The NL East: Philadelphia Phillies

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Even teams that seem to have everything have issues develop. The supposed already 2011 National League champion Phillies are just that team.

When the Phillies pulled off the coup in signing Cliff Lee, many in the baseball world were resigned to giving every piece of hardware to anyone or anything wearing a Phillies uniform. Then, the injuries started to creep in. Domonic Brown, Chase Utley, Brad Lidge. The list continues to grow.

But if these guys are healthy, there can be little question that on paper, the Phillies are a hard team to overlook.

The news that Chase Utley's bad knee is becoming a tad bulky has led to speculation that GM Ruben Amaro may be ready to make a deal...already. The names of Ramon Santiago of the Tigers and Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs have been rumored as targets. The knee doesn't bother Utley when hitting. It's in the field and Utley may actually be more valuable there that at the plate.

The other middle infield position is manned by former NL MVP Jimmy Rollins. Rollins has also suffered through a couple of sub-par seasons at the plate especially. Posting back-to-back years of hitting .250 and .243 have forced Phillies manager to put Rollins in a different slot in the lineup.

The corners appear safe, right? Not necessarily. Both first baseman Ryan Howard and third baseman Placido Polanco spent short stints on the DL in 2010, too. Howard does tend to stay pretty healthy, though. And the Phils need him to be.

No one could question the offensive potential of this foursome. It's about as good as any infield in baseball. The defense is pretty darn solid as well. Health will be the ultimate factor. And that is already being tested.

The biggest question coming into 2011 was who would be in right with the departure of Jayson Werth? The answer appeared to be highly rated prospect Domonic Brown and it still could be. Brown will be out for at least another month after having surgery on his wrist. In the meantime, Ben Francisco will be in right. John Mayberry will be his backup. Non-roster invitee Delwyn Young may have something to say about all of this, though.

Left and center see the now common faces of Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino.

NLCS Matchups

The two teams most thought would advance to the NLCS made their way, the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Francisco Giants. The Phillies swept the Cincinnati Reds and the Giants ended a legendary managing career of Bobby Cox and his Atlanta Braves. Here a look at the positional match ups for the series.

First Base: Aubrey Huff v. Ryan Howard
Howard in a former MVP and an offensive powerhouse, but do not sell Huff short. He has been extremely instrumental in the Giants success in 2010. Still, Howard also possesses a better glove and bat.
Advantage: Phillies

Second Base: Freddy Sanchez v. Chase Utley
Sanchez is a former batting champ and has had the look of regaining that form. Bad thing for the Giants is that Utley appears to be regaining his form, too.
Advantage: Phillies

Shortstop: Juan Uribe v. Jimmy Rollins
Two contrasting shortstops here. Uribe hits more with power and Rollins holds the potential, if healthy, to run you crazy. Uribe has a better arm, but Rollins fields better.
Advantage: Phillies

MLB: Last Night of 2009 Season?

It is possible that tonight's Game 6 of the World Series will be the final game of the 2009 season...that's if the New York Yankees have anything to say about it. But the Philadelphia Phillies have designs on one more game and send Pedro Martinez (left) to the mound against Andy Pettitte.

What do the Phillies need to do to force a seventh game?

If Charlie Manuel can get 6 strong innings from Pedro, that will be the place to start. He got that type of effort from Martinez in Game 2. Pedro allowed three runs in his six innings of work. Phillies fans cannot ask for much more from Martinez.

The Phillies bats must get to Yankees starter Andy Pettitte early and often. If Pettitte is allowed to get in a groove, tonight could very well be 2009's last game. Getting Pettitte out early could expose the New York bullpen. With the obvious exception of Mariano Rivera, they bullpen is vulnerable.

The next "issue" that Philadelphia must address is the current slump that has grasped Ryan Howard. In 19 at-bats, Howard has 3 hits and only 1 RBI. Of his other 16 at-bats, Howard has 12 strikeouts. For the record, Howard is hitting. 207 agaist lefties. Not a pleasant sight for Howard to see Andy Pettitte on the hill tonight.

Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino (right) says he's good to go for Game 6 despire getting drilled with a pitch on his right hand during Game 5. With the weather being on the cool side for the game (dipping into at least the low 40's), it might be a matter of how long Victorino will be able to stay in the game even though we know he will want to play.

Now, the biggest question for Game 6 if your the Phillies: Who will get the ball in a save situation? We all saw the Brad Lidge of '09 arise during Game 4 by permitting the Yankees to score three runs when there were two outs and no one on base. In Game 5, Ryan Madson got the call (with a three run lead) to close out the game. Madson or Lidge?

Don't even think about who'll start for Philly in Game 7. Got to win Game 6 first.

World Series Analysis/Breakdown

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Here is a positional breakdown of the World Series between the NL's Philadelphia Phillies and the AL's New York Yankees.

Phillies		POS		Yankees
Ryan Howard		1B	X	Mark Teixeira
Chase Utley	X	2B		Robinson Cano
Pedro Feliz		3B	X	Alex Rodriguez
Jimmy Rollins		SS	X	Derek Jeter
Raul Ibanez	X	LF		Johnny Damon
Shane Victorino	X	CF		Melky Cabrera
Jayson Werth	X	RF		Nick Swisher
Carlos Ruiz	PUSH	C	PUSH	Jorge Posada
Matt Stairs	PUSH	DH	PUSH	Hideki Matsui
Lee, Blanton, Hamels		SP	X	Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte
Happ, Madson, Park, Bastardo		BP	X	Hughes, Joba, Robertson, Coke

Brad Lidge		CL	X	Mariano Rivera
Charlie Manuel	X	MGR		Joe Girardi

This series will be over examined on every level…maybe even by Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Here’s my reasons for the advantages.

First base: This was the hardest to separate. Both Howard and Teixeira had MVP quality seasons. One thing that Howard has progressed so well with is his defense, but he’s still not Gold Glove caliber, although I believe one day he will win one. Teixeira’s glove relaxes his infield teammates. That was the only difference.

Second base: As far as second basemen go, nobody turns a double play like Cano. Plus, Utley has been a bit disappointing in his defense early in this post season. There about the same in hitting, but Utley will steal a base where Cano is more slow-footed. This is also Cano’s first World Series. Utley is merely revisiting.

Third base: I really don’t have to defend this, but I’ll say that ARod’s numbers are awesome (.438 batting average, 5 HR, 12 RBI). Enough said.

Shortstop: If this were a couple of season’s ago, Rollins would get the edge. But Jeter put together possibly his best season ever…and he may just get some MVP consideration.

Left field: Before a groin issue put Ibanez on the shelf, he was an MVP front runner in the NL. He’s been a bit slow to come around, but he has responded. Damon struggled against the Twins but cam alive against the Angels. Again, defense makes the difference and Ibanez has more assists and has committed less errors.

Center field: Victorino has a Gold Glove, more speed, and a better bat. People always want to underestimate Cabrera, but Victorino is clearly the choice.

Right field: Werth’s bat came back alive in the final game of the NLCS cracking a pair of homers. Swisher continues to struggle this postseason. Plus, Werth is a better base runner and fielder.

Catcher: Regular season, it’s Posada. Postseason brings out the best in Ruiz.

DH: What’s to compare here? The swing and hopefully they hit. Both will have a handful of chances to change the outcome of this series.

Starters: Hard to go against the Yanks here. Even with the magic Charlie Manuel has pulled so far.

Bullpen: Neither pen has shown us a whole lot, but the Yankees have the better arms. New York fans just better hope their lack of experience doesn’t show.

Closer: Lidge is almost looking like the Lidge of ‘08. He’s still not Rivera.

Manager: Girardi wears 27 for a reason. The Yanks currently hold 26 Championships. Will he guide New York to 27? Charlie Manuel was in Girardi’s shoes last year. Experience separates this one.

Yes, the Yankees should emerge with number 27, but this has the potential to be the highest scoring World Series ever. No lead will be safe with the Bank and New Yankee Stadium being virtual bandboxes. Closing out games will be the main difference and Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in baseball history. And he only throws one stinking pitch. Yankees in 7.

Yes, CC may have to pitch three times.

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Phillies to World Series Again

Last night, the Philiadelphia Phillies used four home runs to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 10-4, to advance to their second straight World Series and a chance to defend their 2008 World Championship. The Phils will await the winner of the New York Yankees - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim series winner with the Yankees currently holding a 3-1 lead with Game 5 tonight.

I totally missed this one. I said L.A. in 6. After the way the Dodgers dispactched the St. Louis Cardinals and their 1-2 punch of Carpenter & Wainwright, who could have envisioned this outcome? As I look back at the NLCS, I realized a few things.

In my preview, I thought the Dodgers held an advantage over the Phillies at third base, bullpen, closer and a push as far as starting pitching. Even with the Phils 3B Pedro Feliz having only 2 hits, he had a higher batting average than Dodgers 3B Casey Blake. Blake hit a cool .105. Feliz, .118.

The pitching, as a whole, mystifies me the most. The Dodgers bullpen and their closer, Jonathon Broxton, were untouchable most of the season. But not when it counted the most. The Dodgers starting staff managed to allow almost a run an inning, walk a total of 23 batters,and Broxton couldn't hold a lead in what proved to be a pivotal Game 4. The Phillies pitches accounted for only 12 walks.

What about the Phillies closer, Brad Lidge (left)? If Lidge is choosing now to pick up where he left off, it couldn't be coming at a better time for Philly fans (and his Philly teammates). Only four Phillies pitchers gave up runs and two of those were starters (Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton). Of all Dodergers pitchers, only one that pitched more than an inning (Ramon Troncoso) did not allow a run.

Among the starting position players, only 1B James Loney (.353) and 2B Ronnie Belliard (.316) hit over .300. L.A. hit a total of 6 home runs, for the series. The Phillies had 4 last night alone. And how were the Dodgers going to score when their leadoff hitter SS Rafael Furcal, did not manage to score a single run in the series? In his 20 at bats, Dodgers CF Matt Kemp saw fit to strikeout 8 times. NLCS MVP Ryan Howard (right) walked 6 times.

Regardless of the outcome of the Angels-Yankees series, the Phillies will be on the road for the first two games of the World Series. With New York holding a 3-1 lead, Yankee Stadium appears to be their destination.

Imagine the runs that series would produce.

NLCS Preview - Phillies/Dodgers

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The NLCS starts on Thursday night at 8:07. Let's look at the teams and see what the series will hold for baseball fans.

Season series: Dodgers won, 4-3. Can't really get a whole lot out of this, except maybe the fact that the Dodgers won 2 of 3 in Philly and split 2-2 in L.A. No real home field advantage for the Dodgers.

First base: Ryan Howard (PHI) v James Loney (LAD)
Howard showed that he is an offensive force, but Loney is a bit better with the glove. In fact, 2009 was Loney's best defensive season since he became the full time 1B. Still, Howard will change a game with one mammoth swing while Loney lacks the power.
Advantage: Phillies

Second base: Chase Utley (PHI) v Ronnie Belliard/Orlando Hudson (LAD)
Utley's bat is one of the more feared bats in the NL. Playing potentially more games in Los Angeles falls into his benefit because Utley hits 23 points higher on the road (.270 at home/.293 on the road). That's weird considering "The Bank" (Citizens Bank Park in Philly) is considered a hitters park. If the NLDS is any indication, Belliard will most likely get more playing time. He's been the better hitter, but Hudson has won a Gold Glove and defense may be more of a commodity for Dodgers to advance.
Advantage: Phillies

Third base: Pedro Feliz (PHI) v Casey Blake (LAD)
Not a glamorous matchup here, but a very important one for both teams. Feliz is not asked to do much offensively because of all the other power bats the Phillies have. He just mans third, gets a hit here and there, and drives in a run or two. Blake is more relied on by his team for his bat to the point where on occasion he's hit clean up. Blake's hitting .320 against lefties. Feliz is hitting .208 against the southpaws.
Advantage: Dodgers

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins (PHI) v Rafael Furcal (LAD)
We've heard so much talk of Rollins not being the same player as his MVP season of 2007. He's not the same player, granted, but Rollins still is a leader on the Phillies. Compare his 2009 stats to that of Furcal. The only stat where Furcal has the advantage is in batting average, and I'm including fileding percentage.
Advantage: Phillies

Left field: Raul Ibanez (PHI) v Manny Ramirez (LAD)
At the beginning of the season, Ibanez was well on his way to being a viable MVP candidate. A stint on the DL curbed that, but Raul put together is best offensvie season of his career. Manny put together a 50 game suspension for violating the league's drug policy. And he wasn't the same Manny after returning.
Advantage: Phillies

Center field: Shane Victorino (PHI) v Matt Kemp (LAD)
A push? Almost. These are the two best fielding center fielders in the NL. The difference is with the stick. Kemp has more a of tendency to go deep. Believe it or not, Kemp also had more stolen bases.
Advantage: Dodgers

Right field: Jayson Werth (PHI) v Andre Ethier (LAD)
Name one ML team that wouldn't love to have either of these guys in right field. You can't really. They both hit for power and deliver clutch hits.
Advantage: Push

Catcher: Carlos Ruiz (PHI) v Russell Martin (LAD)
Both Ruiz and Martin are great defensively and can regularly throw out potential thefts on the base paths. It all comes down to the bat. Last year, Martin had the clear cut advantage. This year, not so much. Despite playing in 36 less games, Ruiz had more homers (9 to 7) and only 10 less RBI (43 to 53). Ruiz doesn't strikeout as often either, and he's been hitting in the postseason while Martin is still struggling.
Advantage: Phillies

Starting pitching:
Neither manager has announced any type of a rotation as of this post, but here's what I know. The Phillies will most likley go with Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee, Joe Blanton and maybe J.A. Happ. I anticipate L.A. to keep the same three (Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw, Vicente Padilla) and throw in possibly Hiroki Kuroda if he can go. If not, then Chad Billingsley is a potential 4th starter. You look at the names and it seems like a runaway for the Phillies. Not so fast. The Dodgers starters had the best ERA during the regular season. Those guys can flat out pitch.
Advantage: Push

Bullpen:
Both teams sport a lefty specialist (Scott Eyre for PHI and Hong-Chih Kuo for LAD). But where the Dodgers are better suited in the pen is George Sherrill. He's closed before with success. Add this: the Dodgers have the league's best pen, too.
Advantage: Dodgers

Closer: Brad Lidge (PHI) v Jonathon Broxton (LAD)
This season has been a chronicle for Lidge. Last year, he was perfect. This year, he had a ton of blown saves. But keep this in mind. Lidge didn't struggle in the NLDS against the Rockies. He almost resembled the Lidge of '08 in the clincher displaying his nasty slider. Broxton works on the other end of the spectrum. Hw throws heat and dares you to think about swinging at a 100mph pitch. Lidge has been here before, so that closes the gap.
Advantage: Dodgers

Bench:
The Phillies have the "professional hitter", Matt Stairs. The Dodgers can now match that with Jim Thome. The Phillies have a great pinch hitter in Greg Dobbs. The Dodgers can counter with Mark Loretta. Philly has Ben Francisco to be a defensive replacement in the outfield. L.A. has their "glue" in Juan Pierre.
Advantage: Dodgers

If you go down the positions (according to my breakdown), it's even. The tie breaker: managers. I know the Phillies won with Charlie Manuel last year, but I have to go with Joe Torre. There's not a situation he hasn't seen. Put this tidbit in your rolodex: Torre has said he most likely will not return as the Dodger skipper following next season. Makes you wonder if the motivational mind of Torre isn't already at work.

Dodgers in 6 for me.