PhoulBallz.com

Clouds and rain showers couldn't prevent the Phillies' top pitching prospect from shining on Friday when he took the mound for the first time in a big league spring training game. In three innings of work in relief against the Yankees, Aaron Nola allowed five hits and no runs while striking out four and walking none. His efforts included punch outs of legendary sluggers Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran . Those getting their first look at Nola took notice of the polished control of his three pitches and his comfort level on the mound. His fast ball ranged from 92 to 94 MPH with movement, his change up was used to his advantage, , making some batters look foolish, and his breaking ball supplemented both of the other offerings nicely, keeping the opposition guessing. Nola was taken with the seventh overall selection in last year's MLB amateur draft. He sported a 4-3 record with a 2.93 ERA and a .240 batting average against in 12 combined games for Class A Advanced ...

We're back with the 37th edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast.  This week the show includes an exclusive interview with Reading Fightins infielder and former big leaguer Matt Tolbert .  Also, we discuss Tyler Cloyd 's hot streak, Zach Green 's impressive output in the NYPL, Jesse Biddle 's ups and downs as well as the A-Rod circus and drug suspension chatter we didn't make time for last week. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

On Saturday, Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez took on the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils as he prepares for a possible return to the majors.  In the contest, the 38-year-old three-time MVP faced righty Brody Colvin three times and right-handed reliever Juan Sosa once.  In all four trips to the plate, Reading hurlers issued a walk to A-Rod.  To check out video footage of the foursome of free passes, see the media player below.

This weekend I chatted with Reading manager Dusty Wathan about the recent output of star prospect Jesse Biddle as well as changes of roles for hurlers Austin Wright and Brody Colvin .  Additionally, I spoke with Wright, the Phillies' 8th round draft selection out of the University of Mississippi in 2011, about his move to the bullpen after steadily being a starter throughout his pro career. Full Q&A with both men lies ahead... Dusty Wathan: - Can you share some thoughts on Jesse Biddle's effort out there against the Trenton Thunder on Friday (Biddle allowed three earned runs in five innings, after allowing nine earned runs in two total innings in his previous two outings)? I thought he did a lot better.  I mean, I think the biggest thing was he went out there and struggled, obviously, throwing strikes the last two outings, but the biggest thing was we got him back into a routine and he got himself out of a jam in the 1st and, you know, he's still a guy...

Controversial mega-star Alex Rodriguez continued his "rehab" games in the minor leagues while baseball approaches a decision or announcement regarding the slugger's reported connections to the Biogenesis drug case.  Playing with the Double-A Trenton Thunder on Friday, the Yankees' third baseman faced the Phillies' Double-A affiliate, Reading, and top pitching prospect Jesse Biddle . The lefty hurler, who was the Phils' 1st round draft pick in 2010, took on the three-time American League Most Valuable Player and admittedly gave a bit too much thought toward the chance to face one of the game's legendary names. In the first inning, with Reading ahead 1-0, thanks to an Albert Cartwright sacrifice fly, Biddle loaded the bases after a lead-off double by left fielder Ramon Flores and two free passes to Rodriguez and center fielder Slade Heathcott .  The 21-year-old Eastern League All-Star then took a deep breath, knowing that strike outs were ideal...

On Friday night, Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez appeared in a minor league game for the Double-A Trenton Thunder. Facing the Double-A Reading Fightin Phillies and top pitching prospect Jesse Biddle, A-Rod walked, mashed a home run and struck out in three plate appearances. The video player below features the homer and the K. Have a look.

On the latest episode of the PhoulBallz Podcast, Jay and Tug discuss what you love...baseball!  Topics on the show include the Phillies' All-Star performances including Cody Asche in the Triple-A game, Cesar Hernandez 's move to the outfield, Alex Rodriguez 's rehab in Reading as well as Kyrell Hudson and the 2009 Phils draft class.  Don't miss this joint. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

For $500 in the category of Pretty Boy Performance Enhancing Sluggers, the answer is: This slugging third baseman from New York, who has made headlines for cheating his sport by using steroids over a 3-year stretch, is now into new questionable actions on the baseball field...some kinky ones. Question: Who is Alex Rodriguez? Correct! A-Rod was photographed on Sunday getting frisky with the batting cage in New York, prior to the Yankees' match up with the Boston Red Sox. _____________________________________ You can follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE .

It's the rematch! Both the Phillies (32-29) and the Yankees (40-23) will have their aces going in the series opener when Roy Halladay and C.C. Sabathia meet up in the collission of last year's World Series opponents. The Yankees won the best-of-seven series in six games. The Yankees enter the series tied for first place in the American League East with the team the Phillies faced in the World Series two seasons ago, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Phillies, however, are struggling to climb back atop the National League East, as they are in third place, 3 1/2 games behind the first place Braves and 1 1/2 games behind the second place Metropolitans. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups for this series as well as loads more information. Tuesday, 7:05pm. Roy Halladay (8-4, 1.96 ERA) vs CC Sabathia (6-3, 4.01 ERA). In 37 games against the Yankees, Halladay has an 18-6 record with a 2.84 ERA. In 6 road starts this season, Halladay is 4-1 with a 1.52 ERA. Curtis Granderson is 5-f...

Jimmy Kimmel Live took an anti-Yankee look at the World Series Champions parade, last week. Here is that footage.

Remember when Phillies phans would have been fully satisfied with a run like this? Remember how the Phillies franchise used to be...with no post season appearances for periods that seemed like lifetimes? Remember that 14 year playoff drought? In 2007, Phillies phaithful were just happy to get into October and, "So what?", when they got swept by the Rockies. That state of mind doesn't exist any longer. After a 2008 run where the Phillies just couldn't be stopped, once they got hot in September, and the team brought home a World Championship, no Philadelphia baseball lover is pleased with anything short of being number 1! But, coming in second isn't that bad. The Phillies were runners up to a cheating performance enhancing drug user (Alex Rodriguez), that other performance enhancing drug user (Andy Pettitte), that "legend" who was shown on camera this postseason making sure the umpire wasn't looking when he wanted to add spit to the baseball he was ab...

It wasn't a save situation, but it was definitely the spot in the game where the home teams uses its closer, because at that stage of the game, the home team can't have a lead without the game ending, so there's no longer a chance for a save situation. Tie score, top of the ninth inning, the Phillies used their guy who locked it down for them all of last year...the same guy who has really struggled this season. Brad Lidge entered the game in the ninth inning and quickly retired the first two batters he faced, with the game tied 4-4. Up came Johnny Damon, who battled and drew pitch after pitch, before working a 2 out single. With Mark Teixeira batting, the Phillies shifted their infield toward the right side. Damon stole second, and third baseman Pedro Feliz fielded the throw from catcher Carlos Ruiz at second base. An alert Damon noticed that no Phillie was covering the third base bag that Feliz abandoned when he shifted, so Damon quickly broke for third, stealing TWO bases...

The story line that I was rooting for, Team Nick Adenhart vs. Team Harry Kalas in the World Series, didn't come to pass. The story line that MLB wanted, Joe Torre vs. his former employer in the World Series, also didn't happen. However, there are still some solid story lines that will appeal to many in this year's Fall Classic. Liberty Series: The Statue vs. The Bell...The Turnpike Series...Broad St. vs. Broadway... whatever you choose to call it, there's sure to be some aspect to interest baseball fans from coast to coast. There is the ex-NDN factor, as the last two American League Cy Young Award winners and Cleveland castoffs, Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia, go head to head in game 1. Each pitcher is looking better each time out. Lee is 2-0 in 3 post season starts with a 0.74 ERA and 20 K's in 24 1/3 innings. Sabathia is 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA in 3 games this post season with 20 K's in 22 2/3 innings. There is Pedro Martinez likely getting a shot at starting a game in...

Prompted by my pals over on The Shore Sports Report asking me the same question yesterday, today I sent out an inquiry to some phriends of PhoulBallz, asking what everyone's predictions for the National League Championship Series were. The results lie ahead, and they are heavily in favor of the good guys. Starting with my own prediction about the National League, I am going with the Phillies in 6 games. The Dodgers are an improved squad since 2008, and last year it took the Phils just 5 games to take out LA...this year, it should take an additional game to knock out those boys in blue. I'll take Jayson Werth as my Most Valuable Player for this series. Werth batted just .190 in the LCS last year, but then hit .444 in the World Series. I predict no LCS slump for Jay-Dubya this time around. Some of the people I surveyed agreed with my choices. Former Phillies beat reporter Mike Olshin also chose the Phillies in 6, and Jayson Werth for MVP, making the Dodgers regret letting him go....

Seriously? Because David Ortiz was on the list ? Need I remind you all...? This guy was also on the list. Very smooth, Yankees fans. ------------------------- Follow PhoulBallz.com on Twitter HERE !

For $500, in the category of Professional Atheletes, the answer is: "This slugging third baseman, from the city that never sleeps, was seen posing for a metro men's magazine in a near make out session with his own mirror image, when he should be rehabbing his surgically repaired hip...just when you thought you couldn't hate the man any more." Question: "Who is Alex Rodriguez?" Correct.

The World Baseball Classic begins tomorrow, when Pool A gets things popping at 4:30AM Eastern. In conjunction this week, and next, with Swing and a Long Drive and The IronPigPen , we're going to glance over our picks for who will advance to the 2nd round of the WBC. The easiest pick in the bunch, to win their pool is Japan in Pool A. The defending WBC champs easily have the best roster in this bracket. Also, Japan may very well have the best starting pitching duo in the entire Classic. Yu Darvish and Daisuke Matsuzaka are likely to be a knockout 1-2 punch on the mound, especially in Pool A. Most of you should be familiar with "Dice-K", but if you haven't heard of Darvish...you should be watching Japan closely. The 6'5" fireballer is just 22 years old and already is winning awards in Japan. He also has completed back-to-back seasons with both double digit complete games and an ERA under 2. Other major leaguers on Team Japan are Kenji Johjima, Ichiro Suzuki, K...

This week, we've all been pounded (not in a Matt Stairs kind of way) with news about Alex Rodriguez and his positive test for performance enhancing drugs. Rodriguez came clean, in an interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons, admitting that he took steroids for at least 3 seasons while playing for Texas, and admitting that he lied in previous interviews when asked about it. The test results were to remain anonymous, thus MLB is unable to punish Rodriguez over the maliciously released news. Instead, Commission Bud Selig can only chastise Rodriguez, saying that he has shamed the game. Rodriguez's confession has also drawn concern from the management of the Yankees. General Manager Brian Cashman stated, "I'm not confident about anything, about anybody." And manager Joe Girardi expressed his desire to keep a closer eye on players that he has concerns about. Alex Rodriguez is a cheater. Much like a cheater in school or in a relationship. Is the cheater sorry when he/she ...

Just pondering all the news and events going on lately, it really seems like a HUGE sports week. The NFL Pro Bowl was last weekend. The NBA All Star events and game are next weekend. Alex Rodriguez admitted to taking illegal performance enhancing drugs this week. Wrestler Chris Jericho was bombarded by fans after a WWE show, then was filmed shoving a female fan to the ground after she spit on him. The annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was launched this week. One of the biggest rivalries in all of sports, Duke vs. UNC men's basketball, sparks up this week, with both teams in the national top 5. Actress and MLB.com blogger Alyssa Milano will release a book this year, with a foreword written by Dodgers manager Joe Torre. All star shortstop Miguel Tejada has been charged with lying to congress during steroid investigations in 2005. But even with all those big stories in the news, the only one that I really care about is SPRING TRAINING BEGINS IN 3 DAYS for our Phillies.