A great win that (looked almost certainly) to turn into a crushing defeat, turns into a great win.
A win is always good.
However, once again we see that some things must be changed before this team can be a serious contender.
They have to tighten up the play in the field to include behind the plate.
They have to get the bullpen sorted and functioning better. There have been far too many disastrous melt downs from the pen, especially in the 8th and 9th innings. They have several relievers who have pitched very well. Tonight, I think Kapler should have gone to the pen to start the 8th, but even bringing Ramos in with runners second and third and one out, Ramos did the job, getting two strikeouts to hold the 4-2 lead. In the ninth, I might have considered bringing Ramos back out. His pitch count was 9. But even after Arano had runners second and third with one out, he struck out the next two batters. Sounds like a great job from the bullpen to hold the win, but the ball not being blocked to enable a play to first for the game ending out gave the Cardinals life. They tied the game and the bullpen suddenly looks like a failure again.
The GM recognized the need for some veteran presence in the pen and signed two in the off season. Bad luck that one has not come off the DL yet. I would not be surprised to see the Phillies bring in a reliever or two from outside the system. We are getting into the time that trades will be happening, but I don't want to overpay for a reliever because they are such a fickle commodity. Clearly the need for a solid LH reliever is there. I'd try to address that soon.
I don't think the manager has helped in either of the two problem areas and may have contributed to the problem. That's not to say he is wrong in what he is doing, but it is different and that can lead to adjustment difficulties from players who are used to a different way of operation. We will see.
I think we are seeing a team that is growing and maturing. I thought the Pham home run would kill off the Phillies, but they came back to win the game with the walk off hit from Altherr with two outs. That shows me they don't quit and they are moving (slowly) forward.
