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Good news and bad news for the Phillies on Wednesday night. First, the good news: Roy Halladay struck out nine Braves and his fastball topped out at 92 mph after a spring full of velocity concerns.
Now, the bad news: he allowed four runs on six hits -- including two homers -- and three walks in just 3 1/3 innings. He threw 95 pitches. The fastball may be humming in at its usual velocity, but it's very clear there is something wrong with Halladay. He lacks his trademark command and relied heavily on his offspeed stuff.
Halladay, 35, has nearly 2,700 innings on his arm and missed time with a shoulder issue last season. He could be showing some wear and tear or it could be something else entirely. Whatever is it, the Phillies need to figure it out -- and soon. Despite that gaudy strikeout total against Atlanta, the Phillies can't send out their top right-hander every five days with what he showed on Wednesday.
