It’s time to start asking some serious questions about this team
Remember when the Phillies were to have dominant starting pitching?
Yeah, those were the days. A second consecutive poor outing from a prospective member of the starting rotation (remember, nothing is set in stone yet) led to another disastrous game from the Phillies, this one on national television. Jesus Luzardo, once thought to be the team’s best acquisition this offseason, struggled with….everything. The offense was held in check, the bullpen faltered, just an overall bad day. Here are some notes:
- After a blistering first inning in which the he hit 97 miles per hour several times, Luzardo showed why teams were leery of trading for him, getting blasted for back-to-back-to-back home runs in the second inning. Six runs on six hits in two innings makes one wonder if that starting spot Luzardo seemed to have wrapped up after his spectacular two inning debut is really on lockdown after all.
- Matt Strahm – should we be worried? After all, he too was hit hard by the Tigers offense. His line was tuned up to his giving up four runs on two hits over 2⁄3 of an inning. The team doesn’t have as strong a bullpen as is, so if the regression monster that seems to have bitten Strahm already this spring makes a return visit, how long until the team needs to make a move for a steadier bullpen arm?
- Buddy Kennedy has his average up to…. .176! Though he hit another home run this spring, bringing his OPS into the 800’s, one has to wonder if he is going to start pushing Bryson Stott and/or Alec Bohm for playing time. Same with Christian Arroyo! These are solid pieces, people!
- Johan Rojas: designated hitter. Looks like Kyle Schwarber needs to be looking over his shoulder.
- Let’s be honest, we need to start asking some real questions about the job security of Rob Thomson. Sitting high on his horse after three seasons of playoff appearances, it seems as though the Phillies manager has gotten complacent. Where is the hustle from the lineup? Where is the backbone in the rotation? Why isn’t the bullpen performing as they are expected to? If this continues, you have to wonder how much longer Thomson has at the helm of this team.
All in all, a disappointing performance from the team that is expected to finish atop the National League East in what was billed to be a dogfight from beginning to end. Having the starters – Luzardo today, Zack Wheeler yesterday – struggle like they have been should have expectations being recalibrated quickly. Unless the lineup can be the straw that stirs the drink, this is beginning to look like a lost season.
Already did, considering they added virtually nothing this offseason.