Phillies Fans And Interested Competitors

[Talvenada]

To the left the worthless beard becomes the beardless Werth. J-Dub Werth has sheared off the facial individuality he arrived in camp with, and it was the best curveball in camp this year. It?s also what passes for news as March becomes April. As decision day arrives without surprises so far, the answers are indicated by GM Rube Amaro?s moves, performances, contracts and readiness for opening day. With five bench spots under contract, there are no spots for INF Cody Ransom, OF Dewayne Wise, INF Wilson Valdez and C Paul Hoover. However, an injury would change things like when Polly Polanco went down, but he has returned to action without incident. The only question mark is Cody Ransom, who has more power than Juan Castro, but Juan is signed to an MLB contract. Of course, Cody does strikeout a lot, but the fielding would not suffer with Ransom. He probably will start the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but there is an outside chance that he travels north with or without 11 pitchers.



The Phillies are concerned that Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero will not report for

@ Tal's Tales: The 'Pen Denizens

[Talvenada]

The next game-day pitch thrown in a contest with The Phillies will count, will J-Roll swing at it or track it? The team heads to the nation?s capital, where President Obama will throw out the first pitch. Doc Halladay will open the season for The Phillies, and he is the first big-name hurler to start game one since Steve Carlton.


Brett Myers opened the last three straight years, and John Lieber started the ?06 competition before that. The early news is that Joe Blanton will return @ Tal?s Tales: The Ticket North