Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 25, 2008 18:59:37 GMT -5
Last season: 89-73, 1st in N.L. East
Lost NLDS to Colorado 3-0
Manager: Charlie Manuel, 4th season, 482-415 (.537) career record
New faces: RHP Kris Benson (BAL), IF Eric Bruntlett (HOU), RHP Chad Durbin (PHI), 3B Pedro Feliz (SF), OF Geoff Jenkins (MIL), RHP Brad Lidge (HOU), OF So Taguchi (STL), OF Brandon Watson (WSH)
Left town: C Rod Barajas (TOR), OF Michael Bourn (HOU), RHP Kane Davis (TOR), RHP Geoff Geary (HOU), IF Tadahito Iguchi (SD), RHP Jon Lieber (CHC), IF Abraham Nunez (MIL), OF Chris Roberson (BAL), OF Aaron Rowand (SF)
Overview: Led by their prophetic shortstop - and National League MVP - Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies overcame a seven-game deficit with 17 games to play and snatched the East division away from the Mets on the last day of the season. Though they got swept by the Rockies in the opening round of the playoffs, this is a very confident team that returns with most of the team intact. The Phillies win because they can hit the dickens out of the ball, thanks to Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. It's the pitching that is the question mark in 2008. They traded for former Houston closer Brad Lidge in the off-season, but won't have him on Opening Day after injuring his knee early in spring training. Ace of the rotation Cole Hamels also has a questionable health history but is as talented a young, left-handed starter in the game.
Stat to ponder: No wonder slugging first sacker Ryan Howard's salary jumped from $900,000 to $10 million this year. He led the National League by homering every 11.3 at bats last season. Top prospect: RHP Carlos Carrasco: The 21-year-old right-hander is on the fast track, bringing three above-average pitches and a game plan to the mound. Wasn't nearly as effective when he made the jump to AA, but a full season at that level should have him ready for the majors by late '09.
Hitting
2007 AVG: .274 (10th), RUNS/GAME: 5.51 (2nd), HR: 213 (2nd)
The numbers put up members of the infield were astounding. Rollins had 88 extra-base hits last season while scoring 139 runs and driving in 94 out of the lead-off spot. Utley finished third in the N.L. with a .332 average and 48 doubles despite missing a month with a broken hand. And Howard has driven in 285 runs over the last two seasons while hitting 105 home runs. They have a new third baseman in Pedro Feliz who has hit 20+ HR over his last four seasons with the Giants. The free agent defection of Aaron Rowand opens the door for Shane Victorino who stole 37 bases last season as a super-sub and fill-in. Scoring runs will not be a problem for the Phillies, who will be involved in a lot of high-scoring games.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.73 (23rd), OPP AVG: .276 (23rd)
Hamels and Brett Myers, who return to the rotation after a season as the team's closer, give the Phils one of the top one-two punches in the National League. If he can get past the elbow and shoulder problems of his first two seasons in the majors, Hamels has the stuff and stones to win 20 games. Myers saved 21 games last season when thrust into the closing role but is better suited as a starter. He should be able to give them 200-plus innings which would lighten the load on what could be an overworked bullpen. After those two, manager Charlie Manuel will have to mix and match his way through the season with any number of starters. Lidge saved 122 games over his last four seasons in Houston, and the Phils must hope that his 5.28 ERA in 2006 was an aberration and that he can comeback from spring training knee surgery, his second in the last five months.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: A tough second with the Braves breathing down their neck. With closer Lidge out to start the season, a slow start might be inevitable.
Lost NLDS to Colorado 3-0
Manager: Charlie Manuel, 4th season, 482-415 (.537) career record
New faces: RHP Kris Benson (BAL), IF Eric Bruntlett (HOU), RHP Chad Durbin (PHI), 3B Pedro Feliz (SF), OF Geoff Jenkins (MIL), RHP Brad Lidge (HOU), OF So Taguchi (STL), OF Brandon Watson (WSH)
Left town: C Rod Barajas (TOR), OF Michael Bourn (HOU), RHP Kane Davis (TOR), RHP Geoff Geary (HOU), IF Tadahito Iguchi (SD), RHP Jon Lieber (CHC), IF Abraham Nunez (MIL), OF Chris Roberson (BAL), OF Aaron Rowand (SF)
Overview: Led by their prophetic shortstop - and National League MVP - Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies overcame a seven-game deficit with 17 games to play and snatched the East division away from the Mets on the last day of the season. Though they got swept by the Rockies in the opening round of the playoffs, this is a very confident team that returns with most of the team intact. The Phillies win because they can hit the dickens out of the ball, thanks to Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. It's the pitching that is the question mark in 2008. They traded for former Houston closer Brad Lidge in the off-season, but won't have him on Opening Day after injuring his knee early in spring training. Ace of the rotation Cole Hamels also has a questionable health history but is as talented a young, left-handed starter in the game.
Stat to ponder: No wonder slugging first sacker Ryan Howard's salary jumped from $900,000 to $10 million this year. He led the National League by homering every 11.3 at bats last season. Top prospect: RHP Carlos Carrasco: The 21-year-old right-hander is on the fast track, bringing three above-average pitches and a game plan to the mound. Wasn't nearly as effective when he made the jump to AA, but a full season at that level should have him ready for the majors by late '09.
Hitting
2007 AVG: .274 (10th), RUNS/GAME: 5.51 (2nd), HR: 213 (2nd)
The numbers put up members of the infield were astounding. Rollins had 88 extra-base hits last season while scoring 139 runs and driving in 94 out of the lead-off spot. Utley finished third in the N.L. with a .332 average and 48 doubles despite missing a month with a broken hand. And Howard has driven in 285 runs over the last two seasons while hitting 105 home runs. They have a new third baseman in Pedro Feliz who has hit 20+ HR over his last four seasons with the Giants. The free agent defection of Aaron Rowand opens the door for Shane Victorino who stole 37 bases last season as a super-sub and fill-in. Scoring runs will not be a problem for the Phillies, who will be involved in a lot of high-scoring games.
Pitching
2007 ERA: 4.73 (23rd), OPP AVG: .276 (23rd)
Hamels and Brett Myers, who return to the rotation after a season as the team's closer, give the Phils one of the top one-two punches in the National League. If he can get past the elbow and shoulder problems of his first two seasons in the majors, Hamels has the stuff and stones to win 20 games. Myers saved 21 games last season when thrust into the closing role but is better suited as a starter. He should be able to give them 200-plus innings which would lighten the load on what could be an overworked bullpen. After those two, manager Charlie Manuel will have to mix and match his way through the season with any number of starters. Lidge saved 122 games over his last four seasons in Houston, and the Phils must hope that his 5.28 ERA in 2006 was an aberration and that he can comeback from spring training knee surgery, his second in the last five months.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: A tough second with the Braves breathing down their neck. With closer Lidge out to start the season, a slow start might be inevitable.
