50 games in...

The Phightin's are fifty games into the 2007 season (thats about 31% of the way through for any amateurs out there) and they sit in 3rd place in the NL East, 6.5 back of the absurdly annoying Mets but only 2 behind the second place Braves, who the Phils crushed this weekend. That being said, the team is struggling to find consistency amidst injuries, bull-pen questions, a manager from Buena Vista (you'd know if you've been there...), etc. At least Ryan Howard (aka Powered Howard, Rhino, Blue Hurt) looked good this weekend...

What excites me about the Phillies right now is the production we are seeing (even in limited playing time) from the bench. Specifically, Greg Dobbs.
The guy has been killing it since Spring Training, he is this years Chris Coste, he needs to play as much possible. The "Phillies Notes" today's Inqy give some idea of Dobbs' dominance:

The Phillies are 13-2 when Greg Dobbs starts. Coincidence? "I'm not about being superstitious, but shoot," lefthander Cole Hamels said. Dobbs went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs yesterday. Andruw Jones robbed him of a second homer in the third inning when he made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall in center field. Dobbs played second base in the eighth and ninth innings - the first time in his life he had played there.

Playing out of position, crushing balls like AJ Feely crushes Heather's box, what more can you ask from the guy? Plus his name rolls off the tongue so well. Try the "Lets go Greg Dobbs" chant the next time you head to the Bank, it might just catch on.

Another guys who needs to see a little more playing time: Michael Bourn. Even though his average sucks he is a menace on the base paths. Remember that time he ran for Burrell (see below), stole second and third, then scored on a ground ball with the infield in? Also from today's Inqy:

Michael Bourn started for the third time in five games. He played yesterday in place of leftfielder Pat Burrell, who is hitless in his last 17 at-bats. Bourn went 2 for 10 with one RBI, two walks, two steals and three runs in those starts.

Bourn might be the opposite of Pat, Speed VS. Power, but he has proven effective at scoring runs. Pat has given us this:


One last name to mention is recent call-up Mike Zagurski. This guy looks like he belongs on a couch more than on the mound, but starting your major league career with 2.1 innings of scoreless, one-hit ball isn't too shabby. Maybe he can be the left handed arm out of the pen that Phils have lacked all year. By the way, his nickname is Bronko according to this interesting article on phillies.com.

In their first fifty games the Phillies have provided plenty of entertainment, but also disappointment. Looking at past performances I'm not surprised the Phils are where they are, lets just hope they get hot in time to make a run at the post-season. Hopefully, getting over .500 for the first time in six chances over the weekend will be just what the Phils needed to get them rolling. Come down to the ballpark tonight to see the Phils take on the Diamondbacks. Remember not to eat anything all day as it is a DDN. Look for me in 137, the guy with the mustard on his shirt sitting next a man with red hair, who's not to be trusted.

I leave you with an image of two players from the Northwestern women's lax team, who just three-peated the NCAA's this weekend in Philly. I always thought female laxers were kinda hot but...