Defense highlights offseason moves

Coco Crisp is nearing a deal with the Oakland Athletics, according to late word from MLB Trade Rumors' Tim Dierkes. Presumably Crisp will slot into Oa...

Blog Entry | Conversation | December 20, 2009

Offseason notebook: Outfield shuffle

Tristan H. Cockcroft looks at the other big moves of the week beyond the Roy Halladay-Cliff Lee trade and John Lackey signing, leading with the Hideki Matsui and Mike Cameron signings.

Obstacles to a World Series rematch

Charlie Manuel quoted a general after Game 6, in pronouncing that the baseball world has not seen the last of the Phillies. "I'll tell you something -...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 05, 2009

Six key matchups for Game 6

...is Victorino will play, and if he doesn't, Ben Francisco will be in center and Raul Ibanez will be in left, and the Phillies' late-inning defense will be diminished. Victorino may have...

Blog Entry | Conversation | November 04, 2009

The top matchups of the World Series

These are my top matchups of the World Series, beyond the battle of old friends CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee: The Yankees' hitters against Cliff Lee's f...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 28, 2009

McGwire has a road map, but also a guide

We saw again Sunday night an example of how others have talked about their past use of performance-enhancing drugs and moved on. Yankees pitcher Andy ...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 26, 2009

Replay for the World Series could work

Don Denkinger, an umpire who had one of the most famous blown calls in history, tells Bob Klapisch: It's time to go to replay. Here's the thing: Even...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 22, 2009

Rollins' 9th-inning double gives Phillies 3-1 series lead

Jimmy Rollins lined a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning and the Phillies rallied past the Dodgers 5-4 Monday night.

Manny must be Manny -- right now

On the brink of elimination, the Dodgers need Manny Ramirez to do just one simple thing: be himself.

Lee's arm, Howard and Werth's bats propel Phils

Cliff Lee dominated as the Phillies routed the Dodgers to take a 2-1 lead in the NL Championship Series.

How the Yankees can slow the Angels

The Yankees' internal conversation about how to slow down the Angels' running game in this postseason started a little while back -- before spring tra...

Blog Entry | Conversation | October 16, 2009

Four difference-makers who could fly under the radar this postseason

...is paid to the three left-handed hitters who hit 30 homers (Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez), since the Phillies are the first team to have three left-handed batters hit 30 homers...

Ruiz highlights five-run inning as Phillies strike first in NLCS

Carlos Ruiz's three-run homer highlighted a five-run fifth inning, Raul Ibanez added a three-run shot in the eighth and the Philadelphia beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-6 on Thursday night to win the opener of the NL championship series.

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 15: Raul Ibanez #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a three run home run off of pitcher George Sherrill...

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