Liberty Ball

Philadelphia Phillies veteran righthanded starting pitcher Roy Oswalt(3-1,3.33 ERA) checked out  fine physically after his worst outing of the season April 26th(6 hits, 5 runs in 3 innings at Arizona) but he went to the mound clearly distracted.  Oswalt left the club Wednesday(April 27th) returning to his hometown in Mississippi, which was hit hard by recent tornadoes, to check on his family.  The popular veteran saw his parents’ home destroyed by a similar storm almost  a year to the day and he was understandably concerned about his wife and children. The club has no timetable on his return but they hope he is back for his next start, however, the Phillies consider him day to day.

The 4 time defending National League East champion Philadelphia Phillies suffered another set back to an already depleted relief corps Tuesday April 26th when closer RH Jose Contreras was placed on the disabled list with an elbow injury. Contreras was off to a great start in 2011(5 saves in 8 games, 0.00 ERA, 9 Ks) but is now lost for 3 to 4 weeks with a flexor pronator strain in the inside of his right (throwing) elbow.  Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. stated that the veteran will not throw for 10 days and then the club will determine a rehab program. The Phillies are already without regular closer and former all star Brad Lidge, who is still on the DL with a sore (throwing) right shoulder. Philadelphia hopes to have Lidge back around the all star break. 8th inning ace RH  Ryan Madson will get most of the work in the closer spot but also look for LH Antonio Bastardo to get some save opportunities as well.

The 4 time defending NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies have started the 2011 campaign strong(12-6), leading the division as of April 22nd. The pitching staff, considered a team strength entering the season, has been as advertised with the 4 Aces leading the rotation. However, the bullpen minus star closer Brad Lidge(Shoulder injury) has been incredible early, making the 2011 Phils a much more formidable version than prior clubs. Offensively, minus superstar 2B Chase Utley(Knee injury) the team has pieced it together, continuing to battle. Its helps to have veterans like 3B Placido Polanco(.360 avg, 27 hits) and 1B Ryan Howard(3 home runs, 15 rbi) off to hot starts.

PHILLIES NOTES:

1- BADDDD Bullpen: This unit has been almost untouchable early, led by new closer RH Jose Contreras(5 saves, 0.00 ERA, 10.13 Ks per 9 innings). 8th inning man Ryan Madson(2-0,2 holds, 1.29,11.57) has been brilliant while LH Antonio Bastardo(0.00, hold,12.38) looks the best he has ever had during his early career. RH Danys Baez(1-1,2.16 ERA) and veteran LH J.C. Romero(Hold, 3.86) have also contributed to what has to be one of the best relief corps in the history of the Phillies.

2- 2 ROYs AND LEE: The rotation has been very good early and dominant at times(RH Roy Halladay and LH Cliff Lee pitched back to back complete games April 13-14th at the Washington Nationals).  As great as Halladay is and has been, The other Roy, Roy Oswalt, has thrown the ball the best in the early going.  The talented and tough righty is 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA(24 innings), 21 Ks and 0.88 WHIP in his 4 starts.  LH Cole Hamels(1-1,4.32) has also looked strong out of the gate, his stats inflated by a 2+ inning outing vs his nemesis, the New York Mets(1-7,4.33 since 2008). When I get asked about the Phillies one thing I always tell them to do is look at the walk totals this team produces. They have given free passes to 50 batters in 18 games while striking out 143!!!! Stat geeks know that a 2:1 strike out to walk ratio is outstanding. Lee(27:3), Halladay(25:5) and Oswalt(21:6) lead the way. Heck, even 5th starter Joe Blanton(7.27 ERA) is at 14:4!!!! That is a sign that the organization values and teaches command and control.

Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel believes  star closer Brad Lidge(Right rotator cuff strain) will not return until around the all star break(July 11-13). Manuel, appearing on MLB network radio on Sirius XM Wednesday(April 6th), broke the news saying, ” I’m probably looking maybe All-Star break, or … just before that,” Manuel told the station. Lidge started the year on the 15 day disabled list for the  2nd consecutive season and agreed with the skipper’s timetable Thursday(April 7th) before a game with the Mets. The right hander will not be able to throw or play catch for 3 to 6 weeks yet remains optimistic about his return.  Veteran RH Jose Contreras has thrown the ball great in the first two weeks to provide a big lift for the Phillies relief corps.

The opening week of the major league season showed why many pick the Philadelphia Phillies to win the National League. The top 3 starters in the rotation all pitched great while  the batters led by slugging 1B Ryan Howard did enough minus superstar 2B Chase Utley(Knee) to support the arms. Even without closer Brad Lidge(Right shoulder), the bullpen looked solid as the top 4 relievers have not allowed a run thru Wednesday(April 6th).

1- 3 studs, 1 dud. The top 3 in the Phillies much hyped rotation all looked great in their first start, led by 2010 National League CY Young winner RH Roy Halladay(6 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 6 Ks, no walks). Free agent signee LH Cliff Lee returned to Philly, allowing 4 hits and 3 runs(1 home run) in 7 frames while RH Roy Oswalt gave up 5 hits and 2 runs(1 homer) in 6 innings. Lee struck out 11 while Roy rang up 6.  LH Cole Hamels, who does not have much success vs the division rival New York Mets, was hit hard in his first start, allowing 7 hits and 6 runs in 2 and two third innings. The lefty is 1-7 with a 4.33 ERA in 9 starts vs Mets since 2008.

2- Hungry Howard. Apparently, Subway is working quite well for the Phillies first baseman. Howard has been HUGE since day 1, hitting .524 with 2 home runs and 8 rbi  with a .952 slugging percentage and 1.474 OPS. Amazing when you consider that both the 3 and 5 hitters for the past several Phillies seasons(Utley and free agent loss RF Jayson Werth) are not around to protect the big man.

3- Dandy depth. Many, myself included, were concerned about the loss of both Werth(long term) and Utley(short term, as of today!) but OF Ben Francisco(.333 avg, 2 home runs, 5 rbi,14 total bases) and INF Wilson Valdez(.294 avg, steal) have fit in nicely. Meanwhile, veterans LF Raul Ibanez(.300, 4 rbi) and SS Jimmy Rollins(.368, 2 steals) have returned to form. 3B Placido Polanco, one of the more underrated players in the game, is stroking the ball at a .450 clip with 4 rbi. The biggest surprise in the first week for the Phils? The bullpen, a question mark BEFORE Lidge went down, has been outstanding. Led by fill in closer RH Jose  Contreras(Save, 3 ks in 2 innings) and top set up men RHs Ryan Madson(hold, 3 ks in 2 innings), Danys Baez(win,3 innings, K) and lefty Antonio Bastardo(win, 2 and third innings, 3 Ks), this unit has been scary in the early going.

AMAZING STAT: Halladay, Oswalt and Lee combined to walk 1 in 19 innings while striking out 23. For you non stat geeks, that is a 23 to 1 strike out to walk ratio. 3 to 1 is considered good!