Analysis: Bullpen Headlines Positives After 0-2 Start

Yes, there have been highlights despite the Phillies 2-0 start.

Among them:

The bullpen has been shut-down. Led by Jack Taschner (3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER), the bullpen hasn’t allowed a thing in seven innings, while striking out eight.
Ryan Howard seems to be striking the ball well. His shots are up the middle (even when hitting into the shift). When Howard is on his game, he’s driving the ball to the middle of the field. Soon you’ll get some gap doubles. Then you’ll get some bombs.

Howard’s defense has been good so far. And Raul Ibanez passed his first test with a nice throw home to record a third out last night.
Despite Brett Myers’ line, his start was OK without the longball.

Are we reaching? Maybe. But sometimes you have to reach.

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.