Which Is the Better Philadelphia Phillies Team, 2008 or 2011?

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MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 8: Placido Polanco #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double against the Milwaukee Brewers during their game against the at Miller Park on September 8, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mark Hirsch/Getty Images)

Mark Hirsch/Getty Images

Charlie Manuel has done it again.

In the last decade, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has helped turn his team from a frequent disappointment into a perennial contender.

This year, Philadelphia looks to become heroes in what many hope to be a fairy tale season. With their eyes set on a championship, the team is shaping up to be quite the formidable opponent.

How does this team stack up against the Phillies 2008 World Series team?

Find out how the two compare in a position-by-position battle.

Catcher

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 16: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws to first base on a dropped third strike during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on August 16, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Diamondb

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

2008 Carlos Ruiz:

BA: .219

HR: 4

RBI: 31

2011 Carlos Ruiz:

BA: .279

HR: 5

RBI: 33

Advantage: 2011 Phillies

Carlos Ruiz has continued to be a solid defensive player behind the plate this season. In 2011, Ruiz really started to heat up and improved his batting average drastically since the 2008 run.

First Base

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 04: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits during a game against the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium on September 4, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

2008 Ryan Howard:

BA: .251

HR: 48

RBI: 146

2011 Ryan Howard:

BA: .252

HR: 31

RBI: 108

Advantage: 2008 Phillies

Ryan Howard put up one of his best statistical years in the 2008 season. This year, Howard continues to be solid but suffers from frequent slumps and striking out too often.

Second Base

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies heads to third on a triple during a game against the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium on September 3, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

2008 Chase Utley:

BA: .292

HR: 33

RBI: 104

2011 Chase Utley:

BA: .262

HR: 10

RBI: 41

Advantage: 2008 Phillies

Chase Utley hasn’t been around much this year. Lately he has been struggling to find his groove so he can start really contributing to the offense. There is no doubt that Utley’s 2008 monster season is much better than his 2011 effort thus far.

Shortstop

PHILADELPHIA , PA - AUGUST 17: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies slides in head first on a double steal against Cody Ransom #1 of the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park on August 17, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

2008 Jimmy Rollins:

BA: .277

HR: 11

RBI: 59

2011 Jimmy Rollins:

BA: .268

HR: 14

RBI: 58

Advantage: 2011 Phillies

Even though J-Roll was the heart and soul of that 2008 World Series team, he is having a slightly better season this year and is just starting to find his swing. Expect Rollins to surpass his 2008 season by the time the postseason rolls around.

Third Base

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 4: Placido Polanco #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies catches this short pop-up off the bat of Aubrey Huff #17 of the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during a MLB baseball game at AT&T Park August 4, 2011 in San Francisco

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

2008 Pedro Feliz

BA: .249

HR: 14

RBI: 58

2011 Placido Polanco:

BA: .278

HR: 4

RBI: 44

Advantage: 2011 Phillies

Placido Polanco has been a huge addition to this Phillies team. In the beginning of the year, Polanco was red hot when the rest of the team struggled to find consistency. Expect that play to continue into October.

Left Field

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 31: Philadelphia Phillies Pat Burrell and his dog Elvis arrive at a victory rally at Citizens Bank Park October 31, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win their first World Series in

Jeff Fusco/Getty Images

2008 Pat Burrell

BA: .250

HR: 33

RBI: 86

2011 Raul Ibanez:

BA: .247

HR: 18

RBI: 71

Advantage: 2008 Phillies

Pat “The Bat” Burrell had a love-hate relationship with fans of the Philadelphia Phillies. I’m sure there isn’t a Philadelphia fan anywhere that wouldn’t love to have Burrell’s 33 HRs this year. Raul Ibanez has yet to really catch fire and produce like he has in the last few years.

Center Field

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 23: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a triple during the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 23, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

2008 Shane Victorino:

BA: .293

HR: 14

RBI: 58

2011 Shane Victorino:

BA: .299

HR: 15

RBI: 56

Advantage: 2011 Phillies

Shane Victorino put up All-Star numbers this year and continues to be one of the driving forces, both offensively and with stellar defense, for this Phillies squad. His numbers show that this is his best season yet.

Right Field

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies congratulates teammate Hunter Pence #3 after scoring a run in the sixth inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on September 6, 2011 in Philadelp

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

2008 Jayson Werth:

BA: .273

HR: 24

RBI: 67

2011 Hunter Pence:

BA: .309

HR: 18

RBI: 85

Advantage: 2011 Phillies

When acquired from the Houston Astros, Hunter Pence slid seamlessly into the lineup and began to produce immediately. Pence balances the lineup by hitting right-handed and has added an extra spark to the Phillies offense.

Pitching

PHILADELPHIA , PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Roy Oswalt #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on September 7, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

Top 3 Starters

2008 Cole Hamels:

ERA: 3.09

W-L: 14-10

2008 Jamie Moyer:

ERA: 3.71

W-L: 16-7

2008 Brett Myers:

ERA: 4.55

W-L: 10-13

2011 Roy Halladay:

ERA: 2.49

W-L: 16-5

2011 Cliff Lee:

ERA: 2.47

W-L: 16-7

2011 Cole Hamels:

ERA: 2.60

W-L: 14-7

Top Closer

2008 Brad Lidge

ERA: 1.95

SV: 41

2011 Ryan Madson

ERA: 2.79

SV: 28

Advantage: 2011 Phillies

There really isn’t any question, or doubt, here. Everyone knows by now how phenomenal this pitching staff has been all year. Although they have lost some power at the closer spot with Brad Lidge’s fall from superstardom, the Phillies still have one of the best starting rotations in the history of the game. You can expect this rotation to take the Phillies deep into the postseason.

Who Wins?

MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 8: Placido Polanco #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 8, 2011 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Phillies defeated the Brewers 7-2. (Photo by Mark Hirsch/Getty

Mark Hirsch/Getty Images

If the two were to play, the matchup would be a fantastic game. These two teams rank highly among the greatest in the last decade and have the stats to prove it. The 2008 Phillies offense was high-powered and very productive. This year the Phillies don’t have an elite offense, but when they click they can be every bit as stellar as they were in 2008. In the end, it comes down to pitching. You could put in any three of the 2011 starters listed and they would likely keep the 2008 offense at bay.

The advantage goes to the 2011 Phillies. Shouldn’t that mean this team will win the World Series?

Well, no.

But hopefully this thought crystallizes. If the team continues to play the way they have the whole season, they shouldn’t have a problem making a good run in the playoffs.

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