Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Reasons Why They Will Win the NL East
After 50 games, the Philadelphia Phillies own a National League-best record of 31-19. The unbelievable part is they have yet to play in a single game with their preseason opening day lineup.
What has saved them? Their pitching. The Phillies starting rotation owns a Major League-best with 36 quality starts. The bullpen has also done well. Ryan Madson is a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities. While surprises like Michael Stutes and Antonio Bastardo have made the Phillies bullpens one of the most balanced in the National League.
With the Mets and Nationals still struggling to right their ship, the quest for the NL crown is a three-team race. The Marlins have came out firing, but a recent DL trip for ace Josh Johnson has the fish searching for answers. The Braves are doomed for a midseason crop off. Can elders Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson, and Derek Lowe keep up with the rest of the pack? Lowe and Jones have both missed time with minor injuries. By the end of July those three players will be a combined 112 years old.
5. A Healthy Phillies Lineup Is Upon Us
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Chase Utley's return is already being felt in Philadelphia as the Phillies belted out 10 runs in his first game back, and another 10 runs on May 26th, his third game back. Chase has just hit his first of many home runs to come this season as his presences burns through the veins of the Phillies offense.
Carlos Ruiz has also returned to the team and is starting to get back to where he led off last season. Chooch leads the team with a .302 average and a .300 OBP in 2010. Ruiz's main contribution to this team is his ability to call a great game behind the plate. With the Phillies pitching staff more conformable with Ruiz behind the plate, they are going to be very tough to beat.
Jose Contreras has just been activated and he should fall into set up roles with Antonio Bastarado, while Michael Stutes will be the man for 7th inning.
That leaves Joe Blanton, Brian Schneider, Brad Lidge and Gold Glove center fielder Shane Victorino still on the disabled list. Joe is seeking a second opinion on the inflammation in his right elbow, while Schneider and Lidge are rehabbing in Clearwater.
The most important piece, Victorino, can be activated on June 4th for the Pittsburgh Pirates series. If these players continue to progress, a completely healthy Phillies team could be intact by the middle or end of June. This spells trouble for the rest of the teams in the NL East.
4. Youthful Talent
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With the injury to Shane Victorino and the Phillies offense sputtering, Domonic Brown, No. 23, got the call. He was batting .341 with two home runs and a .968 OPS in 41 ABs. He has the potential to be four-tool player, where he combines speed, arm, defense and power. It is time to see what this kid is made of, especially with Ben Francisco batting .218.
Vance Worley, No. 23, has pitched extremely well in absence of Joe Blanton. He is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 18 strike outs in 21 innings. Opponents are batting a measly .197, and it looks like Worley has the stuff to become a very effective Major League starting pitcher.
In the bullpen, Antonio Bastardo, No. 25, and Michael Stutes, No. 24, have pitched extremely well. Bastardo is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, and he also has 25 Ks in 18.0 innings pitched. Incredible. Stutes is 0-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched. Wow.
Down on the farm, AAA-reliever Michael Schwimer, No. 25, is 2-0 with 1.90 ERA, 33 strikeouts in 23.2 innings and will be fighting for a permanent role sooner than later.
In Reading, AA's Cody Overbeck has an organization-high 12 home runs and 33 RBIs. He has power that can not be overlooked much longer and should be joining AAA Lehigh Valley before season's end.
Phillies also have youngsters Jesse Biddle, a first-round pitching prospect and 19-year-old projected Jonathan Singleton, who is making the switch from first base to the outfield in order to make his progression to the big leagues quicker.
3. Charlie Manuel
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When everything is said and done, Charlie Manuel will go down as the most prized manager in Phillies history. So far, Charlie has managed the Phillies to an 574-447 record, a .563 winning percentage.
In seven years with the organization, the Phillies have mounted a winning record in every season, won two NL pennants and a World Title in 2008. He has also won four consecutive NL East titles.
Charlie also coached the NL All-Star team to its first victory in 13 years over the American League in 2009.
I hope everyone got to see Charlie Manuel pull a rabbit out of his hat when he decided to pitch Wilson Valdez in the top of the 19th inning against Cincinnati.Valdez later got the win as Raul Ibanez hit a game-winning sacrifice fly to score a man from third.
The bottom line is Charlie is a winner, and with the immortal Bobby Cox out of Atlanta and the rest of the NL East trying to figure out what potential they truly have, Charlie's fifth-consecutive NL East title is within arm's length.
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2. Outstanding Pitching
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Pitching, pitching, pitching. What else can I say about the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies?
The fantastic four have been as advertised. Everyone has contributed this season with the exception to Joe Blanton. The Phillies have 35 quality starts in 49 games, which leads the Major Leagues. Not too shabby.
As long as the Phillies core four can stay healthy, the Phillies should coast into their fifth consecutive National League title.
Here are the starter's lines after 50 games:
Roy Halladay—(6-3) 2.35 ERA, 84.1 innings pitched, four complete games, 86 Ks, 13 walks.
Cole Hamels—(6-2) 3.06 ERA, 67.2 innings pitched, one complete game, 68 Ks, 15 walks.
Cliff Lee—(4-4) 3.50 ERA, 74.2 innings pitched, one complete game, 86 Ks, 16 walks.
Roy Oswalt—(3-2) 2.77 ERA, 39 innings pitched, one complete games, 27 Ks, 10 walks. (Roy has missed three starts due to injury and leave of absence.)
Closer Ryan Madsen has been electric with a 2-1 record, 1.71 ERA, 24 Ks,1.10 WHIP in 21 innings pitched. He is also nine-for-nine in save opportunities.
1. Something to Prove
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After losing to the pitching-friendly San Francisco Giants in the National League Championship Series last October, the Phillies are even more hungry than they have been in the past. Feeling they were the better team, Philadelphia has dedicated the 2011 season to proving just that.
Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins have a lot to prove coming off injury plagued seasons in 2010. Watch out for these bats to come alive as the summer heats up.
With the addition of Cliff Lee, emerging young talent and the quality veteran play coming from Ryan Howard, Placido Polanco and the resurgence of Raul Ibanez's bat, has the other teams in the NL shaking in their boots.
Another parade down Broad Street with the Phanatic taking in the brisk fall air is the ultimate goal.
Is it October yet?
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