MLB Team Outlook: Philadelphia Phillies struggle to gather themselves
Philadelphia Phillies are delivering and struggling at the same. Their four starting pitchers, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, have so far been exceptionally good in all the games. The consistency in their performance merits kudos since
their ability to maintain their scintillating feat is certainly a cause of worry for the rival teams. If it continues, Phillies are comfortably placed to stun the competing sides.
Equally worrying, however, is one of the main player’s possible departure from the team at this crucial time.
Having posterior soreness in the right shoulder, Philadelphia’s closer Brad Lidge is reported to be undergoing an MRI today – that is Tuesday – to establish if there is any structural damage. It is pertinent to mention here that it was tendinitis that preceded
this soreness in Lidge’s shoulder.
While Lidge was quick to dismiss the fears hovering like noxious clouds on his team and the fans, the end result all hangs on what the MRI determines today. However, the optimism that Lidge expressed will get his team-mates and fans alike on edge until the
report calls it safe.
The Phillies have been considering replacement for a while now for a closer. However, emphasis be laid on the fact that the club has displayed its meritorious feat just when Lidge was part of it. A sharp sport observer, nonetheless, may suggest that it is
not a player alone that seals the fate of a team. You cannot let a player be the decisive factor in your win or defeat. The teams are to remain dynamic and fairly resilient in case of a player’s departure.
But it does not stop to Lidge’s fitness alone. The unpredictable status of Chase Utley, who happens to be the second baseman of the Phillies, adds to the frustration of the club. Utley is experiencing an ailing right knee, a patellar tendinitis. When so
many conditions come together, they render a player incapable of running or field ground balls. That is what has happened in Utley’s case too.
While he has started taking practices of light fielding, there is no certainty about his understandably awaited return. He is all the same, very optimistic about his come-back. His team general manager is showing carefulness tinged by worry about his surgery.
“Surgery may worsen Utley’s condition,” a visibly careful team manager said.
Utley is indispensable for the team. Cut him and you have placed the Phillies in a fix. The power and speed that Utley combines remain enviable for his contemporaries. In case there is any doubt about this fact, take into consideration the fact that he ran
a remarkable feat of four Silver Slugger Awards.
As if it was not all enough, Domonic Brown, who was earlier stated to have the primary candidature for the right-fielder, is out too. He was to be part of team after Jayson Werth struck a deal with the Washington Nationals. In the aftermath of Jayson’s departure,
the uncertainties only compound even though the likes of Ben Francisco, John Mayberry Jr. and Ross Gload have all been hitting well.
Bearing in mind the injuries miring the Philadelphia Phillies, the going of two players of skills and versatility, there will be efforts to not let this affect the performance of the team as a whole. Like stated above, teams cannot solely rely on a couple
of players to get them going. Confidence for having a strong side is no longer a luxury that the Phillies can enjoy. Therefore, it becomes imperative to strategize, if not extemporize, an entirely innovative strategy for the upcoming games.
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