Why are they winning
As I write this week’s column, the Phillies lead the National League East heading into a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.
Last season at this time, the Phillies were floundering. Many were waiting for the axe to fall on Charlie Manuel.
There was no firing, which at that time last year, I thought was a good thing.
What the Phillies did was hang in there all year and in the final few weeks of the season pull out the division. Even then, I was probably among the dissenters still wanting Charlie to be fired.
So what is the big difference this year in the Phillies?
They are winning and it has taken the heat of Manuel and his bonehead moves. I still believe that if the Phillies had Larry Bowa managing the team last year, they would have won the division going away. As for this year, Manuel’s bonehead moves I think have cost the Phillies around five games. Not sure if there were any when I was recently in the hospital, I was THAT far out of it.
One of the team’s biggest strengths this season has been its bullpen. The grouping of Madson, Romero, Gordon (although I hold my breath when he pitches), Lidge, has been lights out compared to Mesa, Alfonseco and Geary last season.
They have overcome injuries again. J-Roll misses a month and they weren’t buried. He comes back and everyone hits.
Chase Utley is the MVP of the National League, if not all of baseball. He plays the game the right way.
If there is a question mark, it has to do with the starting pitching. Brett Myers has been up and down; Cole Hamels has been down right awful in his last two outings and Adam Eaton, well, let’s just say he wouldn’t be on the team if I was in charge.
The saving graces of the starters has been Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick. But how long can you count on Moyer? He’s 100, going on 200.
If Myers and Hamels get straightened out and a fifth starter is found, the division title will return.
The everyday eight is as good, if not better than any team in the game. They may have to scores 20 runs a night to keep winning.
If the Phillies repeat, they might not only get their third straight MVP, but also Manager of the Year. Oops, I’m sorry, I just woke up from a mid-afternoon nap -- just an MVP.
Last season at this time, the Phillies were floundering. Many were waiting for the axe to fall on Charlie Manuel.
There was no firing, which at that time last year, I thought was a good thing.
What the Phillies did was hang in there all year and in the final few weeks of the season pull out the division. Even then, I was probably among the dissenters still wanting Charlie to be fired.
So what is the big difference this year in the Phillies?
They are winning and it has taken the heat of Manuel and his bonehead moves. I still believe that if the Phillies had Larry Bowa managing the team last year, they would have won the division going away. As for this year, Manuel’s bonehead moves I think have cost the Phillies around five games. Not sure if there were any when I was recently in the hospital, I was THAT far out of it.
One of the team’s biggest strengths this season has been its bullpen. The grouping of Madson, Romero, Gordon (although I hold my breath when he pitches), Lidge, has been lights out compared to Mesa, Alfonseco and Geary last season.
They have overcome injuries again. J-Roll misses a month and they weren’t buried. He comes back and everyone hits.
Chase Utley is the MVP of the National League, if not all of baseball. He plays the game the right way.
If there is a question mark, it has to do with the starting pitching. Brett Myers has been up and down; Cole Hamels has been down right awful in his last two outings and Adam Eaton, well, let’s just say he wouldn’t be on the team if I was in charge.
The saving graces of the starters has been Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick. But how long can you count on Moyer? He’s 100, going on 200.
If Myers and Hamels get straightened out and a fifth starter is found, the division title will return.
The everyday eight is as good, if not better than any team in the game. They may have to scores 20 runs a night to keep winning.
If the Phillies repeat, they might not only get their third straight MVP, but also Manager of the Year. Oops, I’m sorry, I just woke up from a mid-afternoon nap -- just an MVP.
Labels: Phils/first place, View from the Sidelines
posted by Tide talk at
11:52 AM
1 Comments:
You look like a loser and you don't know what you're talking about.
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