Comments on: What’s the matter here?

By: schmenkman

schmenkman — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:14:49 +0000

As I reread some comments, it appears that a lot of people don’t realize that the Phillies were the 2nd toughest team in the NL to strike out this year (improving from 6th toughest last year), in terms of PAs per K. They actually had the 3rd fewest K’s, but because they score more they also get more at bats, which is why it’s more accurate to look at PAs/K.

By: schmenkman

schmenkman — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:03:57 +0000

Just to take a step back for the moment, is the problem that the Phillies were 2nd in scoring, instead of their customary first?

Or is it that they get hot and cold more than other teams, and unfortunately happened to be cold against the best staff in the NL, which only exacerbated the problem?

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 02:02:31 +0000

Watching game one, and it appears tht Cliff Lee is NOT perfect.

By: DaMannse

DaMannse — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:55:22 +0000

It is true. There is no rule saying that a move the guy along hitter is crucial. Until, of course, you run into a starting pitching rotation in a short series the quality of, say… oh… the Giants or the Rangers. Or next year when Cliff Lee becomes the number two syarter in NY. And games will be won or loss by one run.

Do we really need someone else with power who also strikes out a lot, or might we want someone who brings another dimension to the offense?

I guess I still think that Charlie is the man.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:11:56 +0000

They said anyone could manage the Yankees.. but in Girardi’s first year they missed the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. We shouldn’t take winning managers for granted, even if their individual moves are sometimes puzzling.

By: Bob

Bob — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:20:54 +0000

I still say Charlie’s ability to manage is the REAL problem. When everything is going well for the Phillies ANYONE could manage them. When the main core are not hitting or pitching great, then the manager has to use his brain. This is where Charlie fails the Phils. The Phils were a little lucky this year, despite having the best starting pitching staff in the NL.

The Phils competition was really bad this year or had lots of injuries. The Braves had too many key injuries. The Mets were in disarray. The Nats don’t have a lot of good players. The Marlins were too young.

Again..Charlie believes everyone will eventually hit – the key word is eventually. Jimmy Rollins is not a good lead off hitter by any stretch of the imagination. – except when Chase hit 40 points higher and Ryan hist 20 more homers. Yet,Charlie thinks he belongs there.
Yeah

Charlie is a great guy and the players love him, but he’s just not a good game timer manager. (see SI article about how Giants’ manager outfoxed Charlie at every turn).

I would be happy to see Charlie get some better bench help at game time. If you think he’s OK, then you’re looking at him with your heart and not your head.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:00:32 +0000

Ok, true enough. But hit-ball-far guys tend to cost more (and strike out or GIDP more), and it’s the rare team that can afford 1 OBP guy and 7 power guys.

I think if they decided this year that Utley would play 3rd and Polanco 2nd, we’d be having less of a discussion about appropriate production from 3rd base. And we’d be wondering how tall Howard needs to grow in order to field Utley’s throws instead.

By: egrissom

egrissom — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:59:38 +0000

I agree that if you have a move-them-along 2-hitter and a hit-ball-far three hitter, it doesn’t matter which one of them plays third and which one plays second. But there’s no rule you need to have a move-them-along hitter hitting second or anywhere — your team will be better if you replace that guy with a more productive offensive player. Move-them-along is nice. It’s not as nice as get on base or hit home runs/doubles, though.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:52:36 +0000

My point is why have a move-them-along-2-hole hitter at all if you don’t need one? Why not go for run producers at every position if you have the opportunity to do so?

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:50:53 +0000

Yeah, I think Romero is gone no matter what. The bullpen to start next year will probably look something like:

Lidge
Madsen
Baez (eck!)
Durbin or Contreras (whichever one they can sign)
Mathieson or Herndon
Bastardo
Unknown Veteran LH