The Philadelphia Phillies are movin' on up. Since losing the first two games of July, the Phillies are 12-1 this month and have improved to a season best 13 games over .500. The Phillies are the only team in the NL east above .500 and have a 6 1/2 game lead over the second place Braves. Let the Rookie of the Year talk prevail this week. The Blue Jays trade talk is stale at this point. If it happens, great...but if not, "Jay" Happ has been excellent! After Sunday's win over the Marlins, Happ is now 7-0 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.15 WHIP this season. Over his last 5 starts, Happ is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA.
By comparison, other ROY contenders likely don't match up. St. Louis's Colby Rasmus has posted a .270 batting avg. with 11 HR and 34 RBI in 85 games this season. Washington's Jordan Zimmermann and Atlanta's Kenshin Kawakami aren't close at all. However, the Braves' Tommy Hanson, who is 4-0 with a 2.85 ERA over 7 starts thus far might be Happ's best rival for the award.
The last three Phillies to be named Rookie of the year were Ryan Howard in 2005, Scott Rolen in 1997 and Dick Allen in 1964.
Now back to the "hot in July" topic...other Phillies who are wrecking it this month are-
Jimmy Rollins- 15 games, .377 avg, 1.062 OPS, 6 steals, 13 runs and 11 walks!
Shane Victorino- 15 games, .361 avg, .968 OPS, 3 steals, 12 runs, 8 walks.
Joe Blanton- 2 starts, 14 2/3 innings pitched, 0.61 ERA, 11 k's.
Chan Ho Park- 4 games, 7 1/3 innings pitched, 1.23 ERA, 2 k's.
Greg Dobbs- 10 games, .353 avg, .880 OPS, 7 RBI, 3 runs.
Chase Utley- 15 games, .345 avg, 1.003 OPS, 2 steals, 6 RBI, 12 runs.
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