This Time Is Different?

If I were on the Phillies 40-man roster I'd keep an eye on my first born. Things have gotten that bad.

The latest news, that Cole Hamels will miss at least 2-3 starts with an "elbow strain", couldn't have come at a worse time as the Phils enter the most critical phase of the season. The loss of their staff ace would be bad news at any juncture of the season, but at the start of consecutive series against three of their chief contenders for a playoff spot it could be devastating. If an MRI reveals no serious damage and Hamels goes on the Disabled List he would be the 21st player this season to do so, breaking a club record. If the news is worse, it wouldn't come as a complete surprise given Hamels has never pitched this many innings during a professional career marked by a series of injuries.

Somehow the Phils have managed to cobble together enough pitching to hang in their but this hole is a gaping one. The patchwork rotation and bullpen don't even begin to address the loss at one time or another of their first and second basemen, right fielder and top bench players. To a man the players express optimism they can overcome this latest setback. Based on the casualties they've sustained and their position in the Wild Card chase you wouldn't want to count them out. Veterans like Brett Myers and Jimmy Rollins have pointed out repeatedly this team is different from previous clubs. They are about to get a chance to prove it...again.