2008 Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies (89- 73) won the NL East, making it to the playoffs for the first time since 1993. They were then swept by the Colorado Rockies in the Division Series, but despite that, there’s hope once again for the Phills to get back to the post season.

Although the team ERA of 4.73 was 13th in the NL, the club managed to post 89 wins. The rotation looks like one of the best around, while the pen is average. The Phillies offer two lefty starters—ace Cole Hamels (15- 5, 3.39 ERA, 177 SO) and fourth man in Jamie Moyer (14- 12, 5.01 ERA, 133 SO). Between those two are Brett Myers (5- 7, 4.33 ERA, 83 SO) and Kyle Hendrick (10- 4, 3.87 ERA, 49 SO). Fifth man Adam Eaton (10- 10, 6.29 ERA, 97 SO) has to lower that ERA. Closer Brad Lidge (5- 3, 3.36 ERA, 19 SV, 88 SO, .219 BAA), who was acquired in a trade with Houston, missed over a month due to injury and in October had cartilage repaired in his knee. He has a solid fastball.

The Phillies had hot bats, a great on-base percentage and the speed to steal lots of basses. They scored 892 runs—more than any other NL team. First baseman Ryan Howard (.268 BA, 47 HR, 136 RBI) knows how to hit homers, while second baseman Chase Utley (.332 BA, 22 HR, 103 RBI) is no slouch. Short stop Jimmy Rollins (.296 BA, 30 HR, 94 RBI) and left fielder Pat Burrell (.256 BA, 30 HR, 97 RBI) together knocked the ball out of the park 60 times.

Fine fielding was a hallmark of this club that tied for second in fielding percentage and was third in double plays. Rollins is a Gold Glover, backstop Carlos Ruiz is a skilled player and Utley is fine on the DP pivot. Greg Dobbs is a problem at third. Right fielder Geoff Jenkins is the best of the three in the outfield.

GM Pat Gillick, despite being 70 years old, is in the prime of his career. Manager Charlie Manuel may not be the most eloquent speaker, but he’s gotten the job done now in Cleveland and Philadelphia. Manuel is skilled at shepherding players through tough times.

Read more on the Phillies other NL East division opponents, New York Mets, Florida Marlins, Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals.

For more info on the Phillies check out the MLB official page for Philadelphia.