Someone might want to wake up the world champion Philadelphia Phillies and tell them the 2009 MLB season has begun. The Phillies have looked awful so far in their first 4 games of the season, being outscored by a 29-16 margin along the way.
The good news for the Phillies is they go into this matchup with front end of the rotation, opening day starter Brett Myers on the hill. Myers pitched decent in the opener despite the 3 longballs he allowed, striking out 6 and only giving up 1 walk in the game. This was the first multi-HR game allowed by Myers in his past 16 starts. He was one of the big 2nd half of the season surprises in baseball last season and you would think the carry over from last years big leap in production should continue for the hard throwing righty.
Myers goes up against Rockies back end of the rotation starter Jorge De La Rosa who sports a 5.55 career ERA and last year only made it into the 7th inning in 4 of his 23 starts for the season. The Phillies roughed him up pretty good in their only meeting against the lefty touching him for 6 ER and 7 hits and walks combined. Jorge was unable to get out of the 4th inning in the 20-5 loss the Rockies suffered to the Phillies that day.
The Phillies dominated the Rockies last season winning all 5 contests played between the two sqauds by an average of 6 runs per game. The Phillies offense averaged 10 runs per game in the 5 wins.
The Phillies know it's time to put the party hats down and get back to work and should be able to do that starting today in Colorado.
Jason Sharp 4-11-09
Reply With Quote