Imagine the Possibilities
The Phillies swept the Rockies with a 6-1 victory last night at Citizens Bank Park, but it's hardly revenge for being swept in the playoffs last season.
Imagine the Possibilities
Todd Zolecki
Adam Eaton got his winThe 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.
Mr. Utley is the man. I know it's a little early yet but can we mention the words Most Valuable Player? Is it even legal to utter those words in May?— stephaniegrace- Chase is definitely an early favorite for MVP. Zo I agree about the voting for Rollins. Since coming off the DL he's been terrific.— KarenA
- Overall, we've got to be pretty pleased with where we are. On May 29, 2007, we were 26-26 in third place, 8 games out. Considering the injuries to Rollins and Victorino, Howard's awful start, and the lousy starts we've gotten from Eaton and Myers, we are still in better shape than we were last year at this time. Manuel is pushing the right buttons again this year. He has a good understanding of what he's got and consistently puts guys in the position to succeed. He has been getting contributions from many guys (Coste, Dobbs, Werth, Bruntlett). Also, Jenkins and Feliz are coming around. With Rollins and Victorino healthy and Howard out of his funk, now we are back at full strength. Like Zo said, if Myers and Eaton come around, we certainly can be optimistic going forward.— bski
Comment removed.- Eaton got his win, against the JV's! No Holliday, Hawpe, or Tulo. Sweep the Fish and make a statement!— Casey
- Jimmy Rollins behind Theriot? Looks like the Cub fans have ballot stuffing down to a science. Jason- Los Angeles— JASON RINGLER
- Chase being the best 2nd baseman in Phillies history is payback from the baseball gods for letting Ryne Sandberg get away. Although I think Utley will be just as good as Rhino. Phillies fans have to get on line and vote, early and often (just like most Philly elections...LOL), up to 25 times, will take you about 20 minutes. Then grab a handful of ballots and vote hard at the park, Rollins deserves it.— jimmymack
- Never thought about voting on-line AND at the park. DUH! Well, I have several more chances before the votes are counted. Truthfully, I think only Chase and J.Roll are the only Philllies deserving right now. Though Pat would have been right up there if he had stayed hot. I did "write in" Coste several times on-line.— Norma
- Just voted online for the 2nd time today. Rollins should be a no-brainer for the All-star team. Utley's # of votes is amazing!— KarenA
- Chase won by a huge margin last year. But not this big! Of course, the voting isn't over. He could tank. NOT! LOL!— Norma
- There you go again Norma...putting the jinx on your hero of all people! How dare you!!!— Clinton, NJ
- And who would have thought Eatons ERA would be under 5 at this point?? Lets hope it stays that way!!!! Now only if Myers could do it.....— Clinton, NJ
- There's no way in heck my "jinxes" would work on Chase, Clinton, NJ. LOL!— Norma
- A long time ago, MLB decided to let the fans pick the All-Star starters, making it not the "best" but the "most popular" players starting. I for one don't have a problem with that, as long as we accept it for what it is. Since the managers flesh out the team and since it is very rare the fans pick someone who doesn't at least deserve to be on the team, it's no big difference anyhow. And don't sweat about the Phils' representation; chances are Rollins will be a manager's pick, and probably 2 pitchers (Hamels and Lidge) will also have a solid chance of being picked. . I remember, long ago when I was a kid, they used to play 2 All-Star games, separated by a couple of weeks. If the union would allow it, I wouldn't mind seeing that again; but let the players, coaches and managers vote for the 2nd-game teams rather than the fans. It'd be interesting to see how the lineups and rosters differed.— marty
- I totally agree, marty! And I suspect that most fans who are serious about the vote, check stats. I know I did before I voted. The "players poll" also factors into who gets on the reserve list. I know pitchers get one inning each, but is there a rule about how many innings or at-bats a starter has to play? The managers can always pull them if they need to. I agree about Hamels and Lidge, too. And.......Two All Star Games? I don't remember that. Maybe I'm not as old as I thought. Or maybe I am and that's why I don't remember. LOL!— Norma
- Vote for Vicente. He deserves it. Long live Padilla's flotillas.— Leron
- Two All-Star games? I'm bored with one, as it is. The Home Run contest is the only part of the whole thing worth watching. The only other good thing about the All-Star break is it gives me a chance to catch up on the bills piling up on my desk because I've been watching the Phils every night. I'd rather we call up J.D. Durbin, send him to the All-Star game and give our good players three days off.— KMG
- As ridiculous as it sounds, Coste isn't a ridiculous write in Norma. Not because he is great, but because there aren't any very good catchers in the NL and he is playing as muh as Ruiz, and he is hitting better than any other starter. His numbers aren't as high because he doesn't play as much as they do, but his average is much better, and his numbers per AB are higher.— phillybob
- Todd, can you please tell us why Willie Randolph is a coach on this years allstar team?? Or if anyone knows why, please feel free to tell us fans why, cause I would love to know!— Clinton, NJ
- That's exactly why I wrote Coste in, phillybob!— Norma
HHey, I wrote Chris Coste in on every one of my 25 online ballots!— bobby- Norma/Phillybob/Bobby I also wrote-in Coste on one of my ballots. Coste has been a great addition. I think catchers should get an additional % pts to their avg (LOL?!)for playing the toughest position in baseball. Having to squat, call plays, occassionally getting clunk by a foul ball, & having 80+ mile/hr balls thrown out you for 2 or more hrs is grueling!— KarenA
- What about having the players and managers pick the all star rosters? Then use the last two weeks or so before the all star game to have the Fans pick the starters based on the pool of players. I think that would get the right people into the all star game and still the fans have a say in the matter. It would also eliminate the popularity portion of the contest where players in NY (who aren't having as good of a year as other players at their position) start the all star game because they are from NY. Any thoughts on this?— sjuhawk416
- I think Willie Randolph is a coach because the all star game is in NY and he is coach of the Mets. Surely it is not because he is such a good manager...— sjuhawk416
- Not a bad idea, sjuhawk416. But like someone already mentioned, even the *popular* vote goes to someone who should be on the team anyway. If he isn't effective starting, he can always be pulled.— Norma
