Well the last person you thought would give up a heart breaking grand slam in the bottom of the ninth holding a 3 run lead would be Scott Mathieson. When you see Scott head into the game, Pig fans would generally breath a sigh of relief. I wonder if that “oh no” cringe that our dear friend Gary Majewski gave us last year will soon return when our closer toes the mound. I doubt it but I am getting a feeling and this feeling isn’t good.
It’s getting closer and closer to the time where the Phillies have got to be saying, “What were we thinking when we traded Cliff Lee?!” Finger pointing will begin and fans across Phillies Nation will be calling it a terrible time. Those die hards will say it’s a slump and the Phils will surely resolve their issues and come out on top. Whatever the end of this season’s book will be… one thing is for sure.
The Phillies are going to do anything and everything they can to catalyst themselves to another post season berth. Looking at the Phillies starting rotation:
Roy Halladay – This guy is truck at the top of the flagpole. No problems here. Long term deal and long term arm.
Cole Hamels – Hamels is 6 and 5 with a 3.74 ERA. He’s not doing bad but when he decides to leave his motivation in the locker room it can get ugly. I heard a lot about Kyle Kendrick stepping to the side of Halladay to be mentored. I wonder if this is the case with Hamels. Two years ago he was the Wunderkind and he got ALL the attention. Could this be a sibling rivalry?
Jamie Moyer – This guy is predictably unpredictable. He’s either really on or really off. Either way the Phillies need to use him as a change of pace role. Him starting or ending a series is a bad idea.. even if a spot start by someone else is needed to maintain that role. If another team faces Stephen Strasburg the day before and Moyer the next, he will be effective. If that same team faces another wily veteran with a low velocity pitch.. well he’s going to get Red Socked again. Don’t underestimate his intelligence and preparation but if the other team is properly prepared they will hit Moyer well.
Kyle Kendrick – Kendrick is Kendrick. I still say he is more so a long reliever or spot starter. Nothing lights out but he seems to pitch better when there is little pressure. He’s still young so this could change.
Joe Blanton – Blanton is 1 and 5 with a 7.38 ERA. With the way the Phillies hit last year (and before this year’s collective slump) Blanton did well. If they are scraping for runs, he is getting shelled. I honestly don’t see Blanton finishing this season with the Phillies unless he/they make an incredible run into August.
So where does that leave us?
There are a few pitchers on the Lehigh Valley staff who could perform at the MLB level. Drew Carpenter wouldn’t be allowed to start. Nelson Figueroa would be a good choice. Nate Bump is doing well, but not well enough to impress the brass in Philly. Then there is Mathieson.
Are you thinking what I’m thinking Pinky?
I think the trade rumors will start soon and Mathieson will be at the top of the list. So will be Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez. Figueroa cleared waivers a few weeks back and it doesn’t seem interest is high in him.
Look out minor league Phillies affiliates. It’s coming and if the Phillies don’t start turning heads soon they will start dealing them.
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