Week One | Not What We Were Told

The Phillies start the season with a pair of meek series against lesser foes

It was supposed to be different this year, wasn't it?

That division championship was supposed to give the Phillies a better sense of what was needed to contend all season long, so that a September collapse by the Mets wouldn't be necessary to secure a playoff slot. This year, the Phils told us, they'd be ready right out of the gate. Promise.

Oops.

Saying the Phillies have looked like Little Leaguers over the first week of the season is an insult to Little Leaguers. Bad defense, bullpen blowups, mediocre starting, and silent bats have all added up to a 2-4 record against hardly imposing Nationals and Reds squads. Even worse, they're 0-3 thus far in games started by Brett Myers and Cole Hamels. Myers has been a major disappointment, getting knocked around unexpectedly in his two starts; Hamels, at least, was sparkling in his one turn.

Philadelphia is playing right now as if Jimmy Rollins's 100-win prediction will come true simply because he said the words. With only Chase Utley and Pat Burrell(!) seeming to have any clue at the plate in the early going, I continue to worry that the fabled switch that was going to be thrown on Opening Day has a few of its wires crossed. S|C

Comments

[Sam]

Hey, I just found Shallow Center and really enjoyed it. I'll be back. I've put a link to it on my own blog (Harry's Beef Trust) about the Phillies and generally anything else that crosses my kind. If you'd like to reciprocate, thanks!