Fourth of July, Four All-Stars, Four Wins and Free Phillies Tickets

Happy Fourth of July, loyal Norristown Patch readers!

This week, Phour for Phour will take a look at the four Phillies All-Stars, another four-win week for the Fightin Phils and the signing of a 39-year-old has-been by the Flyers.

You'll also have a shot at a free pair of Phillies tickets as we celebrate our independence while trying to lose our fingers.

USA!

The Good

Three Aces and a Third Baseman

The Phillies will be well represented in the 2011 All-Star Game, with Halladay, Hamels and Lee all being selected to the Midsummer Classic. 

Also joining the trio of starting pitchers is third baseman Placido Polanco and possibly Shane Victorino, who currently leads the fan vote for the final All-Star opening. Notable names that could have made a case for selection were Ryan Howard, Ryan Madson and Antonio Bastardo.

Howard's batting average probably eliminated him from a legitimate shot, but he currently ranks fifth in home runs and second in RBIs in the National League (NL). Madson had his chances derailed when he ended up on the disabled list, and although Bastardo boasts the lowest ERA of any NL reliever at .90, he's just not enough of a household name.

If the NL keeps to its pattern, you'll be likely to see the Phillies trio pitch a minimum of four combined innings during the game on July 12.

Question: Who were your All-Star snubs?

Another Four Wins

The Phillies ended the week with a 4-2 record, with series victories against the Sawks and the Blue Jays. The win over Boston also marked the first series win since 2003.

Sadly, had Hamels not been knocked out of the game by a line drive off his non-throwing wrist, the Phillies probably would have been 5-1.

Cliff Lee's scoreless streak ended at 34 innings, making him the first Phillie since Robin Roberts in 1950 to throw three straight shutouts.

The Phillies are currently 21 games over .500, with a league leading 53-32 record. That keeps them on pace for a minimum of 100 wins for the season. Considering all the injuries, the up-and-down hitting and a stretch of poor fielding, it's quite a feat being able to be sitting comfortably in first place with a four-game lead over Atlanta.

Question: Do you think the best is yet to come for the 2011 Phillies squad?

The Bad

Jagr Bomb

As if trading your leading scorer and team captain in the same day hadn't already had Flyers Nation scratching their collective heads, free agency opens, and Philadelphia announced the signing of Jaromir Jagr, who has been out of hockey for three years.

Almost immediately, Twitter and Facebook were littered with an absurd amount of "Huh?" and "What?!?" and even a few "#%&!"

A team that played in the Stanley Cup Finals a little over a year ago, a team that found its future goalie in Bobrovsky, and a team that seemed to be on the upswing butchers its roster, suffers massive turnover, and expects its fans to believe that this will be their year.

The positive moves made will benefit the team down the road, but why dismantle a team that could win now in the hopes of creating a team that may win later?

Question: What was your immediate reaction to the Jagr signing?

The Ugly

Rauuuuul to the Beeeeeeench

In his last 10 games, Ibanez has gone 5-32, which equates to a batting average of .156. By comparison, the season averages of Vance Worley, Joe Blanton, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels are all higher.

In that same 10-game stretch, Ibanez has knocked in two RBIs and struck out eight times. He was removed from his spot in the five hole in favor of Shane Victorino, who's a slap-shot hitter not known for power or production. Yet Victorino is having a far more productive season than Ibanez, matching his power numbers in fewer at bats, as well as having a higher batting average and more stolen bases.

Ibanez needs to be benched, optioned, cut or something else that keeps him from taking a position in the field or approaching the plate.  Stick a fork in him.

Question: Who would you like to see in left field?

Quote of the Week

"I'm surprised that they don't boo Drew Sutton, too. He plays for the Red Sox, and his name is Drew." - J.D. Drew.

Video of the Week

Three straight shutouts FTW!

Want Free Phillies Tickets?

Another week, another shot at a pair of free Phillies tickets.  

In order to win, you must be the first to answer the following Patch-related questions and be the first to guess the correct number for question six. 

Submit your answers to slavetologic@gmail.com along with your name and contact information. The winner will be announced at the start of next week's Phour for Phour column.

Let's go!

1)  How fast was Ty Stofflet's fastball? 

2)  Every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is the same as paying an extra ___ per gallon of gas. 

3)  What was the final score of the Whitpain - Devils game?

4)  Where would be the best place to catch the fireworks?

5)  Where did Romney make his stop in PA?

6)  How many times will Ibanez strikout this week?

     Hint: Your guess is as good as mine.

Remember to submit your answers as quickly as possible to slavetologic@gmail.com. 

Looking Forward

This week, the Phillies will hit the road for a three-game series against Florida, followed by a brief trip home for a three-game series against the Braves. The Union will also hit the road as the play the Earthquakes in San Jose, CA.

Here is your schedule for the upcoming week in Philadelphia sports:

Tuesday

• Phillies at Marlins  7:10 p.m. on CSN

Wednesday

• Phillies at Marlins  7:10 p.m. on CSN

Thursday

• No games scheduled.

Friday

• Phillies vs. Braves  7:05 p.m. on CSN

Saturday

• Phillies vs. Braves  4:10 p.m. on FOX
• Union at San Jose  10:30 p.m. on CSN

Sunday

• Phillies vs Braves  1:35 p.m. on PHL 17 and TBS

If you have any questions that you would like to see answered in next week's Phour for Phour column, email them to slavetologic@gmail.com.