Philadelphia Phillies Offense, Defense Unstoppable with Howard, Kendrick, Worley

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? No clue. The whole thing explodes?

What is known, however, is the quickly-rising skill of both the Phillies offense and defense.

The Phillies offense? I would call it pretty close to unstoppable.

Philadelphia's starting rotation? Pretty close to immovable. Here's why:

Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard's .252 batting average on the season is a bit of a disappointment. His 23 HR and 83 RBI brings Howard a little back to his old self.

In yesterday's game he was 2-for-4 with two home runs. Does this show Howard is heating up?

No. But it gives us reason to hope for the future.

Jimmy Rollins has been heating up, and Shane Victorino is hitting above .300. Chase Utley is quickly improving, and Hunter Pence is hitting .306.

If Howard can get hitting again, Rollins, Victorino, Utley, Howard, and Pence will become an unstoppable force at the top of the lineup.

With Raul Ibanez and Carlos Ruiz's clutch hitting backing up the bottom of the lineup, this is one offense any team would want in the postseason.

Kyle Kendrick and Vance Worley

After Kendrick's 2010 4.73 ERA, similar was expected for 2011. Instead, Kendrick has posted a 3.19 ERA. His 2.33 post All-Star ERA shows how much he has improved through the season.

Last night he pitched eight innings and gave up no runs. Four hits were all the Rockies could muster.

Vance Worley's rookie season is one that most pitchers only dream of. With a 2.33 ERA and a 7-1 record, Worley's first season gives us high expectations for the others.

Does Kendrick show as much potential as Worley? Not necessarily. Kendrick's inconsistency has always been a problem.

One day he'll pitch a gem, the next a blowout. Same kind of potential, just in different ways.

Even though Kendrick is showing improvement, if Oswalt comes back, Worley will still almost definitely get the fifth spot over Kyle Kendrick. Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels, Worley looks amazing on paper. Five aces.

The Phillies starting pitchers have compiled a stunning 2.99 ERA on the year.

Kyle will probably have to go to the bullpen for the time being, but I think we can expect a lot out of his career as a Philly.

I still don't know what happens with the meeting of an unstoppable force and an immovable object, but I think it is safe to say the Phillies have near to that on both offense and defense.