http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/player/4188 Recent articles about Shane Youman en-us A series against the cellar-dwelling Pittsburgh Pirates was supposed to be the "last stop" for the Los Angeles Dodges in clinching their division, right? Not so fast, when it is in Pittsburgh—as the New York Mets found out in 2006. Having beaten the division-leading Mets 3-0 at home in mid-September three years ago, the Pirates won their final homestand 3-1 against the Dodgers in 2009. In the first game of the series, the Pirates pitched "by committee," with the sc... Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:38:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Backs_To_The_Wall_Pirates_Hit_Back_Hard_Vs_Division_Leaders_At_Home/1261104 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Backs_To_The_Wall_Pirates_Hit_Back_Hard_Vs_Division_Leaders_At_Home/1261104 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Backs_To_The_Wall_Pirates_Hit_Back_Hard_Vs_Division_Leaders_At_Home/1261104 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/d/7d708c63c7c32b43eb55be5cdca1541d0d25ce9b/small/MLB_MAY_02_e175.jpg From Paul Sullivan's new mailbag:Paul, here is an interesting comparison and subsequent question: Who would you rather have at the top of your rotation? Carlos Zambrano or Josh Beckett? Peace. --RobBased on the fact that Beckett outpitched Zambrano in Game 5 of the 2003 playoffs, forcing a Game 6 that changed Cubs history, I'd have to pick Beckett. Peace out.Using that logic, Paul also would rather have Ryan Dempster than CC Sabathia atop his rotation because Dempster beat Sabathia on... Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:58:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Paul_Sullivan_Fails_Logic/859213 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Paul_Sullivan_Fails_Logic/859213 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Paul_Sullivan_Fails_Logic/859213 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/c/cc2e5343f9499c0c9f837e9928fca211c07f8abc/small/88231905.jpg As the regular season approaches, the Phillies continue to pare down their roster. Pitchers Shane Youman and John Ennis are the next two to be reassigned to the minor league camp. There still haven't been any surprise cuts, neither of these players were expected to make the team. The only thing Youman had going for him was that he was a lefty, but like Ennis he is not a major league caliber pitcher. The Phillies have made all of the obvious cuts, but the tough decisions are coming soon. Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:35:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Phillies_Cuts_Continue_Tough_Decisions_Looming/203238 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Phillies_Cuts_Continue_Tough_Decisions_Looming/203238 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Phillies_Cuts_Continue_Tough_Decisions_Looming/203238 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/b/5b08b1a98d3a108d8885255fefb2b1f734da5dab/small/youman.jpg The Phillies pitching this Spring Training has been so bad it's laughable. Every starter, with the exception of Brett Myers, has been shelled. The bullpen hasn't looked much better. Randy Miller at Phillyburbs.com wrote an interesting piece about the Phils pitching situation that addresses the current situation and even discusses some possible future moves. GM Pat Gillick was interviewed in the article, and he mentioned that the Phillies are looking at acquiring another lefty relieve... Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:38:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Gillick_Phillies_looking_to_add_lefty_Lohse_not_an_option_Plus_Injury_Updates/191494 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Gillick_Phillies_looking_to_add_lefty_Lohse_not_an_option_Plus_Injury_Updates/191494 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Gillick_Phillies_looking_to_add_lefty_Lohse_not_an_option_Plus_Injury_Updates/191494 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/1/9187779d54abe196ce1db08ec85e15ed6c98273a/small/JCRomero.jpg Charlie Manuel bestowed the honor of Opening Day starter on Brett Myers for the second year in a row. This is to the surprise of many, as Cole Hamels seemed to be the incumbent #1, but I pose the question- does it really matter? Brett Myers and Cole Hamels each have top of the rotation stuff, so I don't think of Myers as the go-to-guy or Hamels has the runner-up, rather view it as we have two #1.5 starters and it makes sense to have Myers go first (right) followed by Hamels (left) then Ke... Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:20:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/1_or_15_Brett_Myers/169568 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/1_or_15_Brett_Myers/169568 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/1_or_15_Brett_Myers/169568 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/3/c3b16d5964b5e6a9355c431d6bb0921a538712c3/small/myers.jpg Private Matters: 1. What to do with Wes Helms? The man is a butcher at 3rd base, meaning his only real position is 1st base, but his bat failed miserably in Philly last season and caused the dynamic duo of Patty G and Rube to cast their line for the big catch of Pedro Feliz. This leaves good ol' Wesley without a spot on the 25-man roster and the Phils need to trade him...but nobody seems to want him. 2. Who fills out the bullpen? Five men are assured spots- Brad Lidge, Tom Gordon, JC ... Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:42:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Pertinent_Phillies_Philes/145234 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Pertinent_Phillies_Philes/145234 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Pertinent_Phillies_Philes/145234 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/c/2c804a2dd3928809d59c4d2729a886b46d5ab69d/small/contra.jpg The fat sleepy bear has since begun to stir this past week in preparation for pitchers and catchers reporting in 19 days with the minor league signing trio of Jaret Wright, Casey Fossum, and Hector Carrasco...now that's inspiring. Wright missed all of '07, the Rays let Fossum walk, and Carrasco had an era in the 5's...I smell NL Central champs! Have no fear Swashbuckler fans, they've signed more has-beens, never-weres, and who-the-hell-are-they-anyways: stud pitchers Adam Bern... Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:12:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wake_Up_Pittsburgh/97285 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wake_Up_Pittsburgh/97285 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Wake_Up_Pittsburgh/97285 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/4/74e47cd1d6f905a236a916b2b04af43479b4b847/small/sleepover.jpg