The last time the Phils were home they blazed their way to an 8-2 record.
Of course, most of those games were against National League teams. Last week they got to test their mettle against the best of the American League, the leaders of both the AL East and AL West, the Red Sox and Angels, respectively.
Uh, not so good. The Phils managed to win just one game vs. the Beantowners and got swept by the Angels.
Better hold off on those World Series parade plans.
The Phils are facing the same demons that have haunted this team in recent years. When they are hitting, they are an awesome offensive show. When they’re not, they struggle to make contact, let alone score runs. Small-ball is not the club’s forte. Right now they are back in strikeout mode, simply too often failing to put the ball in play.
And they also are struggling with inconsistent starting pitching. Even their ace, Cole Hamels, was unable to reverse the tide yesterday. He made only a couple of bad pitches, but it was enough to take the loss. He’s now 7-5, and he’s the best guy on the staff.
And there is one other incredibly frustrating aspect to this team. They still from time to time show an undisciplined nature that is absolutely agonizing.
Take for instance the at-bat offered by one So Taguchi with the Phils trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th Sunday.
The Phils had runners at second and third. Taguchi worked a 2-0 count. Chase Utley, who had snapped out of his funk with a double, was on deck.
Of course, Taguhci then promptly flails at a curveball and pops out weakly in foul ground near third base.
Game, set and match. A sweep for the Angels and five straight losses for the Phils.
Maybe they need to get away. If that’s the case, the schedule is working in their favor. They head to Oakland and Texas before a stop in Atlanta.
Maybe a road trip is all this team needs to get back on track. Something tells me that’s not the case.
Of course, most of those games were against National League teams. Last week they got to test their mettle against the best of the American League, the leaders of both the AL East and AL West, the Red Sox and Angels, respectively.
Uh, not so good. The Phils managed to win just one game vs. the Beantowners and got swept by the Angels.
Better hold off on those World Series parade plans.
The Phils are facing the same demons that have haunted this team in recent years. When they are hitting, they are an awesome offensive show. When they’re not, they struggle to make contact, let alone score runs. Small-ball is not the club’s forte. Right now they are back in strikeout mode, simply too often failing to put the ball in play.
And they also are struggling with inconsistent starting pitching. Even their ace, Cole Hamels, was unable to reverse the tide yesterday. He made only a couple of bad pitches, but it was enough to take the loss. He’s now 7-5, and he’s the best guy on the staff.
And there is one other incredibly frustrating aspect to this team. They still from time to time show an undisciplined nature that is absolutely agonizing.
Take for instance the at-bat offered by one So Taguchi with the Phils trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th Sunday.
The Phils had runners at second and third. Taguchi worked a 2-0 count. Chase Utley, who had snapped out of his funk with a double, was on deck.
Of course, Taguhci then promptly flails at a curveball and pops out weakly in foul ground near third base.
Game, set and match. A sweep for the Angels and five straight losses for the Phils.
Maybe they need to get away. If that’s the case, the schedule is working in their favor. They head to Oakland and Texas before a stop in Atlanta.
Maybe a road trip is all this team needs to get back on track. Something tells me that’s not the case.
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