After a horrible showing by Brett Myers last night, the Phillies need to regroup and get things together in order to keep pace with the Marlins. Yes, that is correct. The Florida Marlins are in first place in the NL East. It’s strange how they sent their best pitcher and best hitter to the Tigers, and now they are in first place and the Tigers are in last. That team is young though, and does not have the experience to keep up success for the whole season. The problem is that the Mets and Braves do.
The Phillies have lost 4 of their last 6 and have not looked very impressive on their way to that mark. Although Ryan Howard hit his 8th homerun last night, he has been terrible at the plate. Brett Myers gave up 8 runs, 6 earned, in 4 1/3 innings last night to see his ERA balloon up to close to 6. More disheartening was the way he gave up 3 solo homeruns in the first 2 innings. Even Brad Lidge gave up a run in his save the other night. OK, I’m kidding about bad talking Lidge. That was his first run that he’s given up all season.
Chase Utley and the bullpen are the brightspots of the team for sure. Utley hit his 14th homerun last night, but has seen his batting average drop to .323. Pat Burrell has cooled off and is now batting under .300 after going 0-3 last night.
With ace Cole Hamels toeing the rubber tonight, the outlook is bright to win the series against the Braves before starting up interleague play against the Toronto Blue Jays. Luckily after the Jays come to town, we get to tee off on the Nationals.
