The Phils dropped 2 out of 3 to the lowly Pirates this weekend, a development that could give fans the idea that the team is fading. The Pirates sent 12 hitters to the plate in the 7th inning, scoring 7 runs, all with 2 outs in yesterday’s 8-4 loss. The loss dropped them 5 games behind the NL East leading Mets, and 1 game behind San Diego for the Wild Card. Despite the lost weekend in Pittsburgh, the Phils are still in the thick of the race, and hopefully, in a week, the Phils will get Shane Victorino and Chase Utley back from the DL. No team in the race will make these kinds of additions for the rest of the year. The Phillies are no doubt very flawed, but so are all of the contenders in the NL. Once the full complement of bats returns, the Phillies can go back to outscoring opponents down the stretch.
Some concerns, though
My optimism doesn’t come unconditionally. Some things from the past week are very troubling, but none more than the inconsistency of Ryan Howard. Howard has seemed lost at the plate several times this year, but no stretch has been worse for Howard than the period of time since Utley went down. Howard is on a record pace for striking out and seems to be missing pitches he put in the seats a year ago. Pitchers now can get him out pitching him outside, since he doesn’t go the other way like he did last year. He also doesn’t get the intentional walks he got last year, because pitchers know that Howard will get himself out if you give him a chance. Howard leads the league in RBI’s despite all of his struggles. If the light in his head suddenly goes on, he can carry this team again. Let’s hope it happens soon.
That’s better, Birds
Eagles’ fans have to be breathing a sigh of relief after Friday’s preseason showing against Carolina. Not only was the overall performance better than the embarrassing display in Baltimore 5 days earlier, but QB Donovan McNabb showed no ill-effects from his knee injury, showing both mobility and touch. The defense also looked better. Now the Eagles can concentrate on getting everyone healthy for opening day.
ETC…
Johan Santana struck out 17 hitters in 8 innings yesterday. Let the Yankees-Red Sox bidding begin.
Speaking of which, the Yankees now only trail the Sox by 4 games. 2 months ago, the gap was 14 ½ games. Can the Yankees get over the hump?
Can the Phillies move to the NL Central? They’d be a lock in that division.
I need some help. Who should I keep on my fantasy team, Willis McGahee or Cedric Benson? McGahee seems to be a good fit in Baltimore, but when was the last time a winning fantasy team depended on anyone on offense for Baltimore. Let me know what you think.