwater 1B Ronnie Gideon promoted to A Clearwater SS Gregg Jefferies promoted to A Clearwater The big one is Jefferies, obviously. Fun lines in both R Bend and A Peninsula: Bend - 26 G, 26 GS, 121 PA, .291/.388/.495, 3 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 22 R, 7 K, 17 BB, 13 SB, 2 CS, 0.9 WAR Peninsula - 26 G, 26 GS, 121 PA, .391/.421/.564, 8 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 20 R, 6 K, 8 BB, 8 SB, 1 CS, 1.7 WAR Same amount of appearances and games in Peninsula, but a better hitter who attacked a lot more. His fielding was rated better, too. He’s very likely starting 1986 in Reading, and to end ‘85 he’ll get to help Clearwater win the Florida State League. New power rankings. Woo-hoo: 1. Toronto Blue Jays - 84-47 2. Detroit Tigers - 84-46 3. Los Angeles Dodgers - 80-50 4. New York Mets - 71-59 5. Montreal Expos -79-51 We’re 10th. Tenth! Look, I know the Dodgers swept us, but we started the week going 2-0 against San Diego! Whatever. We’re just five ahead of the Mets now. Gotta win some games this week. Also, Atlanta (46-84) is eliminated from postseason contention. The Dodgers have a 13.5-game lead. Dag. Also, the Mariners are now up 2.5 in the AL West, playing at a respectable 70-61. Detroit is up 0.5 over Toronto (another fun race here!).