We had a great year running up an 11-5 record, but unfortunately we rung up a string of injuries and our 6 game winning streak going into week 17 couldn’t hold up to a scarily healthy Cowboy’s team  (Not a one on IR, seriously?)then or again on Sunday in the Wild Card round.

I want to review the three phases of our team based on what happened this year and what we should do this offseason. Starting off after the jump with the phase that needs the most improvement, our defense.

Continue reading this post »

The headlines continue on the phillies website... Striking out a career-high 10, J.A. Happ -- who may lose his rotation spot to Pedro Martinez -- ...  Happ's spot in rotation may be tenuous.... 

And the simple fact that Manuel won't confirm him as a starter....

My question is why? What more can the kid do to prove that he belongs in the starting rotation? Two Complete Game shutouts in his rookie year? An ERA of 2.74? A WHIP of 1.12. This kid deserves a medal.

Pitchers keep teams in games by not giving up runs. Happ has by FAR the lowest ERA of a starting pitcher on the club.

• Cole Hamels: 4.68
• Joe Blanton: 4.02
• Jamie Moyer: 5.55
• Brett Myers: 4.66
• Bastardo: 6.75
• Rodrigo Lopez: 3.99
• Happ: 2.74
• Martinez: (Last year) 5.61(our minors AAA and AA) 7ER over Ten Innings.
  
• Lee: 3.02

In fact, besides for newly aquired stud Lee,  Happ has the only ERA of one of our starting pitchers below 4, and its over a run below that.

Since becoming a starter, he has averaged 6 and 2/3 innings pitched, including two complete game shutouts.

Comparatively, Blanton who has seemed to be a workhorse is averaging 6 and 1/3 innings a start. Hamels is under six.  Moyer is slightly under 5 2/3.

"Well uh, he was great out of the bullpen before and we need room for Pedro." How can you help your bullpen more than by pitching deep into games and leaving with a lead?

Pedro has looked worn down for the last few years, as evidenced by his high ERA and WHIP the last few years. Sure he can k a bunch of minor leaguers, but it dont matter if you don't put your team in a position to win.

The lack of confidence in Happ disturbes me.  No, his stuff is not overwhelming. It's not gonna wow you. His fastball is great, his change is good. His slider is OK.  But it is certainly not a fluke, as he would have been blown up long ago if it were.