Totally agree about Hamels. He was awesome, which is apparently what it’s going to take to get the Phils a win these days.

Sardina scares the dickens out of me. Is he really the best we can do backing up? Isn’t there SOMEone in the minors who can at least make a tag at home?

I think as currently configured the Phils are counting on getting more from Howard than they’re getting. I think that might be a mistake, but if he keeps on-basing .331 it’s going to be a problem. He’s on pace to hit 36 HR and drive in 138 RBI, but the Phillies need him to score runs, too. He’s on pace for 87 and the Phils need more. A big part of that problem is the guys behind him, but .331 isn’t helping.

Utley getting back is huge. Having him take that 3 hole spot back and moving Polonco back to the 2 hole will be wonderful. Keep Rollins up top and when Victorino is in there, have him down in the 6. That instantly makes this lineup more crediable, no?

Injuries are tough, no doubt about it. Here here for the cupcake schedule to get some cusion which they did quite nicely. There were times when we all complained about the Phils playing poorly against teams they should beat. Lets get it picked back up tonight and give Hamels some support and see if we cant get one from the Rocks. Go Phils.

We need to try Brown before we know if we should trade for outfield. I’d like to see him play more or less full-time for about a month before we get to the trade deadline and see if we actually need something there.

I don’t think you’re going to find better fill-in pieces than the crew we have. We just need to not use so many fill-in pieces at once.

I think we’re better off hoping that the players they have start playing better than that the Phils add new guys. I think you can get a minor upgrade to the offense by replacing Orr/Martinez with slightly better players, but the real problem is less that than Rollins, Victorino, Howard, Ibanez, Francisco and Ruiz need to hit and they aren’t. I think you have to let Utley, Brown and the hitter the Phillies trade for surprise you if they contribute. If Rollins, Victorino, Howard, Ibanez, Francisco and Ruiz don’t do anything the Phils are going to struggle. A lot.

I don’t think lineup protection is the problem for Howard — especially if he’s going to go 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Not exactly like people are afraid to come after him. 150 is a lot of plate appearances in which to hit 208/300/431 when you’re supposed to anchor the offense.

I say if Victorino is hurt, lets retro DL him and get Brown up here and give him 10 days or so of regular at bats. Better yet, option 1 of the 3 mentioned above. It’s a better use of a roster space…

Oswalt sure looked good though and I was happy for that.

No lineup protection for Howard and a lefty with a breaking ball on the mound will always spell 0-4 with 3 K’s. If Garcia walks him, who cares, no one behind him will bring him in so dont let him beat you with the long ball.

Just saw the comments on the last post on the possibility of trading Worley. I think that would be a huge mistake. I didn’t like trading Happ either, and Worley looks better than Happ so far. The Phour Aces aren’t going to be able to go more than this year and, pending Oswalt, possibly next. Blanton hasn’t looked good at all, and has health issues of his own. We already lost Drabek in the Halladay deal, and I understand he’s doing pretty well on his own. Time to stop moving young pitching.