Still A Long, Long Way To Go

So we are four games into the 2012 season the the Phillies have failed to impress the fans or anybody for that matter thus far. Sitting in 4th place in the NL East standings and a full three (3) games behind the undefeated Mets, the reason is glaring, the offense is struggling to say the least. Through the first four games the Phillies have a grand total of eight (8) runs, for the math wiz's out there thats a whopping 2.0 runs per game. The Phillies team batting average is a dismal .198 (23rd in all of baseball), their on base percentage is only .254 (27th in baseball) and their slugging percentage is 29th in baseball with a .244. These numbers are not going to win you many games. As a matter of fact the only win this season was Opening Day and it was a 1-0 win thanks to Roy Halladay who was sensational. Over all the starting pitching has not been that bad by comparison. Team ERA is 5th overall with a 2.48, WHIP is 2nd in Baseball with a 0.96 and the opponents batting average is only .227 (16th in the league). The staff is also tied for 2nd in walks allowed with only five (5).

Cliff Lee & the rest of the starting rotation
has done its job so far.

The four starters so far have done a pretty good job thus far. Halladay went 8 innings on Opening day yielding only 2 hits. Cliff Lee went 6 Innings on Saturday night while only allowing 2 hits and one run (on a wild pitch). Vance Worley had a nice outing on Easter Sunday going 6 innings, allowing only 5 hits, 1 run and striking out 5. While yesterday in the Phillies home opener at Citizens Bank Park, Cole Hamels struggled, only going 5.1 innings, allowing 8 hits and 3 runs, but did record nine (9) strikeouts. Overall though the starters have been very good if not fantastic thus far. However when it comes to the bullpen, in my opinion, this is where it gets rough. The Phillies had a 4-1 on Sunday and had a chance to close out the first series of the season when the bullpen failed. Michael Stutes gave up 2 unearned runs on two hits, Kyle (why is he still on this team) Kendrick, pitched 0.1 innings and while he recorded one out he also gave up a hit and that runner came around to score on Bastardo. Then there is David Herndon. I have to say I have never been a fan of this guy and dont quite understand why he is in the majors. He gave up 2 hits, including the winning run. If you are a Phillies fan at all this bullpen has to be a concern of yours. Besides Pappelbon who is established as a closer, i just dont see anyone in that pen that strikes fear into any hitter what so ever. However, when Chad Qualls came into the game I didnt get a sense that he was going to shut down the Pirates but he actually pitched well, 1 inning 1 hit but only 12 pitches. Then seeing Joe Blanton come into the game you just knew it wasnt going to finish well for the Phillies. It didnt.

Hunter Pence has two of the Phillies'
four extra base hits

So besides the bullpen that I have obvious feelings about, the offense is the big issue through the first four games. The Leading hitter for Average is Carlos Ruiz (.400, 4-10). Who is second on the team in batting average you ask? Roy Halladay .333 (1-3) Ok so maybe thats not very fair as he has only played one game so in that case Shane Victorino would be second with a .308 (4-13). Hunter Pence has been the only position player to show any power on this team so far. Pence has four hits, yes only 4 but one of those is a Home Run and another is a Double. The team as a whole has 4 extra base hits (1 HR, 3 doubles) Pence has 2 of them. The others have come from Mayberry, Jr and rookie Freddy Galvis who finally broke through and got his first major league hit yesterday with a 2 run double. While he has been brilliant in the field for the most part, his bat has been nothing short of a disappointment. The offence as a whole only has 26 hits through the first four games (6.5 per game average) I know its early in the season and I know there is alot of baseball to be played, I know Utley and Howard are hurt (im not using that as an excuse) but something has to be done. Guys like Rollins, and Polanco really need to step up and come through with some big hits for this team. I see this team as weak on the bench with guys like Juan Pierre and Lance Nix. The leaders of this team need to act as such right now, Leaders. Some motivation is needed, coaching, a line up shuffle, maybe putting Jimmy Rollins in the lead off spot, or just some luck perhaps. Maybe that luck will come on Wednesday night when Roy Halladay is back on the mound at home against the Miami Marlins (who will be starting Josh Johnson). Or maybe that luck will come from a big hit or an error. Only time will tell but I am not giving up on the Phillies, I have heard some folks' frustration beginning to set in. Please remember Phillies fans, its only 4 games into the season. There are still 158 games left to play.

Follow me on Twitter @Trap_33
check out my Flickr Page