Phillies Seek Postseason Success in 2008

Last year, the Philadelphia Phillies won the National League East on the final day of the regualr season. It was the first time since 1993 that the team was in the playoffs, and Philadelphia baseball fans who have been starving for a World Series title for almost three decades rejoiced -- but only for a few days. That's because the Phillies success was quickly forgotten amidst a three game sweep by the eventual National League champions, the Colorado Rockies.

This year, the Phillies captured the division title on the last Saturday of the season, one day before last year, something that prompted starting pitcher Brett Myers to kiddingly say "proves that we're getting better." All joking aside, the Phillies are looking forward to wiping out last year's quick exit with a length stay in the 2008 MLB postseason.

Many of the team's players believe that they learned, and will be able to benefit from, last year's October experience. Starting pitcher Cole Hamels explained it this way: "I don't know, for some odd reason, being able to experience something for the very first time, there's a lot of nerves, just because of the unexpected. And so you just have to really go out there and treat it as something that's not as foreign as last year."

Centerfielder Shane Victorino may have said it best when he recently told reporters: "Last year we were just happy to be there. This year, we want to win a World Series."

He went on: "There's no question that we're on a mission. Overall, the dimension of our team is better. The lineup has been shifted around. Our bullpen is deeper. Our starting staff has done better. Experience will play a big part." He sounds confident.

The Phillies may have have good reason to be confident. They won 13 of their last 16 games, and less than a month ago, they swept the Brewers in a four game homestand that ultimately led to the firing of Milwaukee's then-manager Ned Yost. They also won't have to face Milwaukee's number two starter, Ben Sheets, who is shut down for the year with an alilign elbow. Furthermore, their ace, the dominating C.C. Sabathia, will be making his fourth consecutive start on three days rest. As great as Sabathia has been for the Brewers, one would have to think that his body will tire sooner rather than later. On the other hand, Ryan Braun and prince Fielder are both hitting very well for the Brewers, who are in their first postseason in 26 years.

While this one could go either way, the slight edge may have to go to the Phillies, and that slight edge may be the bad experience of last year's playoffs.

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