The Phillies And Their "Problem"

So the Phillies have a problem on their hands. They're eight games up in the NL East, outpacing the Marlins and Braves. The Marlins have been cooperative enough to not be able to beat bad teams like the Padres. Add in a two losses to the Braves and a loss to the rueful Mets, and the Phillies are lucky enough to benefit from what they themselves were unable to do.

Yes, it wasn't that long ago that the Phillies had a chance to bury the Marlins in the NL East standings. All they had to do was win two of three games. In Philly. Instead, they lost all three games, cuminating with a wretched 12-3 loss that inspired a closed door team meeting with Charlie Manuel.

Then they seemed to right the ship. Three wins over the Cubs. Two of three from the Braves. A three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks. Three of four from the hated Mets. And then, the easiest mark of all - the Pirates. Surely, a three-game sweep was in order, right? Yeah. That should have been a gimme.

So the Phils lose two of three to the Pirates, wasting three excellent pitching efforts in the process. The Phillies starters against Pittsburgh - Joe Blanton, Cole Hamels and JA Happ gave up a total of 6 runs. And all three either lost or "earned" a no decision.

So what's the "problem" the Phillies face?

Most Phillies fans would tell you it's Brad Lidge's problems with nailing down saves. Yes, this is a problem, but it doesn't seem to really be the main issue with the Phillies. Long term, it could be a big problem, but it's not something that I am worried about at this time. I can assume that Lidge will come around or that Manuel will stop trotting Lidge out there in situations that he's proven unreliable thus far this season. There are other pitchers to take on the closer role.

I think that the problem is that the Phillies leave too many freaking runners on base. They get baserunners - that isn't the problem. Despite Chase Utley's cavalier "the hits will come" attitude, this is a problem. If the hits will come, where have the hits been for the past, oh, five or so years???

The Phillies are leaving too many runs on the field. Period. That's as simple as I can state it. And there is no shortage of Philiies fans that are okay with this. The excuses are easy to come up with. Even I am guilty of the excuse game - I give Lidge a lot of space, based on his dominance of last year.

But the hitting has ticked me off for a while now, and something needs to change. I suggested that the Phillies might try bunting. "You can't have them bunt. They're not built for that" is what the Phillies fan will tell me. Why can't you bunt? I agree it might not sound like the best option, but when you are a team that is so crappy with runners in scoring position, why CAN'T you bunt? If your players (who are major leaguers, right?) are not skilled enough to lay down a decent bunt, then that is a different problem entirely.

Moving the runner along? Hitting to the right side of the infield? No thanks. We'd rather strike out or hit into a double play. We'd rather load the bases, leave everybody on base and score no runs. This is a team built for hitting - they live and die by the longball. And lately, they've died an awful lot.

It's cool, though. Why should Cliff Lee, Blanton, Hamels or Happ expect to win a game in which they've given up only three runs? This is a team that hits the longball. They score runs. Except when they don't.

Last night's game was 4-2. The Phillies scored four, four and two runs against the last place Pirates.

The starting pitching was considered a weakness for this team. Lately, it's been more than up to the task. The same can't be said for what should be a potent offense. The potent offense has left a lot to be desired, quite frankly.

What would be desired? How about scoring some of those runs? How about not leaving so many damn men on base? Eight men left on base in the 6-4 loss to the Pirates. Nine men left on base in the 4-1 (extra inning) win. Eight men left on base in the 3-2 loss to the Pirates.

It's nice that Ryan Howard has suddenly started hitting home runs at a fantastic clip. Some of the homers have even provided the margin for victory for the Phils. But do you want to count on that continuing? I sure as hell don't. I'd rather see some strike outs, gound outs and fly outs become baserunners. And then I'd like to see some clutch hitting turn that into runs. Think about it. If the Phils had left six, seven and six men on base, that Pirates series has a totally different outcome.

Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. It's great that the Phillies can get runners on base. But there's another part of getting runners on that they seem to be missing. I am getting so so tired of the Phillies half of innings ending with the bases loaded. It seems like it happens twice a game.

If Phillies pitchers give up three runs in a game, they should expect to win. And if the offense would get it's crap together and perform as they are capable of performing...the Brad Lidge situation would have plenty of time (and a lot less pressure) to work itself out.

So I am not excusing Lidge - he's been pretty bad. Instead, I will call out the hitters. How about some more timely hits? How about some smarter at-bats? Let's get those runs across the plate - however it needs to be done - and give those pitchers the runs and the wins they deserve?

Goodbye BLAHseball. Hello College Football!

Keeping the Philadelphia atmosphere alive...despite all the parity these days, nothing beats the pageantry, the lore, the colors, the patriotism, the emotions of the Army/Navy game in Philadelphia every December. It's a rivalry that will always be important because of history, tradition and what the men and women do after their is no more college and no more football....that is something to remember.

I know for some baseball is a great sport and it gets more exciting since the Fall Classic is upon us but come on...all that matters now with baseball is the World Series. Before you know it, the NFL and the illustrious college football seasons will begin and it all starts with the 2009 College Football season, the greatest sporting spectacle sport in the world.

There will be some intriguing games to kickoff the season and here is how I see them......

Boise State over Oregon, 40-31

Baylor over Wake Forest, 31-28

Illinois over Missouri, 45-38

California over Maryland, 27-23

Oklahoma over Brigham Young, 41-24

Oklahoma State over Georgia, 38-28

Virginia Tech over Alabama, 24-20

LSU over Washington, 31-13

Miami over Florida State, 28-27


Expect there to be a lot of drama again, especially in the SEC now that Lane Kiffin will be coaching and we shall see how the coaches and programs react to his already shaky entrance. It is quite possible for Florida to make a run for a 3rd national title in 4 years and we shall see if Ole Miss is worthy of their top 10 preseason ranking.

The Big XII South alone will experience a lot of dramatic excitement between Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas and if the same thing happens again this year like last year....Texas will be on the outside looking in because of their weak, pathetic out of conference scheduling.

There will be a lot to talk about before and after each week throughout the season and I will keep my smart banter up and going. For right now.... my major bowl predictions are:

ROSE- Southern Cal vs. Ohio State
FIESTA- Utah vs Texas
SUGAR- Tennessee vs Penn State
ORANGE- Oklahoma vs Pittsburgh
NC GAME- Virginia Tech vs Florida

Regular season game of the year.... no doubt it's the Red River Rivalry (two top 5 teams)

Hide Your Dogs: One fan's disgust with the Eagles and Michael Vick

Dear Philadelphia:

My opinions on Michael Vick are my opinions. I know there are people that disagree. But this Eagles fan has lost all respect for my team and has cashed in my green jersey and will not be supporting the team further. If the Eagles feel it is good business and good football sense and good community relations to decide not to pay an upstanding citizen like Brian Dawkins or Jon Runyan or Tra Thomas and give it to a reprehensible thug like Michael Vick, I will no longer be donating to the coffers. For crying out loud, they wouldn’t even give the city the money they owed and help keep public pools in poor neighborhoods open. Michael Vick over poor kids. Good decision.

I represent no one but me, but judging by comments on social networking, online, on the television and radio, and among my friends, the large majority empathizes with my opinion. Maybe if this was the Lions or Raiders something, I'd feel different. But it's not. And how the Eagles have always preached about taking the moral high-ground and how that they're not like other teams, how character matters? Out the window. Gone. I'm joining PETA.

Change that. I wouldn't feel different if it was the Lions or the Browns or the Saints. I just wouldn't care or take it to heart. I'd just throw my hands up and say those teams only care about money and not their morals or fans and wait for them to sign the repeat-offender child-molesting priest that runs a 4.0. This is not a troubled franchise. Other teams can sign Michael Vick, but this is my team. The one I root for. The one I schedule into my week. The one I give my hard-earned money to. I'll be keeping my money now, Mr. Banner and Mr. Reid.

Someone said that I haven’t provided one ounce of evidence as to why this is a bad football decision. Exactly right. I have not provided any evidence to why this is a bad football move because to me, as a human being and animal lover and citizen of the planet, it doesn't matter because I cannot forgive Vick. At this moment, I don't care about football. I care about the Eagles signing a morally-reprehensible human being (I use the term lightly).

I'll take 9-7 without Vick than 12-4 with him. It's not about football, it's about being a member of the human community. Would the Vick defenders have felt the same way if the Phils had signed juice-headed Barry Bonds even if he could have still hit 50 homers? Would you have signed Rafael Septien after he was convicted of producing child porn if he could still boot a 55-yarder? Would you have signed OJ Simpson if he still had a 1000-yard season in his cleats? And stop with this second chance crap. What he did was no accident nor lapse in judgment. Don’t forget, they found the dogs on Vick’s property because the cops were searching for drugs after he was caught trying to sneak pot on to an airplane. It was a long-term, controlled decision to participate in brutality, he knew exactly what he was doing. And, as Brian Startate pointed out, if the Eagles are all about second chances, why then not re-hire Dan Leone? Hypocrites. All hypocrites.

Defenders point at the Eagles taking on Terrell Owens. Terrell Owens is no Michael Vick. Not even close. TO is a jackass. Vick promoted the torture and killing of dogs. Thanks Michael Vick for turning me in to a Terrell Owens defender.

Defenders also want to point fingers at Phillies fans about Brett Myers in light of the Michael Vick signing, claiming hypocracy. Yes, I'm still pissed at Myers for what he was accused of doing, but his wife, the victim herself said the situation was overblown and completely forgave him. When the dogs that were beaten, tortured, electrocuted, shot, and drowned forgive Vick, maybe I will too.

What about football? A) He hasn't played since 2006, there's no saying he's any good. B) He wasn't that good in his last season he did play. C) He's not even eligible to be allowed to play until possibly after Week 6. Oh, and D) He advocated and promoted the killing of animals. Almost forgot about that one. The Eagles have. Andy Reid said that Kolb and Feeley aren't going anywhere. Vick is not your backup quarterback. He's Kordell Stewart with a rap sheet and blood on his shoes while Neil O'Donnell was leading them to the Super Bowl.

Maybe the Eagles should re-sign Donté Stallworth now for 2010. He’s apparently an advocate for stopping overpopulation. When's Ray Lewis available? Can Plexico Burris bring his gun to training camp? What's Mike Tyson up to? Are there any baby-seal clubbers available for special teams?

Time and time and time again the Eagles have talked about taking the moral high-ground and talked about leading by example and about how being upstanding members of the community was as important as playing football. Reid's uses the exact phrase 'character players'. ‘Character’ Michael Vick bankrolled the beating, shooting, electrocuting, drowning, torture, and murder of animals. Defend that. Michael Vick is not remorseful about doing that. He’s remorseful about being caught. In my opinion, he's more concerned about having hurt his career than hurting innocent dogs.

I hope that Tony Dungy is right about Vick. Society will be better if he is. Will I eventually soften up on this? Maybe. Will I still root for the Eagles come opening day? Probably. Will I still be excited when the Eagles score with Vick on the field? Fly Eagles Fly. Have the Eagles irreparably damaged my feelings for them in my mind? Absolutely. Will I root for Michael Vick? Never. To quote James Brown in his interview with Vick, “What about the dogs? What about the dogs?”

Michael from Monto

Happy To Be Proven Wrong By The Phillies Pitchers

It's amazing to me that I'd be writing so much about the Phillies pitchers. With hitters like Shane Victorino, All-World Chase Utley, Ryan "the K" Howard, Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth, you'd think it would be all about the hitters. But not so. Maybe it's true that great pitching beats great hitting.

After all, the Phils had a starter (Joe Blanton) give up 2 runs in a game against the Giants only to lose to Tim Lincecum. The Phils got great pitching. But the Giants pitched better, and the Phillies potent offense was a non-factor for most of that series. I am still puzzled at how they could have lost to Barry Zito.

Back in April, I was among the Phillies fans moaning about the sorry state of the pitching staff. The ERAs at that time were appallingly high and homers were leaving Citizen's Bank Park at an alarming rate. Brett Myers: 4.91 ERA. Jamie Moyer: 5.09 ERA. Prima Donna Cole Hamels: 7.27 ERA.

And my assessment of Blanton? "He's been pretty....awful thus far, but he did have some great moments last year. Time to get going, dude. Sooner the better." Well, you can't be right all of the time.

I was kind of ahead of the curve in some of my ramblings: "Chan Ho Park. Why? All I have to say. I got nothin' else. I'm ready to see what JA Happ can do in the starting rotation. Or Pedro Martinez. Anyone." Partially right - Happ's been great as a starter - easily one of the most consistent pitchers.

Park has proven to be a pretty good relief pitcher. I feel a lot more confident in him than I have in Brad Lidge or Ryan Madson. And don't even get me started on Chad Durbin. As for Pedro - I am looking forward to his first pitch as a Phil. I hope it's against the Mets. And look at that...the Phillies visit the Mets for a 4-game series starting Friday, Aug 21. Maybe that's longer than they will wait to find a spot in the rotation for Pedro, but that would be fun to see.

A lot has changed since then. The Phillies have righted the ship, benefitted greatly from much better quality pitching and the somewhat surprising collapse of the Mets. As I write this, the Phillies have a 7-game lead over the Marlins in the NL East, a Cy Young winner on their pitching staff and the 'problem' of having more quality pitching options than they could have expected.

Sending Happ to the bullpen to make room for Martinez would be pretty lame. Then again, sending Moyer to the 'Pen would be pretty lame. He may be Methuselah and somewhat ineffective, but he's a classy veteran who leads the team with 10 wins and he deserves the respect of remaining in the starting rotation. I'd rather see the Phils go with a six-man rotation than send Happ to the bullpen. What the hell? It'll give the pitchers plenty of rest between starts until the end of the season.

Amazingly, Blanton has put together a pretty solid season. I didn't expect much more than we got last year from him, but he has exceeded my expectations. In his past five starts, he's gone 4-1 (with a tough, not-his-fault 2-0 loss to the Giants and the aforementioned Lincecum), given up six runs, gone at least seven innings in each game and dropped his ERA from 4.69 to 4.02. Especially impressive given that his ERA was 5.08 at the end of June.

And Cliff Lee? What else is there to say? Two starts, and he's 2-0, racking up Ks and giving the Phils that much needed ace presence. When this season started, I figured Hamels would be the ace, and that Brett Myers, Moyer, Blanton and Park/Happ would round out the staff. Didn't even sound all that good on paper.

However, a rotation that boasts Lee, Happ (8-2, 2.74 ERA), Blanton, Hamels (7-6, but his ERA is DOWN to 4.68 since April), Moyer and Martinez is a lot more potent and sounds good however you state it. It's amazing that Hamels would be the number four pitcher on this staff, but at this time, it's simply stating reality. He's not pitching very effectively.

I'm thinking he'll snap out of it and be the machine he was in the postseason last year - but he ain't got it right now. Someone needs to tell him that he did NOT pitch too many innings last year and that sports commentators should stop trying to supply excuses for him. Come on, Cole. Let's see some of that magic you showed us last year!

Kudos to Ruben Amaro Jr.!