…in preparation for this weekend’s much anticipated series with the Phillies, I did a quick Q & A with Tom Goyne, who blogs about the Phils for Balls, Sticks & Stuff…

D.J. Short:

How have the injuries to Victorino and Rollins thrown a wrench into the composition of this ballclub? Do you feel it makes you look for the three-run homer a little bit more?

Tom Goyne:

When the Phillies offense is really clicking, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are getting on base and creating havoc with the running game. Between the two of them, they had a 78/10 SB/CS ratio last year, and it set up a few more fastballs to swing at for Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and your favorite Phillie Pat Burrell. So far this year, with the two of them out, the offense has certainly been more station to station. We are hoping to get Rollins back on Saturday and Victorino should be back as soon as he is eligible to return from the 15-day DL.

D.J. Short:

On a similar vein, do you feel the club will eventually regret dealing Michael Bourn over the winter?

Tom Goyne:

I don’t think so. That’s not because I don’t think Bourn will play well, it’s just that you have to give something to get something and Brad Lidge was something the Phillies needed so they could return Brett Myers to the starting rotation where he is more valuable. Remember, even though the Phillies got a reliever in the deal, it was really about improving the starting rotation. Myers and Cole Hamels is a pretty darn good 1-2 combo in the rotation.

D.J. Short:

Tell me one element of the ballclub that has surprised you thus far.

Tom Goyne:

I’ll give you two. The infield defense has been horrific, and that was a strength last year. The other would be the performance of the bullpen. The pen has been pretty solid, which we saw in September last year, but I’m not sure any of us expected it to carry over into this season.

D.J. Short:

Do you ever worry about Ryan Howard’s annual April struggles, or do you feel the flyballs that stay in the yard in April will leave the park in June?

Tom Goyne:

You are reading my mind, D.J. Howard hits a lot of high fly balls and for most of the summer, any fly ball that is a borderline home run gets carried a couple of rows back. But in April, the wind comes from a different direction and batted balls with that same high trajectory, particularly to left field, end up getting caught short of the warning track.

D.J. Short:

For this last one, be honest: In the extra-inning game, do you think Jose Reyes was safe at the plate or not?

Tom Goyne:

Out! But just to prove I’m not a complete homer, I think Geoff Jenkins was actually out at home plate in Tuesday’s dramatic ninth inning win over the Astros.

…thanks, Tom…

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