Phils stars struggling, but they still find themselves in second place

If you would have told me prior to the baseball season that come May 2 the Phillies starters would have an ERA that is almost seven, Cole Hamels would not yet have a win, and that Jimmy Rollins was batting .200 I would have told you there was no way that they would be in second place, trailing the Florida Marlins by only one game.

But the fact of the matter is that all of the above is true, yet somehow the Phils are two and 1/2 games ahead of the Mets, whom many picked to win the division this year.

Sure, it is early and the standings don't really mean much at this point. But with the horrid start some of the Philly players have gotten off to, I'd say 12-10 is not so bad.

The Phillies have nine come-from-behind wins.

No, the Phillies will not continue to win unless Rollins picks up his game and they get better pitching. But, they have done enough to win enough games early despite their shortcomings.

Hamels has had a sore arm and now a sprained ankle. Brad Lidge has been battling a sore knee. Carlos Ruiz was on the DL. That's a lot for the first month.

But guys like newcomer Raul Ibanez (.360 average and eight home runs) and Chase Utley (.342 average and eight home runs) have carried the Phillies.

The Phillies have a strong lineup and a solid starting rotation. That tells us that when Rollins gets things going and they get more from their starters, the Phillies should be able to put together a good string of winning months.