Roy Oswalt: Returning to Phillies Rotation, Can He Replicate 2010 Success?

Roy Oswalt is set to return to the Phillies rotation on Sunday.

What does this mean for the Phillies?

Most generally, it means that the fourth out of the Four Aces is returning for the home stretch of the baseball season.

However, could it also mean that it is déjà vu all over again?

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The Phillies traded for him on July 29 last season. He made his first start against the Nationals, was tagged with a loss and then didn't lose again for the rest of the season. He ended up going 7-1 for the Phillies with a 1.74 ERA.

Am I calling this type of performance again?

These results were coming from an arm that was not returning from injury and had been having an incredibly tough-luck year up until that point (6-12, 3.42 ERA). Perhaps it would be a bit ambitious to assume that his arm could repeat this type of performance.

However, it does make you wonder if Oswalt could go on this type of a run again. His career numbers would certainly indicate that last year was not entirely unique.

Over his career, he's been a much better second-half pitcher, with a 77-25 record and a 2.96 ERA. In fact, by combining his career August, September and October records, he is 63-16!

So, Phillies fans will have to wait and watch to see if this type of success can continue through the final stretch.

The Phillies are eight games ahead in the division, but it is important to remember that they cannot become complacent.

Hopefully the return of Oswalt can add even more energy for these final 52 games of the season.