--RHP Chan Ho Park's greatest successes in his major league career have come with the Dodgers, for whom he won 18 games in 2000 and pitched in the All-Star Game in 2001. But last year, his second stint in Los Angeles, was even more meaningful. "I thought it was going to be my last chance," Park told the Wilmington News Journal. "I proved when you're healthy and comfortable that I still have the ability to pitch well. Last year was very important to me." Had he not gone 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances (five starts) for the Dodgers last season, Park wouldn't have signed a one-year, $2.5-million contract with the Phillies and likely wouldn't be a starter for the first time since 2006. Now, Park's challenge is to keep his spot in the Phillies' rotation. And when he takes the mound Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Dodgers, he'll attempt to build on six scoreless innings Wednesday night in New York, a gem that allayed speculation that he may be in danger of being moved to the bullpen after four largely rocky April starts.
--LHP Jack Taschner, who spent last season with the Giants, got an up-close view of the impact Manny Ramirez had on the Dodgers' offense after he was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline. Taschner also understands the magnitude of losing Ramirez to a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy. The Phillies open a three-game series against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. "What Manny did to the lineup last year when they got him is he gave them a confidence that maybe some of them didn't have at the time," Taschner said. "That said, a lot of the guys in the heart of their order are a year older and a little better. They still have good hitters. Manny being gone is going to help us, but is it going to be like we're going to run through them because he's not there? Absolutely not." --OF Matt Stairs will always cherish the ball that he launched into the right-field pavilion at Dodger Stadium in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series last October. How did he retrieve the ball? "Someone threw it into the bullpen," Stairs said. But Stairs insists the mere sight of Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton this week at Citizens Bank Park won't spark memories of his NLCS home run. Rest assured, though, if he steps to the plate in the ninth inning with the game on the line, the fans will remind him. But Stairs' approach won't change. He'll wait for a fastball, swing from his shoes and try to launch the ball over the fence, just like he did on Oct. 13 when he had the greatest moment of his 17-year career.
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Cole Hamels (sprained left ankle) left his April 28 start. He threw a bullpen session May 5 and started May 8.
ROTATION:
LHP Cole Hamels
RHP Brett Myers
LHP Jamie Moyer
RHP Joe Blanton
RHP Chan Ho Park
BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Lidge (closer)
RHP Ryan Madson
RHP Chad Durbin
LHP Scott Eyre
RHP Clay Condrey
LHP J.A. Happ
LHP Jack Taschner
CATCHERS:
Carlos Ruiz
Chris Coste
INFIELDERS:
1B Ryan Howard
2B Chase Utley
SS Jimmy Rollins
3B Pedro Feliz
INF Eric Bruntlett
INF Miguel Cairo
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Raul Ibanez
CF Shane Victorino
RF Jayson Werth
OF/INF Greg Dobbs
OF Matt Stairs
