Good: The Phillies are off to a 7-1 start, their best start since 1993. After the last few years of poor starts, this is a refreshing change.
Not So Good: All of their games have been against woeful Washington and hideous Houston (who still hasn't won a game).
Good: The Phillies are scoring runs in bunches. In their 8 games they've scored 11, 8, 5, 8, 9, 2, 7 and 14.
Not So Good: Again, all of this is against Washington and Houston.
Good: In the only game they didn't score 5 or more, the Phils still won 2-1 thanks to Roy Halladay, who pitched a complete game. He's won both of his starts, allowing just one earned run in 16 innings, walking 2 and striking out 17. Halladay has completely lived up to his reputation so far. J.A. Happ won his first start as well without allowing a run...
Not So Good: ...but Happ was in and out of trouble. He only lasted 5-plus innings, throwing 104 pitches. And the rest of the rotation has fallen far short of Halladay's excellence.
In Jamie Moyer's first start he retired the first 8 batters, then (starting with the Astros pitcher) allowed the following: double, homer, walk, homer, single, single, single, single...and still got the win. Kyle Kendrick, so good in spring training that the Phils were confident he would fill in well for the injured Joe Blanton, was not good in his first start and horrendous in his second start tonight. And then there's this guy...
Good: Cole Hamels is 2-0 in his first two starts.
Not So Good: Hamels still looks as mediocre as he did last year. In 10.2 innings he's allowed 11 hits, 7 runs (6 earned) and walked 5. Some observers feel that he is pitching better, that he just needs to make a few better pitches here and there to get better results. Others feel he's still not right mentally. Either way, he's still a key to a championship season -- and still a question mark.
Good: The bullpen has been very solid thus far, allowing just 4 runs in 32.2 innings so far. Temporary closer Ryan Madson is 2 for 2 in save opportunities.
Not So Good: In both of Madson's saves he came in with 3-run leads. This doesn't yet prove he can replace Brad Lidge if Lidge remains on the disabled list for an extended time, or returns and does poorly. Plus, and I hate to keep harping on it, the Phils aren't facing quality opposition.
Good: Placido Polanco has really solidified the top part of the lineup. He's hitting .486 with 11 RBI and struck out for the first time tonight. Four other starters are hitting at least .357, four players have 10-plus RBI, and Jimmy Rollins has a .516 OBP thanks to a .391 average with 7 -- count 'em, 7 -- walks.
Not So Good: Rollins went on the disabled list today after straining a calf before Monday's home opener, and may be out for up to 4 weeks. Raul Ibanez had 3 hits and 3 RBI on Friday in Houston; take that away and he's batting .148 with 2 RBI, looking more like he did in the second half of 2009 than the first half.
Good: The Phanatic as Lady Gaga during the home opener.
Not So Good: Nothing about the Phanatic. Nothing.
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