4 Keys to a Philadelphia Phillies Improved Offensive Attack This Season

It may be hard to believe that one of the questions facing the Philadelphia Phillies—a team that set a franchise record in wins and scored the second-highest amount of runs in the National League following the All-Star break last season—is how their offense will perform this season.

However, after posting their lowest home run total in over a decade last season, and after finishing with the ninth-highest team batting average in the National League, the Phils’ offense heading into this season is not as certain as it has been in past seasons.

Following their .226 team batting average in the 2011 NLDS and an injury to Ryan Howard that could cause him to start the season on the disabled list, the Phillies may use spring training to improve their offensive attack while finding a player to bat in the cleanup spot until Howard returns.

An improved offensive attack, as well as strong pitching performances, may help the Phils improve on last season’s success.

Stay Healthy

The Phillies began last season with Chase Utley on the disabled list.  This year, Ryan Howard is likely to miss time once the Phils open the season.

Utley was not the only member of the Phils’ offense to spend time on the disabled list last season.  Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, and Utley combined to miss over 100 games last season while on the disabled list.

The Phillies played less than 20 games last season with their everyday lineup, as Howard and Carlos Ruiz also battled through injuries.  The Phils’ injuries were not limited to the team’s batters, as both starting and relief pitchers also spent time on the disabled list.

The Phils may start this season with Howard on the disabled list, but if few others miss extended time, the offensive attack may receive a boost.

Improve Power Numbers

Not only did the Phillies hit their lowest home run total in over a decade last season, but their 153 home runs ranked as the eighth-highest in the National League. 

It was also 71 less than their total from two seasons earlier.

With Ryan Howard likely to start the season on the disabled list, the Phils may have a difficult time improving on their power numbers and ranking near the top of the National League.

The Phils do not have to hit over 200 home runs, as they did from 2006-2009, in order to improve their overall offensive attack.  However, no team has hit fewer than 160 home runs and won the World Series since 2003.  The Phillies also hit 31 home runs with runners in scoring position last season, ranking 11th in the National League.

If the Phillies can improve their power numbers this season, even with Howard missing extended time, the team’s overall offensive attack may also improve.

Receive Production from the Cleanup Spot While Howard Is out

Ryan Howard hit .250 with 32 home runs and 114 RBI out of the cleanup spot last season.  The Phillies may have to find someone who can provide similar numbers while they fill in for Howard in the No. 4 spot.

The Phils had to find a batter for the No. 5 spot in the lineup last season when, at one point, seven different players were used in the spot in the lineup. 

At one point, Phillies hitters had a .210 batting average from the spot.

This season, players such as Hunter Pence and John Mayberry, Jr. may bat from the cleanup spot while Howard is out.  The Phillies had a .252 team batting average through the first two months of last season, and may use multiple players in the cleanup spot in Howard’s absence in order to match or surpass that average this season.

If Howard misses extended time, the Phils may have multiple batters capable of batting in the cleanup spot until he returns.

Perform Better with Two Strikes

Heading into this season, one of the most crucial keys for the Phils to improve their offensive attack may be to perform better in counts with two strikes.

	0-2	1-2	2-2	3-2
Jimmy Rollins	.259	.217	.180	.231
Shane Victorino	.114	.197	.246	.319
Chase Utley	.036	.206	.316	.175
Ryan Howard	.102	.113	.147	.217
Hunter Pence	.100	.213	.208	.319
Placido Polanco	.226	.200	.246	.222
Carlos Ruiz	.279	.155	.154	.342

Nearly every batter in the Phillies’ lineup batted .200 or under in a count with two strikes on them last season.

If the Phillies can perform better in counts with two strikes, it could go a long way in improving the team’s offensive attack this season.