The Phillies Bullpen is Horse (Garbage)

· Steele: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-an-extraordinary-man-of-principle-and-conviction/">Man of Conviction | <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/hank-greenberg-could-relate-to-flood/">Greenberg Relates
· Moore: Flood's Peers Owe Him Apology
· Blackistone: <a href="http://kevin-blackistone.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-belongs-in-the-hall-of-fame/">Cooperstown Should Open Doors
· Fletcher: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/curt-flood-a-hero-to-todays-players-those-who-know-his-name/">Modern Players Know Little of Flood
· Stradley: <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/10/06/for-curt-flood-antitrust-meant-exactly-that-at-supreme-court/">Antitrust Meant Just That

The Phillies are a trendy pick to win the National League East this season. With Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Cole Hamels on their side, who could blame anyone for being seduced by them? But the recent trend of teams that have built around bullpens and won doesn't bode well for these guys.

After yielding his first two runs of spring training in the seventh inning here Friday, reliever Antonio Alfonseca trudged into the Phillies' cramped clubhouse."How'd it go?" outfielder Shane Victorino asked. "I was horse (garbage)," Alfonseca said.

The misery continues:

The bullpen beatings continued Friday, as right-handers Brian Sanches, Alfonseca and Kane Davis teamed to allow seven runs over the final 3 1/3 innings of a 12-9 loss to the Detroit Tigers, and left manager Charlie Manuel seeking relief from his relievers. "We've got roles available there, and they're wide open," Manuel said. "Someone ought to be able to step up and take them, shouldn't they?"

Yeah, you would think. But nobody did in Atlanta last season and look how their string of division titles ended (and look at what Atlanta did to address that in the off-season). The Phillies don't want their ~~string of division titles~~ hopes of winning their first division title since 1993 go up in smoke. Check out these ERA's:

Right-handers Alfredo Simon (12.46), Clay Condrey (8.44), Jim Ed Warden (8.31), Davis (7.36), Sanches and Justin Germano (4.50) and lefty Fabio Castro (11.05) haven't inspired much faith from Manuel or pitching coach Rich Dubee..."I'm concerned about it," Manuel said. "I've been concerned about it all winter."

Uh-oh.