Poll: Have You Given Up on the 2012 Phillies?
The Phils sit in last place entering the All-Star break. Do you think they can turn the season around and take another trip to the playoffs?
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We have good news and bad news.
The bad news is that there are still 75 games left for the Philadelphia Phillies to torture the fans with sloppy plays, bases-loaded strikeouts and an unreliable bullpen. The good news is that there are still 75 games left for a team that looks strong on paper to make a run for the playoffs.
The Phillies capped off what can only be called a disappointing first half of the 2012 season in typical fashion: a 4-3 loss and three game sweep by the Atlanta Braves.
They enter the All-Star break resting at the bottom of the National League East division with a 37-50 record, 14 games behind the first place Washington Nationals. With 10 games behind Cincinnati and Atlanta for the two National League wild card spots, the Phillies need to win at least 50 more games to stay in playoff contention.
In 2001, the Oakland Athletics ended the first half of the season 39-42 and managed to clinch the American League Wild Card after a 63-18 second half. The 2010 San Francisco Giants held an unimpressive 41-40 record at the All Star Break before dominating the second half, finishing atop the National League West with a 92-70 record and winning the World Series.
As the Phillies take the next few days to rest and regroup, there are plenty of questions the front office needs to confront. How can we turn the season around? Is 2012 salvageable? What do we do with Cole Hamels? How do we fix the bullpen?
But, what about the questions for you, the fans? Are you giving up on the Phillies this year? Is there still enough time for this team to get back on the right track and scrape their way into the playoffs, where anything can happen? Or, is it time to start thinking about the July 22 start of the Eagles' training camp?
Cast your vote in the poll below and either vent about the season so far, or pump up the doubtful for a possible second half comeback.
Jeff Lugar
3:52 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Just chalk it up to "talented team decimated by injury" and hope for the best in 2013.
Mike Shortall
4:40 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
I checked "Yes, they can still do it", although I'm not at all encouraged by their lack of heart and urgency.
I agree with Jeff, the season has been an abysmal one given the injuries. But it's been revealing for what the healthy Phillies have lacked in offensive production and bullpen consistency. Players who needed to step up this year, like Pence, Victorino, Mayberry and even Rollins have been a huge disappointment.
That being said, there have been a lot of teams that have kick-started their lineup (maybe a trade or two??) in the second half. Remember the Cardinals last year made the playoffs on the last day of the season, With another wildcard spot who knows?
But one thing's for sure ... a slow start after the All-Star break and they'll be toast. The bullpen and plate discipline will be key.
And no, I wouldn't bet money on it happening.
Michelle Hazlett
5:34 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
I still have faith in the Phils! We have the talent and the manpower! Maybe this break will do them good and they will come back fighting. I just wish they would stop talking about trading and letting players go during the season...it has to play with their minds and I don't think it is good for the team as a whole.
I agree with Mike that KEY players need to step it up and do what they do BEST!
See you all at the playoffs!!
Wendy Saddler
5:36 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Always have and always will love my Phillies!!
Then again, I'm a sucker for lost causes. :-)
Art Waite
7:44 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Been watching Philadelphia teams for at least 65 years (I'm 75), and it seems this year's Phils are simply following the pattern of past teams in Philly sports. Of course you can't expect teams to win all the time, but fans tend to become boo-birds when they get their hopes built up (media has something to do with this?) and then when the Phils, Eagles, etc. lose, they don't just lose--they lose ugly. I've adopted the same philosophy over the years toward sports and the weather in the Philadelphia area--believe it when you see it! It will help keep you from becoming insane....
Mike Shortall
9:36 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
That's one helluva sound philosophy, Art! I've had much the same response to Philly sports in general. Never get too excited about success, especially if it's not in the playoffs. Otherwise, you just set yourself up for clinical depression or a lobotomy.
Jim
9:15 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The team has NO HEART and thought they would just walk into the season and win the division ..... Well all the other teams got better ....... Time for a big kick in the pants and shake up the team a little
David Reich-Hale
1:46 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Hey Jim: I'm not sure it has anything to do with heart. They've won 5 division titles, two league championships and a World Series title in the last 5 years. It's been a brilliant run - the best in team history. Can't win every year. On to 2013. They'll be back.
Dave Fiedler
12:45 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
This is a case of age (as well as injuries) catching up with them all at once. They are an old team that really hasn't done a whole lot to improve on that predicament. The youngsters they have tried have mostly fizzled.
I think the season, even though they could still make it interesting if they are somehow able to turn things around in the second half, is a watershed year. To overtake the teams ahead of them they'd have to count on a complete breakdown by those teams coupled with playing .600+ baseball themselves. Highly unlikely.
Plus, these guys don't seem to be dealing all that well with their impending demise brought about by their own mediocre performance. Their clubhouse moodiness seems to extend to their lax and subpar play on the field. Manual seems exasperated. He implied as much Sunday in his post-game. These are not what anyone would consider ingredients for success.
People love the Phillies and prefer to ignore their shortcomings. Fact is there are many, and things are unlikely to get back on the right track until some of these players experience a change in scenery.
Lenny Hatrack
3:33 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I believe they will win every game through the end of the season!
Mary
9:38 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
Win or lose, I will stand by my team. It's hard to watch this season after the fabulous 5 seasons they gave us since 2007, but I refuse to become negative and down on them because of this disappointing season. I have been watching this team since 1968 and I still love them. Thank you Phillies for all those thrilling games! I know you'll be back!