Heard in the Cheap Seats

Another Phillies series has concluded, which means another installment of “Inside the Numbers”.  The first stats are from the Philles series against the Brewers, in which they lost 2 out of 3 once again, and the second set of stats are the season totals.  I think we are getting to the point where we can start address problem areas for this team.  There seem to be quite a few, but I will try and zero in on the biggest issues based on the stats I am following.  It is still April so a lot can and hopefully will change, but it is better to identify a problem early and correct it rather than wait.  Once again. If you haven’t been following, these statistical categories come directly from areas of the Phillies that I identified before the season as possible concerns.  Statistics aren’t everything, but I believe that if the Phillies are lacking in one or 2 of these areas, it will be very hard to make it back to the postseason.  These are all areas that are crucial to winning baseball.  While it is easy to just check the standings and see how the Phils are doing, the whole point of tracking these numbers is that I believe it will be a great indicator of how the season will play out.  For example, even if the Phillies are in first place, yet their starting pitching and bench numbers are terrible, my belief is that we will see that come back to bite them.  Hopefully you are following what I am getting at with all of this, I know I can be confusing at times.  On to the numbers…

 

Brewers @ Phillies (Brewers took 2 out of 3)

 

TEAM BATTING

23 for 98, 7 XBH, 14 BB, 13 Runs

.235 BA, .342 OBO, .367 SLG

 

RISP

6 for 20, 8 RBI, .300 BA

 

STARTING PITCHING

1-2

15 1/3 IP, 19 H, 9 ER, 2 BB, 13 K

5.36 ERA, 1.39 WHIP

 

BULLPEN

11 2/3 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 7 BB, 11 K

3.21 ERA, 1.52 WHIP

 

VERSUS RHP

14 for 68, 7 Runs, .206 BA

 

VERSUS LHP

9 for 30, 6 Runs, .300 BA

 

BENCH

2 for 6, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, .333 BA

 

2009 Season Totals Thru yesterday’s game

 

TEAM BATTING

72 Runs, 5.14 Avg. per game

.263 BA, .333 OBP, .453 SLG

 

RISP

.259 BA, .371 OBP, .455 SLG

 

STARTING PITCHING

3-6

7.18 ERA, .333 BAA, 1.69 WHIP

 

BULLPEN

3-2

3 for 5 in save opportunities

5.04 ERA, .225 BAA, 1.30 WHIP

 

VERSUS RHP

.262 BA, .332 OBP, .466 SLG

 

VERSUS LHP

.268 BA, .337 OBP, .390 SLG

 

BENCH

.250 BA, .313 OBP,.643 SLG

 

It is pretty simple when you look at these stats where the biggest problem lies.  Yes, the offense was terrible in the last two games of the Brewers series, but that offense will be punishing teams once Jimmy Rollins starts to hit.  Teams who struggle at the top of the order, will struggle overall offensively.  I’m betting Rollins will be just fine.  The problem is pitching.  April is almost over and the starting staff has just 3 wins!  Last year, Jamie Moyer finished with 16 wins.  Let’s assume Hamels will build off a decent few innings against the Brewers and he turns it around in May.  Is anyone really confident or comfortable that Blanton, Myers, and Moyer are going to be able to pitch well consistently?  A lot of fans felt like this would be a year where Myers would put all his talent together, which would make the starting staff look a whole lot better.  But, have you seen a different Brett Myers so far this year?  I haven’t.  I feel like a broken record, and I know it is early, but it is extremely alarming that the Phils starting staff ranks dead last in almost every single major statistical category.  I can tell you right now, if that doesn’t change drastically, there won’t be any pennants this year. The Phils head to Florida for a 3 game set against the division leading Marlins.  Maybe being away from Philly and matching up against a very good starting pitching staff will motivate these guys to start to get things heading in the right direction.  People always say that pennants aren’t won in April and May, which is true, but they can certainly be lost.  I will keep an eye on these stats all season, but if things look the same towards the end of May, I don’t care what the standings say at that point, there will be trouble.