Did you know that Phil is from the same town (Denton, TX) as Mean Joe Greene?Or did you know that Phil wrote a book about the 2005 Chicago White Sox? I didn't. I think I'll be buying that. Aside from the dopey title, the two Amazon reviews tell a tale of vintage Phil. Oh, the haphazardness!
Maybe we have a new entry for Book Corner.
Let's get to the power rankings.
1. Red Sox (3): When in doubt, go with Boston as the best team. The Red Sox slipped past the Cubs based on the good karma created by Jon Lester's no-hitter, Daisuke Matsuzaka's 8-0 record and the arrival of Bartolo Colon, who looks like he'll stick in the rotation. Colon and Manny Ramirez, who are close friends, could benefit from the chance to be teammates. Yes, they got swept in Oakland, but a trip to Seattle should get them winning again.
Now the Red Sox have karma on their side to go along with fate and cancer heros. Let's just give them the trophy right now. Who can compete with that?
Colon: 5 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 4 k against Kansas City at home. One start. I repeat. Please give Colon a spot in the rotation long-term. I beg you.
Mate. When you were at the plate in high school, did you 'benefit' from us being friends?
Hey. Phil didn't mention Adam Dunn. Is this progress?
3. Diamondbacks (2): The Arizona lineup has cooled off, which was probably to be expected, but its pitching staff is built to last. Randy Johnson opened some eyes with his 10-strikeout performance on Saturday at Atlanta.
More progress? Phil admitted that Arizona's lineup crapiness of late was to be expected, though strikeouts are just above merely cute for most pitchers. It's a contextual thing.
5. Rays (4): Is anyone home? Only 13,635 attended Friday night's homestand opener against Baltimore. That's disappointing considering how well these guys are playing.
Gotta say. If I lived in Tampa Bay, continuously showing up under the sole auspices of 'supporting the local sporting venture' would get a little old after a bit. They're good and there are oodles of reasons to believe this team is for real. But after 10 years of crappy ownership and thrifty spending, I'd be a little hesitant to go on a consistent basis.
But 30,000 showed up Saturday, the home opponents haven't exactly been 'Gold at the Gate' lately and school's still in session. This will inch up.
6. Angels (11): Francisco Rodriguez is on pace to enter free agency coming off a major-league record for saves. He could go past 60 at the pace he's on. What would that be worth on the market?
Angel pitchers had a 2.08 ERA over the last week but a dippy saves projection for Frankie Rodriguez is Phil's nugget and the reason they jump 5 spots.
7. White Sox (10): Sweep of Cleveland last week could have lasting implications for both teams.
May. May. May. May. May!!!!!!! IT WAS IN MAY!!!!
When Cleveland hitters go to the plate over the next 115 games of the season, they ultimately will think about that sweep in Chicago and just give up. How does a player get over such things? A sweep.
All games matter. May is of course just as important as August and September. But it's still May. Quit peddling this crap. For further evidence, here are the standings at this time last year.
14. Phillies (15): Ryan Howard is heating up.
Wait a minute. I thought Ryan Howard was looking more and more like an AL player about to be traded?
16. Dodgers (16): How much could Adam Dunn help these guys? The deals with Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre must make it tough to add the power hitting that Los Angeles continues to lack.
There's the Adam Dunn reference. He has a 1.364 OPS over the last fifteen days and a 1.633 OPS over the last seven. Cincinnati should trade the bum. Especially in May because everyone knows that games in May have lasting implications. We take the record in May and use that to determine playoff teams. It's a little-known baseball fact but it's true.
I say again. Given Dunn's production, his contract is reasonable and given his k rate and average, he is in no position to ask for some wildly silly contract. If the Reds trade him, they would be stupid in a very stupid way.
I just don't get it. Phil seems to think Dunn would help every team in the majors except, you know, the team he's currently plays for. In a Reds uniform, he's a terd blocking Mr. Jay Bruce. In any other uniform, he makes them an instant playoff contender.
17. Indians (8): Fausto Carmona departs as Joe Borowski returns. Cleveland should be better than this, but after getting swept in Cincinnati and at U.S. Cellular Field, you have to wonder if the Indians will get it together this season. It's hard to believe that this lineup could be struggling to stay above .230 this late.
Why should they be better than this? Why is this hard to believe?
Please. Just look at the bodies currently being plugged into the lineup.
Because the Indians were good last year does not automatically mean they will be good this year.
20. Tigers (22): Triple-A Toledo is outslugging its parent club. The Mud Hens are leading the International League with 88 home runs, 34 more than runner-up Charlotte, the Sox's affiliate. Toledo's Mike Hessman has 19 homers, two more than Charlotte's Brad Eldred.
I outslugged Juan Pierre in high school.
Was I a better player than Juan Pierre?
Let's take a poll.
21. Orioles (18): Have we seen the last of Steve Trachsel? Baltimore has been skipping him whenever possible, which hasn't helped him stay sharp. Trachsel gave up nine runs in 12/3 innings on Saturday against Tampa Bay.
So the Orioles are skipping him whenever possible because he's bad. When they weren't skipping his starts, he had a 6.08 ERA.
Stay sharp? Heck, stay sharp?
22. Brewers (19): You know the manager is trying to save his job when he lets Ben Sheets throw 123 pitches, as Ned Yost did at Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Keep an eye on Sheets the next couple of times out.
As opposed to Phil's soul-mate, Dusty Baker, trotting out the best young pitcher in the game right now, Edinson Volquez to pitch in the 17th inning (39 pitches) of the game against Padres on Sunday after throwing 92 pitches Friday night?
When are Phil's standards going to apply to everyone?
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