2012 Philadelphia Phillies: Predictions for Each April Series

Let's have some fun, shall we?  The Phillies have seven series in April to start the season, for a total of 23 games.  Here is how the Phils started the last four seasons in their first 23:

2008- 12-11

2009- 13-10

2010- 13-10

2011- 15-8

They'll open for three on the road, come home for six games, then head out west for a difficult 10-game road trip. Then they're home for four more to wrap up the month.  More than likely, the Phillies will be without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley for the entire month, so will they be able to match the 15-8 record from last season?

3 Games at Pittsburgh

At Pittsburgh (3)

The Phillies will take two out of three as Halladay and Lee take games 1 and 2 but the Pirates salvage the series off Vance Worley in the finale. 

Game 1:  W- Halladay (1-0)  HR- Pence (1), Wiggington (1)

Game 2:  W- Lee (1-0)  SV Papelbon (1)  HR- NONE

Game 3:  L- Worley (0-1)   HR- Pence (2), Victorino (1)

RECORD- (2-1)

3 Games vs. Miami

Versus Miami (3)

The Phils answer the bell by taking two out of three from a team that very well might be their toughest competition in the NL East.

Game 1:  W- Hamels (1-0) SV Papelbon (2)  HR- Rollins (1), Mayberry (1), Nix (1)

Game 2:  L- Qualls (0-1)  HR- Thome (1)

Game 3:  W- Lee (2-0)  SV Papelbon (3)  HR- NONE

RECORD- (4-2)

3 Games vs. New York Mets

Versus NY Mets (3)

The Phillies disappointingly lose their first series of the season vs. the scrappy Mets.  Lucas Duda hits three home runs in the series, and Johan Santana shows signs of being back. David Niese continues his mastery of the Phils.

Game 1:  L- Worley (0-2)  HR- Pence (3)

Game 2:  W- Bastardo (1-0)  SV Papelbon (4)  HR- NONE

Game 3:  L- Hamels (1-1)  HR- Mayberry (2)

RECORD- (5-4)

3 Games at San Francisco

At San Francisco (3)

Halladay-Lee-Worley vs. Cain-Lincecum-Bumgarner

Game 1:  W- Halladay (2-1)  HR- Pence (4)

Game 2:  L- Lee (1-1)  HR- NONE

Game 3:  W- Worley (1-2)  HR- Victorino 2 (3), Wiggington (2), Ruiz (1)

RECORD- (7-5)

4 Games at San Diego

At San Diego (4)

The Padres are in bad shape. The Phillies, high after taking two of three vs. the Giants, take care of business and take three of four from the Pads, only failing vs. Edinson Volquez.

Game 1:  W- Qualls (1-1)  SV Papelbon (5)  HR- Thome (2)

Game 2:  W- Hamels (2-1)  HR- NONE

Game 3:  L- Halladay (2-2)  HR- NONE

Game 4:  W  Lee (3-1)  HR- Thome (3), Schneider (1)

RECORD- (10-6)

3 Games at Arizona

At Arizona (3)

Worley and Blanton struggle in games 1 & 3 while Hamels cruises in the middle game.

Game 1:  L- Worley (1-3)  HR- Rollins (2), Ruiz (2)

Game 2:  L- Blanton (0-1)  HR- Victorino (4)

Game 3:  W- Hamels (3-1)  HR- Pence (5), Nix (2), Galvis (1)

RECORD- (11-8)

4 Game vs. Chicago

Versus Chicago (4)

To think the Cubs were the No. 1 seed in 2008 when the Phillies won the World Series.  That was then, this is now.

Game 1:  W- Halladay (3-2)  HR- Rollins (3), Mayberry (3)

Game 2:  W- Lee (4-1)  SV Papelbon (6)   HR- Galvis (2)

Game 3:  W- Worley (2-3)  HR- Nix (3)

Game 4:   L Papelbon (0-1)  HR- Wiggington 2(4), Mayberry (4), Polanco (1)

RECORD- (14-9)