theyve logged a lot of innings so far for the bullpen. the starters logged some of the most in the NL so far, but they go on stretched where they need to use the pen early in 4/5 games.

In addition to the top line starter they do need another legitimate bullpen arm to ease the load off of those guys in the strech run and postseason

I didn’t say Cole was outpitched – and I didn’t bring up the Braves series.

One thing that struck me listening to the Marlins broadcast was Charlie Manuel was asked how they got two nights off in S. Florida (Sunday, Monday). Manuel said they didn’t need it.

Now, the two nights off could’ve messed with their hot hitting; moreover, they likely partied it up in S. Florida. How much would that play into their game? Who knows, maybe a little.

see, about the bats being cold though. yeah taht happens sometimes. but pitchers with good stuff and good starting pitchers always make the phillies bats go cold. i cant remember the last time they knocked around a bonafide ace like hardcore. they jsut dont do it that often. why? because nobody does it to them. they get rocked like twice a year.

why is that? because their stuff overpowers hitters and makes them swing at garbage. its why pitching wins championships. i thought a few guys got themselves out last night though, and thats what you cant do. (carlos ruiz, werths bunt).

the bottom line is that even though the phillies will probably win the division, although if they keep this up they wont, they still have an inferior rotation. brett myers doesnt even belong in the same sentence as ben sheets or dan haren or brandon webb or even cole hamels. hes like one tenth as good as them because he gets rattled and is wildly inconsistent from one start to the next. maybe you can have him at the back of the rotation, i could live with that actually. but hes NOT a number two. ben sheets on the other hand? yeah they need him, start rooting against milwaukee so they become resigned to losing him. id give up something like bastardo, happ, cardenas, plus one or two other not as notable guys. tahts a big haul and a big risk so theyd BETTER sign him to an extension.

Thing is I have higher standards for Hamels than I do for Myers, Eaton, or anyone in the rotation. When he leaves having given up two runs, as opposed to the opposing pitcher having given up one it stands to fact the opposing pitcher outpitched him. We can blame it on the bats all we want. Thing is Hamels gave up to solo home runs, and the opposing pitcher kept the ball in the park. I think Hamels pitched great last night. No doubt about it. Miller pitched better though. And thats happened a few times to Hamels this year.

1. Our starting rotation is incomplete.
2. Our bullpen is beginning to falter (exception, Lidge).
3. Our offense is showing consistent signs of inconsistency.

What does this result in?
Everyone at this point knows: We’re just not a good team right now.