Philadelphia Phillies head to the west coast for possibly the most important road trip of the season in SD, LA and Colorado vs. Padres, Dodgers and Rockies. Currently trailing Atlanta by 3 games in NL East & 1/2 game behind SF Giants in the Wild Card. The team made up no ground and also allowed Braves to increase their lead as Braves were swept in Colorado, their last game they blew 10-1 lead, however Houston came into Philadelphia and swept a 4 game series. All season the offense has been inconsistent, now players aren't sliding at home plate, getting picked off base, not playing small ball, scoring with RISP with less than two outs, getting excellent starting pitching especially from Roy, Roy and Cole. Hamels are 7-1o and Phillies aren't scoring in his starts, he's pitched extremely well thus far. The trend has been Philadelphia scoring less than 3 runs in games during this season or being shutout. Even more frustrating they are making below or average opposing starting pitchers look great. Few weeks ago they destroy R.A Dickey from the Mets, then they see him once again, they were a Cole Hamels hit away from getting no hit in New York, Dickey pitched a one hitter. Victorino Werth and Francisco has been picked off base recently, Utley and Howard has struggled coming off DL, Blanton and Kendrick has been inconsistent 4th & 5th starters, Rollins has had a up and down season, ditto for Lidge the closer. Philadelphia is looking to win it's 3rd straight NL Pennant and 4th division title in a row. However they need to start scoring runs and stop making mental errors on the bases or none of that will matter. Players are taking strikes down the middle and swinging at balls, guys are either pressing or trying to hit every pitch out the park, no patient approach at the plate. Which allows an opposing pitcher pitch count to rise. There is slightly more than a month in the regular season to be played. We'll see how the team respond down the stretch.
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