It's definitely time to play ball. It's getting late early.It's bizarre that the Phillies' offense has been so lackluster against the likes of starting pitchers Manny Parra, for instance, of the Brewers and Yorman Bazardo, of the Astros. The four pitchers going this series for the Astros have combined for a total of 10 wins; their respective ERA's are again north of 5.00. So what happened last night in the rain in Philadelphia? The Phillies mustered exactly two hits against Bazardo and scored just two runs, one on a sac fly and the other on a balk.
Listless as the offense is, it's the pitching that gives concern. Cole Hamels looked sharp for three innings last night, then lost his way to the tune of six earned runs. The bullpen was worse.
Or is it the worn-down offense? By Wednesday night the Phillies will have played 30 games in 28 days. That's more than a bit much, especially when the regulars have rested almost no games at all. Almost everyone of them has 600 or more at-bats. If I fault Charlie Manuel for anything, it's for not resting those guys more often after the All-Star break. On the other hand, the bench has not inspired confidence.
Also disturbing, the Astros have the best winning record of any visiting NL team in the short history of Citizens Bank Park. Only one other NL team has a winning record there, the Atlanta Braves.
Six games left. Three wins will do it.
