Phils try not to disappoint vs. Nats

I declined to write a series review of the Marlins series because it made me entirely too angry. I was already teetering on the edge after Lidge nearly single-handedly brought us from a sweep of the Yankees to losing 2 of 3, so it didn’t take much. However, losing 2 of 3 at home against a team that has been the worst in baseball over the past month, against sub-par starting pitching, really makes me crazy. So hence, no review. 

Now the trick for the Phillies will be not doing it again, as one of the few teams worse than the Marlins in the NL, the Nationals, roll into town. 

Friday: Happ vs. Ross Detwiler (0-0, 2.45 ERA)
Saturday: Hamels vs. Shairon Martis (5-0, 4.86 ERA)
Sunday: Moyer vs. John Lannan (2-4, 4.11 ERA) 

Three Questions for the Series…

1. Will the injury to Brett Myers wake the team up a little and show them that things aren’t necessarily going to go like last year (i.e. coast until August, then turn it on)?
2. Will JA Happ be as impressive as he was in the Bronx?
3. Can we get anywhere near .500 on the season at home, where the Phillies keep faltering in front of very forgiving crowds?

Prediction

I think it’s funny that players have either privately or publically complained about the booing they receive in Philly when they play poorly. I usually side with the players on these issues, but I’m not sure I will anymore. Much has been written about how the fans are still on high from the title last year, and are giving the players a lot of rope at home. The result? A 9-14 home record, with several series losses to below-average teams. Maybe they do need a little kick in the butt. 

As for the series itself, the Phillies are back on their “do the opposite of what makes sense” train after beating both the Reds (with Moyer and Blanton going) and the Yankees on the road, then losing to the Marlins at home. Using that logic, they should lose this series to the Nats. However, I’m not going to go that route. I’m predicting a Phillies sweep, because that’s what they should do. They should be beating down teams like this with the offensive firepower they have.

May 29, 2009