So, let's get this straight: Jimmy Rollins has been out since April 20 (and, really, since April 8); Shane Victorino returned this week after spending two weeks on the disabled list; Brett Myers has a 5.11 ERA; and Ryan Howard is batting .184.
But the Phillies are in first place.
Really?
Yes, the standings in The Paper are correct. Despite their myriad problems during the season's first month, the Phillies are 16-13, somehow a half-game ahead of the Mets and Marlins in the NL East. For that, they can thank Chase Utley (majors-leading 11 homers), Pat Burrell (tied for the NL-lead with 26 RBIs), Cole Hamels (2.70 ERA), Brad Lidge (no earned runs allowed in 12 innings), Tom Gordon (1.64 ERA since opening day) and J.C. Romero (no earned runs allowed in 12-2/3 innings).
So, who is your Phillies MVP so far?
***
Last night, Howard finally took his turn in the hero's role, blasting a game-winning solo homer in the eighth inning against Padres lefty reliever Joe Thatcher. I asked Howard if he sees any correlation between the two days off Charlie Manuel gave him last week and his improved swings. He doesn't. But he said he has been swinging the bat better since batting practice last Friday in Pittsburgh. Manuel, of course, took him out of the lineup last Thursday and Friday.
***
Hold on to your hats, Aaron Rowand returns to The Bank tonight for the first time since defecting to San Francisco for a five-year, $60 million contract. Here's what he told the Giants' Web site about his return:
"That's in the past. I'm in San Francisco now playing for the Giants. I look back at my time with Philadelphia with fondness, and it puts a smile on my face. But I'm not going to dwell on any of the stuff that happened during the offseason."
Of Manuel, Rowand said, "I loved playing for him. He was a great man, a great manager and I was very close with him. I miss him just as much as I miss the guys on the team."
Much more later from the ballpark. Meanwhile, don't forget to weigh in with your vote for the Phillies' MVP through 29 games.
But the Phillies are in first place.
Really?
Yes, the standings in The Paper are correct. Despite their myriad problems during the season's first month, the Phillies are 16-13, somehow a half-game ahead of the Mets and Marlins in the NL East. For that, they can thank Chase Utley (majors-leading 11 homers), Pat Burrell (tied for the NL-lead with 26 RBIs), Cole Hamels (2.70 ERA), Brad Lidge (no earned runs allowed in 12 innings), Tom Gordon (1.64 ERA since opening day) and J.C. Romero (no earned runs allowed in 12-2/3 innings).
So, who is your Phillies MVP so far?
***
Last night, Howard finally took his turn in the hero's role, blasting a game-winning solo homer in the eighth inning against Padres lefty reliever Joe Thatcher. I asked Howard if he sees any correlation between the two days off Charlie Manuel gave him last week and his improved swings. He doesn't. But he said he has been swinging the bat better since batting practice last Friday in Pittsburgh. Manuel, of course, took him out of the lineup last Thursday and Friday.
***
Hold on to your hats, Aaron Rowand returns to The Bank tonight for the first time since defecting to San Francisco for a five-year, $60 million contract. Here's what he told the Giants' Web site about his return:"That's in the past. I'm in San Francisco now playing for the Giants. I look back at my time with Philadelphia with fondness, and it puts a smile on my face. But I'm not going to dwell on any of the stuff that happened during the offseason."
Of Manuel, Rowand said, "I loved playing for him. He was a great man, a great manager and I was very close with him. I miss him just as much as I miss the guys on the team."
Much more later from the ballpark. Meanwhile, don't forget to weigh in with your vote for the Phillies' MVP through 29 games.
4 comments:
I'm going to try and shock the world by saying Brad Lidge. That kind of stability in the back I think really gives the whole team confidence. The pitchers know their leads are safe and the hitters know they can be bailed out to a certain extent.
As much as I'd like to say the entire back end of the bullpen (Romero, Gordon minus Opening Day, Lidge), it has to be a split between Chase Utley and Pat Burrell.
The way these two have played the first month of the season is something truly special to watch on a nightly basis. It's very rare you see two guys from the same team to get off to such equally blistering starts. (while the man who bats between them has done next to nothing to boot)
Now, for us to keep this trend going in May, it's highly unlikely that Pat and Chase can keep their torrid paces up, so it'll be time for others to step up to the levels set by Burrell and Utley. Paging J-Roll and Ryan...
Burrell & Utley are pretty much neck and neck for the team's MVP, but I'm going to have to go with Burrell becuase his numbers are better in the games the Phillies won.
It's definitely in order: Utley, Burrell and Lidge.Chase has been so consistant you have to put him on top.
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