Phillies success = pitching
The Phils have turned it around on the mound.
Phillies success = pitching
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
It's all about pitching. It always has been. We get distracted sometimes when Ryan Howard and Chase Utley hit the ball to Camp Pendleton, but it is about Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer and Brad Lidge and the rest of them. The pitchers are the reason the Phillies won the World Series last year and they will be the explanation for whatever happens to the Phillies this season.
Some numbers, then.
Through the first 39 games of the season, the team ERA was 5.33.
In the last 10 games, the team ERA was 3.65.
In the first 39 games, the Phils walked 3.8 players per game.
In the last 10 games, they walked 2.0 players per game.
There are obviously questions to come, beginning tonight against San Diego with Antonio Bastardo starting his first game and Brad Lidge unlikely to be able to close (given that he has saves in the last four days). The only point is that, if the Phillies can continue to get this kind of pitching another time or two through the rotation, a lot of the pressure to go out and get another starting pitcher quickly will dissipate. They're going to have to get somebody to replace Brett Myers, and everybody agrees on that. But there is a difference between being anxious and being desperate, and it would greatly behoove the franchise not to be desperate -- because desperate teams gut their farm systems to bring in pitchers, and the Phillies should be in a position where they pay top dollar but not turn their pockets inside-out.
In the bridge between now and the arrival of that pitcher, that is what this all means.
I wanna see what that Bastardo can do!
From that picture Blanton reminds me of a tubby Christian Slater...heh— Prego614- Mad Dog closes tonight. Romero back tomorrow. Drabek debuts in Reading on Thursday night. He might even be better than Bastardo right now. As you said it's all about pitching depth.— Dull
- If everyone agrees that this team has about a 3 year wondow to win a another championship with this core, then why not see if Peavy would come here, and if he would give up some/a lot of that farm system to get him considering he has about 3 years left on his deal! I'll take my chances for the next 3 season with this line-up, bull pen, and Hamels and peavy as your 1-2...again this all depends on Peavys willingness to come here...but, if we win another championship or two (and get some dynasty talk going) I couldn't care less about Carrasco, Marson and jason Donald!!!— relly142
- With a name like that, the kid might want to come out and be successful from the get go:)— Kevin O.
- On the subject of Mad Dog, what pitching machine he has become. He typically doesn't mess around with a million walks that keep you on the edge of your seat, he just mows them down. I was listening to Angelo Cataldi on WIP yesterday morning and they were talking about how this guy doesn't have the mentality to close a game etc. They could actually not find one positive thing to say about this guy. I think its time to admit that we no longer really have a Sports radio station in this town. When you consider Mad Dog just an okay pitcher after what he as done since last July, then you do not know sports, and you no longer worth listening too. Anybody else hear that Mad Dog trashing?— Kevin O.
- Keep going with the young guys. I love seeing these guys brought up. I'll never forget how exciting it was during the exhibition season years back when Cole Hamels pitched against the Yanks and struck out 3 in a row including A-Roid. I get the same feeling with Drabek. Phils pitching is steadying out and we've got the best D in baseball - give me a break about the Yanks would ya!!! Jeter doesn't get to the balls Jimmy Rollins does and did you see the plays two games in a row - Rollins/Utley (DP and then Utley/Howard the next day. Cal Ripken says our D's the best and there's no doubt and Feliz is excellent. Our OF is also terrific and C Ruiz is real good. We're still the top dogs!!! How do you like me now Mets!!! By the way everyone should e-mail that toupee wearing dope Mike (Mike and Mike in the Morning) about his stupid assertion that the Phils will be out of the playoffs not his Mets. Former Eagle Mike Golic should just body-slam the little worm. Typical Costa's/Cosell/Tim Kur - non-athlete I love NY teams and Boston teams loser.— Phillyexp
- Kevin, listening to Angelo on baseball (actually on anything) is like the gossip you heard from the lady next door when she was talking with the milkman back in '49. Angelo is Mr Irrelevant in this town.— mick314
- Patience is the key. Bastardo and Drabek may be able to help us, and Big Joe Blanton is pitching great right now. As to Cataldi, he is worthless. I listen to Jody Mac and sometimes Eskin because he makes me laugh. Misinelli is ok. Cataldi is the worst.— CSFurious
- Mr.KevinO This bastardo is the real deal hes just a kid but wait until you see him.— Phillies08
- Mr.KevinO This bastardo is the real deal hes just a kid but wait until you see him.— Phillies08
- If Bastardo has great night, which writer will lead with "Bastardo Legit"?— mick314
- Talk about a tired act whose time has long past, Angelo Cataldi is completely irrelevant— fla
Madson was a chancy quantity for a while, but now he's lights out. I'd be willing to give him the ball in the 9th.- As to Peavy. I say no. If the Phillies go after a high caliber pitcher, it should be Halladay of Toronto. Peavy would cost the Phils a lot in salary and a lot in prospects, plus he is isn't close to being the quality of Halladay. So if your going to pay all of that, you might as well get the quality. However, if I were the Phils, I would take a run at prying Lannan away from the Nationals. He had a low era last year. He started with a low era this year, but is scuffling somewhat. A lot of this is due to the porous fielding and defense of the Nationals. Therefore he should be attainable. He is young, cheap, and will be good for years. It would only cost us some minor league arms. As bad as the bullpen is down there they would profit from getting Koplove and/or Majewski (i.e, back again). I know that we would be lefty heavy with Happ, Moyer, Hamels and him, but that should help with holding the runners on first base.— dross
