A Good April? The Phillies? Really?
The Phillies are 14-11, so they will finish April without a losing record for the first time since 2003.
A Good April? The Phillies? Really?
Todd Zolecki
You might have heard that the Phillies are slow starters. Here's their record after the last five Aprils:
2007: 11-14.
2006: 10-14.
2005: 10-14.
2004: 10-11.
2003: 16-12.
Yep, they haven't had a winning record entering May since 2003. But the Phillies, who are 14-11, at least have guaranteed they won't have a losing record entering May this year. With three games to play this month, they can finish no worse than 14-14. How have they done it without Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino in the lineup? Chase Utley and Pat Burrell have been on fire, and the Phillies have been pitching very well, especially the bullpen. Good pitching wins.
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Ryan Howard and Charlie Manuel are optimistic that last night's homer in an 8-4 victory over the Pirates can get him going.
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In the Phillies Notebook, Jayson Werth is the most patient hitter in baseball and injury updates for Jimmy Rollins, Chris Snelling, Scott Mathieson, Shane Victorino and Kris Benson. Pat Gillick spoke with reporters before today's game. Rollins will be back in Philadelphia tonight and will be revaluated by athletic trainer Scott Sheridan tomorrow. Expect Rollins to begin a rehab assignment in a few days. Victorino should be activated before Tuesday's game, replacing T.J. Bohn. Gillick also said he likes the way his bullpen has pitched, but is looking for another lefthander.
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In Jim Salisbury's Sunday baseball column, he takes a look back at Lee Elia's infamous tirade against Chicago Cubs fans. Check out Extra Bases, too.
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You know it's bad when US Airways calls you at noon to tell you that you're 8:20 p.m. flight from Pittsburgh to Philly has been delayed 75 minutes for "operational issues."
I would have never thought the Phils would start this good if you told me that J-roll and Victorino would miss two weeks or more and that Howard would hit about .190 or so. The Pitching is doing great so far, I see no reason they cant keep up the good work! I would love to see Moyer end his career by having a great year!!— Clinton, NJ- This has been a great April, all things considered. I worry about having to go to the bullpen every single day for multiple innings. It's a long season, hope there are some arms on the farm that can step up, by August the bullpen will be shot.— jimmymack
- Dear Scribe Zolecki, Your ink is finally a refreshing sight every morning because you do not have the unfortunate proclivity to hereh ag hag ha hga hga hgh ag hag hag ha hga hga hg ahg. E11. Best regards, Hal C.— Hal C
- our former/future closer isn't have a good time so far this season as a current starter.— timm
- What the heck happened to our offense!!!!! Have to hand it to Maholm.— Norma
- What's wrong with Myers' velocity? He didn't hit 90 on the radar gun the entire day.— southpaw57
- Another example of Phillies deceit. Cholly came clean and said that Myers hasn't hit 90mph all year. He actually said he hasn't seen him throw a fastball all yr. Its obvious what happened here; P.G. Little Ed and the new Giles aka Dave Montgomeryeither didn't treat Myers' injury last properly or didn't disclose to YOU the depth of his injury. No wonder they got Lidge 4 the closer role. 85-88 doesn't get it done. Myers struggles alot getting outs in the 9th last year, now it all makes sense. Your Phillies are a classless organization.— Truth
- Wow, another highly reasoned, well articulated argument from our resident seer. Please start your own blog, so we can enjoy more TRUTH from someone who knows. Every pearl from your lips is so highly anticipated, I can't wait to log on and find out more facts from the informed mind of the only person who knows anything.— jimmymack
- OK. Instead of slamming our team, how about giving props to the opposing pitcher. Maholm was brilliant. Yes, Myers didn't have his best outing, but our offense wasn't able to hit off of Maholm.— Norma
- You tell em' Norma!! Lets hope the Padres bats stay cool in the up coming series...Hamels needs a good start to the game tuesday, if he can get through the first couple innings with out major damage, he should cruise......Wy do we even bother responding to you know who? If we ignore him, he'll go away! Im sure he gets a huge kick out of all our responses to him, so lets stop mentioning him!!!— Clinton, NJ
- Maybe the Phillies travel schedule on this road trip caught up with them today. They were definitely seemed like they ran out of steam. What an unexpected treat that the Phillies are having a good April! As we know it's a long season and the bullpen, Burrell and Utley will might have their slumps....but hopefully with Victorino and Rollins back in the line up and you know Howard will get his act together they'll pickup any "slack"— Karen
- Clinton, it's actually fun taking swings at the blog pinata. Last week he referred to the Phils with a "we", now we're back to YOU. Don't leave us Truth!— John in LA
- One month into the season what have we learned? 1. We lose nothing when we go to our 2nd catcher. We probably shouldn't make him our 1st catcher, but if he starts 60 or 70 games that is a bad thing. 2. Jayson Werth can absolutely be one of the starters in the outfield, should anyone be DLed (which we know will happen). 3. We have the best player in the league in Utley. 4. Pat Burrell with a healthy foot is better than Pat Burrell with a bum foot...either that or he really like the "man or machine" t-shirt. 5. Great plays and a few clutch hits aside, Pedro Feliz is not the "hoover" gold glove fielder or the hit for average or Streaky HR hitter that we were hoping for...more a below average statistical offensive 3rd baseman.— phillybob
- TRUTH = LOSER— phillybob
- Zo, what's the deal with this kid in Clearwater, Bastardo? Could this kid get an August call up? The Thresher Manager said he would be surprised if he got another start at single-A.— Casey
