There is plenty of blame to go around when you win just four of your first 12 games, but where does the manager fit in all of this? A bystander, or part of the what isn't working the way it should?
It appears next to no one wants to point the finger at Rob Thomson for anything that has gone wrong in the early season. After all, if not for him, who knows if the Phillies end up in the World Series. Having said that, he has a share of the bad start. As a manager of personalities and relating to players he has a gift Girardi didn't, but his lineups at times—and in-game decisions thus far—are very much like his mentor.
Two unexpected positives to start the season have been Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh. While a majority of the veterans are struggling at the plate, the pair of 25-year-olds have been electric. A night after being a big part of a 15-3 win over Miami, Stott was moved from leadoff to the eight hole, while Marsh sat in favor of cusp major leaguer Cristian Pache. Why? "Because of the lefty", Rob Thomson said in a decision made a day prior.
Isn't there something to be said for throwing away the book and riding the hot hand of two young players who are coming into their own? Trea Turner would go 0-for-5 in the leadoff spot that night, while Pache would go 1-for-2 before being replaced by Marsh in an 8-4 loss.
That same game, Aaron Nola would fall apart in the sixth inning. If it was apparent to most watching by the second batter he was losing his command, why did it take so long for Thomson to get arms throwing in the pen? By the time Gregory Soto entered in relief, four runs had crossed the plate. While this doesn't excuse Nola, Thomson waited far too long, and the damange was done.
And then, 10th inning of the rubber game against the Marlins, trailing 3-2 with the zombie runner in scoring position, Cristian Pache popped out to third on the first pitch of the at-bat. Why not bunt the runner over?
Not wanting to exhaust an already exhausted pen, Thomson said postgame, "I did tell Pache that if the bunt base hit was there go for it, otherwise swing the bat."
Telling a young, inexperienced player he has options at the plate with the game on the line is foolish. Most will look to player hero, versus the wise decision. Lay down the bunt, advance the runner, who can then be knocked in to tie the game.
I haven't even mentioned the baserunning, the worst of baseball. At a certain point aggressiveness becomes stupidity and the manager has to take action. You're not the substitute teacher anymore. There will be times you have to throw your weight around.
After the 3-3 homestand, Thomson said, "We're playing better. As we move forward, everything is starting to come together. We're going to be in a good spot here soon."
The Phillies are 4-8, and if not for Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, and "ace" Matt Strahm, they could be winless.
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