Rollins way off in prediction

So much for getting off to a good start.

With high hopes of competing for the NL East and a bold prediction by Jimmy Rollins that Philadelphia was the team to beat in the division, the Phillies are off to their worste start in 20 years.

There was so much focus on starting the season strong after slow starts the past couple of years played a roll in the Phillies coming up just short in making the playoffs.

But the Phillies have majorly stumbled out of the gate.

Philadelphia was swept by the Braves, and lost two of three against both the Mets and Marlins. They are 2-7 and already five games out of the division lead.

The bullpen figured to be a problem, and it has been.

Relief pitcher Ryan Madson became the first pitcher since 1977 to lose its teams first two games. Atlanta came back late in both games.

But it was thought that the offense and starting pitching could carry the team. It has not.

The Phillies are hitting .237 as a team. Only two starters are hitting over .300. Chase Utley is hitting .231 and Ryan Howard is hitting .212. Not too hot for your third and fourth hitter.

The Phillies have blown games late. They have been trounced on early.

And they continue to hurt themselves early in seasons. The Phillies have lost six of its first seven games the past three years.

This has got to stop. I hate to say it is getting late when there are still over 150 games left. But the slow start reminds me of the Flyers season this year. They stumbled out of the gate and never recovered.

It takes time to make up games in the standings.

The Phillies are running out of time.