where exactly is this thread coming from? that we lost 3 games to the red-hot also hitting-heavy colorado rockies last september, while getting 2 very quality starts that were decided by less than 2 runs and a third game primarily on a grand slam homerun surrendered by a current member of the cardinals staff? or that we went on a team-wide hitting slump for 9 of the least important regular season games against 3 very good teams, while our pitching held them in check for the most part?

playoff success is a little bit more based on pitching and defense than regular season success, but is almost entirely based on luck.

This group is better than the 2007 group, comparing standings on June 27, 2007 with their standing on June 27, 2008.

MattS wrote:where exactly is this thread coming from? that we lost 3 games to the red-hot also hitting-heavy colorado rockies last september, while getting 2 very quality starts that were decided by less than 2 runs and a third game primarily on a grand slam homerun surrendered by a current member of the cardinals staff? or that we went on a team-wide hitting slump for 9 of the least important regular season games against 3 very good teams, while our pitching held them in check for the most part?

playoff success is a little bit more based on pitching and defense than regular season success, but is almost entirely based on luck.

So..what you are saying is don't sweat it. Enjoy the Phillies march towards the division title (which I believe they will win, without a doubt), then sit back and leave it all up to luck?

TenuredVulture wrote:This group is better than the 2007 group, comparing standings on June 27, 2007 with their standing on June 27, 2008.

Phillies' pre-AS Game ERA 2007: 4.91 (last in NL)
Phillies' ERA to date 2008: 3.84 (3rd in NL)

Phillies' pre-AS Game RS/G 2007 5.18
Phillies' RS/G to date 2008: 5.05

The group that's better this year is the pitchers.

Warszawa wrote:

MattS wrote:where exactly is this thread coming from? that we lost 3 games to the red-hot also hitting-heavy colorado rockies last september, while getting 2 very quality starts that were decided by less than 2 runs and a third game primarily on a grand slam homerun surrendered by a current member of the cardinals staff? or that we went on a team-wide hitting slump for 9 of the least important regular season games against 3 very good teams, while our pitching held them in check for the most part?

playoff success is a little bit more based on pitching and defense than regular season success, but is almost entirely based on luck.

So..what you are saying is don't sweat it. Enjoy the Phillies march towards the division title (which I believe they will win, without a doubt), then sit back and leave it all up to luck?

What else would you do?

JFLNYC wrote:

TenuredVulture wrote:This group is better than the 2007 group, comparing standings on June 27, 2007 with their standing on June 27, 2008.

Phillies' pre-AS Game ERA 2007: 4.91 (last in NL)
Phillies' ERA to date 2008: 3.84 (3rd in NL)

Phillies' pre-AS Game RS/G 2007 5.18
Phillies' RS/G to date 2008: 5.05

The group that's better this year is the pitchers.

Yeah, but by a whole lot.

More importantly, in 2007, they were .500 with 44 wins at the all star break. Current team? 43 wins right now. So, to be as good as last year, they need win only 1 of the next 16 games. That actually might make me worry.

We'd be quite a bit under .500 if we go 1-15 from now till the ASB.

jerseyhoya wrote:We'd be quite a bit under .500 if we go 1-15 from now till the ASB.

Look, I can't help it if the All star break comes later and later every year. Throw in a few rainouts if you don't like my math.

philliesphhan wrote:

Warszawa wrote:

MattS wrote:where exactly is this thread coming from? that we lost 3 games to the red-hot also hitting-heavy colorado rockies last september, while getting 2 very quality starts that were decided by less than 2 runs and a third game primarily on a grand slam homerun surrendered by a current member of the cardinals staff? or that we went on a team-wide hitting slump for 9 of the least important regular season games against 3 very good teams, while our pitching held them in check for the most part?

playoff success is a little bit more based on pitching and defense than regular season success, but is almost entirely based on luck.

So..what you are saying is don't sweat it. Enjoy the Phillies march towards the division title (which I believe they will win, without a doubt), then sit back and leave it all up to luck?

What else would you do?

outsocre our opponents more often. seek ways to increase runs scored or runs against, i guess.

this is definitely an 86-91 win kind of team, and a few good players could make a difference. but understand that while sabathia may increase their chances of winning the division, he probably only helps our ability to win the playoffs when we get there by maybe 5% each round.

Against the NL only, we're on pace for 86-61 in 147 games so yeah, fuck interleague although if we get right back into it against NL teams, we could still win 90+ games