At long last, things are starting to click for the Phillies. The hits are coming at the right time. Hitting at the right time, solid bullpen work, errors going are way – It’s there, and has been there for a nice 4 game win streak. If, by some miracle, we can sweep the Nationals, we’re one game from the .500 mark, something that seemed impossible to achieve by the end of April when we were staring at a 4-11 start. How are we doing this? Here’s two big ways:
- Starting pitching. Everyone in the starting rotation (with the exception of Eaton) has kept us in the game. From Hamels’ dominant 15K complete game monster to Moyer’s consistent gamer attitude (even when he’s not locating, which is essential for him, he still pitches with heart), the starting pitching is there.
- Big bats in unexpected places. Aaron Rowand is batting .377, good for fourth in the national league. Jimmy Rollins is the NL home run leader with 7 long balls. Burrell and Rowand are both in the top ten in the NL for on-base percentage. While Chase and Howard haven’t exactly torn it open yet, picture the damages once these two get going. Chase has been a streaky player, so I expect him to come around. The concern is Howard, who is still pulling nearly everything.
2. Not only is Jamie Moyer a gaming pitcher, he also does good things for the world.
3. Rowand feels good.
Lieber takes the mound tomorrow in his second start of the season against Washington's alleged ace, John Patterson. Let's keep this up, boys.
