Welcome to another edition of Chatter Up! here at NLEC. This week will match up Mark P Centerfield Gate against Matt Smith of Phillies Phandom. Enjoy!

MrNorthJersey(NLEC): Do you want and expect Willingham back in a Nationals uniform in 2010?

Mark P(CFG): There was talk of trading Willingham all season, but it never happened — and for good reason. The guy proved to be the hitter that we anticipated (and that I anticipated) when we got him from the Marlins. I think he’s now untouchable. You know, nothing’s impossible: but it would be hard to name a guy who the nats could get for him that would be as good. The fans love him and the guy just hits the hell out of the ball: who knows what he might have done had he started the season in the outfield, instead of that other guy … what’s his name? Oh yeah, Austin Kearns. How the Nationals brain trust could have ever concluded that he was better than Willingham is a question so embarassing it cannot be asked: and gives the term brain trust a whole different meaning.

MrNorthJersey(NLEC): Do you think MacDougal will opt out of his contract and test free agency?

Mark P(CFG): Good question. I somehow don’t think so. The Nats front office seems to think he will be back, talking endless of getting a set up guy that will make him the reliever for the team in 2010. This scares me, because MacDougal is one of those 9th inning guys who just scrapes by — but barely. The last thing this team needs is another collapses bullpen in 2010. Th next to last thing it needs is placing its trust in just one closer. I wouldn’t hold an audition for the spot necessarily (Joel Hanrahan won the audition in the Spring, for pity sake) but I sure wouldn’t think that “Heart Attack Mike” is the only answer we have.

Matt S(PP): The Nationals have been a much-improved squad over the last several weeks. Adam Dunn has had a tremendous season. Are you surprised by Dunn’s production this year and do you view him as a vital piece to the puzzle for next year?

Mark P(CFG): Yes, I’m surprised. You know, Dunn came with baggage: that he was a good hitter but with an indifferent attitude. That turned out to be false, or rather, perhaps it was true because Dunn got bored in Cincinnati (which is more than possible). I thought he would come in with about 29 to 32 homers and make a mash of the outfield. I could see it in my dreams: Dunning chasing down a ball hit over his head, dropping a line drive, tripping over his feet going into the corner. But not only has he really hit the cover off the ball, he has made a real effort to get better as a first baseman. You can see his defensive improvement, which is key, considering Guzman’s boot em and throw em away capabilities. If his defense gets better and he keeps hitting I would expect that the Nats would try to extend him. There aren’t many guys in the majors who can hit 40 homers and drive in 100 runs. And for some reason (stop the presses) Dunn seems to love it here. Who knew?

Matt S(PP): Are Nats fans clamoring for Stephen Strasburg at this point? Can you explain how Strasburg making the team out of spring training would impact the franchise and its fanbase?

Mark P(CFG): I am surprised and gratified by the patience showed by Nats fans. We regularly draw 20,000 to games in which the late innings are so painful that people have to wish they were somewhere else. But they keep coming back for more, night after night. That same patience is being shown now by fans who realize that while it would be nice to see Strasburg right now — or early next year — it would be far better to see him in the post-seasons, with a healthy arm, in 2011. If Strasburg makes the team out of spring training I would advise the front office (they’re not exactly on the phone with me all the time, but there you have it) to pitch him during the third or even fourth home game — when they absolutely need to fill the stadium. My sense is that when Strasburg arrives DC will have to assign more cops for crowd control. The place will be packed. We’re patient, very patient. But honestly, we can’t wait to see this guy.

Matt R(NLEC): I read on your site that it seems the Nats have asked Christian Guzman to move to 2b, how helpful will this truly be for the Nats going forward or does it just shift his suspect defense to a different position?

Mark P(CFG): I think this is a bad decision that confirms the kind of decision making that baseball eggheads rightly criticize: which is based on the assumption that a bad shortstop will somehow improve when he moves to second. I don’t buy it. Not even a little bit. You know, I am such a fan of Alberto Gonzalez (for those who don’t know, a kid out of the DR) that I hope the Nats put him at second, keep Ian Desmond (our rookie phenom) at short — and work a trade for Guzman. He will command an $8 million dollar salary next year and freeing it up would help us to get some middle infielders who can do the job. Or, better yet, we can use the money to sign a guy like Jon Garland. But then, of course, we’d really need a replacement for Guzman, as Garland is a ground ball specialist. To answer your question: putting Guzman at second simply shifts his suspect defense to a different position

Thanks again Mark, now onto Matt Smith of Phillies Phandom

MrNorthJersey(NLEC): With names like Brett Myers, Joe Blanton, Shane Victorino, Chan Ho Park, Scott Eyre, Chad Durbin, Clay Condrey, Tyler Walker, and possibly Pedro Feliz ($0.5mil buyout), becoming free agents this year who do you feel will they miss most if they do not resign them for 2010?

Matt S(PP): Well, most of these players are arbitration eligible. Blanton, Victorino, Durbin, Walker and Condrey won’t be free agents until after the 2010 season. In fact, I’m pretty sure Victorino has at least two more seasons until he can become a free agent. That said, I’m positive Victorino will be signed to a long-term deal in the neighborhood of three-four years. I have a feeling Blanton will ask for a lot of money, so he could go to arbitration. I don’t expect Myers back unless the Phillies feel he can compete with Brad Lidge for the closer role. At the same time, I don’t think Myers will turn down starter’s money in free agency, and the Phillies don’t really have a spot for him in the rotation. I think Chan Ho Park will re-sign, unless, of course, he’s hellbent on being a starter again. The Phillies should pick up Feliz’s option, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they let him go. And don’t be stunned if Pedro re-signs, too.

Matt R(NLEC): Continuing from the question above, I know the Phillies have bigger fish to fry (literally?) but do you think there are any obvious off-season targets?

Matt S(PP):Not at the moment. I’m sure they’ll look for a left-handed reliever and some bench help. If they part ways with Feliz, they’ll obviously be in the market for a third baseman.

Matt R(NLEC): If you had to choose today, rank what potential National League playoff teams you’d like to see the Phils play and why.

Matt S(PP): Dodgers, Cardinals, Rockies, Giants in order of which team I’d like to see them play in the first round. There is nothing the Dodgers are doing that worries me. I don’t think they have the starting pitching to win a playoff series. The Cardinals have an excellent lineup and an awesome one-two punch at the top of their rotation, but we’ve played them well this year, winning four of five games. The Rockies are hot right now, so they can be a scary opponent. If the Giants somehow get in, I fear facing Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain in the first two games of a five-game series.

Matt R(NLEC): What about the American League? The Phils took two of three from the Yanks early in the year, but this Yankees team is very different now, what about the Angels and Tigers? How well do you see the Phils matching up if they get there?

Matt S(PP):I actually think they match up well with any AL team. It’s so far off the radar, I prefer not to think about any potential World Series match ups right now In the AL, starting pitching isn’t as worrisome as some of those NL teams I mentioned.

Matt R(NLEC): Health check: Bullpen.. . after this weekend, are you more, less, or just about the same confidence in the bullpen?

Matt S(PP):Less. It’s been a struggle. It’s not a good thing having question marks at the back of the bullpen. It’s a different situation from last year, when the team was good to go in the pen. I know the offense has been hit-or-miss the last month or so, but the ninth inning is the biggest concern right now. Nothing will really change from now until October, either.

Please feel free to email any recommend questions or comments about the segment to mrose@nleastchatter.com or go to this forum topic and post a reply. We need questions for our next Chatter Up! Those games are Nats @ Mets and Phillies @ Braves.  Thanks for everyone’s participation!

Please feel free to email any recommend questions or comments about the segment to mrose@nleastchatter.com or go to this forum topic and post a reply.  We need questions for our next Chatter Up! sessions, which are for Tuesday’s games of the Nationals @ Phillies and the Mets @ Braves.  Thanks for everyone’s participation!

Werth sends Phils fans home happy

Last night, the Phillies offense wasn’t as high powered as it has been, instead most of the support was from pitching on this day.  Joe Blanton pitched seven innings only giving up one run against the Chicago Cubs, and the Phillies could only manage a solo home run from Jimmy Rollins against the Cubs starter.  Then the Phillies relief went six shutout, no hit innings including three by Chan Ho Park and one by Clay Condrey(6-2) who got the win.  Finally in the bottom of the thirteenth, the Phils got two man on with two out for Jayson Werth.  Jayson Werth hit his 21st home run of the year sending the Phillies to a walk off win and their 10th in a row by a score of 4-1.  The Series will conclude this afternoon in Philly, check out Phillies Phandom for more Phillies news and info.

The Cubs came into this series hot, but even on a night when the pitching was solid, their bats still were silent.  Fukudome got an RBI double in the fourth scoring Ryan Theriot for the only run they would get in this game.  After Rich Harden pitched seven innings of one run ball, in 5.2 innings pitched, only Jeff Samardzija(0-1) gave up a run, and the Phillies also only had two hits.

McCann leads the Bravos

Tuesday night in Atlanta brought more of the same for the Braves fans, as they won again by a convincing score.  The Braves were led on Tuesday night by another great night for catcher Brian McCann, going two for four with four RBI including a three run home run.  Martin Prado continued his hot hitting going three for five as well with three runs scored and an RBI as well.  Derek Lowe(9-7) seems to be back on track now, going six innings, allowing seven hits, one walk and only a single run for the win. Make sure to get to The Braves Baseball Blog for more Braves info.

The Giants only mustered one run and that was when the game was out of reach in the fifth.  Juan Uribe hit a single to score Matt Downs as the Giants are losing a hold of their wild card grip.  Ryan Sadowski(2-2) only lasted 3.2 innings and was tagged for eight hits and all eight runs for the Giants.

Volstad gets the W

Chris Volstad is hoping that he has found his groove again, after two of his last three outtings have been quality.  Volstad(7-9) went seven innings to get the win while only allowing one run and four hits before being lifted.  The Marlins scored a run in each of the 2nd, 3rd and 5th innings on RBI’s by John Baker, Jorge Cantu and Jeremy Hermida.  Leo Nunez worked the ninth, while giving up a solo home run, but got his sixth save of the year none the less.  FishGuts is the place to be for all the Marlins news you need.

Chad Gaudin didn’t have a bad game, but as it always seems in San Diego, didn’t get any support.  Gaudin(4-9) worked six innings giving up nine hits, but only three runs but took the loss.  Adrian Gonzalez put the Pads up top in the first, but that would be their only run until Kyle Banks hit a solo shot in the ninth, but the game would end in a 3-2 loss for the Padres.

Lannan goes the distance

John Lannan and the Nationals did something that their fans don’t see much these days, win!  With that win though, Lannan also pitched a complete game shutout, the first since August 15th, 2006 and first in the new ballpark.  Lannan(7-7) scattered seven hits and had a single strike out in only throwing 106 pitches to get the complete game, 4-0, and looks to be the Nats ace.  He got help from RBI’s from an Alberto Gonzalez and Josh Willingham sacrifice flies, and singles by Will Nieves and Adam Dunn.  They will try to take the series from the Mets tonight at 7pm.  CenterfieldGate has more information regarding the Nats.

The New York Mets looked terrible in their approach at the plate, and after hoping that a win Monday might get them rolling, they went right back to what has haunted them all season.  Oliver Perez(2-3) in his third start back from the DL looked solid for the first few innings but in the fourth fell apart, and managed six innings giving up four runs while walking another six batters.  All seven hits the Mets got were singles as well, check out The Real Dirty Mets Blog for more info on this game and the Mets.

A long game, just to lose

The Marlins were helped out by the rain gods last night in Miami but that didn’t stop the Phillies.  The Phillies took an early 4-1 lead on hits by Utley, Werth and Feliz and Hamels was rolling with only 68 pitches through five.  Then there was a rain delay of over one hour, and Cole Hamels had to leave the game and the Marlins were able to fight back to send the game to extra innings.  Finally, in the twelfth inning, run scoring singles by Chase Utley and finally Jayson Werth put the game out of reach in an eventual 6-5 victory for the phillies, their 11th in 12 games. Clay Condrey(5-2) who was just activated off the disabled list, got the win while working a scoreless bottom of the 11th inning.  Phillies Phandom will always have your up to date news and info on the Phillies.

The Marlins were able to fight back mostly with singles throughout the game.  Ross Gload, Ronnie Paulino and Wes Helms all had rbi singles in the seventh and eighth innings to send the game to extras.  Burke Badenhop(5-4) got the loss by giving up two runs in the twelfth inning and also the new Scott Olsen Mugshot Memorial Award over at Fish Guts!

This was before a hit...i think every pitch was

In Atlanta on Friday night, first the Braves retired future hall of famer Greg Maddux’ number, then they retired what seems to be the New York Mets season.  The Braves put up three in the first, three more in the third and four in the fifth while routing the Mets 11-0 while pitching a two hit shutout.  Brian McCann went three for four with four RBI and three runs scored for the Braves while hitting a home run, and Yunel Escobar also went three for four with three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Braves.  Jair Jurrjens(8-7) pitched six innings of two hit ball to get the win for the Braves.  Three Braves relieves finished off the game for them, guaranteeing them at least a series split.  Check out The Braves Baseball Blog for more information on them.

There isn’t much to write about the Mets here.  Mike Pelfrey(7-5) worked into the fifth inning but allowed nine runs on nine hits for a bad loss for the Mets.  Tim Redding had another bad outting and he could be headed out of town, read more about that at The Real Dirty Mets Blog.

Zambrano does it with the bat too

The Cubs are enjoying playing in the Nations capital, while collecting their second straight win on Friday night while there.  Carlos Zambrano realized his teammates were having an off-night with the bat and decided to take matters into his own hands.  In the second inning he ripped a two RBI double which gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead, as they went towards a 3-1 win on the night.  Zambrano(6-4) pitched the five inning minimum for a win while only allowing four hits and a run.  Aramis Ramirez added a solo home run for insurance later on.

Craig Stammen(2-5) went six innings while giving up six hits and all three runs in taking a loss on a night his bats were silent and he couldn’t help himself.  The Nats after having some optimism weeks ago during interleague play are now back to their losing ways.  They hope to salvage a couple games throughout the rest of the weekend, but check out Centerfieldgate for great insight about the Nats and other baseball information.

According to Todd Zolecki’s twitter feed, the Phillies have activated Relief pitcher Clay Condrey from the DL and designated Tyler Walker for assignment.

Tyler Walker was 1-0 in 9 games this year pitching 11 innings to a 1.64 ERA, my guess is someone picks him up.

Condrey was 4-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 33 games this year (34 IP) before being injured.

Check Phillies Phandom for more Phillies news.

Condrey to the DL?

Phillies RP Clay Condrey is likely headed to the DL according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.  Condrey has apparently been bothered by a strained left oblique and he would be the 3rd Phillies closer on the disabled list joining Eyre and Lidge.  Condrey is 4-2 with a 3.71 ERA this season in 33 games.  A decision will be made before Tuesdays game, check back for updates.

Update 11:36AM: Condrey WILL be placed on the DL prior to today’s game.  Sergio Escalona will be called up for the 4th time this season.  This is according to Beerleaguer and Jayson Start of ESPN

Ryan Madson walks in the tying run

In Philadelphia, Ryan Madson walked in the tying run in the top of the 9th for his 1st blown save since taking over for the injured Brad Lidge.  The Blue Jays went on to win the game with a 5 run 10th inning, with all runs and the loss being charged to reliever Clay Condrey(4-2).  Scott Downs pitched a perfect ninth for the Blue Jays to pick up the win(1-0).  The Phillies look to bounce back tonight with Jamie Moyer facing off against Scott Richmond.

Huff pulls a Castillo

At Camden Yards in Baltimore, the Mets got help from three Oriole errors on their way to a 6-4 victory.  The Castillo error fresh in their minds, Aubrey Huff botched a fly ball in the 7th inning off a David Wright blooper.  Two runs scored on the play and they proved to be the winning runs.  A dicey ninth inning started by Bobby Parnell and finished off by Francisco Rodriguez made the game closer than it should have been.  Mike Pelfrey(5-2) got his first win since early May, Rodriguez picked up his 17th save and Jeremy Guthrie(4-7) took the loss.  The two teams meet back up tonight at 7:10pm with Tim Redding facing off against the O’s Koji Uehara.  For additional Mets information and news go to The Real Dirty Mets Blog.

Ortiz heating up?

The Marlins started a three game set against the Red Sox at classic Fenway Park in Boston.    This game was all Red Sox from the beginning as they had all the runs they needed by the 4th inning.  David Ortiz hit his 5th home run of the year, and he may finally be breaking out of his season long slump.  Chris Volstad(4-7) took the loss for the Marlins with only 3.2 Innings pitched and 8 ER and Tim Wakefield(9-3) earned the win.  Tonight Andrew Miller takes on former Marlin Brad Penny at 7:10PM.

Herrera gets his 1st win

In Cincinnati, the teams waited through  an almost 2 hour rain delay to take the opening game of the set from the Braves.  Danny Herrera went three innings in rain delay relief of Aaron Harang, who only went 2 innings.  It was Herrera’s 1st major league victory and it was helped out by 3 RBI from Lance Nix of the Reds.  Herrera(1-2) got the win and Jair Jurrjens(5-5) took the loss in only 2 IP with 2 ER.  Tonight the Braves send Javier Vazquez to the hill against Micah Owings to try to get out of a small funk.  Check out The Braves Baseball Blog for more Braves information.

A-Hern can even hit a HR at Yankee stadium

Finally, over at Yankee Stadium, Manny Acta(for now) and the Washington Nationals took on the New York Yankees.  Anderson Hernandez even took advantage of the winstream or whatever it is at Yankee Stadium causing balls to fly out and put the Nats in a temporary lead with a 3 run homer in the 5th.  This lead held up until the 7th when Ron Villone(3-4) of the Nats(16-46) bullpen coughed it up, sending them to their 46th loss of the year.  The Yankees(37-27) got almost 8 innings from their ace, C.C. Sabathia(6-4) for the win and Mariono Rivera got his 15th save of the year.  The David vs Goliath matchup continues tonight in the Bronx with John Lannon taking on Chien-Ming Wang.  For more Nationals news and information, go to CenterfieldGate.com