So are these the real Phillies?
Or is this just another tease (see: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)?
The Phillies (25-24) surpassed the .500 threshold yesterday in a 6-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Like I've said before, I think this offense will be fine. In fact, the Phillies lead the league in runs (249) and are second in on-base percentage (.350). The starting pitching has been better, even though everybody is still waiting for Freddy Garcia to prove his worth before he runs to free agency after the season.
But while Mike Zagurski has been impressive in his first two big-league appearances and Antono Alfonseca picked up his first save since Sept. 13, 2002, I can't help but wonder if the bullpen can hold itself together while Brett Myers and Tom Gordon are on the disabled list? Myers isn't eligible to return until June 8. Gordon hasn't thrown a pitch since May 1.
Myers said he could be back June 8, but I think a return the following week is more likely. Gordon? Who knows? He won't throw a pitch until this week at the earliest.
The Phillies return to Philadelphia after this afternoon's series finale against Atlanta to open a seven-game homestand against Arizona (27-23) and San Francisco (24-24). Then they hit the road to play the Mets (31-17) and Royals (19-31). But the Phillies hit a tough part of their schedule beginning June 11: three at home against the White Sox (24-20), three at home against the Tigers (29-19) and three on the road against the Indians (30-17).
The only cupcake in that entire stretch is Kansas City.
It's tough to think this pitching staff can get through that run without Myers and Gordon.
Or at least Myers.
Agree? Disagree?
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John Smoltz can't believe the Phillies moved Myers to the bullpen in the first place.
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Rod Barajas' attempted tag at home plate in Wednesday's loss to Florida remains fresh in everybody's mind. Former Phillies manager Larry Bowa weighs in on the lost art of the tag.
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Wet Blanket Stat of the Day: Lefthander Cole Hamels, who pitches this afternoon as the Phillies try to sweep their first series of the season, has a 5.92 ERA in 12 career starts during the day compared to a 3.05 ERA in 21 career starts at night.
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Braves relief pitcher Mike Gonzalez will have Tommy John surgery. The Phillies took plenty of heat for not trading for a pitcher like Gonzalez in the off-season. Now I'm sure the Phillies feel fortunate they didn't overpay for Gonzalez -- the Braves traded Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh to get him.
That said, it doesn't change the fact that this team still needs to upgrade its bullpen.
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Non-baseball related, but ...
... Jim Thome might call this karma. I wonder what raced through this man's mind at the last minute?
Comments (4)
Let's not forget Gonzalez was one of three quality relievers acquired by the Braves since late last season. While Pat Gillick was signing only Alfonseca, the Braves also added Wickman (seven saves, 1.67 ERA to date) and Soriano (five saves, 2.49). So if you're worried about the Phillies' bullpen depth, who did the better job?...By the way, great story today on Smoltz' view of the Myers move to the bullpen. As fans we can only hope Myers comes back healthy and has many more saves, and Alfonseca holds the fort until then. But in the back on my mind there's always the debacle of Gillick bringing in a plethora of offseason free-agent starters when he needed bullpen help, and, now, the sad fact that the discarded Justin Germano sure seems to be the real deal in San Diego.
Posted by Don/University City | May 27, 2007 7:45 AM
Posted on May 27, 2007 07:45
i would guess reporters go to smoltz and ask him his opinions on things, but i'm sick of him seemingly sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong. first he called CBP a little-league field, earlier this year he said leiber should have refused to go to the bullpen, now he questions myers move to the 'pen, and he also got thrown out of yesterday's game for arguing a foul ball call from the bench (i'm sure he had a much better view of it from the dugout than the umpire did standing on the baseline and 10 feet away from it).
he should worry about his own team, instead of telling everyone else what they should be doing like a nancy-know-it-all. but if he's willing to talk, i'm sure reporters love him.
Posted by Mike | May 27, 2007 10:19 AM
Posted on May 27, 2007 10:19
i'm with mike on this one. who does smoltz think he is, curt schilling? the fact is, the phils had an extra starter, and the bullpen was a shambles. they had to take that gamble. and, frankly, if myers hadn't gotten hurt - with the numbers he was putting up - manuel was starting to look pretty smart.
Posted by john in LA | May 27, 2007 11:35 AM
Posted on May 27, 2007 11:35
An amazing fact is that the salaries of Oliver Perez (6-3, 2.54), John Maine (6-2, 2.79), Jorge Sosa (4-1, 3.64), & Orlando Hernandez (2-1, 2.13) COMBINED is less than what Freddy Garcia (1-3, 4.81) is making this year! Obviously, Omar Minaya has a better eye for pitching than Pat Gillick. Either that, or Rick Peterson is the best pitching coach in baseball. With that extra money, Minaya is able to have one of the best bullpens in the league. Someday, I'm hoping the Phillies will have a bright and creative GM in place.
Posted by Vernon Dozier | May 28, 2007 8:19 AM
Posted on May 28, 2007 08:19