Philidelphia Phillies: Strengths and Weaknesses Going Into The Break

Looking toward the MLB All-Star Break is also a time to reflect on a team. A time to ovserve where they have done well, need improvement and what needs to be done to improve their play during the second half of the season.

For the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies, a few things come to mind.

Let’s start with some strengths.

Road Record

First off, the Phillies have been dominant on the road. They have the best road record in the league at 24-9. What more can you say?

Offense

Raul Ibanez. Ryan Howard. Chase Utley. The top names of the Phils’ offense thus far and have lead the way for the Phillies in most of their games. The offense has been explosive all season.

The Phils have put up 100 total home runs (third in NL), 616 total hits, and are fifth in the Majors and first in the National League with 366 runs scored.

Ibanez, even though currently injured, has been a great addition to the Phillies squad, putting up 22 home runs and 52 RBI. Howard and Utley have combined for 36 homers.

The Phils offense has been fantastic by creating opportunities to lead, while giving them a chance to come from behind and win games if needed.

Defense

The Phillies fielding has been great. Only 27 errors so far, everyone on the team contributes on defense.

Whether it be the catchers, who have caught players stealing 19 times so far this season or the fielders, who have put up a .990 fielding percentage. the Phillies defense has been strong thus far.

Weaknesses

Pitching

The Phillies pitching has been the talk of every sports analyst for the past few years. It has struggled. Plain and Simple.

The average ERA for the Phils is 4.73. With closer Brad Lidge and starter Brett Myers gone from injuries, other players have had to step up. Phillies star Pitcher Cole Hamels as put up tons of strikeouts, but the only stat that matters is in the win column, and Hamels only has four out of his thirteen starts.

J.A. Happ has stepped up and played well going 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA. Regardless, the bullpen will need to do better if they want to defend their championship

Home Record

If the Phillies road record is strength, surely their home record is a weakness. The Phils are one of the worst teams at home, with a record of 13-22.

The only team worse? The Nationals.

Injuries

The Phils have been plagued with injuries this season. Howard has missed a few due to sickness, Lidge is on the 15-Day DL, though hopefully, he should return within the week. Ibanez is also on the 15-Day DL, and is aiming for an early July return.

A few other players, including Scott Eyre and Clay Condrey and Hamels have also been battling injuries.

How To Improve

So what do the Phillies need to do to improve? Simply?

Play better at home and stay out of injury trouble.

That being said, the Phils are first in the NL East with a 1.5 game lead over the Mets, and are currently the fifth best team in the league.

Look for the Phils to defend their title honorably this season if they can keep up the strengths and improve on their weaknesses.

 

Phillies-Red Sox: World Series Preview?

Tonight kicks off a three-game series between the 2008 World Champion and National League East leading Philadelphia Phillies and the 2007 World Champion and American League East leading Boston Red Sox…I know, it is a lot to take in.

These two teams have been amidst the discussion of teams that may play each other in the World Series. As it looks right now, this is very possible.

The Phillies are 35-23 and are coming off back to back wins in extra innings against the rival NY Mets.

The Red Sox are 36-24 and are headed to Philadelphia having come from behind to beat the Yankees the night before. Can you say 8-0? The Red Sox can, as they are 8-0 this season against the rival Yankees, a Red Sox record.

So what a better time to see these two powerhouse teams face off? I can not think of a better time, except in October.

The favorites going in have got to be the Sox; they are 12-3 when facing off against the Phils since 2004, and we all know how Philadelphia has been struggling at home with a 12-12 record in their own ballpark.

The Phils will have to deal with Jon Lester tonight, while getting Matsusaka and Beckett on Saturday and Sunday.

Lester is 4-0 against the National League and has pitched against the Phils only once, giving up zero runs and only 6 hits.

The Phils will be starting Blanton tonight, then Bastardo for Saturday while Happ will be geared up for Sunday. Blanton is 2-0 and has an ERA of 1.80 after his last three starts.

The Red Sox will be looking, or trying that is, to contain the Phils explosive offense that is Ibanez and Utley, who have been leading the Phils hitting as of late.

The Phils will need to keep a keen eye on Jason Bay and Kevin Youkillis, who have been leading the Sox.

This series is shaping up to be a close one, and a fan favorite, as all three games have been sold out for months.

My prediction, the Phils finally end their Red Sox slump and take the series, 2-1.

Phillies-Mets: Phils Win Second Straight Off Extra-Inning Home Run

Phillies and Mets. A series that has been anything but boring did not disappoint Thursday Night.

With the Mets down in the N.L. East and the Phillies getting hot, all the fans knew just how important a win would be.

The game kicked off early when Beltran grounded out to shortstop, sending Castillo home to give the Mets a 1-0 lead in the first.

The Phillies answered in the third when Rollins sacrifice fly sent Feliz home to tie the game.

The Mets answered right back when Beltran sent Castillo home yet again to give the Mets a 2-1 lead, they repeated this in the fifth.

With the Phils down headed into the sixth, Utley doubled off the pitch from Parnell, which sent Rollins home to bring the Phils within one.

The Phils tied the game in the seventh off ground out from  Canadian born Matt Stairs.

After a quick ninth inning, we headed to the 10th all tied at three a piece.

With one out, Victorino singled, after an Utley walk and a strikeout from Howard, Ibanez stepped to the plate with two outs and two men on.

It only took two pitches…and that baby was gone. Three run shot for Ibanez and his 21st homer of the year gave the Phils a 6-3 lead and eventually the win.

The Phils improve to 35-23, with a 23-9 road record. They are now four games ahead of the Mets in the East.

The Phillies take on the Red Sox on Friday, while the Mets get the Yankees.

MLB Playoff Predictions: Can Philadelphia Repeat?

Were coming up on hitting the halfway mark of the MLB 2009 Season. So, in light of that, I thought I would predict what may happen, and put it out there. Lets see what you guys and gals think.

Can Philly repeat, will the Dodgers and Red Sox stay on top?

Feel free to comment and disagree or agree!