2008 Philadelphia Phillies Preview
Season Outlook for Baseball in the City of Brotherly Love
The Phillies come to sprng training fresh off their first division crown in almost 15 years, and they look pretty good. Like everyone else, they must stay healthy.
The 2007 season was a rousing success for the Phillies. After shortstop Jimmy Rollins predicted a division title during last year's spring training, he drew a lot of criticism. But the Phightin' Phils fulfilled his prophecy by winning the division on the last day of the season, and Rollins won the National League MVP. The team is good enough to repeat, but they will have to fight the New York Mets all season long for the crown.
Starting rotation
The Phillies biggest move of the offseason came when the team moved Brett Myers back into the starting rotation, which was made possible by trading for Brad Lidge to close. While the Mets have a better 1-2 punch, one could argue that the Phillies have the deepest starting rotation in the National League East with a core of Myers, Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, and Jamie Moyer. Barring injury, these four could win 60 to 65 games among them. Either Kris Benson or Adam Eaton will fill out the final spot, barring an impressive spring showing by one of the young Phillies pitchers.
Offense
One question: can Chase Utley win the 2008 National League Most Valuable Player? Because if he does, the Phillies will be the only team in big league history to have three MVPs playing together in one infield. And Utley is a guy who could do it.
Last year, he missed 30 games with a broken hand but still finished with very, very impressive numbers: .332 BA, 48 2B, 22 HR, 103 RBI, 104 Runs. Stretch those numbers out over a full year and you’ve got a second baseman who could hit .330 with 28 homers, 125 RBI and 60 doubles. That is MVP territory.
Howard needs to cut down on his strikeouts if he hopes to return to his 2006 MVP form; but even if he strikes out 200 times like he did last year, the man will still be among the best two or three sluggers in baseball. He will hit at least 45 homers and knock in 120 runs, minimum. Jimmy Rollins won’t likely repeat his 2007 numbers, which were historic, but so long as he sticks to his career averages, he will be one of the best leadoff men in the game.
A healthy Shane Victorino will be a big plus. With his speed and ability to reach base from the two spot, he will be in a position to steal 50 bases and score 12 runs. The addition of Pedro Feliz, whom the Phillies acquired in the offseason, is a significant upgrade at third base. Pat "the Bat" Burrell takes advantage of the short porch in left better than anyone in the league, and should contribute his usual 28 homers and 95 RBI; not bad for the lineup's fourth or fifth best hitter.
In short, the Phillies will score the most runs in the National League.
Bullpen
The acquisition of J.C. Romero gives the Phillies a reliable left-handed setup man to compliment Tom Gordon, and the addition of Brad Lidge gives Charlie Manuel's bullpen a tough and experienced closer. Ryan Madson is a serviceable 6th and 7th inning reliever, and Chad Durbin will contribute as a long reliever if he doesn't win a starter’s job out of spring training. It’s hard to predict how a bullpen will perform, but this is a better than the relief corps the Phillies had in 2007 when they won the division.
Summary
The Phillies, if healthy, could be better than last year. They will fight tooth and nail with the Mets all year for the NL East crown, but will ultimatly fall just short (unless Pedro Martinez gets hurt again, then the Phillies will win).
2008 Phillies Record: 89-73 (NL Wild Card winner)
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