Phillie of the Week

Pat Burrell, right fielder, is my choice for Phillie of the Week, an honor I will try to bestow to someone each week of the season. Through the first four games of the season, Pat Burrell, in my eyes, has been one of the few bright spots. Hard to believe, no? The starting pitching from the likes of Brett Myers and Cole Hamels was stellar, but the bullpen washed away those gems en route to an 0-3 start at home. So when the Phillies traveled to Miami to take on the nemesis Marlins, it was Burrell who helped fuel the fire to get this team going.

(A quick disclaimer: This pick is being made before the game today against the Marlins and their pitcher Dontrelle Willis. I figured I probably wouldn't post on East Sunday so I wanted to make sure to get this post in while I had the chance today. So remember that just in case Burrell goes 0-4 with three strikeouts today against Willis.)

Burrell has done pretty well for himself in the five spot behind Utley, then Howard. He leads the team in runs batted in with five, and is second on the team in total bases (11) and on base percentage (.471). With a slugging percentage of .733 and a batting average of .400, you can possibly look past his five strikeouts (to be fair, is second highest on the team). It is Burrell who really came through on the first win of the season against the Marlins with some key at bats. Playing in a hitter's park like Dolphins Stadium always helps. And did you see the catch he made in the outfield? A diving catch is rare for him. I'm not saying it was Willie Mays over the back great, but his catch definitely helped his team in a clutch spot.

I said in my Phillies preview that Burrell is going to be the key player in this lineup. In the first week I believe that he has done alright for himself. The strikeouts definitely need to drop to no more than one a game though. But I haven't seen him giving his "Pat"-ented blank, defiant stare into space yet either.

So congratulations Burrell, you are the Ramblings Phillie of the Week!

Want to sponsor a Phillies of the week? One Phillie will be the Ramblings Phillie of the Week each Sunday of the season. Send me your pick with a description of why you picked them, and you'll get posted right here!

Unless of course, nobody writes in, then I'll continue picking them.

And if you're going to watch any Phillies game this weekend, Saturday's game is the one to watch. Brett Myers vs Dontrelle Willis. Could be the top pitching match up in the NL East. The Phills usually do pretty well against Willis too. They're not afraid of him. And you know Myers feels bad about blowing his game the other day. He can't wait to get out there. Should be a dandy.