Three games in April and not a single strikeout... Yes, your hitting streak is over but we need you to stay focused. The team needs you to be getting on base to win games. As for the streak, it was very exciting and from a Philly fan who is used to not much excitement -- Thanks!

Cole Hamels pitched tonight for the Phillies Florida League affiliate the Clearwater Threshers against A.J Burnett who was pitching in a Rehab assignment the the Blue Jay's affiliate Dunedin. The line: 6 innings pitched, 0 runs, 3 hits and 7 strikeouts. As everyone knows, this kid has great stuff and it would be exciting if he could stay healthy enough to pitch in the majors.

Why is this past his prime, losing machine still starting. Why is he a #1 catcher. During the drive to make the playoffs, Manuel repeatedly pinch hit for Lieberthal, he didn't play him with Jon Lieber and the team was better for it. Mike Lieberthal singlehandedly lost the game tonight: 1. He repeatedly misframed pitches causing every close pitch to go for a ball. 2. He and Flash weren't on the same page and Flash called a pow wow to tell Lieberthal to follow his lead. 3. He couldn't even throw out Albert Pujols who stole second rather he air-mailed it to center allowing Pujols to go to Third 4. Then with the bases loaded after the previous two batters

Whether to focus on the good, the bad or the bonehead moves by Charlie... The Good 1. #37, I leaped out of my seat screaming with joy when J-Roll smashed a 3-0 pitch for a double. 2. Three hits by Utley 3. Two hits by Burrell, Abreu, Lieberthal and Rowand 4. Deep homerun by Ryan Howard 5. Geoff Geary two scoreless innings of relief - look for Geary to be the surprise of the bullpen in 2006! 6. Abraham Nunez starting over David Bell The Bad 1. Lieber and Julio Santana serving meatball after meatball 2. Aaron Fultz showing none of the confidence he displayed at the end of 2005 3. Darth Rolen hitting a grand slam and finishing the

During the last playoff in 2004, we were impressed by Esche who along with a possessed Keith Primeau took us to the brink of the Stanley Cop Finals. Watching Esche against the Islanders on Sunday, reminded me of just how good he can be. The Flyers were outplayed, took stupid penalties and were outshot but won the game easily 4-1 because Robert Esche, repeatedly kept them in the game. During the playoffs in 2004, he had a .918 save percentage and a 2.31 goals against. Although that isn't the greatest, it seemed that the fear of the soft goals which have haunted the Flyers, year after year was gone. I would be happy to enter the playoffs with Esche in

Hey Philly! Enough about TO and those cockroaches from Dallas, we'll have time for that after the Stanley Cup playoffs. It seems that people have written off the Flyers before things have even started. People look at the standings and seem to think the Flyers have no chance. I beg to differ... First, the Flyers are only two points out of first place despite a zillion injuries. Sure that is impressive but we have all seen past Flyers teams and players do well in the regular season and then fail in the playoffs. We are all familiar with John LeClair and most of our high scorer's annual disappearance while teams from other teams would raise their game to a new

Chris Coste, the 33 year old career minor leaguer who captured the heart of many Philadelphians, was optioned to the AAA club on the last day of spring training. We here at Broadstreetblooger.com were saddened by this news but we are confident, he'll make it to the major leagues this year. Why? Because, we believe Pat Gillick has a number of moves he plans to make before the all star break including trading Abreu, Bell and possibly Burrell and Lieberthal. Further, injuries happen and it is likely that Coste will be the first guy called up.

As I look at the trade for Delluci from the Rangers, I am somewhat stumped. What is going on? Overall, Tejeda was expendable because you have Franklin in the bullpen if one of the starters should falter. Also Randy Wolf is scheduled to return in late July and in the minors one or more of Eude Brito, Daniel Haigwood and Cole Hamels sould be ready for the big leagues. But shouldn't Tejeda be kept to be used later to obtain a reliever, a catcher, or in case someone like Rollins, Utley or Howard get hurt? Secondly, why was it so important to obtain an outfielder when it is expected that Rowand and Abreu will play more than 150 plus games