Roy Halladay fixes a lot of problems.
Just when the Philadelphia Phillies seemed like they were headed for a mini-slide to start the season, the All-Star righty partied Wednesday night, going seven innings with three strikeouts.
It’s the kind of performance that reminds us that the Phillies will never truly slump this year with the best rotation in the National League.
It didn’t hurt that Philadelphia’s hitters finally showed up, banging out a season-high 14 hits en route to a 7-1 win over the Miami Marlins. It was over after a 5-run third inning, another season high. With keystones Chase Utley and Ryan Howard out of the lineup, the Phillies had only managed around three runs a game, hardly the run support needed for another 100-win season.
”It’s only Game 5, we have to forget about it and get ready for tomorrow, but yeah, it’s great to get seven runs,” Philadelphia outfielder Shane Victorino said. ”We’ll definitely take it, and we just have to keep on doing the little things. Whether it’s laying down a bunt, stealing a base, small ball, that’s what we’re going to have to do. And the thing about it is it works. I can’t see us changing that philosophy, even when the big guys come back.”
Miami’s problems probably won’t be fixed that quickly. Despite a massive off-season haul, the Marlins are still mired by image problems. Manager Ozzie Guillen began his five-game suspension Wednesday, leaving behind a slumping team that’s lost two of its last three games.
So it’s somewhat perplexing that Miami is listed as a 1 1/2-run favorite, according to Bovada’s MLB Betting Odds.
Bovada also lists the Marlins with a -115 moneyline.
Mark Buerhle gets the ball tonight, hoping for a better result than his first start last week. The lefty only surrendered two runs in six innings, but was foiled by a lack of run support in a 4-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
If he’s to get a win Thursday, he’ll likely need Chris Coghlan and Hanley Ramirez to match their career averages against Philadelphia starter Joe Blanton. Coghlan is 7-for-14 lifetime against Blanton while Ramirez is 7-for-19.
Still, Blanton is 6-2 against the Marlins lifetime.