Philadelphia Phillies Heading to the 2010 World Series: Why Red Still Means Go

The greatest era in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies continues as the 2010 team won their fourth consecutive National League East Division crown Monday night in Washington and set their sights on the World Series.

This capped off a remarkable turnaround in the past two months, where after losing against St. Louis on July 21 to fall to 48-46, the Phillies have gone 46-18 to wrap up the division and the best record in the NL.

Despite the offensive woes and injuries which have plagued the Phillies throughout the season, they have put it all together with a pristine September record of 19-6. They have all returned from injuries (Jimmy Rollins returned to the lineup Tuesday night) and have seemingly found their swing once again. It has been a roller coaster season for these Phillies, but they have reached the top of the hill and should have a smooth ride back to the World Series.

H2O

After a tumultuous first half for their starting pitching due to poor performance from the offense and the back end of the rotation, the Phillies have made a resurgence thanks mainly to the big three starters: Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt.

After losing the ageless wonder Jamie Moyer in late July to a season-ending elbow injury, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. acquired Oswalt to help save the season and take some of the pressure off starters Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick, who had struggled most of the season. 

With the three starters going a combined 22-8 since the Oswalt trade, the Phillies have been able to rely on their aces while climbing back into the race. Halladay has pitched to Cy Young form all season. Hamels, after an inconsistent 2009, has shown the World Series MVP ability he had in 2008. Oswalt, after a shaky Phillies debut, has arguably been the best pitcher in baseball in the second half with a 7-0 record and an ERA under two.

Manager Charlie Manuel was not comfortable starting Cliff Lee on short rest in the playoffs last season, which forced Philadelphia to call on Joe Blanton as a fourth starter. This year, Manuel should feel confident starting the workhorse Halladay on short rest. Going into the postseason, the Phillies will have the best starting three in baseball.

Healthy and Hitting (Finally)

Since Opening Day, Philadelphia's starting lineup has played together less than 20 times all season. Placido Polanco, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, and Ryan Howard have all had stints on the disabled list at some point this year.

With the injuries, the Phillies relied on utility players such as Wilson Valdez, Juan Castro, Ben Francisco, and Ross Gload among others to carry the load at points during the season. These injuries and untimely slumps from other hitters caused the offense some major problems during the first half.

Thanks to strong starting pitching, the Phillies were able to hang in there and get healthy during the second half. With its sluggers back together for September, the offense has returned to the dangerous, strike-at-any-moment form. After being shut out 11 times this season by the end of August, the Phillies have scored eight runs or more eight different times this month.

Scouts last year had said that the only real hole in the lineup was former 3B Pedro Feliz. With a full healthy lineup, there are no easy outs among hitters one through eight. If the Phillies can stay healthy during the postseason, it will be a daunting task to get past this lineup unblemished.

Lights Out Lidge

Brad Lidge is a tough man to figure out. After having a perfect season in 2008, Lidge had one of the worst statistical seasons for a closer ever in 2009. After starting the season on the DL and only making five appearances before June 4, Lidge's performance was unnerving to Phillies fans in June and July. By July 31, he was 10/14 in save opportunities with a startling 5.57 ERA.

But with the change of the calendar also came a change in Lidge. Since August 1, the closer has converted 17/18 saves and giving up only two runs in 22.1 innings pitched. Lidge has regained his 2008 form it appears and once again has formed a formidable one-two punch with setup man Ryan Madson.

Lidge's resurgence and Madson's consistency have given the Phillies a reliable bullpen during their recent hot streak. Jose Contreras and JC Romero have also had solid seasons for Philadelphia. If the the big three starters can go seven innings consistently, the bullpen has shown it can get job done as of late and there is no reason why it can't be lights out for opponents once again in 2010.

Act Like You've Been There Before (Oh Wait, They Have)

Experience. Experience. Experience. The Phillies have made trips to the postseason the past three seasons with a majority of the same lineup since 2007. There have been some additions and subtractions, but they have built around the core of Rollins, Utley and Howard.

In 2007, the Phillies and Colorado Rockies returned to postseason play after many Octobers of sitting at home. Philadelphia looked happy just to be there and was promptly swept by a scorching hot Rockies squad.

In 2010, the Phillies will be joined by teams that have not made the postseason in several years.

The Phillies will present a lineup in which all eight position players have played in a World Series (Polanco reached with Detroit in '06). The only starting pitcher to not pitch in the playoffs will be Halladay. If there is any inclination that he won't be ready for it, Doc threw a 97-pitch, two-hit shutout Tuesday night to clinch the division. Opponents will have to prepare for not just the most complete team in the National League, but also the most experienced in October.

The 2010 Phillies have taken a unique path back to the postseason.

While relying on their offense in previous seasons, their dominate starting pitching has been the catalyst for the Phillies this year. With the postseason just over a week away, the lineup is finally healthy and the offense potent once again.

Everything has finally come together for this team and odds are that the World Series will begin on a cool October evening in Philadelphia.

Erik Yost is a student at The Ohio State University and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/ErikYost_