Thursday, May 12, 2005
Baseball & The Simpsons...
The Chinese, Lisa Simpson helpfully pointed out to Homer once on The Simpsons, have a word that means both crisis and opportunity. Dropping two of three from a good Brewers team is bad news, but there is good news here: the Phillies are about to open a seven game homestand against the Cincinnati Reds. The team may be in crisis, but this is a golden opportunity. If we don't win three of the four, I'll be disappointed.
No disrespect to Reds fans, but the team has been awful since they traded for Ken Griffey Jr., and they don't really have prospects to get better any time soon. Oh, and adding Eric Milton to the rotation has been an unmitigated disaster. Remarkably Milton is worse than he was last year: 2.5 home runs per 9 innings (1.9 in '04), 0.49 groundball-to-flyball ratio (0.57 groundball-to-flyball in '04), and a significantly worse FIP ERA than actual ERA (5.38 FIP in '04, compared to a 6.99 so far in '05). If all goes according to plan, Friday night's Myers - Milton matchup should be an easy win for the Phillies, as is tonight's Lieber-Ortiz matchup.
The Reds are a classic collection of sluggers who can't play defense, don't get on base and can't pitch. This should be a golden opportunity for the Phillies to pad their stats and move to within a game or two of the Mets for fourth place.
I think the Phillies could make a move this weekend: Lidle, Lieber and Myers are hurling well, the defense is getting a little better (Pat Burrell's inability to catch the ball yesterday non-withstanding), and I think that the Phillies should start to hit if they let Ryan Howard and Chase Utley play a little. (Why Charlie Manuel is playing Perez and Polanco instead of power-hitters like Howard and Utley is beyond me.)
Yeah the team is in crisis, but this could be a good opportunity.
No disrespect to Reds fans, but the team has been awful since they traded for Ken Griffey Jr., and they don't really have prospects to get better any time soon. Oh, and adding Eric Milton to the rotation has been an unmitigated disaster. Remarkably Milton is worse than he was last year: 2.5 home runs per 9 innings (1.9 in '04), 0.49 groundball-to-flyball ratio (0.57 groundball-to-flyball in '04), and a significantly worse FIP ERA than actual ERA (5.38 FIP in '04, compared to a 6.99 so far in '05). If all goes according to plan, Friday night's Myers - Milton matchup should be an easy win for the Phillies, as is tonight's Lieber-Ortiz matchup.
The Reds are a classic collection of sluggers who can't play defense, don't get on base and can't pitch. This should be a golden opportunity for the Phillies to pad their stats and move to within a game or two of the Mets for fourth place.
I think the Phillies could make a move this weekend: Lidle, Lieber and Myers are hurling well, the defense is getting a little better (Pat Burrell's inability to catch the ball yesterday non-withstanding), and I think that the Phillies should start to hit if they let Ryan Howard and Chase Utley play a little. (Why Charlie Manuel is playing Perez and Polanco instead of power-hitters like Howard and Utley is beyond me.)
Yeah the team is in crisis, but this could be a good opportunity.
Comments:
Glad your comments section is up again, man. I enjoy your analysis.
# posted by 
: Thursday, May 12, 2005 10:55:00 AM
: Thursday, May 12, 2005 10:55:00 AM
The real opportunity lies with the possibility that the Phillies will lose three of four or, better yet, all four. Then we stand a good chance of the Phillies finally realizing that Ed Wade is less than mediocre as a GM, firing him and putting someone in there who can do more than trade top prospects for washed-up middle relievers.
The key, however, is for fans to stay home. The bottom line will free us from the Wade reign of error.
The key, however, is for fans to stay home. The bottom line will free us from the Wade reign of error.
# posted by : Thursday, May 12, 2005 12:12:00 PM
: Thursday, May 12, 2005 12:12:00 PM
Ed Wade isn't the one not hitting with runners in scoring position - let's not demonize him.
I liked the Phillies lineup Tuesday (I was at the game in Milwaukee), Manuel found another way to get Polanco and Utley in the game at the same time. Howard pinch hit that night and I'd say his at bat was possibly the worst of any player the entire game. He just doesn't look good at the plate right now. I'd much prefer to see Utley and Polanco playing than Howard right now. I know, I know - Howard has power and upside. But right now, upside isn't what the Phillies need.
I liked the Phillies lineup Tuesday (I was at the game in Milwaukee), Manuel found another way to get Polanco and Utley in the game at the same time. Howard pinch hit that night and I'd say his at bat was possibly the worst of any player the entire game. He just doesn't look good at the plate right now. I'd much prefer to see Utley and Polanco playing than Howard right now. I know, I know - Howard has power and upside. But right now, upside isn't what the Phillies need.
# posted by : Thursday, May 12, 2005 1:03:00 PM
: Thursday, May 12, 2005 1:03:00 PM
Ryan Howard MUST play every single day that Thome is unavailable - even if Howard is still not 100% on fundamentals at the plate. They've said this guy is "untouchable" and the "future" of the organization. Considering how the "present" looks, I'd say let's go with the future right now.
I know Polanco and Perez bitch and moan for more playing time, and it appears that having them in the game IS a good short-term solution, but let's face it. THE PHILLIES ARE GOING NOWHERE THIS SEASON. So let's start the rebuilding (and the healing) now. That means Utley and Howard.
One last point - I will not root against this team and I will not stop going to the games. That breeds apathy and then we'll have a much bigger problem.
I know Polanco and Perez bitch and moan for more playing time, and it appears that having them in the game IS a good short-term solution, but let's face it. THE PHILLIES ARE GOING NOWHERE THIS SEASON. So let's start the rebuilding (and the healing) now. That means Utley and Howard.
One last point - I will not root against this team and I will not stop going to the games. That breeds apathy and then we'll have a much bigger problem.
The phillies are desperate for some offense, yet their best hitter, Utley, sits on the bench most of the time. I think Charley must have a death wish. When the Phillies took the lead on Tuesday, who is the last pitcher anyone in their right mind would bring in, with the Phillies badly needing a win? I think 99.9 percent of responders would say Terry Adams, with his 13+ ERA; yet there he was. I was willing to give Manuel a chance, but this guy is really bizarre. And of course, who hired him? The same man that assembled this train wreck--WADE MUST GO!!!!!!!!
# posted by : Thursday, May 12, 2005 2:42:00 PM
: Thursday, May 12, 2005 2:42:00 PM
Crisatunity!
My Mariners had one of those against the Yankees this week, and puked it up. Here's hoping the Phils can do better.
My Mariners had one of those against the Yankees this week, and puked it up. Here's hoping the Phils can do better.
# posted by : Thursday, May 12, 2005 3:11:00 PM
: Thursday, May 12, 2005 3:11:00 PM
Not showing up for games would lead to the long-term demise of the Phillies. Think the late 90s, we don't really want that again I would hope. Ed Wade has done a pretty good job in my estimation. We have the talent, them not getting the chemistry together is certainly not Wade's fault. And, the Phillies still have a very deep list of prospects, despite the trades of the last few years. Can anyone name 1 guy who was traded we would want starting on this team right now anyway?
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