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Reputation:88
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 4, 2006
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This was a very good article and one with several true points.. I mean, what lineup can compare to the Phillies this point in the year? And their two main stars are not even doing all the work. Rollins is finally healed up and will heat up and Howard is DUE to be a beast for the rest of the season... look for him to start knocking out the runs at the second half of the season. There pitching staff is very consistent and good, and they have a potential Cy Young pitcher in Hamels... I'm not really a fan of Phillie, but looking at their team and being a fantasy owner, you can't help but to see that team as pure gold!!!
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 1, 2006
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It is a good article. The Phillies have high expectations, but they always have competed with the Mets and Marlins for a occasional guest appearance in the playoffs when the Braves let them. A hard stretch now is great for giving them the pressure to win later in the season (just not too much).
Really though, the pitching (starting and bullpen) has been the surprise to me so far this year, and the hitting, although good, is not at it's potential, except in spurts. I hope they come out of the AL swing with at least a .500 record...and a little above would be nice and then rev up after the all-star break. That is where consistent hitting will wear down pitching. The Red Sox did it last night with several at bats being 8 or more pitches. I think that should be a stat to follow because sometimes that is better than a hit.
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Reputation:61
Level:Pro
Since:Jun 14, 2008
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Phillies suck!!!
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 27, 2006
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I can appreciate the vote of confidence that this article gives the Phillies, but it might be too laudatory imo. Nevertheless, when you look at the Phillies record against their division, other divisions, at home, and on the road it is the best in the NL as far as an indication that they can compete regardless of who the opponent may be. They are not deficient against any set of opponents or on the road, and that is the mark of a contender. If they can take advantage of the home field a little more, as most teams do, they'll likely get to a point by August where it would be out of reach for the rest of the division and their confidence will be set for the postseason.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:May 5, 2007
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The Phillies look good, but I'm not sure they can get it done in October. I really don't know what to make of Ryan Howard. He has a ridiculous 102 strikeouts on the season - that's 17 more than the next most in the league and a pace for over 220 Ks - and is only hitting .221. He's got to play better than his .319 on-base percentage for the Phillies to make much noise - especially if Pat Burrell falls off in the second half like I'd expect him to.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 20, 2008
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Its been the same old story for the Phillie for the last few years. On paper you look at their lineup and don't see how they are not winning a lot more. I just can't see the Phillies pitching situation coming to a level that its gonna take to step up to the next level.
For example Brett Myers, a ton of potential not as successful as he should be. I don't know an overbearing amount of information about this team because I don't follow them to closely, but the times I have watched them and the stats I look at every once in a while.
Other fans may have a different perspective but thats what I think. In the NL it looks to be three teams that have the skill set for the world series; Phillies Cubs, and Cards. Their hitting is gonna come to by the end of the season, the question is will the pitchng still be there. Time will tell.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:May 5, 2007
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As a refresher, last year the Phillies were in the top five in most hitting statistics - like Runs Scored, On-Base Percentage, and Slugging - while they finished in the bottom five in most pitching stats (Team ERA, BA against, Runs Allowed). They can't afford similar splits this year, if only because such weak pitching doesn't win many playoff series. To this point, some of the overall pitching numbers look a bit better in 08 - thanks in part to a healthy bullpen. I don't see them competing with a team like the Cubs in a seven-game series right now, though, who boasts the bats and the pitching to go with it.
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