Phillies Have Starting Pitching??

[Ramonskee]

Almost every baseball fan that even pays attention to the game occasionally knows who Cole Hamels is and how good he is. But ask them who Joe Blanton and Brett Myers are, and they'll probably know them, but ask them how good they are and you probably won't like what you hear (unless your team is facing them). But looking at the last 3 outtings by Phillies starters...

Hamels: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Blanton: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K
Myers: 7 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
Combined: 19.2 IP, 18 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 18 K, 2.29 ERA

...and now factor in that this was against the best offense in the NL and it was on the road, you've got to be surprised. Now maybe these last 3 starts (at least the last 2) were a mirage, but if these guys can pitch this well against the Cubs at Wrigley, they have a chance to knock off the team I already have in the World Series representing the NL. I don't think anyone else other than the Brewers had a chance before. The Diamondbacks you ask? Bad bullpen, inconsistent lineup. The Mets you ask? Horrible bullpen. The Dodgers' offense is too weak. And the Cardinals overall just don't have a shot to knock off the Cubs.

 

[heynow]

And two of those losses were by the bullpen who are starting to show major cracks. Also, factor in the manager can't manage worth a shit. The Phils have no shot beating the Cubs or the Brewers.

 

[zeketaylor]

i agree with u ramonskee....but im sure as uw ere writing this, perhaps u knew i would!

 

[billhill999]

The Phils have no shot beating the Cubs or the Brewers.

No shot?
As in none?

 

[SelectiveAscent]

And two of those losses were by the bullpen who are starting to show major cracks. Also, factor in the manager can't manage worth a shit. The Phils have no shot beating the Cubs or the Brewers.

The bullpen had thrown 10 innings in tuesday night's game, and everyone was used in sunday night's game. They are showing fatigue, if you call fatigue a "crack", then so be it.

 

[zeketaylor]

did romero look fatigued today?
hes a lefty who kd 3 right handed hitters with bases loaded today

 

[SelectiveAscent]

did romero look fatigued today?
hes a lefty who kd 3 right handed hitters with bases loaded today

I am a fellow phillies fan, i was referring to "fatigue" as why they blew the games the past few nights, and yes, romero looked fatigued on thursday when he couldn't pitch.

 

[Mr.Cover123]

Myers is a completely different pitcher since he came up from the minors. Bullpen has struggled lately, but Romero came up huge and Lidge is the best closer in baseball right now. They should have beaten the Cubs the two prior games and anything can happen in the playoffs if they make it.

Besides Moyer's last start he has pitched great too and I think the Phillies are a good value pick tomorrow.

 

[Moneyline_Monster]

and Lidge is the best closer in baseball right now.

I tend to disagree, K-Rod most definitely is the best closer in baseball.

 

[OTK]

Although those are all solid starts, the only really impressive start was by Hamels, and we already know he's a top 10 pitcher. Myers giving up 11 hits and Blanton walking 5 in 5.2 innings isn't really impressing me, although they did do a good job in not allowing runs. To me the stats you showed make the Phillies look even worse because although they got three solid starts in a row, they only won 1 of those games. That's not a good sign.

The Phillies won't make the playoffs IMO.

Another note- Lidge might be the best closer in the NL right now, but no way is he the best in the MLB. Mo is the best closer in baseball without a doubt. I trust K-Rod, Paps and Nathan the most after him.

 

[Mr.Cover123]

I tend to disagree, K-Rod most definitely is the best closer in baseball.

31/31 in save chances. Pretty sure he is the only full time closer to not blown a save this year.

 

[Mr.Cover123]

Although those are all solid starts, the only really impressive start was by Hamels, and we already know he's a top 10 pitcher. Myers giving up 11 hits and Blanton walking 5 in 5.2 innings isn't really impressing me, although they did do a good job in not allowing runs. To me the stats you showed make the Phillies look even worse because although they got three solid starts in a row, they only won 1 of those games. That's not a good sign.

The Phillies won't make the playoffs IMO.

Another note- Lidge might be the best closer in the NL right now, but no way is he the best in the MLB. Mo is the best closer in baseball without a doubt. I trust K-Rod, Paps and Nathan the most after him.

He just gave you their last starts. Myers is 5-1 with a 1.42 era his last 7 starts, Hamels 6-4 with a 2.69 era since June, Moyer 14 of his last 15 starts he has given up 3 runs or fewer, Blanton 1-0 with a 3.92 since he joined the Phillies. Kendrick is the only weak link in the rotation and they will win the East over the Mets. Mo might be the best closer of all-time, but right now Lidge is pitching better.

 

[hackerhog]

Lidge is the best closer in baseball this year. End of story. Rodriguez is good but he's had a ton of cheap saves this year and padded the numbers a bit. He's had some horrendous blown saves and several times when he's had a 3 run lead and allowed runs. He's no doubt good and overall gets the job done but I would take Lidge over him right now and not think twice. I would also take Joe Nathan over Rodriguez.

As for the Phillies starters, I actually like them right now. If Myers can continue his resurgence and Blanton eat innings and get quality starts, I think this Philadelphia team has a chance if they can make the playoffs. I think their bullpen will be the reason they win the NL East. I just don't see the Mets winning it with their bullpen in the shape it's in.

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

The Mets had a comfortable lead last year and blew it...they have no bullpen left and Maine on the DL...I will take the Phillie's chances again this year...

 

[a153]

lol, you have a sample of 3 random games and one of the games wasn't even good.

 

[Ramonskee]

lol, you have a sample of 3 random games and one of the games wasn't even good.

show me another sample of any series that a road team has come into Wrigley and had their starting pitchers put up similar numbers. ill help you out, don't bother, you won't find another sample.

 

[artiesliver]

Looks like Old Man Moyer is starting to wear down. Come on Phils!

 

[artiesliver]

Phils hold the lead, 3-2. Nice. Early though only end of 2nd.