Opposite dugout: Phillies make Mackanin full-time manager for better consistency in 2016

Opposite dugout: Phillies make Mackanin full-time manager for better consistency in 2016
Manager: Pete Mackanin (1st season) Record: 57-96 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.291/.335/.412 with 40 RBIs), SS Freddy Galvis (.265 with 44 RBIs), 1B Ryan Howard (23 HR, 77 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.84 ERA), RHP Ken Giles (13 saves, 1.38 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-11 Pitching probables: Sept. 25: RHP Jerad Eickhoff vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 26: RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 4:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 27: RHP Aaron Harang vs....
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Opposite dugout: Playing out the string, last-place Phillies are a team in transition

Opposite dugout: Playing out the string, last-place Phillies are a team in transition
Manager: Pete Mackanin (1st season) Record: 56-88 Last 10 games: 3-7 Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.299/.328/.428 with 8 HR, 14 SB), 1B Ryan Howard (22 HR, 76 RBIs), RHP Ken Giles (1.43 ERA, 13 saves), RHP Aaron Nola (6-2, 3.56 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-7 Pitching probables: Sept. 14: RHP Jordan Zimmermann vs. RHP Aaron Nola, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 15: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP David Buchanan, 7:05 p.m., MASN2 Sept. 16: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Adam Morgan, 7:05 p.m.,...
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Opposite dugout: Changes are in the wind for last-place Phillies

Opposite dugout: Changes are in the wind for last-place Phillies
Manager: Ryne Sandberg (3rd season) Record: 26-48 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (.311/.358/558 with 10 HR, 29 RBIs), LF Ben Revere (.292, 18 SB), 1B Ryan Howard (13 HR, 36 RBIs), RHP Aaron Harang (4-9, 3.41 ERA), RHP Jonathan Papelbon (13 saves, 1.88 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. Nationals: 5-4 Pitching probables: June 26: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Aaron Harang, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 27: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Adam Morgan, 3:05 p.m., MASN June 28: RHP Stephen Strasburg...
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Domenic Vadala: Crab cakes, cheesesteaks and forced rivalries

Domenic Vadala: Crab cakes, cheesesteaks and forced rivalries
This week could be called "forced rivalry week" in Major League Baseball with lots of teams playing two-game home-and-home series against regional or natural rivals. Admittedly, some of these so-called rivalries are more forced than others. This would normally be O's vs. Nats week; however, those two teams will play two three-game series later this summer and into the autumn. So the Orioles ended up with Philadelphia this week, which makes sense based on geography. The Atlanta-Boston series...
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Opposite dugout: Struggling Phillies are ripe for the picking, ready for rebuilding

Opposite dugout: Struggling Phillies are ripe for the picking, ready for rebuilding
Manager: Ryne Sandberg (3rd season) Record: 22-42 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (.282 with 6 HR, 16 RBIs), LF Ben Revere (.277 with 15 SB), 1B Ryan Howard (11 HR, 28 RBIs), RHP Aaron Harang (4-7, 3.04 ERA), RHP Jonathan Papelbon (12 saves, 1.05 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (1-2 in 2012) Pitching probables: June 15: RHP Aaron Harang vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 16: RHP Jerome Williams vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN June 17: RHP Ubaldo...
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Harper's balanced game leads to another Nationals win, 4-1 victory

Harper's balanced game leads to another Nationals win, 4-1 victory
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's quest to become a complete baseball player took another positive step forward with a game that mixed timely at-bats with pinpoint accuracy courtesy a rifle of an arm from right field. Harper contributed both offensively and defensively in the Nationals' 4-1 series-clinching win over the Phillies. He had a RBI single, a RBI groundout and an outfield assist to lift the Nationals to their 19th win in their last 24 games. On defense, Harper gloved what appeared...
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Opposite dugout: Recent hot streak doesn't mask Phillies' lingering issues

Opposite dugout: Recent hot streak doesn't mask Phillies' lingering issues
Manager: Ryne Sandberg (3rd season) Record: 18-25 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: 1B Ryan Howard (.257/.307/.521 with 9 HR, 21 RBIs), SS Freddie Galvis (.319, 11 RBIs), CF Odubel Herrera (.262, 13 RBIs), RHP Cole Hamels (4-3, 3.24 ERA), RHP Aaron Harang (4-3, 1.82 ERA), RHP Jonathan Papelbon (11 saves, 1.50 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: 3-3 Pitching probables: May 22: RHP Sean O'Sullivan vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7:05 p.m. MASN May 23: LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 4:05 p.m.,...
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Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to halt skid, continue success vs. Nats

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to halt skid, continue success vs. Nats
Manager: Ryne Sandberg, third year Record: 3-6 Last 10 games: 3-6 Who to watch: 3B Cody Asche (.500/.571/.667, 1 HR, 2 RBIs); 2B Chase Utley (.167/.229/.367, 2 HR, 7 RBIs); LHP Cole Hamels (0-1, 3.75 ERA, 1.00 WHIP); RHP Aaron Harang (1-1, 0.73 ERA, 0.73 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 2-1, 10 runs scored, 7 runs allowed Pitching probables April 16: LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN April 17: RHP Sean O'Sullivan vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 7 p.m., MASN2 April 18: RHP Aaron Harang vs....
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Opposite dugout: Phillies in rebuilding mode as they meet Nats for first time in '15

Opposite dugout: Phillies in rebuilding mode as they meet Nats for first time in '15
Manager: Ryne Sandberg, third year Record: 1-2 Last 10 games: 1-2 Who to watch: C Carlos Ruiz (.375/.583/.375, 0 XBH, 0 RBIs); RF Jeff Francoeur (.222/.222/.556, 1 HR, 3 RBIs); LHP Cole Hamels (0-1, 7.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP); RHP Jerome Williams (4-2, 2.83 ERA, 1.134 WHIP in 2014) Season series vs. Nats (2014): 10-9, 70 runs scored, 84 runs allowed Pitching probables April 10: RHP Jerome Williams vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2 April 11: LHP Cole Hamels vs. RHP Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN2 April...
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I can't hear you, Philadelphia?

I can't hear you, Philadelphia?
How far have the Phillies fallen? So far that a Pennsylvania radio station has decided to drop them from its airwaves to start broadcasting Nationals games. That's right. Sports Radio 96.5 FM in Harrisburg, Pa., is kicking the Phillie Phanatic to the curb and making way for Teddy and the boys. Ron Giovanniello, regional vice president of Cumulus Media Pennsylvania, confirmed the move to The Patriot-News. "Our agreement was up and we made the decision last week to part ways with the Phillies...
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Nationals offense needs more consistency; Hagerstown and Potomac playoff updates

Nationals offense needs more consistency; Hagerstown and Potomac playoff updates
Have you noticed how the Nationals offense has been more all or nothing this season? That is one reason why their record when scoring more than four runs jumps out at you. The Nationals are 66-9 when scoring four or more runs in a game this season. They are 14-52 when scoring three or fewer. Ironically, the Phillies series had two games that were against that average - the 11-inning 9-8 loss on Friday and the 3-2 win on Sunday. But it just seems that the Nationals score zero to three runs...
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Burnett continues to baffle Nats (Phillies win 3-1)

Burnett continues to baffle Nats (Phillies win 3-1)
Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark allowed two earned runs in a tough 3-2 loss to right-hander A.J. Burnett and the Phillies on Aug. 25. In their rematch Saturday, it took the Phillies only three innings before they connected for two earned runs. With one out in the third, Burnett singled. With two outs, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley singled to load the bases. Ryan Howard smacked a base hit through the infield, scoring two runs, and the Phillies led 2-0. The Nationals enjoyed only a single...
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LaRoche, Strasburg start off well (Phillies win 9-8 in 11 innings)

LaRoche, Strasburg start off well (Phillies win 9-8 in 11 innings)
There was some question prior to Friday's series opener against the Phillies whether or not first baseman Adam LaRoche would be able to play. He admitted during pregame that he has been battling back pain, elbow soreness and flu-like symptoms since early in the week. Facing the Dodgers on Wednesday, LaRoche managed to battle through the pain to put together a two-hit five RBI performance, including his 20th homer of the season, in a 8-5 14-inning victory over Los Angeles. LaRoche told manager...
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Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to stay hot in Washington

Opposite dugout: Phillies hope to stay hot in Washington
Manager: Ryne Sandberg, second year Record: 64-75 Last 10 games: 7-3 Who to watch: RF Marlon Byrd (.266/.314/.463, 24 doubles, 25 HR, 78 RBIs); 1B Ryan Howard (.224/.308/.379, 20 HR, 87 RBIs); LHP Cole Hamels (8-6, 2.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP); RHP Jerome Williams (3-0, 2.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 8-8, 56 runs scored, 72 runs allowed Pitching probables Sept. 5: Jerome Williams vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 6: A.J. Burnett vs. Tanner Roark, 4 p.m., MASN HD Sept. 7: Cole...
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A pair of left-handers battle in Philly (Phillies win 4-3)

A pair of left-handers battle in Philly (Phillies win 4-3)
A pair of southpaws doing battle tonight in Philadelphia. Cole Hamels was off to smooth start with two quick outs in the first. Against Anthony Rendon, a grounder to third base was fielded by Andres Blanco, who threw to first for the out. But first base umpire Gary Cederstrom ruled that first baseman Darin Ruf drifted off the bag and called Rendon safe. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg requested a video review. The video replay in New York overturned the call and Rendon was out. Nationals...
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Opposite dugout: Last-place Phillies starting to play spoiler for postseason contenders

Opposite dugout: Last-place Phillies starting to play spoiler for postseason contenders
Manager: Ryne Sandberg, second year Record: 58-72 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF Marlon Byrd (.269/.317/.466, 24 doubles, 23 HR, 75 RBIs); 2B Chase Utley (.280/.349/.428, 29 doubles, 11 HR, 69 RBIs); CF Ben Revere (.314/.333/.368, 58 R, 38 SB); LHP Cole Hamels (7-6, 2.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 5-8, 41 runs scored, 63 runs allowed Pitching probables Aug. 25: A.J. Burnett vs. Tanner Roark, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 26: Cole Hamels vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 27: Kyle...
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Zimmermann, Rendon and Span after 11-0 shutout of Phillies

Zimmermann, Rendon and Span after 11-0 shutout of Phillies
Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon had three hits, including a double and a three-run shot, with four RBIs in an 11-0 shutout of the Phillies Saturday night. Rendon needed a triple in one of his final two at-bats to hit for the cycle, but grounded out and flew out. "I heard people in the stands, 'Get the triple, get the triple.' I didn't want to. That means I've got to run more," Rendon smiled. "So I can just stop at second base." Rendon was happy to be able to get just one base...
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Gonzalez, Ramos and Frandsen on loss to Phillies

Gonzalez, Ramos and Frandsen on loss to Phillies
Left-hander Gio Gonzalez was looking to build off a seven-inning, one-run performance Saturday at Cincinnati. He took a hard luck 1-0 loss, but still managed to pitch well, allowing the Reds only four hits and striking out eight. But in his first game back at Nats Park since July 20, Gonzalez struggled against the Phillies, giving up five runs in 3 2/3 innings in a 10-4 Nationals loss. He allowed eight hits and recorded only 11 outs. In the five-run fourth inning, the Phillies were able to get...
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Phillies pouring it on (Nats fall 10-4)

Phillies pouring it on (Nats fall 10-4)
The Nationals have finally returned home for the first time since July 20 and left-hander Gio Gonzalez looked to get off to a good start in front of the Nationals Park faithful. He started that last game at home and recorded a no-decision in a 5-4 win over the Brewers. Despite falling to the Reds on Saturday, Gonzalez allowed only one run on four hits over seven frames. Against the Phillies with one away in the first, Gonzalez surrendered a hit to Jimmy Rollins but then recorded a pair of outs...
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Opposite dugout: Phillies aim to keep Nats on toes with top four starters slated to pitch

Opposite dugout: Phillies aim to keep Nats on toes with top four starters slated to pitch
Manager: Ryne Sandberg, second year Record: 47-61 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: RF Marlon Byrd (.270/.318/.477, 22 doubles, 20 HR, 60 RBIs); 2B Chase Utley (.289/.355/.436, 26 doubles, 9 HR, 54 RBIs); LHP Cole Hamels (6-5, 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP); LHP Cliff Lee (4-5, 3.78 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 3-6, 29 runs scored, 43 runs allowed Pitching probables July 31: Cliff Lee vs. Gio Gonzalez, 7 p.m., MASN2 HD Aug. 1: Roberto Hernandez vs. Doug Fister, 7 p.m., MASN HD Aug. 2: A.J....
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