State of the Nation: Phillies Mailbag
For today’s State of the Nation, I’ll just ask myself a bunch of questions and then answer them as I see fit. It’s self explanatory, really. There are questions that need answering, and hopefully I can do just that.
Q: Hey Pat, Who would you go with as the Phillies fourth starter in the playoffs, Vance Worley or Roy Oswalt?
A: Pat, I’m glad you asked that. Roy Oswalt is not meant for the bullpen, and although he’s not crisp right now, he’s your fourth starter – if needed – in the postseason. He has earned that right, so I don’t disagree with the move Charlie Manuel will make, because he will make this move. Oswalt is his guy; he’s the wily old veteran.
It’s the correct move, and I do believe Oswalt will tighten up his game in the playoffs. Right now, it just seems like everyone is going through the motions, Oswalt included. I do think he’s battling some back issues and won’t ever be the same pitcher he was when the Phillies dealt for him. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think he can be serviceable in the playoffs as a starter. That’s why you traded guys, so that Roy Oswalt could start in the playoffs. Vance Worley will continue to earn his and will pitch well out of the bullpen.
Q: Who has been the most fun player to watch this year?
A: Hands down, Cliff Lee. The guy is a spectacle. It’s funny, too, because he’s so quiet and almost seems perturbed by the media. Not that he doesn’t want to deal with us, but it doesn’t seem to be a part of the job he enjoys. Basically, what I’m trying to say is, he doesn’t get caught up in the hoopla surrounding his amazing season. On the field, he’s really been a joy to watch. He does things differently than Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, although their numbers are all relatively equal. The way he disposes of hitters is just plain old fun to watch.
Q: Well since you mentioned the media, who is the most fun to talk to/interview?
A: Jimmy Rollins is always at the top of the list, but that’s when he wants to talk, which isn’t at the top of his to-do list. A very underrated Phillies player is Roy Oswalt. He is quietly hilarious, very quick witted, and his southern drawl makes it even funnier. Ryan Madson’s funny too, but he doesn’t talk very much. Raul Ibanez is so soft spoken, it’s hard to hear him, but he’s often enlightening when he does.
Q: What grade would you give the offense this year? It’s been kind of a weird season for them…
A: It’s hard to complain much about an offense that ranks fifth in the NL in runs scored and that has come together as a unit since the return of Chase Utley and the acquisition of Hunter Pence. Early in the year, it was ugly, so if we’re taking that into an account, I give the offense a B. Their OPS is middle of the pack in a lousy National League, and really they’ve gotten by on the strength of their pitching. Jimmy Rollins is having a so-so year, although Shane Victorino has made up for that with a great year of his own. No matter what you think about Ryan Howard, he’s putting up solid power numbers. So, I’ll settle with a B.
Q: What player from a contending team in the NL worries you most in a series against the Phillies?
A: Without researching each player’s numbers and how they’ve fared against the Phillies, I would say Prince Fielder. He’s one of the few guys that can change a game with one swing of the bat, and the man is on a mission. He’s going to get paid this offseason, but if he has a great postseason, he could receive even more. And hitting behind Ryan Braun, he’ll get every opportunity to provide some big swings for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Q: Did you have fun doing this?
A: Sure did. Talk to you next week.
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Pat Gallen writes for the blog Phillies Nation and is a reporter/host at 97.3 ESPN FM in South Jersey. His email is pat@philliesnation.com. He is on Twitter @PatGallen_PN.
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