Since we’re just trying to sneak back into the baseball mood, here’s a question to open the discussion: What concerns you the most about the Phillies, so far?
Remember, they’ve only played seven games. Sure feels like more, but it’s only been seven.
Again, what concerns you the most? Here are some thoughts:
Cole Hamels: Yes, he had just one start, but the possibility of real pain and overwork from 2008 is real. It might take another few poor starts to determine anything concrete, but the gist is Hamels isn’t quite at his ’08 level. If he can’t operate at that level, it’ll be much harder for the Phils to win regularly.
Over-reliance on Moyer, Park: I’m singling out Jamie Moyer and Chan Ho Park because they’ve intrigued me through their first starts. Moyer doesn’t look like the guy who flung a below 4.00 ERA in 2008, but he did pitch better against the Nationals. Then there’s Park, who looked nothing like a reputable starter against Colorado. Can the Phils sustain a high level of play with these two throwing 40 percent of the starts?
Jimmy Rollins: He has started slow, but could he continue this badly? I don’t think so, as Rollins usually turns it up as the season progresses. But the on-base numbers (below .200) are scary. Downright scary.
The bench: Right now Matt Stairs and Eric Bruntlett are providing nice bench balance, but can they sustain an entire season of this? What about Miguel Cairo? Was there any need to hand him a roster spot? Chris Coste, meanwhile, doesn’t look like himself anymore. Lou Marson gets his shot tonight.
So what concerns you the most? Discuss.
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