The Phillies play their second game of the season tonight, and here’s what I’m looking at as being crucial game points:
- The rain. I am driving several hours to see this game, and if the rain doesn’t let up, my life is completely and totally ruined.
- Hamels. The starting pitcher is always the most important thing before the game. If Hamels can work righties inside, expect a big game from him. One problem is Hamels' record against the Braves (0-2, 6.35 ERA) doesn't exactly bode well.
- Rollins and Victorino. Them both striking out to begin the batting last game wasn’t exactly the offensive spark we needed. Rollins turned his game around later, but we need this offense to score runs early and often, as we can’t trust winning a close one to the bullpen.
1. Barry Bonds didn't get closer to Hank Aaron yesterday, but he did do something else he used to do a lot.
2. Turns out the Nationals suck. Gee, I didn't predict that, did I? Yeah, yeah, it's early in the season, blah blah blah.
3. Michael Bourn plans on sticking around a long time. The fact that he plays a solid D and is a speedster means he should be playing the later frames and ALWAYS running for either the pitcher, or Pat Burrell in a double switch. Our bench may be thin, but lets find ways to get Bourn, Dobbs, and Werth involved where we can.
4. Citizens Bank Park, no longer a bandbox? I don't think so.
5. Stephen A. Smith says we should be throwing our ire at those above Manuel, and not all at Charlie. In other words, Gillick needs to go pick up a bullpen somewhere. Smith also argues we need better protection for Howard than Burrell, but I'm not quite sure where he expects to find it. If Wes Helms steps up in a big way, than maybe we can find it in-house, a cost-effective solution that might save several of the migraines Smith fears.
6. Bill Conlin, contrarily, wants to place the blame on Charlie, particularly with the ballyhooed lineup switch of Howard and Utley. I'm not quite sure where I stand on this. Howard might get a couple less ABs over the season, but if this offense is clicking, Howard will see action in the first inning regardless of whether he bats third or fourth, and Utley's speed will be held up when he's forced to stay on 1st because Howard can't get from 1st to 3rd on liners to right field. It should forced pitchers to pitch more to Howard, however, knowing that Utley bats behind him, so this is good. Of course, one other option is batting Utley second (Where he thrived last year) and Howard third. No one seems to be talking about that one too much.
7. Using Plumpy's Ghost's formula for describing your day with a pitching stat is incredible. For example, yesterday I went 7 2/3, gave up four runs, K-ed up three and gave up two BBs. I received a no-decision. Can't you tell exactly how my day went?
Go Phils tonight.
