So Far, Pretty Good

So far in this young season, the Phillies have proven just how capable they are of winning ball games. Taking 2 out of 3 from the Washington Nationals, and scoring a total of 24 runs in the series, is a positive early season sign for the Fightin Phils. Lets break down each game individually. Opening Day on Monday was a game that Phillies players and fans had been dreaming about all winter long. Ace Roy Halladay took to the mound and pitched a gem going 7 innings and giving up only 1 run, and the Phillies bats were very much alive. Everybody got in on the action, as the Phils piled up 13 hits and 11 runs. Newcomer Placido Polanco smacked a grand slam as he put together a career high 6 rbis. Howard had a bomb, and Jimmy Rollins had a leadoff single and a rbi triple. The Phillies crushed the Nationals with a final score of 11-1. I actually went to the game with my good-lucking uncle, and being there, in Washington, with so many other Phillies fans was really an awesome experience. I felt a sense of extreme pride in my team, and lets just say the Nationals are lucky that they have the same color as the Phillies, or else it would have been really embarassing. On Wednesday, in the second game of the series, things didn't go quite as smoothly. Hamels looked mediocre in his first start of 2010, but got alot of help from the Phillies offense as they piled up 11 hits and 8 runs to give the Phillies their second win of the season. Although Hamels did get the win, there is no hiding the fact that he struggled. The young lefty went 5 innings giving up 3 runs and walking 4. It was Howard's colossal 2 run bomb that really put the Phillies over the top and helped secure the second win of the season. On Thursday, the series ended for the Phillies on a low note, as Kendrick struggled and the Phils lost 6-5. Kendrick, who gave up 3 runs in the first, and 2 in the 4th clearly was not the same Kyle Kendrick that we saw in spring training. Kyle, who has been reportedly following Roy Halladay around like a "lost puppy" pitched 4 innings and gave up 5. Thats not to say his whole outing was a disaster. There were times when Kyle seemed to settle in and it showed in the 2nd and 3rd inning in which Kyle didn't allow any runs. Unfortunately, the Phillies who continued to chip away at the lead through out the game, were unable to get it done in the 9th as Werth, Ibanez and Victorino flied out, stranding the baserunner Chase Utley. Oh well, 2 out 3 is solid, especially for the Phillies who have a long history of slow starts. There are alot of positives that can be taken away from this series, namely individual performances. Rollins is tearing the cover off the ball, and he energizes this entire Phillies lineup. Polanco, looks to be settling into his role as both 3rd baseman and 2 hole hitter perfectly as he too is hitting the ball hard. Howard already with 2 hrs on the season, is also getting hits and having good at bats which is a very positive sign. Utley, Werth and Victorino all seem to be doing great offesnively. As for pitching, Halladay looked awesome, and I expect him to go deeper into games as the season progresses. The Phillies as a whole unit, are doing everything they need todo to win. They are getting walks and having good at bats, and they are also playing fundamental baseball, and not relying to heavily on the longball. Now as the Phillies head to Houston for their second series of the season, they will turn the ball over to J.A. Happ, who will look to give the Phillies their 3rd win of the season. After the first series of the season, this team played as advertised, and if your a Phillies fan, you have to be excited.