Thursday, May 10, 2012

Where is the Fight in The Fightin' Phils?

   The 2012 Philadelphia Phillies started the season with so much hope even though they were without Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.  The defending National League East Champions for five consecutive years are now quickly becoming the longshots to win it again, and they are learning just how much Utley and Howard are essential to the success of the team.  On Wednesday, the New York Mets finished off a three game sweep of the Phillies in front of the 233rd consecutive sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park, and to make matters worse this was the first time that the Phils were swept in a three game series by the Mets at home since 2006.  In the three games, the Phillies scored a total of 12 runs on 33 hits but late in the game the relief pitching, defense, and situational hitting were horrible.  Whether it was Jonathan Papelbon giving up a three run homer in the ninth to a rookie that was just added to the Mets roster that evening, Pete Orr throwing away game 2, Kyle Kendrick not being able to protect a two run lead, or Hunter Pence dropping a routine fly ball in right, the Phillies have found a way to embarrass themselves in front of 43,000+ each night. 
   Ryan Howard's 30 to 40+ home runs and 100+ RBI's, and Chase Utley's defense and take control presence in the clubhouse are keys that have been missed this season, however it is starting to look like the Phillies problems run much deeper than that.  They still have arguably the best starting staff in the big leagues with Halladay, Hamels, Lee, Worley, and Blanton but without a bullpen that can hold a lead to get to Papelbon the good work of the starters continue to go unrecognized.  It is doubtful that Chase Utley would have thrown the ball away like Orr did on Tuesday, but the all around lack of fundamental baseball at the plate, and in the field cannot be fixed by one or two players.  It has to be a group effort to turn this sinking ship of a season around, and without their captain in the clubhouse Charlie Manuel has to light the fire all on his own.  Manuel did say that he spoke to the team after the third loss to the Mets, and it was probably a less than gracious speech delivered by the skipper to let his team know exactly what he thought about their play.  If things don't get fixed, and soon, the Phillies are going to be in for more trouble than they want, and the franchise could be set back for years.  Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee both signed with the Phillies for a chance to win a ring before their great careers are over, and Cole Hamels will be looking to sign a long-term contract soon.  What incentives do these players have to remain with the team if the losing continues?  Yes, it is still May, and Howard and Utley are due back at some point, and hopefully soon, but if the losing continues the message to those guys might be to take your time and look forward to the future.  Not that the Phillies should throw in the towel this early, but if they keep playing the kind of baseball that they have been, the recent powerhouse team that was built is going to turn into the empty, 700 level, Veterans Stadium team of years past.  Just like Tug McGraw once said, "Ya Gotta Believe", and for the frustrated Phillies fans this statement is true because its "gotta" get better than this.

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