Preview

So now it is official, but I would go even farther to say that it is Facebook official because I have seen it on Facebook. The Phillies are playing the Reds starting on Wednesday at 5:07. You know, I wouldn't have believed ESPN when they said it, but when I saw that on Facebook I knew it had to be true. The question now changes to who will win? Well, my totally biased opinion is that the Phillies will win simply on the strength of our pitching. I know that Roy Oswalt had a tough day yesterday, but I'm not too worried about him because it is always different for a starting pitcher to come out of the bullpen. Hamels, Oswalt, and Halladay can match anyone the Reds will throw. Then, you have to look at the offense where the Phillies have power throughout the lineup. Personally, I'm hoping that Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz can get their elbows straightened out. So, I definitely feel like the Phillies have the upper hand in this matchup, but you have to remember my bias. I always encourage everyone to look at the primary source, so go look at the stats so that you can make your own position.

Dodgers Outslug Phils 15-9

Well, any of you who have watched the news this morning will know that last night's game was less than desirable for a Phillies fan. The Dodgers knocked off the Phillies 15-9. I always thought that nine runs would be enough to win a baseball game, but there is a problem when the bullpen gives up nine earned runs by itself in 5 2/3 innings. Kyle Kendrick did not pitch well by any means, but if the bullpen could have locked down after the six runs (five earned) that Kendrick allowed, this could have been a win. However, not all was lost. For one thing, I saw Domenic Brown's first career home run, so he becomes as good as everyone says he will be, this could be an interesting story. Also, Ross Gload hit two more home runs which is excellent, and he and Brown drove in eight of our nine runs with Placido Polanco driving in the ninth. On the Dodgers side, Andre Ethier went four for four with three RBIs, four runs, a walk, and was hit by a pitch in the ninth. Every starter on the Dodgers reached base including pitcher Vicente Padilla courtesy of an error. The kind of depressing parts involved watching JC Romero walk George Sherrill, a bullpen pitcher who had not seen one pitch this season, in the ninth. However, with the game on the line with two outs in the ninth, Cole Hamels had to pinch hit for Chad Durbin because the Phillies were out of pinch hitters. Either way, it was a very enjoyable game despite the slightly depressing outcome.

Off to the Races

It is finally Opening Day! Almost all the ice has melted off the reservoir and we barely have any snow in our yard! What is better than that? The Phillies pulled off, or should I rephrase blasted off with, an opening day victory versus the Washington Nationals. After watching President Obama throw out the first pitch, Roy Halladay owned the mound just like we are hoped he would when we allowed Cliff Lee to be shipped off to Seattle. On top of that, Placido Polanco already has regained the loyalty of Phillies fans in his second stint on Broad Street after he was shipped off in favor of Chase Utley. While this was the right move for second base, I always thought we should have kept Polanco to play third base instead of the piece mail system that was in place with David Bell, Wes Helms, Abraham Nunez, and Pedro Feliz. I liked all of these guys, but none of them seem to be able to live up to the high expectations demanded by fans who want nothing less than perfection. I just want to remind all of the baseball fans around; the Phillies are not going anywhere this season. The only thing that I could possibly see as a hindrance would be the injury bug which has crippled the great teams before.

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