As the Phillies run out of South Florida with their tail between their legs, they head to New York in a first place tie with the Mets, and the surging Marlins only half-a-game behind them. Not exactly where you thought the Phillies would be when just five weeks ago they found themselves four games up on the Marlins and seven in front of the Mets.
Unfortunately reality has set in for the Phillies, and they've found themselves in a month-long tailspin. Unlike the woes of last season, it's not just the pitching. In fact, outside of Adam Eaton and Brett Myers, the pitching has been good. The problem with the Phillies is the offense and leadership, or lack there of.
The Phillies should have buried the Marlins this past weekend, but were only able to manage 11 runs in the series, including only two yesterday, wasting another brilliant effort by Cole Hamels. When it comes to the offense it isn't that the Phillies aren't hitting, they're not having too much trouble getting on base. They're just not able to come through with a hit when runners are on base (they stranded a total of 25 runners on base over the weekend).
Even when they are getting the opportunities, they're not capitalizing or hustling. Unfortunately, yesterday's game should have never seen extra innings. If Jimmy Rollins actually ran the bases when Shane Victorino hit a bloop down the left field line in the seventh, he would have easily scored but he figured the ball would go foul, so he only ended up on third. He didn't see a need to actually run the bases (good to see his benching did some good), because if it's foul, it's wasted energy. Instead it's a wasted performance.
The Phillies have become a team that's chock full of talent, but have no leadership. Without leadership, the offense is going to the plate without a plan, thinking of how they can be a hero instead of how they can win a ball game.
Their frustrations are beginning to show, and they're taking it to the press. Pat Burrell vented to the Inquirer about his displeasure about being benched late in close ball games. Charlie Manuel also went to the Inquirer to rip the offense, and Rollins will talk to anyone who will listen. Unfortunately it's Rollin's comments that stick out in my head.
"He's pretty much right, but we'll get out of it," Rollins said. "We don't get concerned until late. Coaches do that now. We go play."
Rollins, referring to Manuel's comments about the offense, really shows what this team is about. Lack of concern, and a lackadaisical attitude. This team really believes because they've played well down the stretch the past couple years, there's no need to worry. They had the same attitude in 2005 & 2006, when they finished one and three games (respectively) out of the Wild Card. It's sort of amazing how winning the division last season erased Jimmy's memory. Someone in the clubhouse getting this team to focus on playing winning baseball could go a long way.
In 1976, Pete Rose, then a member of the Cincinnati Reds commented to Joe Morgan about the Phillies.
"That team's got a lot of talent. All they need is a leader."
As Phillies fans know, they got that leader in Rose, and he led the Phillies to their only World Championship. That's what the Phillies need right now.
Don't get me wrong, they could use a shakeup in the lineup. While some thought the failed deal for Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes would require the Phillies giving up too much, I disagree. It would have given them a player with the tools to win a World Championship (both on the field and in the locker room); something this city sorely needs.
I don't see many more moves being made by the Phillies before the trading deadline. At least move that would mean something. In saying that, my feeling is it's going to get worse before it gets better. The Phils are getting ready to take on a Mets team that has had pitching struggles since the All-Star break, but has still found ways to win, in splitting a four game series with the Reds. Even though they are having their own obsticles, they have something the Phillies lack. Hunger. I wouldn't be surprised if the Phillies find themselves in third place when they take the field Friday against the Braves.
The Phillies need a wake-up call. Maybe third place is what it is.
Unfortunately reality has set in for the Phillies, and they've found themselves in a month-long tailspin. Unlike the woes of last season, it's not just the pitching. In fact, outside of Adam Eaton and Brett Myers, the pitching has been good. The problem with the Phillies is the offense and leadership, or lack there of.
The Phillies should have buried the Marlins this past weekend, but were only able to manage 11 runs in the series, including only two yesterday, wasting another brilliant effort by Cole Hamels. When it comes to the offense it isn't that the Phillies aren't hitting, they're not having too much trouble getting on base. They're just not able to come through with a hit when runners are on base (they stranded a total of 25 runners on base over the weekend).
Even when they are getting the opportunities, they're not capitalizing or hustling. Unfortunately, yesterday's game should have never seen extra innings. If Jimmy Rollins actually ran the bases when Shane Victorino hit a bloop down the left field line in the seventh, he would have easily scored but he figured the ball would go foul, so he only ended up on third. He didn't see a need to actually run the bases (good to see his benching did some good), because if it's foul, it's wasted energy. Instead it's a wasted performance.
The Phillies have become a team that's chock full of talent, but have no leadership. Without leadership, the offense is going to the plate without a plan, thinking of how they can be a hero instead of how they can win a ball game.
Their frustrations are beginning to show, and they're taking it to the press. Pat Burrell vented to the Inquirer about his displeasure about being benched late in close ball games. Charlie Manuel also went to the Inquirer to rip the offense, and Rollins will talk to anyone who will listen. Unfortunately it's Rollin's comments that stick out in my head.
"He's pretty much right, but we'll get out of it," Rollins said. "We don't get concerned until late. Coaches do that now. We go play."
Rollins, referring to Manuel's comments about the offense, really shows what this team is about. Lack of concern, and a lackadaisical attitude. This team really believes because they've played well down the stretch the past couple years, there's no need to worry. They had the same attitude in 2005 & 2006, when they finished one and three games (respectively) out of the Wild Card. It's sort of amazing how winning the division last season erased Jimmy's memory. Someone in the clubhouse getting this team to focus on playing winning baseball could go a long way.
In 1976, Pete Rose, then a member of the Cincinnati Reds commented to Joe Morgan about the Phillies.
"That team's got a lot of talent. All they need is a leader."
As Phillies fans know, they got that leader in Rose, and he led the Phillies to their only World Championship. That's what the Phillies need right now.
Don't get me wrong, they could use a shakeup in the lineup. While some thought the failed deal for Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes would require the Phillies giving up too much, I disagree. It would have given them a player with the tools to win a World Championship (both on the field and in the locker room); something this city sorely needs.
I don't see many more moves being made by the Phillies before the trading deadline. At least move that would mean something. In saying that, my feeling is it's going to get worse before it gets better. The Phils are getting ready to take on a Mets team that has had pitching struggles since the All-Star break, but has still found ways to win, in splitting a four game series with the Reds. Even though they are having their own obsticles, they have something the Phillies lack. Hunger. I wouldn't be surprised if the Phillies find themselves in third place when they take the field Friday against the Braves.
The Phillies need a wake-up call. Maybe third place is what it is.
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