If you watched Brett Myers last night you saw a pitcher who resembled the starting pitcher in 2005 and 2006 who averaged 200 strikeouts and a sub 4.00 ERA. He wasn't the pitcher who marred this pitching staff for much of the season.
Many naysayers will point to the fact that he faced a bottom feeder in the Nationals last night. That's irrelevant because his control, velocity, and delivery were superior last night. He looked every bit of the ace that this team has been advertising him as.
I've always been a fan of Brett Myers. I think he has the skills to become a 17-20 game winner in this league. When his mechanics are on and he has control of that fast ball in conjunction with his cloud to ground curve he's virtually unhittable.
You got a glimpse into it last night. He didn't try to strike everybody out, which is part of the reason why he struggled so much this year. The key stat last night is one, as in one walk. He sailed along smoother than a scooner along the Carribean for 7 innings last night before leaving in the 8th inning, allowing zero earned runs and just one run on an error by Utley.
Once again the offense failed the Phillies. Aside from Utley's two-run homerun they made a 2nd rate rookie pitcher look like a Cy Young candidate. But, Brett Myers didn't fail them.
It's a huge step for him and if he continues to keep his mechanics together and display the velocity and control he had last night then the Phillies may have their trade deadline acquisition without even having to make another trade.
Last night could be the first step in a big direction for both Myers and the Phillies' fate for the rest of the season.
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