Chase Utley is out for 8 weeks now. Polanco is out 3-4 weeks. Charlie Manuel was serving a 1 game suspension for being ejected earlier in the week. That is 3 All-Stars right there, and I am not even including catcher Carlos Ruiz who is the man behind the plate for most pitchers wearing a Phillies jersey. 7 players total on the DL and thats not including back up catcher Brian Schneider who was injured last night. The Phillies are not the same team that won the World Series in 08 and went back in 09. They are banged up, and now missing a few important parts. Could it be the 2 years playing extra weeks of baseball finally catching up with them? Maybe, but they have to get past that. They are right in the thick of things in the NL East with an opportunity to gain some ground playing the last place Pirates. Pittsburgh has always seemed to play better against us the past few years. I believe its the theory of last place team plays like its the World Series against the best team in the National League because they know this is the closest they will come to the World Series.
Cole Hamels didn't pitch that bad of a game, only allowing 5 hits but 3 earned runs while striking out 8. It was rookie Daniel McCutchen on the Pirates who finally pitched like he belonged in the big leagues and got the win for the Bucs as the Pirates bullpen held it together for him at the end. A small bright spot for the Phillies has been the sudden offensive power from Wilson Valdez who homered for the 2nd time in 3 games.
Bottom line is the Phillies have to wake up and start winning some games, especially against the bottom dweller teams in the NL.
Up next, Jamie Moyer vs Ross Ohlendorf....come on guys Ross Ohlendorf? If you can't beat him then pack it in.
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