[wedge]

Just wondering what people think the Phillies will do in this coming season. I think they still, despite losing Thome, have one of the best lineups in the National League. Rollins, Utley, Abreu, Howard and Burrell is an impressive top five in the order. If they could just replace the enigmatic David Bell at third. He has a solid season which is then quickly replaced by one you would rather forget. I can't believe he's lasted four years already in Philadelphia.

I think the problem, which has been the last few years, has been the pitching staff. More specifically the starters. Myers, Lieber and Liddle form a solid top three in the rotation. However, after that is where the problem lies. The last two spots is a battle between often injured Randy Wolf, Ryan Franklin, who has lost 31 games the last two years, and Ryan Madson. The Phillies want to try him in the rotation especially after signing Arthur Rhodes as their new setup man. Madson has been really solid out of the bullpen for the team the last two years. They also have some good young arms in Robinson Tejada, Cole Hamels and Gavin Floyd. The closer spot is a drop aftering losing Wagner to the Mets. He's replaced by the ageless wonder Tom "Flash" Gordon. Gordon hasn't been a team's closer since 2001.

With the improvement of the Mets and the Braves winning the last 15 times, I see the Phillies stuck in third place unless they trade for some pitching. Probably in the range of 81-87 games won this year. Blah.

[Mid-depth_Reporter]

Yeah, the Phillies have a few problems in the pitching rotation, but I don't think it's the rotation as much as it is which teams the rotation needs to face - the NL East. In 2005, every team in the division finished with a winning percentage of .500 or higher, with the old Montreal Expos - the Washington Nationals - finishing at 81-81.

Plus, you have win-the-penant-every-year Atlanta in the mix.

The NL East is not a division I'd want to play in.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Wedge, Wedge, Wedge...Its spring... every team is 0-0 and every fan is dreaming of a 110-52 season...how can you call yourself a Phillie fan and then talk about an 81-81 record and a 3rd place finish?

Did the USA let a lack of major talent, and a blow out a few days before the start of the 1980 Olympics get in the way of dreaming of gold?...No my good man. They believed in Miracles...

And so should you my good man...stop sending out that negative vib, this is Spring! (well technically pre-Spring)...have that extra hop in your step as you buy that bleacher seat for the first game of Spring Training...believe in Wolf, in Howard, in Rollins...its the time of the year to buy into the hype...to look fate in the eye and shake a rolled up fist at it, and scream at the top of your lungs..."This is the Year!"...By the "Great Ghost of Greg Luzinski" we will have our way with the Divison...we will sweep into the Playoffs like a pack of rabid wolves...we will march into the World Series like a German Panzer Division and we will take no prisioners!....for I...I have a dream!

Geez...okay...you get the idea...now go out there and "Will them to a Series"...go...go...go...Win one for the Dipper!!!... (hey he played in Philly didn't he?)...

[aricoaster161]

I agree that the Fightins have a nice lineup. Abreu in RF, Rowand in CF, Burrell in LF, Rollins at SS, Bell (UGH!) at 3B, Utley at 2B, Howard at 1B, and Lieberthal (OY!) at C.

I love Lieby, but he is just getting too old and his hitting just isn't there anymore. And Bell, let's hope he gets hurt. I like the new pickup of 3B Abraham Nunez. Remember - Nunez is the guy who filled in for Rolen in St. Louis last year. So I think Nunez is the starter at the end of the year.

As for the pitching rotation, I think it will end up being Myers, Lieber, Lidle, Madson and Franklin. I don't think Wolf will be ready until June or early July.

But I think we will have a solid bullpen also. I like Gordon as the closer. Arthur Rhodes was a solid off-season pickup. Then we add a guy like Robinson Tejeda permanantly in the bullpen, that really helps.

I say the Phils win the division! GO PHILLIES!!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by aricoaster161

I say the Phils win the division! GO PHILLIES!!

Now see...that's what I am talking about...Spring's Hopes are eternal...to twist a phrase around...But heck why not...I am not even a Philly fan and aricoaster161 has me believing...GO PHILLIES...GO...lets cast that All-Star ballot for Jimmy Rollins...lets cross our collective fingers for Randy Wolf...there is joy in Mudville after all!!!...

[wedge]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Now see...that's what I am talking about...Springs Hopes are eternal...to twist a phrase around...But heck why not...I am not even a Philly fan and aricoaster161 has me believing...GO PHILLIES...GO...lets cast that All-Star ballot for Jimmy Rollins...lets cross our collective fingers for Randy Wolf...there is joy in Mudville after all!!!...

Heaven forbid I be a REALISTIC fan Gotham. Always trying to cause trouble. They haven't blacklisted you yet?

[rmjvol]

Oh, don't worry. He's on the "Soon To Be Banned" list right next to you, wedge

[wedge]

Originally Posted by rmjvol

Oh, don't worry. He's on the "Soon To Be Banned" list right next to you, wedge

Hey, thats not funny. lol

[ThePundit]

Welcome to the board Aricoster. Their pitching staff is a crapshoot. Myers and Lieber are solid. The rest of the starters? It can go either way.

But Phillie fans keep this in mind: After watching Tom Gordon for the last few years on the Yankees, remember this: The bigger the game, the harder he squeezes that ball.

[Vladman]

Phils pitching will be their strong suit this year. Offense may be a little misleading. Rollins overachieved last year, as did Utley. If Burrell can start hot , then look out, but if he can't make contact for the first month, it could be a long year for the big-headcase.

[wedge]

Jimmy Rollins overachieved last year? Well I guess he's overachieved two years in a row now...look at the numbers..

04: 190 hits, 116 runs, 43 doubles, 12 triples, 14 HR, 73 RBI, 30 SB, .289 avg
05: 196 hits, 115 runs, 38 doubles, 11 triples, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 41 SB, .290 avg

I'm sure you'll bring up the 35 game hit streak that got them there, but in August he did .188. So you should throw that out too.

As far as Utley, I doubt he will put up the same numbers, but they will be in the ballpark. The guy is for real.

I hope the pitching is the strong suit, but we've been pretty unlucky in the health department. Hopefully Madson can keep pitching well like he has this spring and make the rotation. I expect a HUGE year for Myers.

[wedge]

"Offense may be a little misleading. Rollins overachieved last year, as did Utley"

Slightly wrong there eh? I told you Utley was for real. .309 avg 31 hrs 98 rbi. Rollins will never be a consistent .300 hitter, but he's an extra base machine (43 2b, 7 3b, 24 hrs) and great on the bases (36 for 40 in SB). Both guys are having great years.

The Phils will beat the Dodgers out for the Wildcard spot.