Folks, your Phillies team is loaded with beasts. That is not a difficult statement to make, based on the all star level talent that is on this Phillies baseball club, but let's exclude those all stars. No Chase, no Ryan, no Jimmy, no Brad, and no Colbert. Think you've still got a team loaded with beasts? You may doubt it, but Jay Ballz is here to assure you that you do.
Beast #1...Jamie Moyer. The last time this 45 year old stallwart gave up more than 3 runs in a start was June 1st. Jamie has pitched more than 5 innings in all but 2 of his starts this year. And Moyer has a 2.84 ERA over his last 10 starts, since that June 1st game where he gave up 5 runs in 7 innings.
Beast #2...Jayson Werth (vs. left handed pitchers). Tonight, Jay-Dubya tied Chase Utley for the major league lead in homeruns hit against lefties, at 11. He also raised his OPS against lefties over 1.000. Werth has hit exactly half his career homers against left handers, in far less than half the at bats.
Beast #3a...Greg Dobbs as a pinch hitter. Already, with two months left in the season, Dobbs has tied the team record for pinch hits in a season, with 20 total. In 47 pinch hit at bats, Greg is batting .426 (20 hits) with a 1.089 OPS. Beast #3b...Greg Dobbs with runners in scoring position. With RISP, Greg is batting .355 with a 1.045 OPS. Beast #3c...Greg Dobbs at home. Roy Hobbs Dobbs at "the Cit" is a .365 hitter this year.
Beast #4...Shane Victorino in July. Shane hit 7 of his 9 total homeruns, and has 20 of his 38 total RBI, during July. The heat in recent weeks has helped Shane-o get hot, as he is hitting .340 with a 1.027 OPS, since the all star break. Shane's career July avg. is 69 points higher than his career June average.
All beasts aside, here's your statement to ponder. The Phillies' best additions for the stretch run won't come from a deadline, or waiver trade...they were on the Phils' opening day roster. Could the Phillies have added a "#1" starter via a trade, once CC Sabathia had be dealt? Nope. Was there really a hot veteran bullpen arm with solid postseason experience under his belt? Nah. But guess what, phans...Brett Myers and Tom Gordon will be/are back. Okay, okay...Myers is no Sabathia, but there are teams that would have liked to add Brett Myers to their team this time of year. And if Myers can get it together, and pitch like he did after the all star break in 2006 (the last time he started regularly for a full season) and get 7 wins, with an ERA under 4.00...most phans would approve. And of course there's "Flash" Gordon. Simply put...a veteran reliever, whose combined ERA over the last three Septembers is 2.70 is one that should be sought after. Be glad he's still on our side.
Comments
I have to agree with you that the Phils are a team of beasts. Just watching Eric Bruntlett go 3-4 and Moyer kick ass on July 24th shows me that the Phils are deeper then thier "Mega Beasts". Sure the fans were obnoxious towards the Phils Phans (more so then usual) but they were booing the wrong people. Howard and Utley struck out 3 times each but it was the other beasts that kept that game close (and who would have really thought Delgado could actually hit the ball to LF). So Mr. Ballz, I agree with your analysis that the Phils are deeper then the "mega beasts". Keep up the good work.
~Finkster
Excellent points to ponder. This team has more depth than the average bear, and more fire than the average met, but can be as annoying as the average met fan when they don't produce.
After yet another opposing pitcher has decided to "stick it in his ear" last night, I think it will be interesting to see how this team of Fightin's responds. That said, let's remember that the Card's young Duncan called us out last series. I say, "meet ya'll behind the busses and we'll settle this once and for all!"