Lackluster Recrap: Street + Phillies = Sadness

This season stinks doesn't it?

Phillies 4, Rockies 3 (10) (boxscore)

One out away from putting away the dreaded Phillies. If It seems like we've been there 100 times before, it's because we've actually been there 5-6 times. And that final out never seems to come. Unfortunately, they are the one team that owns Huston Street. Not that he hasn't had a bad outing here or there against someone else, but that's the team that always gets him.

They tormented him all throughout 2009, with the playoffs being nothing short of disastrous. He didn't face them in any meaningful action in 2010, but did fare well in two appearances. Save opportunity on Monday; two up, two down rather easily, and back to tormenting. Couldn't finish them.

Huston doesn't seem like the type that would let a team get in his head, but if the Phillies aren't in there, I'd be shocked. And if he doesn't have nightmares about that 3-2 pitch to John Mayberry that tied the game, I'd be shocked about that as well.

Steet has now allowed 10 home runs on the season. That's tops in baseball for a reliever and 25% of his total allowed in seven seasons. So yes, a very disturbing number, and looking at the here and now a big concern. But I'd like to think there's a good chance it'll get better if he simply starts locating better and making smarter pitches.

Three Positives

1. Jhoulys Chacin: One of his best big league performances to date, and his second great outing against Philadelphia this season. That's what an ace type pitcher does - he raises his game against the best. No backing down. No retreating. Straight ahead and dominate. That's what makes me feel very comfortable building this rotation around Jhoulys.

2. Seth Smith: Not only did he start against a lefty, he started against one of the top southpaw's in the game in Cole Hamels. And he homered! His first off a lefty since September of 09.

I've always felt and still do believe it's tough to judge what his real value can be against lefties without more at-bats, but my overall perspective on Smith of late is that he's not a starter on a contending team. Tough to say that, but he makes your team really good if you have the luxury of picking a big spot for him to hit in the 8th or 9th.

3. Rafael Betancourt: Nine straight appearances without allowing a run? Really? That's a pretty solid run he's on. Unfortunately, everyone around is crumbling. Such is life at Coors Field in 2011.

Overall

I'll give the team a little more credit. They haven't really beat themselves with stupidity since disaster night in Los Angeles. So I can't complain too much about the product of late. The results suck, but the embarrassment factor is lowering.