Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Sandy Koufax... - Wednesday, August 06, 2008
244 Views :: 1 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   If I were Josh Johnson, I would be trying to figure a way to pitch in the two remaining September series between my Florida team and the Phillies. Last night, the Phils made Johnson look like an ace, and with six games remaining between the teams, Johnson has an opportunity to pad his record. Then again, if you believe Phils' manager Charlie Manuel, Johnson is already one of the finest hurlers in the league.

   That's the skipper's excuse for the recent four-game slump that has the Phillies' bats silent. It's also the reason, according to Manuel, why Philadelphia has been shut out six times already this year, which equals the combine whitewash totals of the past two seasons. It's all the pitching.

   Not really.

   One look at last night's lineup reveals the true problem. Forget the fact the Phils don't have a .300 hitter among their regulars. Last night, they were forced to use the hole-in-the-bat gang, Geoff Jenkins, Eric Bruntlett and Carlos Ruiz in the six, seven and eight spots. Add in Jamie Moyer ninth, and you have nearly half the lineup incapable of performing on a regular basis. And before you go pining for Pedro Feliz, remember that he's hitting a mere .256 and has walked only 24 times.

   The focus on this team has been on its starting pitching, but so far it hasn't been all that bad, save Brett Myers' first half and any time Adam Eaton has gone to the hill. The bullpen has been great. Before the season, we were told this team was built to beat teams 8-7. Now, it's clear the numbers are more like 4-3 or 3-2, if that. All the time we were killing GM Pat Gillick for failing to upgrade the starting rotation -- a sin which will likely haunt the team should it reach the post-season -- we have overlooked the bats, which haven't been consistent. Even the top of the lineup has sagged of late.

  Manuel tries to rationalize the situation with a classic line. "[Johnson] did a good job," he said about last night's anemic plate performance. "He's a good pitcher. I thought he pitched a good game, but at the same time, we didn't hit." Which is it, Charlie, the pitcher or the hitters? Lately, although the manager doesn't want to admit it, it has been the bats. With no help in sight, they had better awaken, or this stretch run could be more of a jog against a couple of opponents who don't seem to be going away. Florida showed that last night, behind Cy Young candidate Josh Johnson. Tonight, the Phillies face Walter Johnson. Let's hope they can handle him.