Quick Stains: April 29

It's official: The Phillies will have another losing month of April. This is unfortunate, yes, but there are some positives to take from it.

1. The offense is looking sharper. The team is starting to score runs in the droves we know we're capable of. It all starts with Jimmy Rollins and has NL league leading 9 home runs, an outstanding accomplishment for our leadoff hitter. If Howard's struggles continue, I wouldn't be surprised to see Jimmy move down in the lineup. 1. Victorino 2. Utley (where he batted his best last year) 3. Rollins 4. Burrell 5. Howard 6. Rowand 7. Helms 8. Ruiz/Barajas might be an interesting lineup. Alternately, putting Rowand in the 2-hole and dropping everyone else down a spot might also be interesting. The question is whether Howard will play the way he is capable of playing.

2. Starting pitching is getting better. I think Eaton belongs in the pen, but Cole, Moyer, and Lieber are anchoring this rotation. I haven't seen Lieber this sharp at the start of a season since he came to the Phillies, and that's good news. Garcia will hopefully start pulling it together. I have little hope for Eaton, and I wonder if Myers might return to the rotation and Eaton will move to the pen.

3. The team has really come back. I understand that we're 10-13 right now, but this record seemed like a pipe dream when we were 4-11, and that's something to keep in mind.

What to look for in May:

1. Lineup/Rotation shifts. It will be curious to see if Manuel makes anymore bold moves in his roation/lineup. If Myers really is being groomed to be our closer, than where will Tom Gordon pitch?

2. Howard's production. He needs to start swinging a hot bat. He needs to put the fear of God back into our NL East foes.

3. Rowand. He's playing incredibly well right now, and actually makes our trade of Thome for him look like a strong decision. Hopefully his hit streak and power surge continue as the weather grows warmer.

The Phillies take on the Marlins in the rubber game of the series today. Moyer takes the mound for the Phillies, so I have to assume we're going in with a definite chance to win, unlike yesterday's fiasco of 5 runs for the Marlins in the first. As always, go Phils.