The Phillies have really seemed to turn their ball club around in the past few years. Who could forget the clutch performance of the Fightin' Phils on the last game of the regular season in 2007 when they clinched the NL East Pennant over the Mets. Not only has the playing time in the playoffs increased but so has the talent. Think back to the 2007 rotation that got the Phillies into the playoffs, which included: Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton, and Jon Lieber (Kyle Lohse had 3 wins as well). How does this lineup compare to the greatness of R2C2 (and Joe?). Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton are the 5 starters predicted* to start for the Phillies in 2011. *(There still is question whether or not Joe Blanton will be traded or not). If placed in this order, the Phillies lineup will go R, L, R, L, R, in terms of handedness. What is comparable to this pitching staff? Certainly not 2007, I mean if Adam Eaton was a starting pitcher, we've got problems.... But the Phillies bullpen is put into question. When the team has starting pitchers such as Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, with 250.2 and 212.1 innings pitched, where does the bullpen come into place? Opening day is getting closer and closer. The Phillies open up the regular season against the Astros at home. Game one's predicted starters are Roy Halladay against former Phillie Brett Myers. Game two's predicted starters are Cliff Lee against former Phillie J.A. Happ. The Astros seem to be collecting Phillies in the past few years. These players include but are not limited to: Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, Brett Myers, J.A. Happ, Sergio Escalona (as of 1/10/11). But man do I miss Michael Bourn. He would literally fly around the bases and make miraculous plays in the outfield, just as he does now in Houston. Going back to the Phillies, I personally think with this pitching lineup, the Phillies can finish with over 100 wins. Yes we "lost" Jayson Werth to the Nationals, but if he wants to vacation every October rather than playing baseball, that was his and his agent's decision. I wouldn't anticipate Jayson Werth having as many RBIs this season with Ryan Zimmerman batting ahead of him, and Adam LaRoche batting behind him. Not that these two players aren't good, but they simply are not Chase Utley and Ryan Howard (If Werth was placed into the clean-up spot for the Phillies). I wish the Nationals luck this season, I honestly would like to see the Nationals finish 4th, hopefully above the Mets. ;) In closing to my baseball ramblings, I look forward to the Phillies 2011 season, just as I do after the Eagle's playoff season is over each and every year. Best of luck R2C2!
As this is my first post to my blog, I made it about the Phillies, but this will not be an all Phillies blog. Although the Phillies are my favorite team and probably will be covered the most, I look forward to covering the 2011 Major League Baseball season. World Series Prediction: Phillies vs. Red Sox
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