I think the Phillies need a little pitching help if they have a chance of getting back into the NL East race. Ace Roy Halladay is going through one of the worst stretches he has had in years having lost 3 straight. In his defense Halladay has gotten only 12 runs in his 6 losses and has pitched well enough to have won at least 4 of those 6 games. One can't figure Jamie Moyer is going to continue to pitch like he has for most of the month of June. With last night's win Moyer has won 3 of 4 games and has only given up 5 earned runs in those games. The Phils hope he doesn't revert to the guy who got ripped for 9 runs in an inning earlier this month against the Red Sox.
Cole Hamels continues to be up and down while Joe Blanton is 2-5 with a nearly 7 ERA and Kyle Kendrick needs to string together a few good starts to convince me he can be an important part of the rotation. The wild card is when/if J.A. Happ returns to the rotation. He has been inconsistent in rehap starts the past few weeks and his velocity is not where team officials want it to be. He could be heading back to the disabled list.
This raises the question when/if the Phils try and get a pitcher as the trade deadline approaches. The best options are trading for Cliff Lee or Kevin Millwood--the 2 best available pitchers--or resign Pedro Martinez. Trading for Lee could be costly. The Mets and Yankees are reportedly interested in the former Cy Young winner. The question is who makes the Mariners the best offer. Millwood might be the better option. The righty has not been as bad as his record appears. He has gotten no offensive support in Baltimore and it seems every time he takes the hill he is facing the other team's ace. Don't discount a return for Pedro. He will be rested and ready for another turn at a ring.
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