Unlike last season, it has become clear that the team can't simply depend on their starting pitcher throwing a gem each and every night.
If this team is going to return to the playoffs, they are going to need more contributions from the offense than they have gotten so far.
It remains to be seen if that is going to happen, especially with the continued uncertain status of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. But one hitter did have a solid week, and he is this week's featured Phillie.
Featured Phillie of the Week: Ty Wigginton
In the series against the Mets, Wigginton got a chance to face one of his former teams. And he came through in a big way.
In Monday's game, the versatile Wigginton went 3-3 with 6 RBIs to carry the team to victory. He had another big game on Wednesday with his home run powering the Phillies to victory.
In a perfect world, Wigginton would be serving the role that the Phillies had envisioned for him when the signed him: A utility player who can fill in at multiple positions and provide a dangerous bat off the bench. But due to injuries and the ineffectiveness of others, Wigginton has essentially become a regular for the Phillies.
If he continues in this semi-regular role, delivering more big weeks like this one will be crucial for the Phillies' postseason chances.
Ghost of Phillies Past: Randy Ready
In June of 1989, the Phillies decided to break up their struggling team. In three separate transactions, they acquired players like John Kruk, Terry Mulholland, and Lenny Dykstra.
In the Kruk trade, the Phillies also acquired a player who would have a much less prolific major league career: Randy Ready.
Ready was considered a utility player in that he could play multiple positions. The problem was, he couldn't play any of them especially well.
He made appearances at second base, third base, and the outfield. And he played poorly at all of them. While he was a decent enough hitter, the Phillies soon realized that his contributions with the bat weren't enough to overcome his shakiness in the field.
Ready eventually settled in to the role he was best suited for: Utility bench player. When left in that role, he was an asset. But if he was given too much time in the field...that usually didn't turn out so well.
Pennant Year Song of the Week
Without Roy Halladay, the team is missing a player who might be considered the team's heart and soul. In that spirit, this week's song is from 2009. It is Heartless by Kanye West:
This is from the album 808s and Heartbreaks in which Kanye inexplicably thought he could sing well.
Even more inexplicable was the way critics applauded this effort. I was a big fan of Kanye's rap albums, and I absolutely hated this album. But for some reason, the mainstream media acted like this was a masterpiece.
Naturally, the album was a huge seller, which means we'll probably get more of this from him in the future.
I'm just happy that on his next album - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - he went back to his specialty and started rapping again.
Random Phillies Image Found on the Web
I assume that this image was in reference to the 2009 controversy where the Phillies were supposedly stealing opponents' signs.
You know, considering how the Phillies offense has declined since that controversy, maybe they had a point?
Final Analysis
Much like Randy Ready, Ty Wigginton would probably be better served as a bench player who might get a couple of starts each week.
But until the team regains full health, Wigginton is going to be counted on as a regular. The team just has to hope that he gives them more weeks like this one.
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