Are the Florida Marlins for real?

It's May 30 and they're in first place in the National League East, a half-game ahead of the Phillies. They're fourth in the league with 4.88 runs scored per game, which trails only the Cubs (5.63), Phillies (5.33) and Diamondbacks (5.07). They have a couple studs in Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla. They can hit. They definitely can hit. But it should be interesting to see how their pitching holds up. The Marlins enter tonight with a 4.65 ERA, which ranks eighth in the league. That's behind the Phillies, who rank sixth with a 4.31 ERA. But Marlins starters also have a 5.00 ERA, which is 14th in the league. We saw last season how tough it can be to win without effective starting pitching (i.e. Adam Eaton, Freddy Garcia, Jon Lieber, etc.). The Phillies found some effective replacements for those guys (Kyle Lohse, Kyle Kendrick, etc.). Can the Marlins find some if needed? Will they spend for it?

Jim Salisbury went to New York earlier this week to talk with the Marlins, and they definitely think they're for real.

"Everyone except the guys in this clubhouse thought losing (Miguel) Cabrera and (Dontrelle) Willis was the end of the world," Marlins first base coach Andy Fox said. "But these guys are real grinders. They took it as a challenge. Now, there's a sense in here that we can do this."

We'll find out this weekend.

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The Phillies should give that Marlins rotation a good test. They're hitting the ball ridiculously well.

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It's time for Brett Myers to step up.

Here are the pitching match ups for this weekend's series.

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I wouldn't be surprised to see Greg Golson in a Phillies uniform this season, if he keeps hitting like he has in double-A Reading. I talked with Phillies minor league director Steve Noworyta about Golson and catcher Lou Marson for today's Phillies Notebook.

Golson projects as an everyday big league player, which is good news for the Phillies with Pat Burrell a free agent after the season. I'm not saying Golson is the answer if Burrell leaves, but at least they have another option to consider as they put together future rosters.

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The 2007 National League East champion New York Mets. Wait, what? That didn't happen? But they had that big lead.

Oh, yeah ...

Adam Eaton got his win.

The Phillies got their sweep.

It sets up nicely for this weekend's series against the Florida Marlins at Citizens Bank Park.

Eaton allowed just one run in six innings last night in a 6-1 victory over the Rockies. That's two good starts in a row for Eaton. I'm not sure that's cause for celebration, but it could be reason to be cautiously optimistic. We know the Phillies' offense is for real. They have a remarkable track record. We think the Phillies' bullpen is this good. It's been phenomenal so far this season. We know what the Phillies have in Cole Hamels -- an ace. We haven't been surprised with what Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick have done this season. They should give the Phillies offense a chance to win more often than not.

But can you imagine what might happen if Eaton pitches a little more consistently and Brett Myers straightens out his season?

It could make for a fun summer, if you're into fun summers.

Are you?

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In the Phillies Notebook, Chase Utley leads all National League players in votes for the All-Star Game.

"That's sick," Ryan Howard said. "First off, you have to be doing something good. Second of all, it means people have taken notice of what he's been doing. It's not just something that has happened for one year. It's something that has been going on for the four years he's been in the big leagues. It's good to see."

Is Utley the best second baseman in Phillies history? I don't think there's any question about that.

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I understand why Howard isn't higher than fourth in voting for first baseman. He's struggled. But Jimmy Rollins fifth? I know he missed a month, but the guy is the defending NL MVP and he can't get more votes than Ryan Theriot? Brutal.

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Utley not only hits home runs and makes all-star teams, he also works out. In fact, Men's Fitness named him one of the "25 Fittest Guys in America." I'd like to know the criteria for such a contest. In fact, I'd like to know why no sportswriters made the list.

Uh, don't answer that.

It looked like the Phillies might put up another 20-spot on the Colorado Rockies after they scored seven runs in the first two innings last night in a 7-4 victory.

But then they cooled.

Slackers.

"I was looking forward to getting to 10," Jimmy Rollins said. "But more importantly, we held on and got the win."

The Phillies have scored 42 runs in their last three games, matching the most they have scored in three since they piled on 44 runs against the New York Giants from April 28 to May 1, 1900. The Phillies also scored 42 runs in three straight games against the Pittsburgh Pirates from July 30 to Aug. 2, 1932, and 42 against the Pirates and Chicago Cubs from July 1 to 3, 1999.

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In the Phillies Notebook: Adam Eaton tries to follow his best start in a Phillies uniform, at least according to Charlie Manuel. A sign of better things to come? Or just another mirage? Eaton needs to start pitching better because the Phillies were encouraged by Kris Benson's start yesterday in an extended spring training game in Clearwater. Should Benson continue to progress and Eaton revert back to prior form, Eaton's spot in the rotation is in jeopardy.

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David Montgomery's position hasn't changed: He won't name Pat Gillick's successor until after the season.

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Manuel didn't think Pat Burrell's stiff neck is serious. We'll see if he's in the lineup tonight in the series finale against the Rockies.

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So I need a little help. I understand fans boo in Philadelphia. I have no problem with that. But somebody explain why fans booed Tom Gordon like he was Jose Mesa's less talented younger brother in the eighth inning last night? Gordon entered 4-1 with a 1.83 ERA and one save since Opening Day. But then he started getting knocked around by the Rockies and fans really got on him. This wasn't "come-on-dude-just-get-out-of-the-inning" boos. These were "you-freakin-suck-Gordon-I-hate-you" boos. Gordon entered with a runner on and one out and a six-run lead. He left with a four-run lead. Like I said, I'm OK booing a player, but this time it seemed a little over the top. It's not like the Phillies were in real danger of losing the game. If this was a one-run game and Gordon came in pitched like that, yes, boo the hell out of him. But are these fans not aware that Gordon has been money for most of the season?

Pat Burrell has been scratched from tonight's lineup because of stiffness on the left side of his neck. The Phillies said he is day to day.

Greg Dobbs has taken Burrell's place in left field. He will hit fifth.

Kris Benson is making progress.

Real progress.

He threw four-plus innings in an extended spring training game today in Clearwater, Fla. He allowed three hits, one run and one walk. He struck out four. He threw 75 pitches, and his fastball hovered around 86 to 90 mph. That's an increase from his start last week, when he topped out at 87 mph. If Benson comes out of it OK, he will pitch Sunday for single-A Clearwater.

"It was encouraging for him and it was encouraging for us," Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

There's still no timetable for his return, but the Phillies have said sometime between June 15 and July 15 is possible.

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Tonight's lineup against Colorado:

1) Jimmy Rollins, SS
2) Shane Victorino, CF
3) Chase Utley, 2B
4) Ryan Howard, 1B
5) Pat Burrell, LF
6) Geoff Jenkins, RF
7) Pedro Feliz, 3B
8) Carlos Ruiz, C
9) Kyle Kendrick, P

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Keep those questions coming for Greg Dobbs.

Jim Salisbury asked a question I'm sure on most people's minds last night as they watched the Phillies pound the Rockies at Citizens Bank Park:

"Where was this in October?"

The Phillies scored a season-high 20 runs in a 20-5 victory over the Rockies. They have scored 35 runs their past two games. They have scored 60 runs in their last six. It's the most the Phillies have scored in back-to-back games since they scored 35 on July 2-3, 1999, vs. the Chicago Cubs at Veterans Stadium. Check out those box scores here and here.

Here are the highest scoring totals in back-to-back games since that two-game bloodbath against the Cubs in 1999:

35 - May 25-26, 2008, at Astros vs. Rockies
33 - Aug. 24-25, 1999, vs. Padres
31 - June 28-29, 2004, vs. Expos
29 - June 15-16, 2001, vs. Orioles
24 - Aug. 14-15, 2006, vs. Mets
24 - June 9-11, 2004, at White Sox and Twins 
24 - Sept. 14-16, 2003, at Pirates and vs. Marlins
23 - July 13-14, 2007, vs. Cardinals
23 - Aug. 19-20, 2006, vs. Nationals
23 - July 19-30, 2006 vs. Marlins
23 - Sept. 16-17, 2005 at Marlins

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Phil Sheridan talks about the Phillies' knack for dealing with adversity, and how they seem better equipped to make an October run than in the past.

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In the Phillies Notebook, the Phillies are at the begiinning of a 10-game homestand. Charlie Manuel thinks it's time to make a move in the division.

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Don't forget to send me your questions for Greg Dobbs.

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Check out a photo gallery from last night's massacre.

Got a question for Greg Dobbs?

Sure you do.

If you have a good one, send an e-mail to me HERE. Please include your first name, initial of your last name and city and state where you live.

Dobbs has been an interesting story for the Phillies. Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Jan. 16, 2007, Dobbs has emerged as one of the most dangerous pinch-hitters in baseball. He also spells Pedro Feliz at third base, and can play a little outfield. He's been one of Pat Gillick's finest pick ups since he became the Phillies' general manager before the 2006 season.

I'd like to ask Dobbs your questions before Wednesday's game, so hop to it.