Not sure what the criteria is for games blown by the bullpen, but 17 seems like too many. I don’t think they Phillies would be 54-33 now instead of 37-50 if they had a good bullpen. Maybe if their bullpen allowed zero runs.

Bigger problem for the Phillies now is that whether the bullpen cost them seven or 17 games in the first half, they’re in an enormous hole. If there’s a solution it’s definitely about pitching — adding bullpen by trade, moving existing rotation guys into the pen or letting Tyler Cloyd start or pitch in relief might be part of the solution. But they need a solution that makes them win about seven out of ten games, so if it’s coming it’s going to have more than one piece.

I expect more to come.

My hope is that if/when the team throws in the towel, they give more innings to the guys with talent so that they can get the experience. I’m thinking of guys like Diekman, Schwimmer, DeFratus (when healthy), Rosenberg, etc. The guys like Valdes and Sanches, and anybody else who should have a ‘z’ in their name would hopefully get less innings. Hopefully this will help them sort out who will be helpful in 2013.

SEVENTEEN!!!!!!!

Stopping that would make a huge difference, obviously. And might be the ray of sunshine the stats don’t provide.

I’d really like to think this isn’t hopeless, but it’s a little tough.