Roy Halladay: Why the Philadelphia Phillies SP Is Key to Second-Half Success
July 9, 2012 by Matt Boczar
Filed under Fan News
No team is happier than the Philadelphia Phillies that the All-Star break has arrived.
At 37-50, the Phillies sit 14 games out of first place in the National League East and 10 games back in the Wild Card standings.
However, during the Phils’ recent string of division success, the second half of the regular season is what has propelled them toward postseason play.
Since 2007, the Phillies have gone 257-157 from July on during the regular season.
This season, the team’s second half will have a different feel for two reasons. For one, the Phillies haven’t been this many games out of first place at the All-Star break since 2002.
Secondly, they will be getting Roy Halladay back.
After Halladay went on the disabled list with a shoulder strain on May 28th, no Phillies starting pitcher besides Vance Worley had an ERA under 4.00 for the month of June.
Meanwhile, since joining the Phils, Halladay has gone 19-6 with a 2.50 ERA following the All-Star break.
With an offense that has improved since the start of the season and has already received boosts in Ryan Howard and Chase Utley, it’s now the pitching staff’s turn to receive reinforcement.
A return to form by Halladay is key for the Phillies to find success in the second half.