Right now, Phils don't have "The Look Of Champions"

It has now been a little more than an hour since the Phillies concluded their week long road trip. Despite the successful 5-4 record which included a thrilling sweep of the Braves down in Atlanta, the Phillies proceeded to drop two games out of three from their division rival Florida Marlins and the Albert Pujols less St. Louis Cardinals. Much worse is the fact that even though the usual cracks in the armor have come to the surface once again with this team, new ones may have arisen that can't happen again as they prepare for the BIGGEST series of the year: a three game set against the defending World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

After watching Sunday's 10-inning debacle against the Cardinals this afternoon, it is apparent to the entire show-me state of Missouri as well as the Delaware Valley that Brett Myers is obviously the weakest link in this starting rotation (that's right Adam Eaton, you're in the clear---for now). Myers constant failure to pitch consistently for this ball club will be a major hindrance for the Phillies down the stretch if they fail to acquire a proven starter at the trade deadline-or as it stands now, even before the deadline. With an ERA of 12 in the first inning of his started games, the Phillies bats are constantly playing catchup. And given Myers' record this year, the team has failed in doing so more often than not. The 20 home runs allowed by Myers leads the Major Leagues, and automatically spots the opposing team a run or more.

If you're the Phillies brass, what do you do? Move Myers back to the pen? The home runs will only occur later in the game as opposed to the beginning. Trade him? That's not going to happen at this particular time. This only further reinforces the fact the the Phillies MUST resign Brad Lidge, before the season ends or after. Indeed, Myers is an enigma and really always has been. He says he's a team player and will do anything to help the Phillies win. If that's the case Brett, maybe it's best that you do what the coaches tell you to do, perhaps do the recommended long toss, get yourself back into shape like you were during the off season. Although it will never be made public, one can easily imagine the frustration of the veteran players on this team constantly putting up with a headcase like Myers day in and day out in the clubhouse. Championship caliber teams do not have players like Brett Myers playing baseball the way he is playing right now. It's been seven years Brett. Get it together for yourself, the team, and the fans. How many chances can a guy get?

Then there is Tom Gordon. Yes, he was pretty much torn to pieces by yours truly in an article several months back after his meltdown in the season's inaugural contest against Washington. However, Gordon has almost Rheal Cormieried himself in a decent season. That is, until last week. After surrendering Dan Uggla's gargantuan grand slam on Wednesday, it is obvious to all that there is decreased velocity on Gordon's fastball. This most likely indicates that he is being overused by Charlie Manuel, and/or that he is 40 years old, and the Phillies simply can't depend on him the way they do. For the record, the Phillies starters need to depend less on the bullpen altogether. You've already seen signs of Gordon wearing down, and who knows if Rudy Seanez (39) isn't too far behind. Of course, there's always the chance of 45 year-old Jamie Moyer losing steam, but let's cross that bridge when it comes. J.C. Romero, while still effective, is being exposed after almost a year in the National League. However, this may have more to do with Romero being the only left handed pitcher in the Phillies bullpen. Where is Eddie Orepesa when you need him?!!! As for today's embarrassing bottom of the 10th inning, you can equally blame Chase Utley and Gordon for failure to execute properly on those two ground balls. The first throw Utley threw wide, the second throw, Gordon didn't catch. Once is understandable, but twice on a similar play? Get it together guys. You're making LOTS of money. Lapsed judgment equals losses, and this one hurt-bad.

Another concern that has crept upon this team in recent days is the disappearance of the offense after a massive onslaught the previous evening, and the stranding of runners on base particularly during Sunday's loss. The 20-2 drubbing of the redbirds in Friday's opening game was very impressive. However, just as I was about to give the team the tremendous props that were apparently well deserved, they manage just 2 measly runs off their old buddy Kyle Lohse on Saturday afternoon. As far as Lohse goes, I'm not about to knock him, for the job he did for the Phillies during last year's stretch drive, to his now 8-2 record in 2008. The Phillies gave him an offer (about three years in the $21 million range) that no other team really matched. With decent starting pitching an oddity in today's game, it kind of makes you wonder if 1) MLB is really trying to stick it to Scott Boras-Lohse's agent, or 2) Lohse is more of a headcase than teams are willing to disclose. A pitcher with Lohse's talent should have received better offers than just the offer of teh Phillies. Although their weren't any reported problems with Lohse in the Phillies clubhouse last year, there was that time in Minnesota back in 2005 when he practically demolished Ron Gardenhire's office door with a baseball bat after being removed from a game. Hmmmmmmmmm.

Though Lohse pitched a fine game, this weekend's offensive scenario is one all too familiar with Phillies fans from the years of 2003 until the beginning of 2007. Score 14 one night, zero the next. One must hope that this team doesn't fall into this kind of rut like its predecessors did. This was a pattern that costs those early teams of the 2000's some playoff spots. And for the record, the Phillies led all of Major League baseball for years in the Runners Left On Base department. It's only one game, but stranding 15 runners on base can't be a continuing trend. Bottom line: a championship caliber team who loads the bases four times in one game HAS to score at least a run. A team who is as just as good won't let you get away with it. As well as the Phillies are playing, the Cardinals are playing just as well- and now have a better record to show for it. And to top that, the Boston Red Sox are coming into town tomorrow, and there really isn't an explanation needed as far as to what that team will do as far as capitalizing on other's mistakes. Now this isn't the 2007 squad, but they are still the World Champs, and as of tomorrow the city of Boston will probably have another champion. Let's not give them anymore of a reason to celebrate.

So in closing, the Phils need a 1) Dependable number two starter, 2) Another lefthanded reliever to compliment Romero in the pen, and 3) A consistent offense who manufacture runs when it counts. Sounds good to me, but obviously it's not that simple. The Phils have made a pretty good dent in the National League up to this point. Let's see if they can play up to par with the big boys in the American League. And yes, Anaheim will be in just a few days after Boston. A true test of a champion will be measured this week. Will the Phils prevail and prove to all of us that they are a legitimate World Series contender? Or will Philly fans remain disgruntled, and again are left to wonder what the future holds for our heroes?

I really hope that I'm not sitting here next week typing a similar article. Isn't it about time things changed around here? Somebody? Anybody? Hello?...........