Once the Nationals left town after the Phillies’ opening series last week, the Phils were in for a more challenging brand of hardball with pitching-rich Florida on their way into town and then a road trip starting with the Atlanta Braves.

After a strong offensive showing on Friday night supporting Roy Halladay’s 3rd win of the season, the Phils offense went cold. Ice cold. They scored just 1 run in Saturday night’s game at chilly Citizens Bank Park and were shut out in the series finale, spoiling a great 2008-esque start by much-maligned lefty Cole Hamels.

In the first 2 games of their current road trip, the Phils offense has mustered just 5 runs, but they were just one competent pitch from Ryan Madson away from taking both games from Atlanta by way of shutouts.

The last few games have stood in stark contrast to the first week or so of the season, when the Phillies simply out-slugged any issues that their pitching staff may have been going through. Despite losing 3 of their last 5 games, the Phils pitching has given more cause for optimism than any cold hitting could possibly negate.

Consider:

5 strong innings from Jamie Moyer after a disastrous first inning on Saturday night.
An 8 inning return to form for hard luck loser Cole Hamels on Sunday.
An 8 inning masterpiece by punching bag Kyle Kendrick.
A complete game shutout of the Braves by Roy Halladay.

In a 162 game season, hitting is going to come and go. Especially with this crop of Phillies who have a history of running into cold spells from time to time. They can’t score 7 or 8 runs every time out.

It’s pitching that will dictate what kind of stories are written about these 2010 Phillies. We know the hitters are gong to rake all year long. But with a sketchy bullpen and some question marks in the rotation, seeing Hamels and Kendrick pitch so well gives you a view on just how dominant this team can be. Before Sunday, only Halladay had pitched into the 7th inning. That’s just too much pressure on a bullpen that is missing key pieces and includes pitchers who haven’t exactly overwhelmed us thusfar (I’m looking at you, Danys).

With Joe Blanton on the mend and JC Romero and Brad LIdge pitching well in rehab assignments, more help is on the way for the pitching staff. And that offense won’t be cold for long. Good times loom.