Phil Sheridan: Bottom line: Phils need a starter

By Phil Sheridan Inquirer Sports Columnist There are two ways to look at how the last month has gone for the Phillies: the right way and the other right way. They woke up June 14 with a four-game lead in the National League East and a record of 41-28, a season-best 13 games above .500. Since then, their record is 11-16 and their lead is down to a half-game. The right way to look at that record, objectively speaking, is that it showed the Phillies are a flawed team that simply didn't know how to play with a lead. It was this group's first experience as a front-runner, and it faltered. Yes, the Phillies' slide coincided with their interleague games. That was a factor, but the inescapable conclusion is that this is not a team capable of running away from the pack. The other right way to look at it is the Phillies' way. "I like... [read full story]