Rollins Rebirth is Stillborn

After the first few games of having Jimmy Rollins back in the leadoff role after a short-lived stint in the six hole, I was almost ready to claim he regained his early season confidence.  I decided to wait a few days to see if he kept up the hitting, and I’m glad I did.  After going 8-14 with 2 RBIs, 5 runs scored, 2 doubles, and a homer in his first three games back at the top, he subsequently rolled off a 1 for 8 streak in the past two.  It seems as the season progresses you’re not sure which Rollins is gonna show up – the one that’s red hot or the one’s that ice cold.  With his recent performance, I’m dumbfounded as to how he ever sustained a 38-game hit streak.  Jimmy is on pace to equal his career-high in walks (57) this season so maybe he if can just get on base his paltry average won’t be such a drain on the lineup.  If he does get to first base this series against the Dodgers, he would be wise to stay there if Russell Martin is behind the plate.  Although Dodger pitchers are not the best at holding runners, Baseball Prospectus recently wrote up Martin

for his effectiveness in throwing out runners.  There’s something for Jimmy and the rest of the Phils to keep in mind; for the rest of us, here are a few more points to ponder:

• Eric Gagne is finally eligible to pitch again and could see action against the Phils this series.
• If you were looking for more information for on the newest Phillie, Brian Sanches, check out this article from his hometown paper in Texas.
• Ryan Howard’s 18 home runs at the end of May is the highest in major-league history by a sophomore.  He also let the league with 13 homers and 35 RBIs in the month of May.
• The Phillies are the only National League team with four players with at least 30 RBI each.