No Offense, No Problem?

For the second game in a row to start off a young season, the Phillies came up with only one run. This time, it was in 11 innings instead of only 9, and it left a lot of questions out there on the table.

"So... you're telling me its NOT GOOD to hit the ball right to the SS with a guy on first?"

This game, like the season opener in Pittsburgh on Thursday, showed how dominant and talented these Phillies’ pitchers truly are. The other side of the coin is that, it also showed how inept our offense could truly be.  Despite being able to put up 7 hits, they were mostly scattered and gave the pitching staff little to no room for error. Even Kendrick pitched effectively enough out of the bullpen to hold the game close for the Fightins, but no cavalry was coming in to save this team in Pittsburgh. Even though 7 is not an low number of hits and 8 was not a bad number on Thursday, can anyone tell us how many extra base hits have come from that 15?

Answer: 1 double by John Mayberry.

That is roughly 6.7% of our hits for you math enthusiasts out there.

If that isn’t scary enough, the clutch hitting also is proving to be a bit of a problem in the early going. There was a failure to drive in runs on Thursday (See Galvis double play above), and even tonight some opportunities were squandered.  Just look at the first inning in which we had two guys on, one out, and only managed to come away with one run. When you have Clifton on the mound, and a chance to crush the throat of the opponent early, you have to take the opportunity. Also, in the ninth inning when our leadoff runner, Hunter Pence, reached base, we were unable to use our “newly acquired” sense of small ball to get the runner into scoring position. Nix may not be the best bunter in the league, but MLB players have to be able to bunt when called upon. If Nix is that awful at bunting, Charlie should have brought in Cole “The Lumber” Hamels to get the sac bunt down and give us a chance to win in the 9^th.

A couple final statistical tidbits to throw out there at you:

Phillies are currently 2-15 with RISP so far this season (.133)

Freddy Galvis is 0-8 in the first two games of the season.

Galvis grounded into 2 double plays in his first two career plate appearances. He is the first player to do that since 1990, and the only Phillies player ever.

Pence is 1-8 to start off the season (.125)

What does all this mean?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

The first two games are meaningless in the grand scheme of things to come. The Phillies are starting out slow like many perennial major league teams seem to do (See: Yankees and Red Sox). The pitching looks spectacular as we all thought it would, and the offense is looking a little rusty like we all assumed that it may. Lets not turn the slow start into an Armageddon however. Pence started 2-8 in his first two games last year and we all remember how he finished last year (.317 22 HRs). Also, Galvis is just a kid who has to learn how to hit in the majors, and that isn't just going to happen overnight. It is going to take time for him to round into a solid MLB hitter. 

All those who may be panicking, relax, take a step back, and realize it is the second game of a long MLB season. 

When all else fails, remember: It could be worse, we could be obnoxious fans from DC or New York. 

Have a good night, sleep well, see you back out on the diamond tomorrow. Go Phils.

A Note from Ruben...

Dear Philadelphia,

It is I, your once beloved, and often talked about, General Manager Ruben Amaro Junior. I have been with all of you for a while now, from highly touted prospect to major league stud to assistant GM and protégé of the Legend Pat Gillick. And here we are now. Where are we now you may ask? That’s a good question.

Up until about 2 weeks ago, I thought I was the toast of the city. I am the man who brought you almost everything that you people could have ever wanted.

You wanted the surgeon from Canada, and I brought you the man they call “Doc”.

You wanted the fun loving Cleveland kid with an attitude of gold, and I gave you Clifton Phifer.

“Oh no! We need more offense!” Boom, I give you the kid who loves post game eats, Hunter Pence.

The gap between Jimmy and I was not only between his teeth, but also between money and years of a contract. Yet, I closed the gap not only between his teeth (Liquid concrete did the trick), but also got the deal done.

Fast forward about 6 months, and we have our current state. You all look at me like some high school boy who wouldn’t know the difference between a 5 year, $40 million deal, and one of those damn Algebra problems about which train is going to get to some fictional stop before the other one does.

Well, I have some news for you. Not only do I know how to make the big deal, but I know how to answer that idiotic Algebra problem too. The answer: I don’t give a shit which train gets their first, because they are both going to Philadelphia and they both have some high price talent that I bring in while staying under the luxury tax.

You can all be mad at me as much as you want, but quite frankly, I don’t care. All I have done is what you ask and now, I can’t foresee lingering injuries to our major stars, and I am a pariah? I know I should be Ms. Cleo, but because I refuse to wear that awful psychic wrap on my head, I can’t see into the future. I mean with this hair would you wear anything on your head?

I put together an amazing bench behind our cast of talent that included some major power and some good matchup type hitters. Also, I brought in some good competition, which Charlie and I always believe drives performance. Injuries are one of those things that no one can predict, and even if I could, I have no more minor league pieces to trade. If you want to know why, see above. Also, because Big Bill Giles is riding me to make sure I don’t go over the luxury tax, I couldn’t sign anybody worthwhile in free agency anyway.

All I have to say to all of you Philadelphia is take a pill or start watching the Sixers, the bar is set much lower there. I have done all I can to help improve this club and it is just Spring Training, we haven’t even given this team a chance yet. We still have 3 starting pitchers who are capable of compiling 60+ wins, and then add in the solid 15 wins Joe Blanton is going to get us, and we are already right there (I know what you are thinking and yes, I am kidding about the Blanton total, I actually expect 20 wins from him also). The offense may not be the dynamo it has been in the past, but if Jimmy and Shane stay healthy, there is no reason we can’t produce enough runs to get the wins we need. And don’t forget, I am the magic man at the trade deadline so it is completely possible I can add one more piece at the end depending on what we need.

Before you start throwing beer on my car and calling for my head, remember I still have done more than any other GM has done for this team in years (unless you count Ed Wade as a member of the Astros). Be a fan, don’t be a critic, and trust in the lineup that we have. In time, all wounds will heal and if we can stay competitive until everyone comes back, we will be fine for the playoffs. We have a target on our back for a reason, we are still number ones in everyone’s’ minds.

If you don’t like what I am saying, go to CBP South and stay there.

Love always,

Ruben Amaro Jr.