All those predictions throughout the Spring of a triumphant Phillies season? Uh, yea, not looking so good...
The Phils have started the season 1-6, after yesterday's loss to the Mets, during which they gave up an 8-run eighth inning, failed to score in one bases-loaded-nobody-out situation, and got only one run in another. The team's situational heading has been abysmal, the bullpen even worse than advertised, and not even Ryan Howard has done much.
Things look real bad, of course, and it's hard to imagine Charlie Manuel lasting another week or two if things continue the way they are. Of course, considering all the talent on hand in the bullpen and rotation, there's really no way the Phils are actually this bad (as opposed to Washington, who really are.) They'll turn the corner eventually. Tom of Balls, Sticks, and Stuff, who I had the pleasure of sharing a beer with last night, has more on the team's dire straits.
As for my other hometown team, I think it would be a really swell idea if Sidney Ponson never put on a Minny uniform ever again. He gave up five runs in the first two innings in last night's nationally-televised loss to the Yankees, during which- much to ESPN's chagrin, and mine- Johan Santana did not pitch.
The Twins are off to a good start, don't get me wrong, but I've got a feeling this rotation decision is going to cost them. Putting a mediocrity like Ponson in the rotation when a talent like Matt Garza is available would be the dumbest sports decision of the month, if it weren't for the Doc Rivers contract extension.
At least things are looking good on the ballpark front, just in time for a preview of the April snow-outs we'll be getting semi-yearly.
Posted by Stephen Silver at April 10, 2007 05:16 PMI didn't know getting your ass kicked by the Yanks was a good start for the Twins..haha
Posted by: A at April 11, 2007 11:53 AM