Hip To Be Square At 62

-->Note: BlogPoll stuff at the end.

Well, it is official. As of right now- and maybe only until 10PM tonight- the Phillies legitimately don’t stink. Squaring there mark at 62 wins standing against 62 losses, the Phillies sure feel a lot more legit as a team chasing the play-offs this morning.

Last night, that was a rough hour or so, no? Jon Leiber suddenly spitting the bit, Arthur Rhodes working hard to blow the save, and centerfielder Aaron Rowand out for the season. Then the cruelest blow of all: the Cincinnati Reds picking themselves up off the deck, down three in the home eighth, and stealing a game from Houston. Stupid Astros.

With just 37-38 games to play, the math is going to start to get cruel for the Phillies in a hurry. Even if the Reds hang up a real mediocre 19-18 mark, the Phillies need 23-15 just to tie. Ouch. Can’t see that happening, right? Hard to imagine the Phillies winning this without help from the Reds frankly.

Certainly, the loss of Rowand is not helpful- but I have been on record for a long time that he is the most overrated position player the Phillies have (you can see my insightful arguments for this here- and you can add the fact he can’t stay healthy to my indictment). Frankly, the acquisition of Moyer probably helps more than the loss of Rowand hurts- so optimistically it is sort of a trade. As Manuel sagely says, "I like lefties, especially when they know how to pitch. They can take the sting out of a hitter's bat." I don’t know what that means myself, but increasingly when Charlie is happy- then I’m happy.

Regardless, the Phillies can survive with Burrell, Victorino and Delucci out there for five weeks (longer would be a problem though). And since the Phillies insist on carrying thirteen pitchers, it isn’t like the bench can get more depleted either. You can’t complain about not having multiple quality moves available when the Phillies purposely have constructed a roster that means they have practically no position player moves anyway. Plus, the bullpen honestly might need eight options at this point.

******************

I promised to mention the BlogPoll today. As Mr. Bold, I posted a defense of my first poll here- and Mr. Numb Existence at View From Rocky Top posts his rejoinder here. Our Louisville peer is unhappy at being excluded from my Top 25- but in his heart of hearts he must know the Cardinals both betrayed our League and probably cannot beat, say, Alabama in a big spot.

Some other comments on my ballot here and here.