Why Are The Phillies Winning?
What have we learned about the Phillies almost a month into the season? Their bullpen has surprised, Brett Myers has disappointed and their offense has held together despite missing Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino.
Why Are The Phillies Winning?
Todd Zolecki
Fact: April typically is a bad month for the Phillies.
Fact: Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino have been on the DL for some time.
Fact: Ryan Howard has been in a terrible slump since the season started.
Fact: Pedro Feliz, Carlos Ruiz and Geoff Jenkins haven't hit much better.
Fact: The Phillies have three starting pitchers (Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick and Adam Eaton) with a 5.00 ERA or higher.
So how in the world are the Phillies 14-12 entering tonight's series opener against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park? If I told you those things before the March 31 season opener you'd probably say this team would be 10-16 or 11-15.
"What about Jayson Werth?" manager Charlie Manuel said. "What about some of the plays [Eric] Bruntlett has made? What about [Chris] Coste the other day having a big game? Different people have played different roles in it. That's what it's all about. We had injuries last year and we picked it up.
"I don't even want to talk about last year, but when somebody gets hurt - what happened to Wally Pipp? He got hurt, didn't he? The game didn't stop. Hey, I used to tell my pitchers in the minor leagues, when I'd go out to get them, I'd look at them and say, 'What the hell is going on? Why should you be scared? Babe Ruth died. Mickey Mantle had bad legs. Tony Oliva had bad knees. And Charlie Manuel went to Japan. Why should you be scared?' The game goes on."
The game goes on, despite injuries to Rollins and Victorino and struggles for Howard, Myers and others. But Chase Utley and Pat Burrell have been two of the best hitters in baseball this month. That's certainly helped. Werth has earned more playing time. Coste has earned more playing time. But it's the bullpen that's really held things together. The back end of the bullpen - Brad Lidge (0-0, 0.00 ERA and six saves in 11 appearances), J.C. Romero (1-0, 0.00 ERA in 12 appearances), and Tom Gordon (2-1, 1.93 ERA and one save since opening day) - has been unhittable. The bullpen as a whole has the best ERA in the National League (2.60) and the second best in the majors behind Tampa Bay (2.26).
You get good pitching you always have a chance, even if you only have three or four hitters swinging the bats well like the Phillies.
That seems to be what's happening here.
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Pitching match ups for this week's series against the Padres.
Comment removed.
The Phillies are winning b/c of their late game surges. They are taking advantage of other teams weaker bullpens. They are doing nothing against other teams starters for the most part. When others teams get their 'pens straightened out the bats better pick up or else the situation will reverse b/c the Phillies 'pen will not stay this strong....— Truth- The Phillies are winning b/c of their late game surges. They are taking advantage of other teams weaker bullpens. They are doing nothing against other teams starters for the most part. When others teams get their 'pens straightened out the bats better pick up or else the situation will reverse b/c the Phillies 'pen will not stay this strong....— Truth
- They are 2 games over 500! Nothing to write home about!— Leron
- I agree with Truth (did I say that?) - but hopefully when Rollins and Victorino get back they can pick up some offensive momentum. The bullpen has been a real pleasant surprise. Even the starters have done OK, although Myers concerns me - but the rest of the staff is as good or better than expected. Even though Eaton has struggled the past couple of games and doesn't have a win, he hasn't given away any games yet.— Gary Varsho
- truth, while i agree with your point (and it is accurate), there is some credit to be given to teh phils bullpen for being good right now. even though the phils are hitting the other teams pen, the phils pen still has to stop the other team. plus the phils pen has had to pick up the slack for some bad outtings by the starting pitching (looking mainly at you "ace" meyers).— timm
- Not trying to be an a$$ but Arizona is winning the Phillies are basically treading water. While we are used to bleak Aprils around here, I don't think it's somthing to hjump up and down for joy about.....— Truth
- Imagine the Yanks , Bosox or Mets writers for that matter(no offense Zo') jumping up and down b/c they went 14-12 or won a division. It is the bare minimum expected. WE are so used to losing that the least little thing brings us excitement. EXPECT and DEMAND MORE.— Truth
- I think Zo's main point is we finally have a winning April. In what? Six years? Everyone keeps saying we "have to have a good start", and we do. It can only get better when J.Roll and Shane return.— Norma
- The NL lEAST is a bad division. The starting pitching (as usual) is a big concern. Gillick might need to move Victorino and prospects for a starter at the trade deadline. Move Werth to CF fulltime and hope Carrasco or Outman can be ready by August. The Phillies will need another starter if Myers is hurt.— Casey
- norma, still 2 games left in april. so we have a chance to be .500 to me that is a push not a winning record. i understand this is better than previous seasons, but i will again agree with truth (twice in the same thread). being barely above .500 hardly is reason to pop the corks and plan a parade route.— timm
- timm, I agree we don't need to start popping corks, but again......At least we won't have a LOSING April. Can't we all be happy about that? Typical *Negadelaphia* fans! LOL!— Norma
- Once Vic gets back, Werth should stay in right. GEOFF JENKINS is the new WES HELMS.— Leron
- The Phils have been hitting, they have three players with an OPS over .950 (Utley, Burrell, & Werth). Only Chicago has three players like that and if you count Coste (36 ABs) then that makes 4. They have been grinding out some wins late and taking advantage of bullpens. The key for them is just to stay in games at this point because they can score 6 runs a night. Hopefully Hamels will step up tonight and get win against Maddux. He needs a good outing.— GHOSTPHAYCE
- anyone see helms hit a game winning homerun for the marlins over the weekend?— timm
