What is Charlie Manuel's surprise of the season?
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What is Charlie Manuel's surprise of the season?
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES — There is much for Charlie Manuel and the Phillies to be thankful for after 115 games. Seventy-five wins will do that. Just about everything has gone according to plan. Injuries have been limited. The pitchers have been fantastic. The defense has been above average.
But one thing sticks out to Manuel. Unprompted, he named Antonio Bastardo as his surprise of the season to date.
The numbers don't lie; Bastardo has been amazing. His .124 batting average against is the lowest of all relievers in the majors by 20 points. His 1.47 ERA is eighth among relievers. Opponents have swung and missed at 15.4 percent of Bastardo's pitches and that ranks ninth among major-league relievers.
But most importantly, the 25-year-old lefthander has shown an ability to stay on the field with an intense focus.
"So far, knock on wood, he's been really good," Manuel said. "He's been really, really consistent. Even when he falls behind in the count, he'll come right at you. All you have to do is look at his numbers and they tell the story. He's been that good. He's been my surprise, really. The biggest surprise has been him, without a doubt."
Agree with Charlie? What's your biggest surprise of the season so far?
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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In Charlie we trust.— Sweet Lou- I agree. Worley has to be the number 2 pleasant surprise. Then Mayberry. Then the fact that Rollins has not been on the DL.— altoonaaslan
- No one saw this kind of dominance in this kid. He always had a good arm, but this kind of mental makeup and focus, pinpoint control? Never, not in a million years. But thank you Antonio...you are indeed..."The Great Bastardo".— Mark1npt
- I agree with you alttonaasian. It seems all of that yoga Jimmy did in the off-season is paying off. And now it appears that he has finally learned to lay off the high cheese. Now if GG can only get Howard and Utley to do the same, the run totals will be even higher.— southpaw57
Good Eye Charlie— Kevinmac- Bastardo has been great...I guess we're really lucky since the club really wanted the aging,useless Danys Reyes as their lefthanded relief pitcher, then settled for JC Romero...Glad the talented Bastardo, who kept getting the Mayberry treatment last year but was awesome in LV, followed up this season with command and swagger.— bearsfriend
- If anyone saw Bastardo in the minors, they would have known he had lights out stuff...To me Worley has been the surprise...regarded as a "mid level"prospect, never did he approach this level of performance in his 2 and a half years of pro ball in the minors....His performance to date has been stellar, especially as a starter.— bearsfriend
- Has to be the bullpen as a whole, followed by Worley. Also, how good utley has been since he came back.— Phils Phan 28
- My big surprise is Charley's going to Lidge again--when will he get over that guy.— northcountry1
- Bastardo has been fantastic. His demeanor on the mound is wonderful, he looks so calm out there. He always had the stuff, now he has the make up.— sundevil1987
- Altoona that's good. Yes, the yoga helped. so does jogging to first, pulling up short, and cruising around third.
OK, enough negativity, big surprise certainly Worley, but Madson has been a pleasant surprise in finally taking hold of closer's role, even thoughnot needed as much this year.— Eephus 
I would agree with the above sentiment of Antonio "The Matador" Bastardo as #1 surprise and the Vanimal as #2. I'd go with Michael "Mad Shih Tzu" Martinez as #3. A fourth surprise is waiting in the Sept. call up wings: Michael Schwimmer.- Stutes and 'Stardo have been studs. I haven't been a Michael Martinez fan all year, but he can flat out pick it at 3rd base. I have to throw him some kudos.— scootch
- Vermont - Right On!— M60tanker
