Angels 7, Phils 1

Didn't see it. Incredibly glad I didn't.

The Phils' weaknesses have been exposed over the past two weeks: starting pitching and offensive depth. The first is a problem because they have three, I repeat, THREE starters that I simply don't trust right now, Myers, Eaton, and Kendrick. The second might not be a problem forever but it's a serious problem right now. This team is basically built around the idea that four guys (Rollins, Utley, Howard, and Burrell) hit a lot and score lots of runs. Unfortunately, all four of them are simultaneously in slumps, and the team is screwed. Three months into the season it's become obvious that Jenkins, Feliz, and Ruiz simply aren't good enough to pick up the slack when the Big Four aren't hitting. (And see the previous post for further thoughts on Ruiz.)

I realize that the Phils have run into some great pitching lately, I mean I know Ervin Santana and Jon Lester are great, but come on, two hits last night? On a warm night in a hitter's park? Something's wrong, and they need to do something about it before everything starts to slip away.

Tonight is an absolutely crucial game. Obviously, the season isn't over if they lose it, and no matter what happens they'll still be in first place tomorrow morning. But it would be their fourth loss in a row and their fourth series loss in a row. If Myers has another bad game and/or the lineup continues to suck they need to do something about it. Find a new starter on the waiver wire. Call up a starter from the minors. Bench the Big Four. Start Werth and Dobbs. Make Coste the #1 catcher. Bring back Chris Snelling (that kid had some pop, and we didn't see nearly enough of him). Come up with some crazy new batting order. Something! Shake things up, Charlie, because whatever you're doing right now is getting stale.

The really sad thing is that even throughout this protracted slump where the team's been terrible, the bullpen has remained pretty good. You know, the bullpen, the very thing that was this team's biggest problem last year. Why can't we have one full season where everything works???

Oh yeah, and the Mets are starting to pick it up. If you, reading this right now, are the person in charge of making such things happen, then I want you to know that I hate you.