Don't Hit the Panic Button!

Oh no! A 3-5 start. 2 straight losses to the New York Muts. The Flyers score more goals in a 5 minute stretch then the Phillies score runs all game. The sky is falling. Every call on 94 WIP is of the "Break this team up, trade this one or that one" variety. Everyone is so quick to trash this team that brought us such joy for 6 or 7 years. Negadelphia is in full effect. Everyone needs to take a deep breath. We are 8 games into a 162 game season. They have played less then 5% of the season. Are the Flyers out of a game when they are down 3-0 in the first period? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? There are some recent examples of why there is no reason to panic.

 

The Phillies have played poorly in April recently and have been fine. Last year was the first good April they had in a long time, 18-8. In 2010 they were 12-10 and in 3rd place. In 2009 they were 11-9 and in 2nd. In 2008, hey that year rings a bell, they were 15-13 in April and in 3rd place. All these years ended with at least a NL East Division Title. Last year the Red Sox were 11-15 in April. They missed the playoffs on the last day off the season. A few more Papelbon saves away from the post season. Their loss our gain. The Braves had a 10 game losing streak last year. They would have made the playoffs if they played the Muts in their final series instead of the Phillies.

If the Phillies can hover around .500 till the cavalry arrives, (Howard and hopefully Utley) they should be ok. Wigginton, Pierre and Galvis are not every day major league players. Hopefully one steps up till then. Freddy can play the field, maybe his bat stays hot. It's hard to go on a long losing streak with a starting rotation like this. There is a reason studs like Halladay, Lee and Hamels are called 'Stoppers'. Plus, we know RAJ likes to make deals at the trade deadline. He got Pence, Oswalt, Lee and Blanton all at the trade deadline. They all worked out to some degree or another. Don't jump off the bandwagon just yet. So, Bunter's, if I see you walking around on crutches at the 'Bunters and Bloggers Summit' on June 3rd, you better have a funny story.

 

Keep It Classy Philly!

DB29