Phillies Nation

I’ll be at the Wednesday game. I hope Phillies bats decide to show up there too… come on Phils!

Our 3, 4, 5, hitters suck balls again good pitching. How many times did Pat the Bat go down on a called-third strike this weekend?

just dont hope that chase will wait till august 5th to hit .315 again

Can we leave Moyer out of this “he’s a problem” discussion?

The guy has made 56 starts here and won 26 of them outright. 200 IP last year- and will make a serious run at the number again. Never misses a turn.

He won 14 last year- and could win 15+ this year.

All on a sane contract.

Tim~ Exactly! It’s only June. The reality is that more than half of the season is to be played. When the team got on a recent hot streak and had first place all to themselves, some fans here got carried away and raised their expectations unrealistically. In a 162 game schedule, the only sure bets are 1) winning streak, 2) losing streak and 3) injuries. It’s inevitable that all clubs will have those experiences during the course of a long season.

As Bill Conlin wrote and reminded, this is no time for panic; concern..yes.
Prior to the season opener, I had questions about the team’s pitching in general and the depth of their bench. I felt the team could win 89-90 games and a decent chance to make the playoff in spite of those question marks. I felt strongly that there would be a season long
“dogfight” with the division rivals, Mets and the Braves. My thoughts at the time were made on an unemotional, even-keel slate.

Today, as I look at the bigger picture, I see little that would change my original views back in March. Pitching issues still remain and been hounded relentlessly here with thoughful comments and more often with emotional rants. One of my major concerns was the bullpen and weather or not Lidge could stay injury free and fulfill the role of closer. As season approaches the halfway mark, I must say the bullpen has been the most pleasant surprise and the team’s most valuable asset.
Last season when the Phillies made their move on the Mets, their offense was not totally reliant on the long ball but also were able to manufactured runs with Rollins and Victorino leading the way. The team also benefited with their bench, especially with the hot bat of Jason Werth.

I feel the team must use this same approach for the second half. The bottom half of the batting orde(Feliz/Jenkins/Werth/Ruiz) obviously need
to pick up. This team can not live by the home run if they are to make a successful run to the playoffs.

Obviously, the pitching for the rotation is a sore point for all of us and we can only hope that the Phillies’ front office can address the issue with a pre-deadline trade for a quality pitcher that can instantly help the team for the second half run. Otherwise, we will have to rely on Myers to make a turnaround and have the kind of success he had in the past. Let’s face reality; Without further changes, the Phillies’ hopes will rest on the arms of Moyers, Kendrick and Eaton (besides Hamels & Myers).

One other note. Like most teams, Phillies are a very good fastball hitting team and are among leaders in several offensive categories. Their hitting approach has been successful for past years (including last year’s division title). That won’t change. On the other hand, they can be patient as needed (see Utley, Burrell, Werth). I’ve seen Rollins and more so of late with Victorino showing patience. Obviously, we need more of that for the rest of the line-up.

I live down here in DC as well. Where is this newly claimed bar? I have to check it out!

Mike T. are you being sarcastic?

Are the Cubs still “not a good team” … sweeping the White Sox.. and they have the most runs for, and lowest runs against in the NL. The best record in baseball..

Just seeing where we are today..

Parity, not parody.

But yeah, that was a frustrating homestand. Of course the Phils had to let the Mets back into it – I always fear the Mets. Hopefully the Yankees can take two out of three this weekend, and the Phils can get back on track. I really don’t know what’s wrong with Howard. He can’t seem to hit anything. He has one good game, and we think he’s getting better, but then he resumes sucking.

He struck out like a dog on Saturday with RISP and two outs in the eighth inning and the Phightin’s down by two runs after Victorino lead an amazing near-comeback.

I don’t even know what to say about Howard anymore. He comes to the plate, and I don’t feel the slightest glimmer of confidence. I feel utter despair, and anything he gives you is a surprise. When he does hit, I don’t feel like he proves he’s capable. I feel it’s a blind squirrel finding a nut. (Either that or the pitcher fucked up and left a fast ball over the middle of the plate.) .333 with RISP is good. But does anybody have his “late and close” stats? Are they good? Awful? Mediocre?

Leave Feliz alone. How quickly you forget the days when I was blocking out the sun with this boulder on top of my neck that I call a head. I collected the eqivalent of winning the PA lottery and all I gave you guys was a bunch of throws into the dugout and a heaping portion of infield ground outs. At least Feliz has power and a good glove. All I have is a big old brick-head and a sack of $100 bills I use for toilet paper.