If you were wondering who that goatee’d pitcher was who got the start against the Twins yesterday, his name is Adam Eaton.  Yeah, that same Adam Eaton, who made it a habit to get booed off the mound at Citizen’s Bank Park.  That same Adam Eaton, who makes $7 million a season, but was left off the playoff roster.  That same Adam Eaton who when he goes on the disabled list, Phillies fans don’t mind.

I think you get my point…

Eaton took the mound in Fort Myers yesterday against the Twins and had his best outing of the spring.  Eaton pitched five and a third innings, allowed one run and four hits.  He struck out four, and amazingly, walk none.  Mark this down as back-to-back good outings for Eaton.  In his past two appearances he’s allowed only one run in eight-plus innings (with no walks).

As good as Eaton has looked, I take any positive progress with a grain of salt.  Until he can really string something together, he’s always a question mark.

The one thing Eaton has done is continued the strong pitching the Phillies have shown this week.  Since Charlie Manuelvented his frustration to the media about the team’s attitude and play, the Phillies have played better baseball.  They have gone 5-1, and while some of the offense is still struggling, the pitching has come around.  This is what the rotation has done this week:

• 3/16 - Brett Myers -  7IP, 5H, 2ER, 3K
• 3/18 - Cole Hamels -  6IP, 2H, 1ER, 7K
• 3/19 - Jamie Moyer - 5.2IP, 6H, 1ER, 4K 
• 3/20 - Kyle Kedrick - 5IP, 2H, 0ER, 1K
• 3/21 - Adam Eaton -   5.1IP, 4H, 1ER, 4K

In all fairness, all these pitchers aside from Myers have had their struggles this spring, but they improved on their rough outings, which is what Spring Training is all about.  To get you ready and in shape for the real season.  What we are seeing now is that the starters are almost where they need to be. 

The Phillies biggest knock is their starting rotation, and if they can continue this trend into the season, rivals will be put on notice.  They already have one of the best offenses in the game, you add dominant pitching, you’re looking at a World Series contender. 

Before I get ahead of myself, and people start to think I live in a dream world, I am aware of reality.  Is the Phillies rotation the best in the National League?  No way…  Hamels is one of the top 5 starters, and he and Myers form one of the better 1/2 punches in the NL, but overall they have their questions.  The thing is, if the pitchers can just find consistency and balance, they’ll be no stopping the Phillies.