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So far we’ve gone almost two fiscal quarters with no baseball. It’s crazy. Coronavirus robbed us of the first part of the MLB season like Ricky Henderson stolen bases in the '80s. But the delayed start to the 2020 MLB season is almost over. It looks like the league is planning on getting back up and running by mid-June . The logistics are still getting worked out. It seems that there will be a limited number of states where games will be played and of course, there'll be no live audience. But hey, televised baseball is better than nothing. In fact, it’s something that any American sports fan needs right about now. Plus … fantasy baseball to kill some lockdown time. So, who are the favorites to win the World Series if and when the season gets going? Let’s look at the world series odds from SportsbookReview and talk about the top contenders. The exact odds vary depending on the sportsbook you’re looking at, but regardless, three teams stand on top of the boards as the f...

As the Dodgers and Astros worked their way to the Fall Classic, it became very clear that they were two of the best teams of the last twenty years. These aren’t the 2011 Cardinals or the 2014 Giants – Wild Card teams that got hot at the right time and rode that momentum to a title. These are complete teams set up for long-term success, and much of the league, Phillies included, have a long way to go to catch them. To put it in perspective, the Astros, who pair a dominant starting rotation led by Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel with a historically good offense  that led the league in runs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, are 5/4 underdogs against LA, according to mytopsportsbooks.com. ( Click here for odds and essays on the 2017 World Series .) That’s just how good the 104-win Dodgers are. Heading into 2018, the hope from the Phillies front-office likely isn’t a World Series appearance, or even a playoff berth next year. T...

Photo courtesy of Cord Sandberg, pictured 3rd from right It’s all part of it! Are you wondering what that means? That’s okay. You’ll be in the know soon enough. It's a simple saying that has become a slogan for baseball players for life inside and outside of the game.  In a sport where its competitors are faced with an immense amount of failure while life presents similar outcomes at times, It's All Part of It has become an important adage for scores of players to lean on for reassurance and motivation. “Whatever happens, the bus breaks down (or) you break a bat- hey, that’s all part of it,” Phillies outfield prospect Cord Sandberg excitedly shared in the home dugout of Lakewood’s FirstEnergy Park recently. Seems like an insightful thought process. The motto has really caught on quite a bit and seems to be making an impression at multiple levels, in various organizations and even across continents. The phrase “It’s all part of it” or sometimes referred to a...

Chase Utley, image- Jay Floyd When the Dodgers (65-52) come to town to take on the Phillies (56-63) in a three-game set, it will mark the return of one of the home organization's most beloved players when Chase Utley makes his first return to Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park since last August when he was traded to Los Angeles. As a member of the Phillies, Utley became a six-time All-Star and helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008. Over 13 season with the Phils, the team's 1st round draft pick from 2000 batted .282 with 233 homers and 916 RBI. Utley will hope to help his current club maintain their lead in the National League Wild Card race when the teams open their series on Tuesday. Read ahead for a complete rundown on the pitching match ups with loads more stats from this series. Tuesday, 7:05PM. Kenta Maeda (11-7, 3.31 ERA) vs. Vince Velasquez (8-4, 3.94 ERA). Maeda, a 28-year-old righty, has a 7-2 record with a 3.28 ERA in 11 road star...

Tom Windle, image- MiLB.com Acquired by the Phillies this off-season, left-handed pitcher Tom Windle joined a new organization and quickly jumped into their top ranked prospects. Part of the return from the Dodgers in the swap for Phillies all-time hits leader Jimmy Rollins , along with right-hander Zach Eflin , Windle is a promising hurler with tools that scouts have long been high on. A 2nd round pick in 2013 (56th overall), the Minnesota native debuted in the minors the same year with Class A Great Lakes. In 13 games (12 starts), Windle posted a 5-1 record with a 2.68 ERA while striking out 51 and walking 20 in 53 2/3 innings. His excellent initial pro effort followed a strong junior campaign at the University of Minnesota that year which saw the youngster sport a 6-4 record, a 2.14 ERA with a .208 batting average against and 86 strike outs in 92 2/3 innings in 14 games. With Class A Advanced Rancho Cucamongo last year, the six-foot-four 215-pounder tallied a 12-8 recor...

According to reports, the Phillies have signed righty starter Chad Billingsley to a one-year $1.5 million contract. Out with an elbow injury last season, the 30-year-old did not pitch in 2014. He last pitched in 2013 when he appeared in two games for the Dodgers. A former 1st round draft pick of Los Angeles in 2003 (24th overall), Billingsley, who stands six-foot-one and weighs 240 pounds, sports an 81-61 record along with a 3.65 ERA and a 7.94 K/9 mark in 219 career games. Billingsley was named an All-Star in 2009 and appeared in six postseason games for the Dodgers in his career, sporting a 1-2 record with a 6.33 ERA in those outings. Performance bonuses are said to take the deal to the $8 million mark.

At long last, it was announced on Thursday what the Phillies would obtain in return for franchise all-time hits leader Jimmy Rollins . Righty pitcher Zach Eflin and lefty Tom Windle are the players headed east. On Wednesday, news leaked that the Phillies and Dodgers agreed on a deal for the three-time All-Star and 2007 National League most valuable player, Rollins, but it wasn't know what the Phils would get in the swap for close to 24 hours. The 20-year-old Eflin was the Padres' first round draft choice (33rd overall) in 2012 and had just been acquired from San Diego in the deal for Matt Kemp . With Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore this year, Eflin, who stands six-foot-four and weighs 200 pounds, tallied a 10-7 record along with a 3.80 ERA and a 6.5 K/9 mark in 24 starts. Scouts like Eflin's excellent change up and his fastball sits in the low 90's with potential to increase. His pitch menu also includes a slider. Windle, a six-foot-four 215-pounder, was the...

On this week's edition of the PhoulBallz Podcast Tug and Jay are joined by Phillies pitching prospect Mike Nesseth who discusses the Arizona Fall League, the Phillies' focus on throwing strikes and a proposed street fight between Cameron Rupp 's goatee and Kyle Simon 's mustache.  The guys also chat about the MLB postseason, Yasiel Puig , off-season leagues and plenty more. 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 .

Ethan Martin , the 23-year-old righty hurler that was acquired along with Josh Lindblom and a player to be named later just prior to the non-waiver trading deadline from the Los Angeles Dodgers, is adapting quickly to his new home, Reading, PA. In three starts since joining the Phillies organization, Martin has posted a 3-0 record with a 2.08 ERA while striking out 13 and walking five in 17 1/3 innings. Originally selected by Los Angeles in the 1st round (15th overall) in the 2008 amateur draft out of Stephens County High School in Georgia, Martin had not posted great numbers as a pro prior to this season. In his first three years in the minors, Martin sported a 24-29 record with a 5.42 ERA. However, this year, with Double-A Chattanooga, Martin tallied an 8-6 record with a 3.56 ERA en route to becoming a Southern League All-Star. Prior to the 2012 season, Martin, who stands 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighs around 195 pounds, was rated as the Dodgers' number 17 prospect by Base...

The Phillies (39-51) continue their road trip when they begin a three-game series against the Dodgers (48-42) on Monday night. Both teams are have a rough go of it in July, as the Phillies won consecutive games for the first time this month on Sunday, when they clinched a series victory against the Rockies, their first since taking two of three games from Pittsburgh nearly three weeks earlier. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, who are in second place in the National League West division, have lost five of their last six games and have average just 2.35 runs per game in their last 17 contests. The Phillies won all three games against the Dodgers in Los Angeles last season. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and loads more statistical information on this series. Monday, 10:10 PM. Joe Blanton (7-8, 4.98 ERA) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (1-5, 4.21 ERA). In 5 career regular season starts against the Dodgers, Blanton has a 1-0 record with a 3.52 ERA. Over his last 4 starts, Blanton is 1-2 with...

Fresh off a series loss to division rival Miami, the Phillies (28-27) will host the team with the best record in the National League when the Dodgers (33-21) visit to start a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies were hit with another blow to their active roster over the weekend, as reliever Jose Contreras suffered a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament and a flexor pronator tear during his most recent outing.  Contreras, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season, joins a lengthy disabled list for the Phils that includes Chase Utley , Ryan Howard , Mike Stutes and Roy Halladay .  The Phillies look forward to some aid, however, as righty starting pitcher Vance Worley will be activated to start the series opener on Monday. Last season the Phillies took five of six meetings with the Dodgers.  Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and other statistical notes on this series. Monday, 7:05 PM.  Clayton Kershaw...

The west coast swing continues for the Phillies (74-40) beginning Monday night, as they travel to Los Angeles to start a 3-game series against the Dodgers (52-61). After having their 9-game win streak snapped at the hands of San Francisco on Sunday, the Phillies look to begin a new one with their ace on the mound. Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay will start the series opener and will be looking for his league leading 15th win. Los Angeles will counter with righty hurler Hiroki Kuroda, who has been outstanding against the Phillies in the regular season. The Phillies received word on Monday that is set to impact their lineup, as center fielder Shane Victorino has been served a 3-game suspension for his involvement in the bench clearing incident in a game against the Giants on Friday. The suspension would have begun Monday and lasted throughout this series, but Victorino has appealed. When the teams met earlier this season in Philadelphia, the Philli...

No intro...just stats. Dodgers (28-32, 3rd place NL West) at Phillies (35-24, 1st place NL East). Philadelphia won 4 of 6 meetings with Los Angeles last year. Monday, 7:05PM. Ted Lilly (4-4, 4.22 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (4-5, 3.94 ERA). In 6 career starts against the Phillies, Lilly has a 1-4 record with a 5.91 ERA. The left-handed Lilly is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in his last 3 road starts this season. Lilly has a 7.16 ERA in 3 career starts at Citizens Bank Park. In 6 home starts this season, Lee has posted a 3-1 record and a 2.72 ERA. In his lone career start against the Dodgers, Lee allowed 1 earned run in 7 1/3 innings. Catcher Rod Barajas is 0-for-12 in his career against Lee. Tuesday, 7:05PM. Rubby De La Rosa (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (3-3, 2.70 ERA). Righty rookie De La Rosa will be making his first MLB start. Opponents are batting .176 against the 21-year-old De La Rosa in 5 innings for the Dodgers. In 8 starts with Class AA Chattanooga, De La Rosa had a 2-2 record with a 2.93 ER...

Larry Hisle was an outfielder with the Phillies from 1968-1971. Hisle was a solid athlete who played a season of college basketball at Ohio State before signing with the Phillies and playing professional baseball. Hisle made his debut as a late season call up in 1968 at the age of 21, after batting .303 in the minors that year. The following year, in his first full season in the Major Leagues, Hisle slugged 20 homeruns and drove in 56 runs to finish fourth in National League rookie of the year voting. Hisle's HR total was good enough for second on the team that year and helped to get him named a Rookie All-star by Topps that season. In 1970, Hisle struggled and lost confidence, posting a low .205 batting average and only 10 homeruns. After a period of offensive strife, Hisle found himself back in the minors by the middle of the 1971 season. Following the season, Hisle was traded to the Dodgers for utility man Tom Hutton. Hisle spent a year in the Dodgers' system without playing...

Fresco Thompson was a second baseman with the Phillies from 1927-1930. A righty batter who played in the Major Leagues in 9 different seasons, Thompson's best years in the bigs were with the Phillies. Thompson, whose given first name was Lafayette, made his MLB debut in 1925 as a member of the Pirates. After spending the 1926 season with the Giants, Thompson was acquired by the Phillies in a 3-team trade with the Robins (also known as the Dodgers) and the Giants, prior to the 1927 season. With the Phillies, Thompson posted impressive numbers in his first full season as an everyday player. In 153 games, he batted .303, hit 32 doubles, scored 78 runs and drove in 70 runs. Speed was also a key part of Thompson's game as he stole 19 bags and laced 14 triples in 1927. Over the next three seasons, Thompson would continue to contribute offensively, notching no less than 34 doubles each season and scoring 99 runs, or better, twice. Thompson was quoted reflecting on his time with the Ph...

Curt Davis was a pitcher with the Phillies from 1934-1936. Davis was picked up by the Phillies in the 1933 Rule 5 draft, from the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals, after stringing together 5 consecutive 20-win seasons. Davis would prove to be be quite a bargain for Phillies owner Gerry Nugent. In 1934, as a 30-year-old rookie, Davis started 31 games with the Phillies and won 19 games while posting a 2.95 ERA. He lost 17 games that season, however, but as his ERA, which was third best in the National League, would indicate, he deserved a far better fate. In 10 of those losses, the Phillies, who went 56-93 that season, scored just 1 run or less. Davis, a Missouri native, got off to a slow start in 1935, winning just 1 of his first 6 starts. He rebounded quickly to win 7 of his next 8 starts, which included back-to-back shutouts of the Reds and Braves in July. He would finish the season with a 16-14 record, a 3.66 ERA and 19 complete games. Davis kicked off his 1936 season w...

The Phillies (73-57) seem back in control after recovering from a poor 4-game effort against the Astros by sweeping the team with the best record in the league in San Diego over the weekend. Philadelphia will visit Los Angeles for a 3-game series against the Dodgers (67-64) beginning Monday night. Roy Halladay looks to take over the lead in all three pitching triple crown categories (Halladay already leads the National League in strike outs and ERA), as he needs a win to tie Ubaldo Jimenez and Adam Wainwright for the league's top spot with 17 W's. LA will counter with Japanese born hurler Hiroki Kuroda, who was an excellent history against the Phillies, posting a 1-0 record and a 0.95 ERA against them in 3 starts. The two teams have met the last two season in the playoffs, with the Phillies coming out on top both times. Philadelphia currently leads the Wild card race, by 1 1/2 games over San Francisco and sits 2 games behind the Eastern division leading Atlanta Braves. The Dodg...

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

Once again, the Dodgers used Jonathan Broxton to try to lock down a game against the Phillies and once again, the Phillies were the ones actually closing things down. After Carlos Ruiz smashed the double that scored Jayson Werth and Ben Francisco to lock down another dramatic comeback win, he seemed to have a more difficult time surviving the celebratory barrage delivered by his teammates than he did catching up with the pitch from Broxton that Ruiz drove high off the left-centerfield wall. Ruiz was chased down by Phils players between first and second base, after the winning run crossed homeplate, to congratulate him. Broxton, who has struggled in the second half, has a 10.13 ERA in 8 outings since the All-star break. Philadelphians have no intentions of hiding their growing love for Broxton, whose reputation as a Phillies punching bag gets larger each time he faces them. The implosion marked the third straight season that the Dodgers experienced a memorable collapse to the Phillies w...

The Dodgers (58-54) will return to Philadelphia for the first time since losing last season's National League Championship Series, this week when they take on the Phillies (62-49) in a 3-game series. Los Angeles has lost 9 of its last 10 road games and have lost 5 straight away from home. The Dodgers will send former Phillie Vicente Padilla to the mound to end the slide. It will be his first appearance against the Phils since he gave up 6 runs in 3 innings in the deciding game of the NLCS last year. The Phillies will counter with refined righty Kyle Kendrick, who has a 1.35 ERA in his last 3 home starts. In the regular season last year, Los Angeles won 2 of 3 games at Citizens Bank Park and 4 of 7 overall. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups for this series as well as tons of other key information. Tuesday, 7:05pm. Vicente Padilla (5-3, 3.09 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (7-4, 4.37 ERA). In his last 5 starts, Padilla has posted a 2-1 record with a 0.79 ERA. In 26 ...