We can quibble all we want about what ails the Phillies most [personally, I'd vote for a here today, gone tomorrow offense and a weak bullpen as the most likely culprits; my point with focusing on Adam Eaton was that the Phils have a tendency to stick with horrible pitchers way too long], but as of late, there is nothing negative you can say about Shane Victorino, the "Flyin' Hawaiian".
Victorino did not start Tuesday or Wednesday's games and was in the midst of a 3-29 slump and was guilty of several base running gaffes. But you had to wonder if Victorino's head wasn't beginning to get in the right place when on Wednesday he entered the game as part of a double switch and threw out Atlanta Brave Jarrod Saltalamacchia at home plate. By now, we are used to the strength and accuracy of Victorino's arm, but that throw was even stronger and more accurate than normal.
BS&S.com's second favorite Hawaiian.
Ever since that throw, Victorino has been on fire at the plate. He's started every day since and has gone 10 for 17 at the plate for a .588 batting average and his OPS is 1.435, throwing in six steals to boot (three games with two steals). Most importantly, Victorino has scored seven runs in the four games.
There are times Victorino doesn't always display a high degree of baseball smarts on the basepaths, but any mistakes he makes on the field are often out of over-aggression. He's not your prototypical corner outfielder, but there is no doubt he's a big contributor and is a fun ballplayer to watch.
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More reading...
...Friend of BS&S.com Dan Meyer is in the midst of a comeback. Go Dukes!
...Seth Stohs has a fantastic analysis of last night's pitching matchup between Tim Lincecum and Cole Hamels.
