Game 21: The Pitching Struggles Resume

It looks like the Phillies fooled us during the last two series. For a few games this week, we forgot about the Phillies horrific start to the season. After a sweep of division leading Florida and a series win against Washington, I thought the Phillies of last year returned and I temporarily forgot about the pitching woes that have plagued this team throughout the early portion of this season.

Then, Chan Ho Park took the ball tonight and I was suddenly reminded of the first two weeks of April.

Park gave up 7 earned runs tonight in 4.2 innings as the Phillies lost to the Mets 7-4. Once again, the bullpen was taxed as it had to clean up the mess Park left by throwing a combined 4.1 innings. At this rate, the bullpen will be dead by mid-July. These short, lackluster outings by the starting pitchers can’t continue much longer, especially from the two biggest culprits, Chan Ho Park and Country Joe Blanton.

The only Phillies player who may have had a worse night than Chan Ho Park was Jimmy Rollins. Rollins took the collar tonight, going 0-4. At what point does Charlie need to shake up the lineup? With Rollins struggling so much in the leadoff spot, shouldn’t Charlie consider moving him down in the order? After all, if your lead off guy isn’t getting on base, he can’t really set the tone for the rest of offense effectively. If I was Charlie, I’d bat Victorino leadoff, followed by Werth, Utley, Howard and Ibanez, Rollins. This way, Rollins can work out his struggles in the lower half of the lineup and wouldn’t prevent the big bats from getting RBI opportunities early in the game. Your leadoff hitter is supposed to get things started. Right now, Jimmy Rollins isn’t the best candidate for that.