I'm sitting here on a Monday morning wondering where it all went wrong. When did this once promising season turn into fool's gold?
How in the world does the team with the second most runs scored in the NL seem to put up minuscule numbers more often than not?
The Phillies also have a run differential of +75, once again second best in the NL, yet they are only seven games over .500 and are tied in the loss column with the division rival Mets and Marlins. What in the world is going on here?
Well, as Charlie Manuel so eloquently put it in a post-game tirade yesterday, "Our situational hitting is absolutely terrible," he said. "Absolutely off the chart, really."
I can't argue with him in the least. This team scores in bunches and then doesn't score in bunches.
Once again, the Phillies wasted a superb effort by Cole Hamels, who gave up two runs in eight innings, while the Phillies bats came up empty time after time, mustering just two runs of their own.
Since June 13, when the Phillies beat the Cardinals 20-1, they have been held to two or fewer runs an amazing 11 times.
Eleven. That's unreal.
Everyone wants to focus on their pitching. They are whining about Eaton and Myers and Kendrick and Gordon, and even complaining about the Blanton trade, who hasn't even pitched in a Phillies uniform yet.
But if you are truly watching this team day in and day out, then you know they are not losing because of their pitching.
I mean seriously, the pitching they are getting is more than okay. Only the Cubs, Dodgers, and Braves have a better team ERA than the Phillies do, which is 3.93. Are you telling me this offense can't score four runs a game? Come on.
Howard, Burrell and Utley are all on pace to hit 40 homers, which incidentally has never happened before. But maybe that's precisely the problem. Are they just a long-ball oriented team and can't, as Charlie says, hit in certain situations?
If we look deep enough, the root of the problem is Jimmy Rollins. No one wants to talk about it because he's the reigning MVP, great fielder, great guy, was on the DL early in the season..etc, but its late July now and this guy is just not getting it done.
That's right, Jimmy; I'm calling you out.
I'm putting it on you. You lead off, you set the table, and frankly right now, you stink. You have Shane Victorino stats, and we certainly don't need two of you in the lineup.
Yes, congrats on stealing 25 bases this year without being caught, we are all really impressed, but you're only hitting .271 with six homers.
Looking back at your pre-All Star break numbers in 2007, you had 16 homers were hitting hitting 15 points higher and scored twice as many runs. Yes, twice.
You are stealing more bases this season; once again, congrats.
Look Jimmy, we love you, we want to love you and we're sitting and waiting for you to break out. Well guess what, you're in luck. Cause starting tomorrow you open a three-game set in New York.
That's right, they love you there and maybe a few boos will wake you up. I wanna see a triple, I wanna see you tap your hips after a big hit, I wanna see you get fired up...you listening, Jimmy? Bring it...bring it NOW, before that team in New York starts rolling.
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2 months ago
The pitching might not be the problem right now, but it will be the eventual downfall for this team. As we saw yesterday, if your ace is getting touched up, it says something about your staff.
Mets are the team to beat in the East.
from 2 months ago
What? Please only respond with intelligent comments. You said " As we saw yesterday, if your ace is getting touched up, it says something about your staff." Well obviously you have no cause Hamels gve up 2 runs in 8 innings, if that's getting "touched up" then you must be a soccer fan, not baseball. And yes, our ace giving up 2 runs in 8 innings does say something about the staff....thanks.
And your "Mets are the team to beat in the East" comment is a homerish comment...you have nothing to back it up with....especially with an overachieving OF, a weak bullpen and a hurt closer. Not to mention Pedro can't be relied on, Pelfry is overachieving and Perez is completely inconsistent. Look in the mirror before making assinine comments.
from 2 months ago
Got to agree with David here. Cole Hamels has untouchable yesterday. He gave up six base runners in eight innings. He does that almost every game he pitches.
This division is about as much of a toss up right now as possible. If Myers returns and pitches well, and Blanton turns out to be alright, the Phillies will probably coast to the title.
2 months ago
I agree with you David 100%, although I'd like to add that I think Rollins' BIGGEST problem is his lackadaisical attitude. Listen to his comments this season, including the last one he made just yesterday after Charlie expressed his frustrations with the team. Jimmy basically said that, "Charlie was pretty much right, BUT...we don't get concerned until late!!!!" THAT is a terrible attitude for ANY ballplayer to display--but for the reigning MVP to express such a terrible attitude is disgusting to me! He is obviously in dire need of a head adjustment--maybe THEN his numbers might stand a chance to improve! I am so disappointed in Jimmy. He just doesn't get it. I truly think he needs to sit on the bench until he gets his head straightened out, although I doubt management would ever let him sit for the amount of time that can take to occur. His attitude is definitely cause for concern though because, as we're seeing-- "one bad apple....".
from 2 months ago
Definitely...it seemed like last year that was either maskd by his great season or perhaps this year he's going through some sort of personal off-field problems. The general media has given him a free-pass this year and no one is really getting on him. I'm dumfounded by it all......
2 months ago
This thread (unlike your Blanton post) is right on point. I cannot understand how one of the best base stealers in baseball and reigning MVP does not score from first base on a double with TWO outs - that is bush league! I am the first to point out that their starting pitching is lacking as it is every year (why is Happ still down - he had two respectable outings and deserves a shot, but that’s another topic) however, they really need another contact hitter in their lineup. Their lineup has been all or nothing for years and peppered with too many strikeouts, but this year is really telling as look at how many times they have had first and third or bases loaded with less than two outs and can't score runs. Carlos Ruiz is dead to me (I think I said that back in May) and it is time to bring up Lou to see what he is made of. Hopefully this would bring more than a .200 average and at least sweeten his trade value. I have a bad feeling heading into this Mets series, but I hope I am wrong.
from 2 months ago
Well Ruiz got 2 hits last night plus the miracle chopper that Victorino beat out at second.....but obviously I want Marson as the starter for next year.
A trade is coming, maybe for Fuentes or Mahay on KC. Its hard to be negative after last night, but we'll see how Kendrick, Myers, Blanton fair in the next few weeks, cause Happ had another great outing in AAA last night.
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