"Playoffs don't talk about playoffs" Just yet !

The phillies are starting to get their fans really nervous. In there last 8 games the phillies record is 3 wins and 5 losses. Houston for some reason really seems to have the phillies number. The astros swept the phillies in Houston and opened up the series last night with a win. The phillies like to keep reminding us that their magic number to clinch the division is 3. Well last night facing a pitcher with an 8.23 era (earned run average) the phillies could only muster up 4 hits 2 of which were by Shane Victorino. The Phillies lost to the astros 8 to 2 and were out hit 15 to 4. Meanwhile the Atlanta braves are on a hot streak. In their last 8 games the braves have 7 wins and 1 loss. The braves are currently only 4 games behind the phillies with 6 left to play.  The phillies should of had the division locked up along ago. But the phillies bullpen especially the back end has been a major letdown. The guys who were known as the bridge to lidge (Eyre, Romero and Madson) have been hurt or inconsistent. Brad Lidge himself was finally pulled out of the closers role for good on Friday night. Ryan Madson seems to be the closer, but he has his periods on inconsistency. Tyler Walker the man, who blew the game on Friday night, had been the consistent piece in the bullpen is starting to slide. Last night Walker gave up 2 earned runs in a relief appearance.

Starting Rotation

The starting rotation hasn’t been on their game either. Last night Cole Hamels gave up 6 runs on 9 hits. Cliff Lee allowed nine hits and seven runs in six innings Friday in an 8-4 loss to the Brewers. And these 2 guys are suppose to be are 1 - 2 pitchers in the playoffs. Blanton gave up five runs in his last outing and he was slated to be the 3^rd pitcher in the playoffs.

Bench What Bench ?

Another problem for the phillies is they really have no bench. None of the bench guys are clutch hitters. Dobbs has the highest Batting average at .259 with a .310 OBP (on base percentage). But Dobbs has just recently come off the disabled list. Ben Francisco, who came over in the Cliff Lee deal, is batting .259 but is not a trusted pinch hitter.

My Phillies Prediction!

I think the phillies will clinch the division.  But they have to start playing some playoff baseball now. Hopefully they win their next 3 games then they can get some bench guys some at bats.

Eagles Time

The eagles beat the Kansas City chiefs 34 to 14 on Sunday. Kevin Kolb had a good game; he completed 24 of his 34 passes for 327 years and 2 td’s. Brian Westbrook did not play and he was not missed, as Lesean McCoy ran 20 times for 80 yards and a td. It looks like the eagles will finally have a 1-2 punch at running back.  Desean Jackson was Kolb’s number 1 target with 6 catches for 149 yards and a td.

Vick’s first game back went pretty smoothly. Vick was in on 11 plays for a gain of 30 yards. Vick took 10 snaps at the QB position and 2 as a receiver.

The eagles win was good but the Chiefs are a bad team at 0 and 3.  The eagles have a bye this week then come back to face Tampa at home, then Oakland at Oakland.  I think we will find out what kind of team the Eagles are when we play the Redskins on October 29^th.  After the redskins we have the giants and Cowboys and after those 3 games we will truly no if we are a playoff contender.

Random Thought’s: It said that the Braves began to play better after Bobby Cox announced he is retiring after next season.  J C Romero pitched in his first game since July last night and had a scoreless inning. I don’t know how much were going to be able to trust JC in the playoffs.

Breaking News: The Eagles signed Jeremiah Trotter to a 1 year contract. To make room for Trotter the eagles released Jeff Garcia.

Look for another Blog update on Sunday night after the Phillies Final game.

I am JH JR AND I’m out