How is this team not in first place?

[Cedrique]

1. Michael Young (R) 3B
2. Kevin Frandsen (R) 1B
3. Jimmy Rollins (S) SS
4. Chase Utley (L) 2B
5. Delmon Young (R) DH
6. Darin Ruf (R) LF
7. Laynce Nix (L) RF
8. Erik Kratz (R) C
9. Michael Martinez (S) CF

 

[Cedrique]

Also I forgot to mention the pitching matchup is Raul Valdes against Max Scherzer

 

[Retroram52]

Unmotivated play and taking games off. Perhaps its a managerial problem?

 

[Cedrique]

that must be it. When you have talent like Nix,Kratz and Martinez at the bottom of the order, this team is obviously loaded

 

[Retroram52]

I don't know if your being serious or facetious at this point but with a 6-game losing streak and making Atlanta look like worldbeaters, I think either would cover this dog and pony show. I mean, Atlanta got rid of their aging line-up and brought young studs like Uggla who can turn on a pitch at any time when Booby Cox retired. Since Brain-dead Reuben has done nothing but sit on his thumbs, the talent we have is just not consistently getting it done.

 

[jvett77]

Just think, we have JMJ on PH duty.

 

[unblowupable5]

Bring back Eric Bruntlett!

 

[jvett77]

Hitting during 7 game losing streak.

Phillies with RISP: 4 for 36; outscored 38-9; AVG .215 (42 for 195). Totals for 10 key players:

Rollins 8/26 1 RBI
Utley 7/23 3 RBI
JMJ 6/22 2 RBI
Delmon 6/26 0 RBI
Ruf 5/21 0 RBI
Ruiz 3/16 1 RBI
Kratz 2/10 0 RBI
Nix 2/17 0 RBI
MY 2/21 1 RBI
Brown 1/13 0 RBI

 

[Retroram52]

These are horrific numbers for professional baseball players. Someone is not doing their job and it starts at the top!

 

[jdwills126]

I liked the Phillies but age and injuries are catching up with them.

Utley a great 2nd base but age and injuries have taken their toll.

Rollins a solid SS, but doesn't bring the same things he did to the table 4 years ago.

And Young is a DH at best. He is a liability in the outfield.

Hamels is a #3 on a good team not a #1. Holliday has lost it and that was before the injuries. Lee is getting up in age. And if they are not contending Paplebon is pretty much useless.

I don't envy the Phillies position keep the status quo and be a fringe contender or sell and build for the future. Philly fans are not the most forgiving.

 

[Retroram52]

Time to say adios and either retire or trade them.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Starting pitchers....

 

[Retroram52]

That too MrWallace!

 

[jvett77]

I don't envy the Phillies position keep the status quo and be a fringe contender or sell and build for the future. Philly fans are not the most forgiving.

Anybody on the Phillies the Tigers need or are lusting after? (serious question)

 

[jdwills126]

Paplebon but contract and Phillies demand would make him to expensive.

Utley as that would allow Detroit to move Infante to SS if Peralta gets suspended. Phillies seem like they want him to retire a Philly though.

Rollins would be a great fit but again cost would knock Detroit out as the minor leagues are somewhat bare.

 

[Cedrique]

Paplebon but contract and Phillies demand would make him to expensive.

Utley as that would allow Detroit to move Infante to SS if Peralta gets suspended. Phillies seem like they want him to retire a Philly though.

Rollins would be a great fit but again cost would knock Detroit out as the minor leagues are somewhat bare.

I heard Detroit just got the closer Veras from the Astros. I'm guessing they don't need Papelbon as much any more.

 

[Caligula]

I heard Detroit just got the closer Veras from the Astros. I'm guessing they don't need Papelbon as much any more.

Good job, Rueben.

 

[jdwills126]

If Paplebon was affordable Detroit would jump on him. It would give them a leg up for next year as the closer spot will still be an issue. I believe this is Benoits last year under contract.

Plus Smyly will be coming out of the bullpen eventually to start or as part of a trade.

Detroit has a gaping hole in the pen...although they have played better recently I still think they would jump on Paplebon if they could swing it.

By the way what the hell happened yesterday. The Phillies looked like the Bad News Bears! Throwing the ball away, dropping fly balls. It isn't wonder the manager didn't go nuclear on the field!