Philadelphia Phillies: Could 2011 Be Team’s Best Year Ever?

After a 14 run outpouring against the Florida Marlins last night, the 2011 Phillies have demonstrated what they are capable of this season.

I definitely realize that one performance is just that, only one performance. However, they demonstrated that they have the offensive potential we all have known they had.

While currently sitting at a record of 55-32, if these numbers are projected forward, the Phillies should win approximately 102 games, which would be the most in franchise history.

In 1977 and 1976, the Phillies won 101 games, but failed to make the World Series both years.

Given that they are on track to win the most games in franchise history, the inevitable question must be asked.

Is this the best Phillies team ever?

Well, one important detail of being the best Phillies team ever is whether or not they win the World Series. Let’s face it, the ultimate measure of baseball success is winning that trophy, so we can’t evaluate that part just yet.

However, what I will say is that I believe that this may be one of the best starting rotations that the Phillies have ever assembled.

Roy Halladay is on pace to win approximately 20 games, Cole Hamels is on pace for 19 and Cliff Lee is on pace for 17. They all have ERAs under 3.00, and they all have the potential to pitch a complete game every night.

The Phillies have never had a rotation with this much success out of the top three spots if everything goes according to the projections.

The Phillies’ offense has definitely not been as strong as other years, but they have been scoring enough to win. At the end of the day, scoring enough runs to win is enough offense for any team.

If the offense is able to start hitting like they did last night, where every starter had at least one hit, it could create a frightening combination with a pitching staff like the Phillies have.

Chase Utley will start hitting the ball harder although his average is already starting to climb somewhat to .283 currently.

Ryan Howard is on pace to hit 34 home runs, but I also think that that number will rise faster.

An important key to any resurgence of the Phillies’ offense involves Jimmy Rollins. His on-base percentage should be a little bit higher than .334 to be a highly effective leadoff man.

Another key factor that might change here is the variability of my projections.

I based these projections by multiplying the number they currently have of that statistic by 162/87. What this would do is basically give me the average number of the statistic per game times 162 games to determine a projected season total if the current performance remains constant.

The Phillies are a team that tends to heat up down the stretch. Therefore, it is possible that if the trend of a hot second half continues, many of my projections might be low.

If the Phillies finished up on the pace that they are going at and win the World Series, I think that this roster could be the best Phillies team ever.

If they do not win the World Series, it is still possible that this team will be very good and one of the best, but they will not be the best without that trophy.

What do you all think?

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