tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post114312074132852669..comments2024-01-31T17:51:12.213-05:00Comments on Swing and a Miss: The View From The LimbTom Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1143143156853110392006-03-23T14:45:00.000-05:002006-03-23T14:45:00.000-05:00The latest news out of Gotham has Pedro's big toe ...The latest news out of Gotham has Pedro's big toe still acting up. If he cannot go to start the season, Tom Glavine will likely be the Mets' opening day pitcher. Question marks among the pitching staff may not be limited to the Phils. Apparently, Wagner has a problem with his middle finger, too. Probably resulted from practicing pointing it at the Phillies' faithful who will be hanging over the bullpen railing when he makes his less than triumphant return to CBP.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1143138339163793352006-03-23T13:25:00.000-05:002006-03-23T13:25:00.000-05:00Item #14: Amen, brother, amen.Item #14: Amen, brother, amen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1143132106990624452006-03-23T11:41:00.000-05:002006-03-23T11:41:00.000-05:00I think the Phillies are going to be right in the ...I think the Phillies are going to be right in the thick of it until the end and might very well slip right to the top. I agree with almost all of your points, but I think there are two things aside from those that will make the difference.<BR/><BR/>1) The Phillies starting pitching will not be as bad as everyone thinks it will be. They do not have that dominating #1, as you pointed out, although who knows what Myers might become, but overall the starting rotation is not that bad top to bottom. No matter how underwhelming Lieber might look on the mound, the guy won 17 games last year. Nobody from the Mets or the Braves did that. Last season the 5 primary starters only won 58 games total in 130 starts. This season I'm looking for 65 wins. Even with the question mark that is Franklin, I feel the Phillies have a chance to win any time they take the field with any of the 5 current starters. That's not counting on anything from Wolf or Floyd or Tejeda.<BR/><BR/>2) I have a lot more confidence that Gillick can and will make a bold move at the trade deadline if the Phillies are in this thing. Not for a worn-out middle reliever or a utility infielder, but a significant move to address whatever the need might be at the time. That did not happen in past seasons. I believe that neither the fans nor the players ever felt that Ed Wade could pull the trigger on the kind of deal that could power the team over the top when they needed a boost. I think Gillick can. <BR/><BR/>As for CM, he needs to be 23-17 or better at the quarter pole or he will be in trouble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1143130917799250382006-03-23T11:21:00.000-05:002006-03-23T11:21:00.000-05:00Pawnking: Here's hoping you are correct. I'd lov...Pawnking: Here's hoping you are correct. I'd love nothing more than to be wrong here.Tom Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816668232837298444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610014.post-1143128912405074782006-03-23T10:48:00.000-05:002006-03-23T10:48:00.000-05:00You nailed my most important two on the head: Gord...You nailed my most important two on the head: Gordon and Rollins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com