Starting pitching: C
This is actually a brighter spot than anyone of us had going into the season: We bought high on Myers, bought waaaay low on Eaton, about even on Hamels and depending on expectations, Moyer and Kendrick have been passable. A bit more offense makes the SP look a lot better.

My take for the rest of the season:
Hamels turns it up, Myers reduces his # of bad starts, Eaton stays solid, Moyer waivers but holds, and Benson or Durbin eventually subplant Kendrick.

Bullpen: A+++
Best in the league?!!! I’d have eaten my hat by now if you’d have bet me the Phils would be #1 in the NL in this department. The opening day meltdowns were hardly a harbringer of signs to come. In my opinion, The Real Real Deal (Durbin #2) is the difference and effectively eats innings whilst preserving the late inning guys. Lidge…excellent start.

My take: the issue will come down in mid-season about whether to move Durbin to the rotation to help out. Benson and Kline may soften the transition. I think the patchwork arms are much better than last season. I think the ‘pen will continue to be solid.

Lineup: D+
I’m separating this into three sections: The unbelievable: Utley, Burrell (a.k.a why we are at .500. This section brings the average UP to D+; the rest makes me yearn for the days of Travis Lee), the bad: (Bruntlett, Jenkins, Feliz, Ruiz), and the UGLY: (Howard). Was Howard this bad last April? Time heals all wounds, I suppose… and 47 HRs.
It’s seriously time to give Dobbs a couple of starts at first, and let the big man clear his head. It seems like foul balls are positives for him at this point.
Werth is a nice positive for the year, recent bone-head base-running errors and bad 9th inning at-bat aside, he looks good and is the only guy other than Utley and Burrell that inspires any confidence when he steps to the plate.
All in, the Phils are in a real spot without J-Roll and Shane Vic up there and it is VERY noticeable in their lineup.

For the rest of the season: The return of Rollins, Vic, and warm weather spark a resurgence in the Phils bats, Werth makes everyone forget about Rowand, Howard forgets about his ten F#$king million (have it already, you bastard), remembers he loves playing baseball, cracks a f*$king smile, and puts THE next pitch in the left field bleachers of CBP.

Bench: A++:
I had a feeling this may be a strength of this years rendition of the Phils (Werth, Dobbs, Taguchi, (even Bohn) have all given us significant contributions this year. Bruntlett, while certainly not filling the shoes of J-Roll, is a serviceable band-aid and let’s be honest, you ain’t going to replace the MVP. Coste is once again on fire despite swinging like he’s starting a motor-boat and continues to exceed any expectations I ever have for him.
Jenkins sucks. You have to EARN my fanship for me to still like you if you look that bad striking out.

Rest of the Season: Only gets deeper and more experienced as Rollins and Vic come back. Jenkins is bartered for a sack of nickels to the Marlins and Snelling productively takes his place.

Fielding: D-
Ugh. Just a shade above failing, this is one thing I liked best about Phils teams of years past. Starting to see indications of Phils flashing the leather, and since Howard is everyone’s favorite punching bag in this department, he has played a pretty good first during the past week.

Rest of the season: Uncle Charlie must stress the fundamentals of trying to pull the ball out of the park, instead of fielding drills in March. Track record is too good for the blip to be of sustained significance.

Baserunning: C
Where have you gone, Davy Lopes? Our lonely PhilsNation turns its lonely eyes to you. I expected some of the flash to leave with Bourne, but with Rollins and Vic out… Jesus, this team set records last year.
To quote my brother: “Does Pat Burrell have knees?”

Managing: A
I’m probably the only phan of Philly to constantly support Uncle Chuck throughout his tenure, but I really think he’s a good player guy. I think he works well with his new nucleus sans “deadweight” Abreu (if you would have told me I’d hate him 3 years ago, I would have punched you in the mouth, but look at me now). With the amount of injuries this team sustained last year and to make the run, they did… well, it ain’t all Rowand and Rollins.
I even liked the ‘leaving Hamels in too long’ move, tonight. Why? Cause it was an old-school manager move challenging his player decision. Every that big-time pitcher throws that rosin-bag down in disgust and says after the game, “only if I got the chance” when he gets pulled. Well, Hamels, you got your wish. Now what? I think Hamels may remember this one.

Intangibles: A+. Aaron Rowand who? You show me any team who gets the type of production out of their last two LEAGUE-MVPs that the Phils have this year, and I’ll show you a 6-16 team. This team still has plenty of heart and thats why they’re still floating at .500.

Prediction: Phils pull it together and battle out…THE BRAVES to a 2 game win in the NL East: 90-71 (one rain-out not needed to be made up)

*This page/page-and-a-half long analysis brought to you by a bottle of wine and no Phillies fans around listen to my half-assed viewpoints.

Put away your crying towel and wave the “rally” towel to support the Phillies tomorrow. As mentioned so often, the season is a marathon, not a sprint.