In honor of the 3 game series that starts today between the Nationals and Phillies I exchanged 6 questions with Justin Klugh the lead writer for That Balls Outta Here. For those not familiar with the website it is the Philadelphia Phillies related blog on the FanSided network and you can check out his 6 questions to me at http://thatballsouttahere.com/2011/05/02/series-6-pack/
Now on to my 6 questions with Justin Klugh…..
1. Going in to the start of the season the Phillies were in most peoples opinion the clear cut favorite in the NL East but with almost 30 games in to the season and the Marlins hanging close are you at all worried?
Justin—- I think you’d be hard pressed to find any Phillies fan who was going to go through the season without being gripped by the cold fingers of anxiety and terror for at least most of the time. We’re not foreigners to suffering just because the past few years have gone great. Besides, our roster is a list of casualties at the moment. The fact that we’re still in first place with one of the best records in the NL is a testament not only to our talent, but how much the teams we’ve played have sucked (sorry).
So no, I’m starting to worry. I’ve been worried. The Marlins are good. The Braves will bounce back. Chase was injured during the preseason. I’ve been pretty much frozen with fear since then.
2. What have you heard lately on Chase Utley and do they feel he is anywhere close to starting to play in actual minor or major league games again?
Justin—- Jayson Stark just said he’s all but guaranteeing that Chase will be back before like the end of May or something, which was the most we’d heard about the process in awhile. All they tell us is that he’s making progress and its taking a long time. That’s all. And remember, Stark is a journalist and in no way affiliated with the franchise, so that’s just pure speculation, or as I refer to it, “fucking bullshit.”
They showed footage of Chase running the bases the other day though, and I gasped with delight. He’s coming. Someday.
3. With Raul Ibanez about to turn 39 in June and struggling the way he has been do you think they should or will put somebody in his place if he continues to struggle much longer? and if you do think they should bring in a replacement do you have any candidates in mind that you would like to see take the job?
Justin—- They just covered this ground on Phillies Nation in a really comprehensive way that boils down to this: Managers can develop loyalty to older players who have performed well in the past. Charlie may look at Raul and see a guy who doesn’t have many good year(s) left in the game and is trying to give him every chance he can to right the ship. Raul had two at-bats last night that would have been perfect hero moments for him to turn it around. In one he struck out pathetically and the other he grounded out, I think. He’s been hitting the ball hard, too, but each time he does somebody’s standing there to catch it.
But if he’s really at the point in his career where we’re saying “Raul would be so much better if the other team didn’t take the field,” that might be your answer right there. John Mayberry is a great fourth outfielder on a team that needs a third outfielder, so he’s no long term solution. Dom Brown just got promoted again, though. He’s coming. Just a matter of time.
4. Everyone knows all about the Phillies big 4 of Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Oswalt but who they might not know about is young right hander Vance Worley who they should be facing this series. So what can you tell us about Worley and what is your opinion of him as a pitcher right now?
Justin—- Ha ha, Vance is a good guy. He’s not the greatest pitcher in the world, he doesn’t throw very hard, his movement lacks movement sometimes, but his biggest asset right now is that he isn’t afraid of anybody. I’ve heard that over and over again. Apparently he’s got that Cliff Lee “I will not be intimidated” thing going on. Also he has glasses.
5. With Zimmerman out is there any Nationals players that you are actually worried about having to go against?
Jayson Werth, from a revenge standpoint. Isn’t your catcher being a pain right now? Wilson? Yeah, him. I hope somebody shuts him up.
6. Being that the Philadelphia fans are the worst fans in the entire US (according to GQ Magazine) should Jayson Werth be worried about his first series returning to Philly?
I mean if you Nationals fans actually existed I guess it would be a bit more intimidating to hear that GQ “stat” referenced again. People have trimmed down that whole situation to “He left us for money,” and is now in last place. So there will be signs and boos, but there will also be cheers from people who know better. Honestly, I’d probably just sit there. I’m over it. I mean, I miss him, but I’m over it. If I had few beers in me I’d probably take some shots at him. But who at that game will have been drinking for the past few hours? Probably not that many.
…haha come on.
Thanks Justin Klugh for taking the time out to answer the questions and for those reading this go check out my answers to his 6 questions.