In 2007 the Phillies had one of the most dominant offenses in baseball, coming in second place in the MLB, as a team, in total runs, home runs, slugging percentage and on-base-plus-slugging (OPS). In addition, the Phillies had the 2007 MVP in Jimmy Rollins, as well as Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, both of whom finished in the top ten in MVP voting. However, the Phillies pitching was far different from their hitting, finishing 23rd in ERA, and batting average against, as well as 20th in quality starts, 18th in strikeouts, and a pitiful 27th in shutouts. All of this was even with Cole Hamels, who was an All-Star and finished sixth in Cy Young voting with 15 wins, a 3.39 ERA and 1.12 WHIP that was sixth best in the MLB. It did not take long for the Phillies pitching to catch up to them, as they were bounced from the playoffs in just four games by the eventual World Series runner-up Colorado Rockies.
The next year, the Phillies made major improvements to their pitching staff, adding key pieces like 2008 hero Brad Lidge and Jamie Moyer to help fill the team’s major holes. The additions certainly helped, turning the Phillies into a top ten team in most pitching categories and leading the Phillies to their first World Series victory in 28 years. Since then, pitching has come first in Philadelphia and this year’s group of starting pitchers is no exception. Continue reading
fifth consecutive National League Eastern division title down to two. They host the St. Louis Cardinals for the next four nights in Philadelphia as they look to seal the deal. St. Louis isn’t quite in the same position the Phillies are when it comes to the postseason. While they aren’t eliminated, they face an uphill challenge. The NL Central is all but clinched by the Milwaukee Brewers but St. Louis is four and a half out in the NL Wild Card, trailing the Atlanta Braves. Four and a half games back with 13 to play is a tough test to rally from and considering St. Louis doesn’t have any opportunities to gain head to head on the Braves it’s a lot to ask for. But a team managed by one of longer-tenured managers in baseball to date in Tony La Russa certainly won’t go quietly. 
number to clinch the National League East is six. The last seven games were quite satisfying as the Phillies went 6-1 against the teams with the second and third best records in the National League. Both Atlanta and Milwaukee will be in the playoffs for sure so handling the two teams with ease was so nice to see. Houston is another team the Phillies should handle with ease as they are three loses away from 100 on the season, and are far and away the worst team in baseball.