I'm Just Saying….2010 NLCS Edition

Random rants, thoughts, and observations.

• Has Pat Burrell officially worn out his welcome in Philadelphia with his expletive-laced rant directed towards new hometown hero Roy Halladay in Game 5? It was especially odd to see Burrell complaining about a strike call since it has appeared all series that he had incriminating photographs of the home plate umpires. How many times has he taken what appeared to be strikes and then confidently trotted down to first instead of back to the dugout? And, his big double in Game 1 never should have happened since he was already out on strikes— at least once in that at bat. 
• What happened to last year's NLCS batting hero Ryan Howard? He is too good to have zero home runs or RBI in the 2010 postseason. It makes you think of what the late Richie Ashburn used to say, "Somebody's going to pay."
• Along the same lines, it stands to reason that Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, and Jimmy Rollins are ready to bust out along with Howard. It has to happen sooner or later, doesn't it? J Roll has surely been flirting with it. 
• Was Tim Lincecum the artist with lady hair on all those commercials UPS used to run? If not, maybe it was his dad.
• Speaking of Lincecum and Burrell, did their classless trash talking tirades in Game 5 ignite a spark within the Phillies clubhouse?
• The Texas Rangers ALCS clinching win last night sets up the potential storybook script that would have World Series TV ratings skyrocketing should the Phillies advance. It doesn't get any better than a Cliff Lee versus Roy Halladay opener. Now, the Phillies just need to win a couple games and Halladay needs to make a quick recovery.  
• Can umpires fall into a team slump? It appears that way considering the work of the NLCS crew
  thus far. Jeff Nelson blew a clear balk call and Ross Gload being safe to start the ninth in Game
  4. Last night, the Phillies averted disaster when Sandoval missed third base after Nelson
  erroneously called Halladay's bunt fair. Derryl Cousins offered up a coffee can-sized strike zone
  in Game 1 and Wally Bell had the treacherous "Whack-A-Mole" zone in Game 4. 
• Phillies fans need to be prepared to unleash their best Burt Hooton/CC Sabathia greeting when Jonathan Sanchez takes the mound tonight. The young lefty has enjoyed a breakout season, but has had considerable difficulty settling in during the opening frame. A deafening, anxiety inducing environment might prime the pump.  
• Regardless of his stats and success, I wonder if Giants closer Brian "Fear the Beard" Wilson's act makes Phillies fans appreciate Brad Lidge that much more? Wilson seems to work extra hard at being bizarre. 
• The Phillies deserve credit for not over-reacting and staying focused with the plethora of balls thrown at hitters by the Giants pitching staff. A number have connected with various body parts while many more have been aimed squarely at batter's heads. Matt Cain displayed pin point control when he wasn't aiming fastballs at the head or other body parts of Phillies batters. Lincecum seemed to take a page out of Cain's playbook with some similar headhunting tactics in Game 5. Winning is the only priority for the Phillies, but it might be nice to see some Giants similarly eat some dirt along the way. 
• Considering Cain's tactics in Game 3 and his previous lack of success against them, the Phillies would surely welcome the opportunity for some sweet revenge against him in a Game 7. 
• Although he has gotten better, Fox broadcaster and former Steve Carlton caddy Tim McCarver still seems intent on making every telecast into a Little League instructional clinic. 
• It would be interesting to be at the Yankees spring training next year when Cliff Lee sees Steve Swisher for the first time.
• Jose Contreras has been a great bargain basement pickup for the Phillies this season. Besides "The Big Three," Contreras and Madson evoke the most confidence when I see them take the mound. Any takers for Danys Baez so the Phils could afford to resign the hulking Cuban right-hander?
• To his credit, Baez has put aside any personal disappointment of not being included on the postseason roster and remained a positive influence in the clubhouse. If he remains on the club next season, perhaps this year's experience will further motivate him to harness his greater potential. 
• Will Bruce Bochy elect to return Pablo Sandoval to the bench after his shaky performance in the field? That would be fine with me as, despite a down year, he is still one of the Giants scariest hitters. 
• Who would have known that an aspiring rodeo clown could create so much anxiety for an entire city? 
• Thursday night, Jayson Werth clubbed his 13th home run in 43 postseason games, including 7 last season. He also gunned down Codeo Ross at third base to deflate a potential rally. Letting him walk via free agency would leave a very large hole in right field  and from the right-side in the lineup. The Phillies need to find a way to keep him…I'm just saying. 

The 10 Key Factors That Will Determine the 2010 NLCS

The 2010 National League Championship has some compelling story lines. 

The Philadelphia Phillies seek to be the first team in 66 years to win three consecutive NL Championships. They also look to move one step closer to staking their place amongst baseball's greatest teams.

While Philly concentrates on continuing its current era's success, the San Francisco Giants are looking to bring the Bay City it's first World Series Championship. 

Since each team clinched early in the week, most of the talk has centered on the series marquee match-up of starting pitchers— and for good reason. Each club sports a "Big Three" unrivaled by any other teams in baseball. 

Tomorrow night's opening game pitching match-up is being billed as the best ever in NLCS history— and for good reason. Besides a dramatic contrast in style, "Doc" versus "The Freak" should provide tremendous theatre to kick-off the NLCS.

Surely these two pitchers and their starting staff cohorts will play a key role in the series, but the outcome will be influenced by many other key factors. 

Also looking a little beyond the bright spotlight that will surround the Citizens Bank Park mound tomorrow evening, here are the 10 key factors that will determine the 2010 NLCS:

How will the closers perform?

The closers on these two teams followed divergent paths over the first half of the 2010 season. 

Giants closer, Brian Wilson was the model of consistency, earning his second All-Star berth in three years. Meanwhile, Brad Lidge continued to be an adventure from game to game.

After the break, however, both pitchers experienced some turbulence at the end of July that raised some concerns. Each pitcher also responded very favorably, offering his best work over the balance of the season.

The free-spirited Wilson went on to record 18 saves with a 0.95 ERA. He finished the year with a Major League leading 48 saves.

In Philly, the straight-shooting Lidge erased the question marks by converting 17 of 18 save opportunities and recording a minuscule 0.73 ERA. He was shutdown a couple times during the year due to a balky knee and elbow, but finished the season with 27 saves and a respectable 2.96 ERA.

Wilson throws harder and has displayed better command over the past couple of seasons. Conversely, Lidge's velocity is down a few mph and he can struggle to throw strikes.

Although both pitchers had highly similar resumes down the stretch, Wilson seems to be a surer bet. In order for the Phillies to win, they will need Lidge to perform similarly to Wilson as he did in the stretch run. 

Manufacturing runs and capitalizing with runners in scoring position.

The Giants formula for success has been to scratch out enough runs to make their   Major League leading pitching stand-up. In contrast, the Phillies feature a highly balanced team that combines strong pitching and offense. 

While they have improved from a year ago, San Francisco still only ranked ninth in scoring in the National League in 2010. The team's lineup has had a substantial makeover in the past 15 months which took them from playoff contender to World Series contender. 

Considering the Giants highly formidable pitching staff, taking advantage of scoring opportunities and playing "small ball" will surely be important to the Phillies in this series— but it will be absolutely critical to San Francisco.

Philadelphia possesses greater quick strike potential with its potent, American League style lineup. Additionally, the Phillies have much better team speed. 

In order to have a chance to win, the Giants will need to move runners around the bases and push them across the plate with high proficiency. Failure to do so, could make for a quick exit.

Roadwork of Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, and Jimmy Rollins

One of the elements that makes Philadelphia so dangerous and the odds-on favorite this postseason is its tremendous balance and versatility. They possess the rare ability to beat teams with almost any style of play.

Considering that the Giants play in spacious AT&T Park, which can be particularly unfriendly to left-handed power hitters, the Phillies home run threat will be somewhat neutralized on the road. The stadium's angles and deep right-center alley, however, are very conducive to stretching doubles into triples and taking extra bases in general. 

The Phillies can compensate for the potential loss of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Raul Ibanez big flies with the power alley strokes and base running of Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, and Jimmy Rollins. 

Normally, J Roll would be well suited to exploit the AT&T Park configuration, but the lingering impact of his late-season hamstring injury has limited his explosiveness on the base paths. Strong pitching and tight games might require him to open things up a bit rather than continue with the conservative gait that he has displayed since returning to the field. 

In order to be successful on the road, it will likely require Victorino, Werth, and perhaps Rollins flying around the base paths. If the Flyin' Hawaiian is doing his thing in San Francisco, it might make the difference between winning and losing. 

Phillies are becoming postseason graybeards

It has been awhile since the Giants have participated in MLB's fall tourney— 2003 to be exact. Accordingly, the roster is a complete makeover from that squad built around the video game-esque hitting exploits of Barry Bonds. 

San Francisco handled the added pressure of the playoffs well in its first round series against the Atlanta Braves. In fact, the team's hurlers were downright phenomenal, posting a 1.66 ERA in the NLDS.

The stage gets a little bigger and the spotlight a little brighter, though, in the NLCS. 

Save a Pat Burrell or Juan Aribe, this a new experience to most of the players on the Giants roster. 

Conversely, the Phillies are looking to parlay their third consecutive trip to the NLCS into a third straight World Series appearance. 

One of the Giants best hitters this season has been rookie Buster Posey, and their stellar starting rotation is extremely young. It remains to be seen how these young players will react to swimming in uncharted waters. 

Having "been there and done that" provides a definite edge to the team in red, but surely many upstart teams have successfully navigated their way to the "Fall Classic" throughout baseball's history.  

Aces Wild— which team will have the trump card?

Roy Halladay,Tim Lincecum.  Roy Oswalt, Jonathan Sanchez. Cole Hamels, Matt Cain. 

The 2010 NLCS features some of baseball's best postseason pitching match-ups in a long time. 

The opening game pits one hurler coming off a dominant performance that had hitters struggling to simply make contact— against another who was literally un-hittable. "The Freak" versus "Doc."

Two-time-defending Cy Young winner Lincecum whiffed 14 Braves batters in his NLDS start after going 16-10 in the regular season and once again leading the National League in K's.  Halladay is likely to dethrone his opponent with his 21-10, 2.44 ERA regular season resume and, of course, tossed MLB's second postseason no-hitter.   

When games pit ace against ace, the difference between winning and losing can be reduced to the little things.  A couple free passes, a bloop hit, or just one bad pitch that lands in the seats can spell defeat. 

With aces abounding, dueling head-to-head— who can come up just a little bit better? Who can reach back a little bit more in a pressure situation? Who will prevail mano-a-mano? 

Can Giants lefties shutdown Philadelphia's left-handed boppers?

Conventional wisdom over the past few seasons has been for clubs to stack-up  left-handed pitchers against the Phillies left leaning line-up. Besides All-Star pitchers Lincecum and Cain, the Giants plan to send a pair of talented, young left-handers out to the mound. 

Jonathan Sanchez gets the ball in Game 2 after compiling a breakthrough season in 2010. The side-arming lefty posted a 13-9 mark and a 3.07 ERA, while striking out more than one batter per inning.

In Game 4, Madison Bumgarner gets the call after a strong rookie campaign. The 21-year old hurler posted a stingy 3.00 ERA in the regular season and the NLDS. 

Surprisingly, the Phillies broke from past tradition and actually hit better this season against southpaws. A big part of the improvement came from the club's lefty power hitters— Howard, Utley, and Ibanez. 

Consider the splits. The trio batted .274 versus left-handers, just two points lower than their mark against righties. And, the trio's one home run per 27.8 AB ratio against right-handers jumped to one per 19.5 AB against lefties. 

The numbers suggest that this tactic will provide a lesser advantage than previous seasons. Now it's a matter of seeing how it plays out on the field. 

Which Pablo Sandoval will show up?

At the end of last season, the Giants appeared to have found a new star in Pablo Sandoval. In his first season and a quarter in the "Bigs", the burly third baseman posted a .333 batting average with 28 home runs and 114 RBI.

A new hero was born in San Francisco in the form of the "Kung Fu Panda." Despite a very round physique, Sandoval could flat out hit.

After a fast start, the Panda fell on hard times. He slumped badly for three months in the middle of the season, seemed to get straightened out, and then tanked down the stretch. 

Last year's most feared hitter became this year's reserve in the postseason. Sandoval played just two of the four NLDS games, scratching out a .167 batting average with zero run production. 

If Sandoval can somehow find his swing, he could provide a tremendous boost to the Giants sluggish offense in the NLCS. 

The Tortoise and the Hare

With strong pitching on both sides, the less noticed aspects of the game often push to the forefront. Team speed could play a substantial role in this series.

The Giants have perhaps the slowest team in all of baseball. They finished dead last with 55 stolen bases and a 63 percent success rate. 

At the opposite end of the spectrum were the Phillies. Despite an array of injuries that suppressed their totals this season, they still finished fourth in the NL in stolen bases. And, importantly, they continued with their remarkable success rate, posting a Major League leading 84 percent mark. 

Of course, the impact of team speed goes beyond merely swiping bags. It plays out in fielding range, taking extra bases, and putting pressure on the opponents pitchers and defense. 

San Francisco has but one running threat in Andres Torres and is pretty much reduced to moving station-to-station around the diamond. 

Meanwhile, the presence of Victorino and Rollins on the base paths has been very disruptive over the past few seasons. Additionally, Werth and Utley are accomplished base stealers and among the league's best in getting around the base paths. 

Rollins' tenuous hamstring will likely continue to limit his base running in the NLCS. This may be a but self induced to avoid risking a relapse, but if the series or a game is on the line, we may just see J Roll throw caution to the wind. 

Phillies have a large power advantage

The 2010 numbers belie the true differential. Despite hitting just four more home runs in the regular season, the Phillies lineup possess a large power advantage over that of the Giants. 

The simple reason why the final totals were so deceivingly close can be found on the Phillies Disabled List transactions. The club's 2010 campaign was hampered by a multitude of injuries that sidelined and limited the output of six of its eight regulars. 

Philadelphia hit just 166 home runs in 2010— a huge drop from its league leading 224 total a year earlier.

When the Phillies regular starting lineup finally started to get back together down the stretch, the power output started to return to normal. With the lineup now intact for the postseason, the thunder should sound a lot more like 2009 than this injury riddled year. 

Utley, Werth, Ibanez and Rollins have all hit 30 home runs in a season. And, then there is Howard, who averaged 49 over the previous four seasons. After just Utley's home run in the NLDS, could some "Big Flies" be overdue?

Both NLDS series highlighted the importance of solid defense

Both clubs advanced to the NLCS with a little bit of help from their first round opponents. The Braves and Reds were quite magnanimous in gifting runs. 

Atlanta committed seven errors that provided three runs in a very tight, low scoring four-game series. Cincinnati took that to another level by booting seven balls in just three games, which led to six unearned runs. 

The Giants and Phillies ranked third and fourth in National League fielding, respectively. While San Francisco was more sure handed, committing ten errors less, the Phillies made more plays. 

Philadelphia had almost 200 more total chances over the course of the season. Additionally, they turned almost 42 percent more double plays. 

A key differentiator could be out field defense. The slow-footed Giants struggle to track balls down, while Victorino and Werth cover a wide territory with great athleticism. 

Victorino's terrific running stab of a Brandon Phillips drive to deep center might have provided the difference in the Phillies Game 3 clinching win. Those types of plays have come to be expected in Philly, but tend not to be common place in the Bay City. 

The Final Word

The hype about starting pitching is anything but. There is no reason to believe that these talented hurlers will not continue at a high level.

The differential, though, could be that the task got easier for Phillies pitchers— while the task for the Giants staff got much tougher.

The Reds brought an offense to the NLDS that won the "team triple crown" by leading the National League in HRs, RBI, and batting average during the regular season. Conversely, the Giants ranked ninth in scoring.

The acquisition of players during the season, however, has improved their lineup and depth, so they are better positioned to compete than what might be suggested by the numbers. 

On the flip side, the Atlanta Braves limped into the postseason. Two of it's top hitters in Martin Prado and Chipper Jones were sidelined by injury— and their offense overall struggled mightily down the stretch.

The Giants improved lineup and Major League leading pitching staff make them a formidable foe for anyone. They should be able to stay in most every game and will demonstrate the fighting spirt that brought them this far.

Ultimately, though, the Phillies have the starting pitching to match— or top them. They also have a marvelously balanced, experienced, and multi-talented team that will prove to be too much for the Giants. 

Philadelphia Phillies: Highly Balanced Team Without Weakness

Part 7 of 7 Phillies Championship Advantages

Over the past ten days, we have examined the first six of The Philadelphia Phillies Seven Championship Advantages.


In review, those aspects of the team that differentiate them from other contenders are as follows:

1. "The Big Three" Starting Pitchers

2. Postseason Experience

3. High Octane Offense

4. Peaking at the Right Time

5. Electric Citizens Bank Park Atmosphere

6. Superior Team Chemistry

The seventh and final advantage of this powerhouse ball club encompasses all of the above and more. 

More succinctly, the 2010 edition of the Philadelphia Phillies are a tremendously balanced team— with no real weakness. 

They are the baseball team equivalent of a seasoned, five-tool player with charisma. They can beat opponents in a variety of ways and are void of vulnerabilities that can be exploited by opponents. 

It all starts with "The Big Three." The Phillies are the reigning two-time National League champs and just one season removed from winning a World Series, yet they have never approached the caliber of starting pitching that they will feature this postseason. 

They plan to primarily ride Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels throughout the fall tourney. All three possess a well earned reputation for rising to the occasion. From the opponents dugout, "The Big Three" cast a very large and imposing shadow.  

The bullpen has been a trouble spot at points during the season, but the warning lights have darkened as players have healed from injury. 

The 2008 Championship club relied heavily on its own big three at the back-end of the bullpen. Ryan Madson and JC Romero provided the Bridge to Lidge— who everyone knows was "Lights Out" that season. Last season, the bullpen was often an adventure. 

Those three relievers are still around in 2010 and performing well, but not quite as much a sure bet as 2008. Any drop-off, though, is made up by greater depth. 

Jose Contreras has been a very good addition with his heavy, mid-90's fastball. Chad Durbin is solid and dependable.  Hard throwing Antonio Bastardo adds an important ingredient as he can be very tough on lefties. 

Importantly, the team's need to rely on the 'pen should be largely diminished by its three ace starters. 

When those hurlers take the hill and look around them, they see one of the best fielding teams in all of baseball. If the regulars had been healthy all year, perhaps the numbers would suggest they are the best. 

The infield is galvanized with a left side that has accumulated five Gold Glove Awards between Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco. Chase Utley has been in the Gold Glove discussion over the past few years. These guys can pick it. 

Additionally, they discovered an amazing thing while each player logged time on the DL— back-up Wilson Valdez appears to be their equal in the field. 

Center field is patrolled by two-time Gold Glover Shane Victorino. The Flyin' Hawaiian has both the blinding speed and verve to track down balls in all directions. He complements his glove work with a plus arm that limits runners to station-to-station movement and cuts down others who dare to risk it. 

The highly athletic Jayson Werth possesses an even bigger arm and is not far behind him in terms of range. Raul Ibanez holds his own in left and Ryan Howard  continues to improve at first.

Carlos Ruiz has evolved as a quiet leader behind the dish. He instills confidence in the pitchers with his game management and his ever-growing reputation around the league could earn him a Gold Glove in the near future. 

Perhaps nothing speaks more to the balance and strength of this Phillies team than some pundits highlighting concerns about the offense. 

Yes, the collective numbers were down. Yes, the biggest stars didn't post some of the eye popping stats we have grown to expect.

However, ss mentioned before, injury surely had an impact on the decline both in terms of lost time and lost timing. As players returned and found their groove, we witnessed  the lineup's capability down the stretch. 

This team is still an offensive juggernaut. If you want evidence, consider that the almost-healthy team averaged 5.57 runs per game in September and October. 

Putting this in perspective, that pace would have made the Phillies the highest scoring team in all of baseball by 43 runs over the course of a full season— without having the benefit of a DH. 

For further evidence, consider that the team is likely to have Rollins batting seventh, just three years removed from a spectacular MVP season. Batting behind him will be the team's leading hitter in Ruiz, who posted a .302 mark. 

And, this offense is not a "one trick pony"— but rather multidimensional. They can scratch out runs by working walks, getting base knocks, taking extra bases and outright stealing them. They can also simply bludgeon teams with the long ball. 

This is an extremely well-rounded team clearly capable of doing big things this postseason. Now the time begins to go do it. 

Philadelphia Phillies Team Chemistry Keeps Them at the Pinnacle

Part 6 of 7 Phillies Championship Advantages

Professional sports teams have been known to win championships without it. 

Sometimes sheer talent and fortuitous circumstance converge together to achieve a successful outcome. 

Sometimes a team simply catches fire and makes an unlikely championship run. 

But, often times, it is the presence of certain intangible qualities that melds a collection of players into winners. And, for an organization to achieve sustained success, the presence of these intangible qualities is almost essential. 

Team chemistry can be an elusive concept with imprecise definition, but it becomes readily apparent to all when it does, in fact, exist. Such is the case with the current era Philadelphia Phillies.

The organization deserves a great deal of credit for assembling the best collection of talent in its 127-year history. It deserves even greater kudos for the aggregate personality and make-up of that group.

The origin of the Phillies' winning chemistry traces to the nucleus that the organization chose to build around. Specifically, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard have been the foundation and clear leaders of the ball club through the current period of prosperity.

Utley is intense, driven, and stoically focused. Many players and pundits have viewed him as the consummate gamer. 

Rollins and Howard are more free spirited and complement similar determination with a little levity. "J Roll" also brings a touch of swagger that tends to instill confidence in the players around him. 

As Jim Sheridan so aptly detailed in his article last week, Howard demonstrated one of the special qualities that makes him such an admired role model amongst his teammates. After the Phillies clinched their fourth consecutive NL East title, Howard paused the victory celebration to allow three veterans who had never reached the postseason to pop the first champagne corks. 

Despite possessing different personalities, all three also share many traits that have been fundamental to the team's winning chemistry. The trio leads by example, demonstrating such qualities as resiliency, tenacity, mental toughness, and professionalism.

And, importantly, despite their substantial talents and accomplishments, all remain personable, team oriented, and humble. The focus always remains on winning and the team as a whole. 

The organization proceeded to build out the team with a collection of veteran players possessing similar qualities such as Roy Halladay, Raul Ibanez, Brad Lidge, Roy Oswalt, Jamie Moyer, and Placido Polanco. Or, they mixed in ready to mold young talent such as Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, Cole Hamels, and Ryan Madson that flourished under this tutelage. 

On top of this, the organization chose perhaps an unconventional, yet ideal manager to lead the group. Charlie Manuel may not be the most eloquent speaker amongst his peers, but his understated style and instinctual finesse enable this group to thrive. 

The net result is a team with a superior culture and a winning attitude. Players want to be a part of it— and stay a part of it. 

Veterans such as Halladay, Oswalt,  Ibanez, Mike Sweeney, Brian Schneider, Cliff Lee, Matt Stairs, and Pedro Martinez immediately recognized the obvious chemistry and highly appealing environment in Philly. 

After a seeming lifetime of characterization as one of the least desirable destinations for players, Philadelphia is now arguably the "it" city of Major League Baseball. 

The tremendous fan support and electric atmosphere at "The Bank" surely contribute heavily, but the team chemistry and overall culture are central to this reputation. The club's professionalism, work ethic, selfless approach, upbeat collegiality, and overall winning attitude are both infectious and inviting. 

Despite the Phillies' obvious talent, four straight division titles, two consecutive National League Pennants, and one World Series Championship over the past four years almost certainly would not have been possible without these undeniable intangibles. 

They are also a key reason that the Phillies are the favorite to be the last team standing this postseason. 

Philadelphia Phillies Championship Advantage No. 3: High Octane Offense

Part 3 of 7

Although the Phillies have a league-wide reputation as an offensive powerhouse, their numbers were down across the board this season. Appearances can be deceiving. 

A peak at the rankings suggest that the Phillies might take a back seat to other playoff teams in terms of offensive output.  

The Cincinnati Reds lead the National League in runs, batting average (.270), home runs (181), and slugging percentage (.434.) 

Although in-season acquisitions have bolstered their run production, both the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are built around pitching. Similarly, the Atlanta Braves rely more on pitching than offense to win games. 

Although the presence of the designated hitter makes comparisons between the two leagues difficult, all four American League clubs have posted impressive offensive statistics this season. The AL contenders have varying formulas, but each of them ranks in the top five in runs scored. 

  

When it comes to the 2010 Philadelphia Phillies, though, the stat sheets don't tell the true story.  Sometimes there is truth in the old adage "figures lie and liars figure"- and this is a prime example.  

For the past several seasons, the Phillies reigned at the top of league rankings with their high octane offense. 

The previous two seasons they placed first in home runs. Last year, they captured that distinction by a large margin, clubbing 34 more than the next National League  team. 

As further validation that the Phillies have been built for the long ball, they ranked one or two in slugging percentage over the past four campaigns. 

And, in the true measure of offensive prowess, the Phils ranked first or second in runs scored each of the previous five seasons. 

In 2010, Philadelphia's home run production currently sits 61 dingers behind that of a year ago. It is safe to say, regardless of any further exploits by Ben Francisco, John Mayberry or Mike Sweeney in the regular season's last three games, the final tally will be a very large drop-off. 

After a strong stretch run, they have climbed the rankings a bit in runs scored, but will likely finish third. 

Statistics and rankings aside, though, this is probably the team's most dangerous lineup in the current era of prosperity. 

The recorded numbers mask the lineup's true offensive potential as well as the level of anxiety it stirs amongst opposing hurlers. 

Just ask Jonathan Broxton.

The reason that the numbers seem not to align, of course, is simple-- Phillies regulars logged an inordinate amount of time in the training room this year. 

The injury impact on the statistics has been two-fold. The most obvious has been the lost production associated with the roughly 200 games that regulars have not stepped on the playing field due to physical ailments.   

And, then, when players returned to action, their productivity suffered from inactivity and an often compromised physical state. This was most notable with Ryan Howard, Chase Utely, and Jimmy Rollins as they struggled to regain their swings. 

And, it would be remiss not to mention that Howard's stint on the DL and subsequent recovery non-fortuitously coincided with the stretch of season that has historically been his own personal fireworks display. 

The way this season has gone, it would be foolish to rule out anymore physical setbacks. That notwithstanding, though, it is the Phillies' good fortune— and opponents' ill fortune— that the lineup is set to be intact for the postseason. 

And, as good as the Reds hit all year, this Phillies lineup as it was conceived in the offseason is the gold standard. 

It possesses the rare combination of game changing speed and power capable of alternately intimidating opposing hurlers while instilling confidence in its own. 

Count this Phillies potent offense as another key October advantage. It appears poised to do some postseason damage. 

Philadelphia Phillies Poised For A Championship Run

The Philadelphia Phillies obstacle course of a season currently finds them one game up in the National League Eastern Division. The club's 2010 campaign has been akin to a season of The Amazing Race in terms of duration, complexity, and challenge. 

An ongoing spate of injuries has kept the National League's best team on paper at less than full strength all season long. Key players revolved on the disabled list and often when back on the field, they found themselves still compromised by inactivity and less than full physical function. 

The team's fortunes had taken such a nose dive that many were debating whether the Phillies should be "buyers" or "sellers" in the annual July swap meet. Some argued that it was time to concede to the injuries and team's diminished record, write the season off, and look towards next season. 

To the Phillies players', coaches', and entire organization's credit— that did not happen. Everyone maintained a sense of calm, found a way to stay afloat, and even threw in a bold trade to acquire another marquee pitcher. 

The payoff has been a slow, steady climb back to the top spot in the NL East after spending almost three months looking up at the Atlanta Braves. But just as the team was making the swap in standings, a few more warning flares appeared. 

First, Brad Lidge's balky elbow caused the team to shut him down for a few days. Although he is just months removed from surgery to clean it up, both Lidge and the team remain optimistic that it is only a minor ailment that will not derail the Phillies closer. 

Lidge has been a key cog in the team's resurgence and being counted on as an important element for the team's success. Since an ugly blown save against the Washington Nationals in late August, Lidge has done his best work since the 2008 World Series run. 

Next, Gold Glove shortstop and team heartbeat Jimmy Rollins pulled up lame running the bases. Two previous stints on the DL with a calf injury already this season caused manager Charlie Manuel to immediately sit him down and now is listed as day-to-day. 

The injury was indicated to be a hamstring strain. Both player and team remain optimistic that a short rest will nip the problem in the bud. 

Other players such as Ryan Howard, Placido Polanco, and Chase Utley may not be 100 percent over the balance of the year, but that is the reality of the marathon that is Major League Baseball. 

Continuing brushes with the injury bug highlight that a successful conclusion to the season is not all within the team's control. And, surely the other team's fighting for a postseason berth are not going to fade away easily. 

The Braves lead baseball in comeback and walk-off wins. 

The San Francisco Giants have the pitching and a bolstered offense to maintain their charge. 

After a recent tailspin, the San Diego Padres are showing signs of a rebound. Strong pitching had produced the best record in the NL before their 10-game losing streak, and surely is capable of producing many wins again down the stretch. 

The Colorado Rockies have launched their annual September surge. They are playing with the same strong sense of confidence that has propelled them past other teams in recent years when the games became more urgent.  

Despite the keen competition, the Phillies are well positioned and poised to make another run to glory. 

The Phillies offense has started to heat up as the original starting cast now populates the lineup and returning players find their groove. Hitting can be contagious and Howard appears to have his normal September offensive bug. 

With an effective Lidge, a rested and sharp Ryan Madson, and an overall good supporting cast, the bullpen has moved from weakness to strength. 

And, importantly, the starting staff  is imposing— at least three out of five days. 

Joe Blanton brought back memories of Adam Eaton through July, but has been 6-1 with a 3.37 ERA since. The remaining schedule may allow the team to bypass inconsistent fifth starter Kyle Kendrick. 

The biggest source of optimism for the pennant stretch and postseason should they advance derives from the fact that Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt can outduel anyone. 

Surely the games need to be won on the field, and a one game lead and a pack of hungry teams in pursuit of the playoffs will keep the heat on— but this Phillies team has the elements to win it all. 

Despite Injuries, The 2010 Philadelphia Phillies Team Is Potentially The Best Yet

Thus far, the 2010 season has been a ride of misfortune for the Philadelphia Phillies. It has been the baseball equivalent of getting out of the wrong side of bed in the morning.  

With a seemingly unending stream of injuries that have depleted the team from opening day, this season surely has not played out as the team's brain trust intended or baseball pundits projected. 

Only two of the Phillies' five starting pitchers at season's outset have taken their turn all season long— Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. Joe Blanton, JA Happ, and now Jamie Moyer all have resided  on the Disabled List for extended periods of time. 

Every member of the National League's most formidable infield have done the same, with All-Stars Chase Utley and Ryan Howard currently nursing injuries. Earlier in the year, of course, Gold Glove shortstop and offensive catalyst Jimmy Rollins made dual tours of duty on the DL. 

And, that's not all. Regular catcher Carlos Ruiz and center fielder Shane Victorino, along with relievers Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, and Chad Durbin have all been shut down. Also, based on performance trends, it seems probable that Raul Ibanez played his way back to full health after offseason surgery. 

It has all transpired like a heart pounding anxiety attack that might awaken Ruben Amaro or Charlie Manuel in the middle of the night, except it's not a nightmare— it's real.  

What's a Manager to do? What's a General Manager to do? 

Perhaps exactly what they have done through this challenging, Rubik's Cube of a season. 

Both Amaro and Manuel have kept a sense of calm that spills over to the players in the clubhouse. 

Although many questioned whether the team possessed a false sense of security or even a general malaise induced by previous success, players and their leaders refrained from tossing out lifeboats. All maintained an outward sense of confidence and optimism that things would turn, especially as key players returned to the field.  

To his credit, Manuel acknowledged the injury situation, but never bemoaned it. Instead, he used the full roster and whatever reinforcements could be pulled from the farm system below. 

The skipper's patience and belief in his entire roster is now paying dividends. 

Supporting role players such as Kyle Kendrick, Wilson Valdez, Ben Francisco, Ross Gload, Brian Schneider and Jose Contreras have performed admirably in the absence of their higher profile teammates. 

And let's not forget Ibanez, who just may not be over the hill after all. The 38-year old left fielder has seemed to find his stroke— better late than never— and is currently playing a starring role in the middle of the lineup. The rejuvenated player even seems a couple steps faster. 

Most importantly, it's all now translating into wins. Suddenly the Atlanta Braves feel the figurative hot breath of the Phillies on the back of their necks— a two game lead with two months to go is not the same comfort zone they experienced just a couple weeks prior. 

As for Amaro, and the rest of the Phillies brass, they have stepped up as well rather than bale on the season. They have also responded admirably to the adversity that has been dealt (and perhaps somewhat induced with the now infamous winter trade) through a series of moves that seem to put the team in position for another World Series run. 

First, the team's resolve to hang onto prized prospect Dominic Brown is paying rewards. The five tool right fielder has helped provide a much needed boost to the lineup— and frozen ropes to nail runners at the plate never hurt either. 

Then, against odds, Amaro landed baseball's other ace righty hurler named Roy to give the Phillies book ends around locked-in lefty Cole Hamels. With Kendrick and Blanton trending well, the rotation looks poised to lead the way, especially with a patchwork lineup for the foreseeable future.

Although his rocky debut dropped his record to 6-13, "I Gotta Feeling" that Oswalt isn't going to end the season with a losing record. He has a made a career out of being a strong closer, and the adrenaline of a pennant race will provide a wondrous boost.  

And, it is no small thing that Oswalt joins a club with Werth still wearing the same red pinstripes. 

Wednesday, Amaro may have pulled off another much quieter, but substantial coup when he acquired first baseman Mike Sweeney from the Seattle Mariners. If he can remain healthy, the veteran slugger will definitely add juice to the lineup while Howard mends. 

When the "Big Piece" returns, Sweeney will cast the type of strategy altering shadow out of the dugout like that provided by Matt Stairs in 2008. And, all reports suggest that he is the type of upbeat personality to perfectly mesh with the team's already great clubhouse chemistry.  

The fact that he swings from the right side of the plate provides some additional leeway to play Brown. Sweeney's presence should also serve to diffuse some the pressure that Jayson Werth could be feeling to make up for the brown-out associated with the loss of Howard, Utley, and Victorino. 

Amaro and key advisor Pat Gillick are aptly proving that it pays to maintain friends around the league. 

The main area of concern revolves around the bullpen— and specifically closer Brad Lidge. Almost two years of adventure  tends to do that to even the most optimistic managers and fans. 

Surely, the concerns are valid with Lidge's diminished fastball, sporadic command, and high wire finishes. On the plus side, the former "Lights Out" hurler has put together three solid outings after his well publicized meltdown in Washington. 

Should Lidge fail to find his mojo, Contreras is still flashing closer stuff with his heavy fastball. And, who knows, maybe Madson can finally get over the hump to become a viable closer option? Or, there's always Scott Mathieson down on the farm dealing high heat. 

Where this all leads is to a potentially very rosy picture for this troubled season to date. Oddly enough, this club has the potential of being the best yet when the games increase in urgency and importance. 

The return of Howard, Utley, and Victorino along with the addition of new cast mates such as Oswalt, Brown, and Sweeney creates the very real potential to provide more high drama when the leaves turn colors in the "City of Brotherly Love." 

The challenges that come with a rash of injuries can often turn into advantages. Players such as Greg Dobbs, Francisco, Gload, Schneider, and Valdez have gained the opportunity to hone their skills while the regulars sit on the sidelines— which translates into a stronger, more productive bench down the road. 

The team needs to keep grinding out wins while not at full force to stay within striking distance, but this team has all the makings of being a beast down the stretch and in the postseason. 

And, considering the tremendous struggle this season has been, it could possibly be the most satisfying as well. 

Can Walk-Off Weekend Propel the Philadelphia Phillies to Second Half Success?

The Philadelphia Phillies first half struggles are well documented. A disappointing road trip and three game match-up against the division leading Atlanta Braves left them with a 43-40 record and six games out of first heading into the final weekend before the All-Star break. 

To make matters worse, the Phillies were staring at a four game series against the surging Central Division leading Cincinnati Reds. The potential existed to be deeply buried at the figurative mid-season breaking point.

But, then something unlikely and uncharacteristic for the challenging 2010 season occurred— the Phillies found a way to pull off a series sweep and restore their hope for the second half. 

And, as big as it was to string together four victories, it was even more amazing considering the manner in which it was done. 

All four games could have gone either way. The first three were won on walk-off hits in extra innings— two of which landed in the outfield seats.

On Thursday night, the game seemed headed for the same recurring nightmare of the past two seasons when Brad Lidge blew a save opportunity in the ninth, allowing the Reds to knot the score at 3-3 with two outs. But, rather than allow the game to turn into another frustrating defeat, they hung in until back-up catcher Brian Schneider ended the game in the 12th with a home plate victory dance after depositing a ball well into the right field stands. 

The next night, the Reds jumped out to an early lead and appeared headed to an easy victory sporting a 7-1 lead after adding an insurance run in the top of the ninth. What followed was something even the most optimistic Phillies fans could not conjure in their minds with late game heroics a fading memory. 

A small rally blossomed into an eruption when "below-the-Mendoza" Gregg Dobbs jacked a 434-foot, three-run bomb to cut the lead to 7-5. An out and a walk later, minor league fill-in Cody Ransom smacked another home run to stave off defeat. 

This time, after holding the Reds scoreless in the 10th, a Raul ibanez double was followed by Ryan Howard's big fly into the left field seats. For the second consecutive night, the hometown heroes finished the evening with a team-wide celebratory scrum at home plate. 

Fast forward to game three on Saturday night. Ace Roy Halladay demonstrated his considerable pitching skills once again, shutting out the league leading offense through nine innings. 

Unfortunately, as has often been the case this year, the Phillies could muster very little offense themselves. In fact, rookie Travis Wood was shockingly heading towards baseball immortality by firing a perfect game before Carlos Ruiz led off the ninth with a double. 

Wood escaped trouble, and the teams traded bagels until the bottom half of the 11th. Ruiz smacked another double and scored on Jimmy Rollins clutch two-out single to kick off the now familiar nightly celebration. 

The series finale on Sunday was not a walk-off, but was definitely another nail biter. This time, the Phillies used the same Ruiz double, Rollins single combination to plate a run in the third inning and rode a brilliant Cole Hamels pitching performance to a 1-0 lead heading into the ninth. 

Of course, some drama ensued when Lidge was called upon to nail down the save. This day, he was up to the task, demonstrating better command and his signature slider. 

For the weekend's work, the Phillies crept a little closer to the Braves and are now breathing down the necks of the second place New York Mets. Just 1/2 game out of second, the Phillies start the second half 4 1/2 games in back of the Braves. 

Besides the psychological lift of feeling that they are within striking distance, the manner in which the Phillies were able to sweep the Reds could provide the necessary boost they need to make another divisional run. 

As skipper Charlie Manuel noted, the team seemed to be missing a spark. Neither fans or players seemed to possess the confidence that this year's team had its customary late inning heroics in its figurative DNA. 

Perhaps this past weekend's events will restore that former feeling of invincibility and swagger that has permeated the team over the previous three seasons. 

And, make no mistake about it, that missing mojo will be instrumental to realizing the lofty goals set forth before this injury riddled season. 

The Phillies find themselves in the uncustomary position of playing catch-up, but a little mojo— and the return of the walking wounded— will go a long way towards recapturing the NL East. The Braves are good and will keep the pressure on, but perhaps players and fans will look back at "Walk-off Weekend" as this year's turning point.