Last Sunday Night

WIP’s Rickie Ricardo was all jacked up about the Phillies’ chances in the upcoming four-game series with the New York Mets – and I use the term “jacked up” in its most flattering connotation.

The words “sweep” and “broom” came out of his mouth.

Rickie makes it no secret that he hates the Mets.

I can’t stand screaming hype-artists like Michael Buffer because they come across as loud-mouthed phonies. But Rickie’s passion always comes across as genuine to me. I enjoy listening to him, and on Sunday night he infected me with the notion that this post-All-Star-Game edition of the Phillies just might surprise the first-place Mets.

Monday Night

Thanks to a pair of three-run home runs by Ryan Howard and Domonic Brown – wrapped around a solo shot by Cameron Rupp – the Phillies vaulted off to a 7-2 lead over the Mets at the end of three innings. I was elated. Maybe Rickie’s prediction was on the money.

Between you and me, if I’m the manager of the Phillies this game is over.

Take Him Out

I’ve got rookie Adam Morgan on the mound. Despite the 7-2 lead, he’s already given up two solo-shots and he’s not looking sharp. So when he goes out for the top of the fourth and gives up a leadoff single to David Wright followed by a Will Flores’ home run that cuts the lead to 7-4, I’m screaming “TAKE HIM OUT” at the TV.

But the real manager leaves Morgan in the game and Morgan surrenders a monster shot to center off the bat of Travis d’Arnaud and I’m screaming “TAKE HIM OUT” at the TV.

But the real manager leaves Morgan in the game and Michael Cuddyer crushes a shot to deep left-center that’s fortunately only a double and I’m screaming “TAKE HIM OUT” at the TV.

But the real manager leaves Morgan in the game.

Fortunately, Morgan gets the next two batters before the real manager finally takes Morgan out of the game. But the damage has already been done, the bullpen fails, and the Mets go on to crush the Phils 16-7.

I remain solid in my belief that if Pete Mackanin replaced Morgan when the score was 7-4, the bullpen would’ve held the Mets in check the rest of the way and the Phillies would’ve wound up with the win. And since I’m dealing in my own world of the hypothetical, no one can prove me wrong.

Thursday Night

So the Phils jump off to a 5-0 lead after three innings thanks to a two-run single by Jeff Francoeur, a run-scoring ground-out by rookie Aaron Altherr, and a two-run homer by Darin Ruf.

Pete Mackanin has Aaron Harang on the mound and Harang has surprisingly kept the Mets off the scoreboard after pitching his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the second. Personally, if I’m the manager, Aaron Harang wouldn’t have been on the mound to begin with. He’s washed up.

So when Harang gave up the leadoff single to David Wright in the top of the fourth, I’m thinking “Make the hurry-up call to the bullpen.” And when – two batters later – Harang’s grooving a meatball to Travis d’Arnaud that’s cutting the lead to 5-2, I’m screaming “TAKE HIM OUT” at the TV.

If I’m the manager, I’m on my way to mound while d’Arnaud is still circling the bases.

But the real manager leaves Harang in the game.

Harang gives up a double to Michael Conforto and I’m screaming “TAKE HIM OUT” at the TV – and Ruben Tejada is sending a line out to deep center and I’m once again screaming “TAKE HIM OUT” at the TV.

But the real manager leaves Harang in the game and somehow Harang escapes the jam.

But just one inning later – BOOM – Yoenis Cespedes crushes a two-run homer and the score’s 5-4, and three batters later – BOOM – Kelly Johnson crushes a homer and that 5-0 lead just two innings earlier has completely evaporated.

Even more baffling to me was the fact that Pete Mackanin left Harang in the game to pitch another inning.

If you watched the game, you know the Phillies lost 9-5 in 13 innings.

I remain solid in my belief that if Pete Mackanin replaced Harang when the score was 5-2, the bullpen would’ve held the Mets at bay the rest of the way and the Phillies would’ve wound up with the win in nine innings. And since I’m dealing in my own world of the hypothetical, no one can prove me wrong.

Let the Situation Dictate

In my opinion, Pete Mackanin has done an outstanding job managing the Phillies and creating a resurgence in the team – but he’s doing a lousy job handling his pitchers.

The situation dictates when it’s time to change pitchers – not some preordained formula. If the starter doesn’t have it, pull him – no matter the inning or the score. If you want to win more often than you lose, use your eyes and the seat of your pants.

Make the move before it’s too late.

If I’m Andy Macphail – or whoever the hell’s in charge of making decisions during the off-season – I’m looking for a new manager for the 2016 season. Sorry, Pete, but that’s the way I see it.

If I were the manager, we do no worse than a split against the Mets.

Rickie Ricardo called the sweep. Unfortunately, the brooms were in the hands of the wrong team.

Barry Bowe is the author of:

• Born to Be Wild
• 1964 – The Year the Phillies Blew the Pennant
• 12 Best Eagles QBs
• Soon-to-be-published sexy, police procedural Caribbean Queen