A first-rate first half, but adjustments are needed

As the Phillies get set to start the second half of the season against the Florida Marlins and New York Mets, the two teams nipping at their first-place heels, it is time for Charlie Manuel to make some tough decisions to ensure that the Phillies end the year in the same position that they ended the first half of the season.

Charlie has seen some pleasant surprises from his pitching staff in the performances of the bullpen, specifically Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, and Clay Condrey, along with the 14-5 record the Phightins have when sophomore star Kyle Kendrick goes to the hill.

Unfortunately for the likes of Geoff Jenkins, Carlos Ruiz, So Taguchi, and Adam Eaton, it is time to pull the plug on their time in red pinstripes, because those players do not belong on a major league roster, let alone that of a first place team.

Starting with the pitching staff, which is obviously the biggest priority for the Phillies, another arm is needed in the bullpen, and two starters are needed in the rotation.

The first spot would be Adam Eaton’s turn in the rotation, because he is boasting a fat 5.71 ERA, and a 3-8 record in 19 starts. I’m not big on pinning my hopes onto the back a young, untested rookie, but J.A. Happ looked like he could easily take Eaton’s spot in the rotation.In fact, a platoon of relievers probably would do better than Eaton, because they would only need to pitch an extra three innings and not give up eight runs to replace his work.

Happ gave up just four runs in his two starts with the big club this year, coming against the Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Phillies won both games. He has good movement on his fastball and is willing to pitch inside, two things that Eaton can’t claim.

The other spot in the rotation, which was vacated by Brett Myers, will hopefully be filled by, none other than, Brett Myers. The befuddled one is said to have found his fastball and his nasty streak while riding buses with the Triple-A Iron Pigs. He obviously won’t be closing games in Philadelphia until at least 2012 when Brad Lidge’s new deal expires, so he better learn quickly how to start games.

If Myers hasn’t re-learned how to pitch in the majors, Reading’s Carlos Carrasco would be a quick fix from the farm system, while Seattle Mariner Eric Bedard, along with struggling Houston ace Roy Oswalt would be fine options through trade. Oakland’s Joe Blanton would not fit with the Phillies because the A’s routinely ask for more prospects than their players are worth, or that the Phillies actually have. Former Phillie and current San Diego Padre Randy Wolf also wouldn’t be a good fit for a reunion because of his 6.66 ERA outside of Petco Park.

In the bullpen, the Phillies have plugged the hole that Tom Gordon’s balky shoulder opened up with Ryan Madson. I’ll admit that I thought he stunk and was pretty much only useful as a long man to eat up innings after a disastrous Adam Eaton start, but Mad Dog has put a terrible April behind him, allowing just seven runs since May 1.

Madson, with his 2.83 ERA, has become a reliable right-handed 8th-inning set-up man for Lidge. This means that the Phillies don’t have to empty the farm system to pick up a two-month rental like Colorado’s Brian Fuentes, but could settle for a serviceable middle-inning guy like Ron Mahay from the Royals or Pittsburgh Pirate lefthanders John Grabow and Damaso Marte.

Switching over to hitting, fixing the lineup’s recent slump is as simple as playing the guys who are hot, while benching the guys who are not.Starting catcher Carlos Ruiz is hitting .202, with 2 homers and 20 RBIs, despite playing in 66 of the 96 games this season. Despite Chris Coste’s .279 batting average and seven homers, Ruiz is still getting the lion’s share of starts behind the plate.

In right field, expensive free agent acquisition Geoff Jenkins has seen his batting average drop to .237, and has not shown the 30-homer potential that was expected from playing in the cozy confines of Citizens Bank Park.

In fact, Jenkins’ platoon-mate, Jayson Werth, is hitting more than 30 points higher, and has five more dingers. Werth also plays better defense than Jenkins, and has swiped 11 bases on the year.

What about Greg Dobbs? He’s batting .322 on the season, and would look great getting on base in front of the RBI machines Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell. Manuel could easily find him some at bats in right field without being a defensive liability.

Through 96 games, the Phils are in first place, but only a half of a game in front of the suddenly resurgent Mets. The Mets don’t have the farm system to make a big move and put the pressure back on the Phillies, so the division title is still theirs for the taking.

It’s just a matter of Manuel dropping his allegiances to struggling veterans, and smartly managing playing time, while General Manager Pat Gillick adds a few pieces for insurance.