In the Phillies four most recent wins, they’ve scored 12, 7, 15 and 20 runs. They won't keep up this pace, but I think it’s safe to say that the Phillies offense is starting to gel.
It all starts with the big three. Reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins has returned to full strength as one of the league’s most dangerous leadoff hitters, batting .319, stealing bases, playing great defense and providing leadership in the clubhouse. Chase Utley has rebounded from his mini-slump to get his numbers back to MVP levels (.309 BA, 16 HR, 42 RBI), although Lance Berkman gets the nod at this point. Ryan Howard’s batting average is still hovering around the Mendoza line (.207) and with 75 strikeouts, he’ll likely obliterate his own single season record. Amazingly, he has managed to join the league leaders with 14 home runs and 37 RBI.
Pat Burrell is hitting home runs when they count and continues to play himself into a hefty free agent payday. Offseason upgrades Pedro Feliz and Geoff Jenkins have rebounded from slow starts to post solid numbers. Shane Victorino has recovered from his injury and boosted his average to .273 while stealing nine bases to make the temporary loss of Jayson Werth manageable. The only regular who isn’t hitting right now is Carlos Ruiz, but “backup” Chris Coste is mashing to the tune of .342 and four dingers in part-time duty. Greg Dobbs is batting .358 and has become one of league’s premier pinch hitters.
Phillies starting pitching continues to be a concern, but the offense is giving pitchers time to work out the kinks and the bullpen has been brilliant. Note to Pat Gillick… please don’t let Brad Lidge become a free agent. Lights out closers don’t come along everyday and Lidge is better than Brett Myers at closing out games.
Meanwhile, the Mets continue to prove that they’re overrated. Before the season, I said the Mets were old and brittle. Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo are clearly acting old. Pedro Martinez, Orlando Hernandez and Moises Alou are clearly brittle. Jose Reyes is clearly a diva who is easily distracted. I like this team less and less everyday. I do feel bad for Willie Randolph, who has become the scapegoat.
Right now, the Phillies are hummin’ like James Bond’s Aston Martin, while the Mets are sputtering like Dwight Schrute’s Camaro and bickering like old ladies playing a high stakes game of canasta. Hate to say “I told you so,” but…
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Why The Mets Can't Hang With The Phillies
While the Phillies moved into a tie with the Marlins for first place in the National League East Friday night, the Mets were having a team meeting to “clear the air.”
Reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins has spent a good chunk of the season as a spectator. Former MVP Ryan Howard has only started to hit in the last week or so to improve his batting average to a whopping .188, while his 60 strikeouts have caused an overly breezy spring in Philadelphia. Opening Day starter Brett Myers’ ERA (5.91) is among the worst in the league for a starting pitcher. Yet, as of today, the Phillies are two games ahead of the Mets in the standings.
In Flushing (very appropriate), Omar Minaya has to publicly state that manager Willie Randolph’s job is safe. Willie Randolph has to publicly state that pitching coach Rick Peterson’s job is safe. Billy Wagner continues to rip his teammates. Jose Reyes continues to sulk. On the bright side, a statue has been erected on the field at Shea. Wait a minute… that’s Carlos Delgado. Oops.
Meanwhile, free agent signing Geoff Jenkins, who has one at-bat in the last week while the Phillies have faced a bunch of lefties, doesn’t complain. He’s frustrated, but he understands that his role is to face righties and the team is better with Jayson Werth (3 HR, 8 RBI last night) in the lineup against lefties. Pat Burrell wishes Charlie Manuel wouldn’t pull him for defense late in games as he plays for a new contract, but he doesn’t rock the boat. Even combustible Brett Myers is shockingly calm has he continues to struggle.
Will the Mets’ private team meeting solve their problems? Perhaps. But with some of the divas in that locker room, I have my doubts. The Phillies haven’t had problems like this in the locker room, not coincidentally, since Billy Wagner left. His mouth moves as fast as his upper-90’s heater. If he could only control his mouth like he controls his pitches, that team meeting may have been a lot shorter.
Feel free to claim that team chemistry is overrated, but look at the results on the field last year and this year. The Phillies are no more talented than the Mets. Charlie Manuel is not a better manager than Willie Randolph. But if that chemistry can will a team to a few extra wins, that could be the difference between a postseason appearance and a major disappointment. Just ask the 2007 Mets… and the 2008 Mets.
Reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins has spent a good chunk of the season as a spectator. Former MVP Ryan Howard has only started to hit in the last week or so to improve his batting average to a whopping .188, while his 60 strikeouts have caused an overly breezy spring in Philadelphia. Opening Day starter Brett Myers’ ERA (5.91) is among the worst in the league for a starting pitcher. Yet, as of today, the Phillies are two games ahead of the Mets in the standings.
In Flushing (very appropriate), Omar Minaya has to publicly state that manager Willie Randolph’s job is safe. Willie Randolph has to publicly state that pitching coach Rick Peterson’s job is safe. Billy Wagner continues to rip his teammates. Jose Reyes continues to sulk. On the bright side, a statue has been erected on the field at Shea. Wait a minute… that’s Carlos Delgado. Oops.
Meanwhile, free agent signing Geoff Jenkins, who has one at-bat in the last week while the Phillies have faced a bunch of lefties, doesn’t complain. He’s frustrated, but he understands that his role is to face righties and the team is better with Jayson Werth (3 HR, 8 RBI last night) in the lineup against lefties. Pat Burrell wishes Charlie Manuel wouldn’t pull him for defense late in games as he plays for a new contract, but he doesn’t rock the boat. Even combustible Brett Myers is shockingly calm has he continues to struggle.
Will the Mets’ private team meeting solve their problems? Perhaps. But with some of the divas in that locker room, I have my doubts. The Phillies haven’t had problems like this in the locker room, not coincidentally, since Billy Wagner left. His mouth moves as fast as his upper-90’s heater. If he could only control his mouth like he controls his pitches, that team meeting may have been a lot shorter.
Feel free to claim that team chemistry is overrated, but look at the results on the field last year and this year. The Phillies are no more talented than the Mets. Charlie Manuel is not a better manager than Willie Randolph. But if that chemistry can will a team to a few extra wins, that could be the difference between a postseason appearance and a major disappointment. Just ask the 2007 Mets… and the 2008 Mets.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
How Are The Phils In Phirst?
Reigning National League MVP Jimmy Rollins has missed most of the season. 2006 National League MVP Ryan Howard is invoking images of Rob Deer, whose final season strikeout total and batting average were nearly identical. So how in the name of Steve Jeltz are these Phillies in first?
Utley’s MVP Chase: Last year’s MVP run was derailed when he was hit by pitch. It doesn’t look like anything can stop Utley this season. The stat line is staggering. .369 BA, 13 HR, 26 RBI. I’ve never seen a batter hit the ball so hard with such a short swing.
Cole Play: Hamels has been brilliant, maybe even more so than expected. Phils fans should be doing cartwheels knowing that they have a bonafide ace at the top of the rotation who’s only 24. Hamels has shown maturity by not trying to strikeout every batter, and right now, I’d say he’s outperforming a certain mega-millionaire named Johan.
Jayson’s Werth: When Rollins and Victorino went down, Werth filled two critical holes in centerfield and the top of the lineup. He hasn’t torn the cover off the ball, but the offense has been more than steady, while some argue his defense has been better than Victorino’s.
Pat’s Bat: Hey Manuel, stop yanking Burrell for defense at the end of every close game. You just might need him to win a game for you like he did Friday night. Pat Burrell is in the final year of his contract and he’s playing his way into big bucks (.320, 9 HR, 28 RBI). By the way Charlie, it’s time to flip-flop Burrell and Howard, who’s 0-for-9 with six strikeouts in his last two games, bringing his season total to a mind-blowing 45.
Gillick’s Gamble: Pat took a chance when he traded for Brad Lidge, but he looks to be holding all aces right now. Lidge is 7-for-7 in save opportunities, has yet to allow an earned run, and his velocity his back. The “other guy” in that trade, Eric Bruntlett, preserved at least one win with his defense and has been a capable replacement while Rollins heals.
Bullish Pen: Aside from Lidge, Charlie Manuel has plenty of reliable options. Tom Gordon has been lights out since his Opening Day disaster. J.C. Romero picked up where he left off last year. Chad Durbin and Rudy Seanez both have sub-2.00 ERA’s, and more help could be on the way. Lefty prospects Josh Outman and Fabio Castro have been removed from the Double A rotation and one could be joining the Phillies at some point to provide another lefty option.
As the Braves and Mets continue to struggle, you have to like the Phillies’ chances to stay atop the N.L. East. Jimmy Rollins should return this week. Brett Myers has rediscovered the zip on his fastball. Kyle Kendrick has cut down on the free passes. Howard can’t stink like this much longer. Even Adam Eaton is giving the Phillies quality outings. It will go down to the wire, but the Phillies won’t be seven games out with 17 to play.
Utley’s MVP Chase: Last year’s MVP run was derailed when he was hit by pitch. It doesn’t look like anything can stop Utley this season. The stat line is staggering. .369 BA, 13 HR, 26 RBI. I’ve never seen a batter hit the ball so hard with such a short swing.
Cole Play: Hamels has been brilliant, maybe even more so than expected. Phils fans should be doing cartwheels knowing that they have a bonafide ace at the top of the rotation who’s only 24. Hamels has shown maturity by not trying to strikeout every batter, and right now, I’d say he’s outperforming a certain mega-millionaire named Johan.
Jayson’s Werth: When Rollins and Victorino went down, Werth filled two critical holes in centerfield and the top of the lineup. He hasn’t torn the cover off the ball, but the offense has been more than steady, while some argue his defense has been better than Victorino’s.
Pat’s Bat: Hey Manuel, stop yanking Burrell for defense at the end of every close game. You just might need him to win a game for you like he did Friday night. Pat Burrell is in the final year of his contract and he’s playing his way into big bucks (.320, 9 HR, 28 RBI). By the way Charlie, it’s time to flip-flop Burrell and Howard, who’s 0-for-9 with six strikeouts in his last two games, bringing his season total to a mind-blowing 45.
Gillick’s Gamble: Pat took a chance when he traded for Brad Lidge, but he looks to be holding all aces right now. Lidge is 7-for-7 in save opportunities, has yet to allow an earned run, and his velocity his back. The “other guy” in that trade, Eric Bruntlett, preserved at least one win with his defense and has been a capable replacement while Rollins heals.
Bullish Pen: Aside from Lidge, Charlie Manuel has plenty of reliable options. Tom Gordon has been lights out since his Opening Day disaster. J.C. Romero picked up where he left off last year. Chad Durbin and Rudy Seanez both have sub-2.00 ERA’s, and more help could be on the way. Lefty prospects Josh Outman and Fabio Castro have been removed from the Double A rotation and one could be joining the Phillies at some point to provide another lefty option.
As the Braves and Mets continue to struggle, you have to like the Phillies’ chances to stay atop the N.L. East. Jimmy Rollins should return this week. Brett Myers has rediscovered the zip on his fastball. Kyle Kendrick has cut down on the free passes. Howard can’t stink like this much longer. Even Adam Eaton is giving the Phillies quality outings. It will go down to the wire, but the Phillies won’t be seven games out with 17 to play.
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