View from the Left Coast by a Lefty: Checkin' In

View from the Left Coast by a Lefty:  Checkin' In

I intended to write this a week ago at least. Laziness and weird happenings have pushed it off until now. I originally predicted 77 wins this year, with an uptick in possible excitement. After 2 weeks or so the anticipation has drained a bit with lack of execution covering the entire field and roster.

A few statements of fact. Pitching is mostly sub-par both starting and the pen. Overall I think McClure is falling down badly. There is no difference between him and Dubee any more. I'm wondering if this is a reflection of Pete Mackanin and if so, there is an indication of why Pete has not been extended yet. I am a Dusty Wathan fan and as early as it is in the season, it's not too early to wonder especially if the Pigs do well just what may be in the not so distant future.

SO... with that in mind some observations...

When Bill talks Klentak listens

INFIELD

Hernandez - great leadoff hitter, good hitter period. a possible perennial all star.

Joseph - my pick to really come through this year. so far a tad behind my expectations but has room to grow exponentionally.

Galvis - gold glover, was robbed last year. love his less exaggerated stance from both sides, will eventually become a steady .270+ hitter.

Franco - still wild at the plate. needs more discipline and to learn to go up the middle and to right more. not losing his helmet on swings so much but long way to go.

Subs - Blanco is a first class utility man, Stassi if given playing time could be a gold glover at first.

CATCHER

Rupp - top shelf catcher, keeps getting better.

Knapp - good choice for backup, and versatile. calls pretty good game.

OUTFIELD

Kendrick - excellent acquisition, professional. Lost nothing in swap for Ruf and Sweeney.

Odubey - biggest enigma on the team. also possibly the biggest potential still. good extension.

Saunders - a letdown so far. he also has upside I was counting on from Stairs but looking like the 2nd half of last year so far.

Nava - seems to be having a renaissance of his early Boston career. no qualms with him. needs more AB's.

Altherr - good upside and athletic but looks like shit at the plate. expect so much more from him, maybe cut down his swing a tad?

PITCHING

This is what will make the Phillies go or drown.

Highlights: Hellickson is a professional. Period. Nola looks to be coming back to his early showing a couple years ago. Eickhoff still keeping up string of quality starts but getting no support... no surprise. Phils only 3 errors all come during his appearances.

Lowlights: Velasquez has no command. Needs a real pitching coach up his ass to be effective. Bucholtz just sucks, bad signing. Being hurt could help bring back Eflin who I think can finally be a major league pitcher.

Pen: overall poor. in top 5 for worst ERA in at least the NL if not all of baseball. Gnats have a worse ERA but hit in the clutch to bail them out. Gomez has completely fallen apart since the birth of his child. who knows if that affects him but he sucks now. Benoit is a professional. Ramos and Neshek are holding their own.

I don't know what else to say. Is there potential? Yes. One good thing is this team seems to have chemistry, even with the new pieces. Another is they don't quit. They have come back big a half dozen times at least so far. To counter balance that, Phils are 0-5 when leading after 7 innings. Draw your own conclusions all around.

Last note, I now do not think they'll win more than 73 games tops. That's it, Ft Pitt. Please Phillies prove me wrong.

                                                Bill S aka/netfather

.500 OR BUST

‘Twas the night before Opening Day, when all through the park

Not a creature was stirring, not even a lark;

The bats were all hung by the helmets with care,

In hopes that the Phillies soon would be there;

The fans were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of a parade danced in their heads;

Mom in her Franco jersey, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long Spring nap,

When out on the field there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to Citizen’s Bank I flew like a flash,

Tore up 476 and almost near crashed.

Phillies Bunts staff was blogging like there was no tomorrow

With a new outfield to get rid of our sorrow

When, my wondering eyes saw the mound and the bases

With our young core plus some new faces

Mackanin is back, another year on the scene

With a patch on his sleeve, RIP Dallas Green

More rapid than the Eagles his courses they came,

And he whistled, and shouted and, called them by name,

“Now, Nola! Now, Eickhoff! And Hellickson too!

On Vinnie and Clay how well will you do?

From the dugout! To the top of the wall!

They dashed away! Dashed away! Dashed away all!

As dirt kicked up before the wild hurricanes fly.

Herrera got paid, the rest expendable guys.

Kruky and T*Mac were calling the game,

‘Boy we miss Harry’; Oh! What a shame,

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Jeremy was set and took to the mound.

He was dressed in a throwback, from his head to his foot, 

And the strength of his arm could throw a shot put;

The Mets overrated; the ‘Gnats playoff is slop;

The Marlins are played out like the Braves tomahawk.

Three up and three down as Rupp made the calls!

Two strike-outs, a pop-out, and only one ball!

We got Franco protection thanks to one Howie Kendrick

Who blasts balls out the park like a busted appendix

Michael Saunders has joined us, he’s good for twenty

And speaking of homeruns, Tommy Joseph is money

We might not be kings of Major League Baseball,

But soon we’ll contend, just need to wait y’all

Trust the process and attend all our mixers

At least we are not the 76’ers.

Our pharm team is juiced with stars of tomorrow,

From Crawford to Moniak and Jorge Alfaro

Made a bet with Wriz, he owes me a case

We’ll strive for .500 and maybe 3rd place

But tonight we’re in first, like the rest of the teams

And all we can do is have positive dreams

Can’t wait til tomorrow; dress warm cuz it’s freezing,

“Good Luck Philadelphia, and to the fans a great season.”