Philadelphia Phillies: Their 10 Greatest Playoff Moments

The Philadelphia Phillies have had some crazy moments in postseason play history, and some of those moments are so indelible that many of us are just waiting to find out what the next great chapter will be.

Today, I would like to take a walk down memory lane and discuss what I feel are the 10 best moments in Phillie postseason history.

Won’t you join me?

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MLB Playoff Predictions: Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals Breakdown

It’s time to put away the shorts and beach chairs; break out even MORE peanuts and crackerjacks because the Phillies are once again in the playoffs, and today I will be breaking down the Philadelphia Phillies-St. Louis Cardinals contest matchup.

The Phillies and Cardinals are no strangers to each other as they have squared off nine times this season, with St. Louis dominating the Phillies six out of those nine meetings.

This is, however, no reason to hit the panic button and inside you will see why.

Ready?

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Philadelphia Phillies: Can Dream Rotation Win Philly Another World Series?

The Philadelphia Phillies’ dream rotation has been the main reason why the Phillies have had so much success in the 2011 MLB season, but can this dream rotation help Philadelphia win another World Series?

Even with this potent dream rotation, Phillies fans continue to worry about the current injuries to Hunter Pence and Ryan Howard, the team’s apparent decline in play and some are even asking if it is time to hit the panic button.

Don’t get me wrong, the aforementioned topics are a nice way to pass the time as we await the postseason, but they can be easily fielded:

• Injuries: The Phillies’ injury concerns are not as as bad as some may think with Pence and Howard being dealt with on a precautionary measure. Hunter Pence says he feels fine, and Ryan Howard is simply being held out because the Phillies can afford to do so.

• Declined Play? The past three seasons combined, the Phillies closed September with a team batting average of .267 with 5.2 runs per game. Thus far, the Phillies are a little off that average (.241 BA, with 3.7 runs per game) but a lot of that can certainly be attributed to Howard and Pence not being in the mix—keep in mind that the Phillies still have six games to go in September.

• Time To Panic? Not even a measurable question to ask, rather a simple knee-jerk reaction to what is happening now.

So that leaves us with answering if this rotation can in fact win a World Series.

The Phillies will inevitably be fine-tuning their lineup situation as time goes on, as they’ll be deciding whether or not to feature 10 pitchers in the postseason—in favor of an extra positional player—or 11 arms in the dugout.

But what is for certain is this dream rotation that has helped catapult this team to greater heights will be paving the way.

The Phillies could not be in a better spot with this starting staff. The front four have already turned in an outstanding season led by Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee who have a combined record of 34-14 with a combined 2.40 ERA.

Moreover, since the beginning of August, the gruesome twosome have combined for 11 wins, three losses and a combined ERA of 1.55.

Add in playoff whiz kid Cole Hamels and veteran Roy Oswalt (22-18, 3.23 ERA combined), and suddenly we begin to remember just what makes this a true dream rotation.

But again, can they win a World Series?

What has really defined this rotation throughout the season as a unit, are the very qualities that are required for any rotation to survive the postseason, let alone the rigors of trying to win the World Series.

Lee has battled through some very inconsistent portions of the year only to finally solidify and settle down, and Hamels is currently going through the same motion.

Oswalt has suffered through injuries, and failed comebacks from some of those injuries, only to rebound pretty nicely as of late.

Roy Halladay—well, Halladay is really just Halladay.

And those are just a few issues that the Phillies rotation have faced this season.

Look, the point to all of this is the rotation alone is more than talented enough and strong enough as a unit to definitely win a World Series no matter who they face.

However, in addition to the aforementioned, if you add in the Phillies’ ability to support their starting rotation with a solid core of hitters and mix in the over-the-top ability of Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick as added bullpen pitchers, we suddenly begin to see that this is a very real possibility.

Over-the-top talent, the ability to rise above adversity, a solid supporting cast and being able to play as a complete unit are the absolute necessary keys to winning a World Series—keys that the Phillies certainly have proven they possess.

Can the dream rotation win a World Series? I say yes. Without a doubt.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Can Anyone Slow Them Down in the Postseason?

Can anyone slow the Philadelphia Phillies down in the postseason—a fair question, don’t you think?

The more I think about it, the more I find myself giving the same answer, which is why I am putting this all into a slide.

There are three teams that I will focus on, due to each team’s chances being very high to make the postseason: Atlanta, Milwaukee and Arizona.

Each team is very talented, and each team will offer up an excellent challenge, but again, can they slow down the Phillies?

For that answer, you’ll have to read further.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Why Milwaukee Brewers Make a Better NLDS Matchup

With a win over Houston Wednesday night, the Phillies are now officially in the playoffs, but who exactly is the best matchup for them in the NLDS?

As it stands right now, the Phillies are poised to either face the Arizona Diamondbacks or the Milwaukee Brewers, depending on who finishes third, so the choices are—for the most part—relatively clear.

So out of these two competitors, who is the best team to face for the Phillies?

Well, you’ll have to read further to see the answer.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 6 Reasons Cliff Lee Should Win NL Cy Young

With just about three weeks left in the MLB regular season and nine total pitchers in the hunt for the NL Cy Young Award, Cliff Lee is just one of a few pitchers who I feel should win the illustrious honor.

Today, I would like to run through six total reasons why Cliff Lee should win over fellow teammates Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, as well as, the other six or so candidates in the hunt.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

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Is Vance Worley the Unsung Hero In Philadelphia or Just Part of the Equation?

To any given Philadelphia Phillies’ fan, the contributions and accomplishments that Vance Worley has provided the Philadelphia faithful do not go unnoticed.

But to the average baseball fan, the name Vance Worley may have little recognition.

Vance Worley’s 2011 darling of a season began in June against a Mariners’ team that couldn’t hit the blind side of a barn if it was 10 feet in front of them, but despite Seattle’s hitting woes, Worley still gave up five hits and struck out only three.

Not bad, but not great.

Since then, the only team to really give Worley any sort of trouble was the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of July—everything else has been birthday presents and celebrations.

After his last outing against the World Series champs, Worley now owns a stellar 8-1 record with an equally exquisite 1.79 ERA since coming back from the minors in June.

And here we are.

The Phillies are now flirting with the possibility of 105 wins or better, which could raise the argument of comparison to the 1975 Cincinnati Reds or the 1986 New York Mets, and the reason for that possible comparison is in fact Vance Worley.

But at the forefront are many other household names like Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard, etc.…with Worley still somewhat being that “oh, yeah he’s pretty good…’’ kind of guy.

An unsung hero is one who is defined by his contributions and accomplishments for the greater good that often go unnoticed.

In essence, Worley could be viewed as an unsung hero.

But does that really matter?  The fact is, Worley is doing exactly what the team expects him to do and then some and it has been a paramount addition to what this team has done all year long.

Furthermore, this team is a TEAM FIRST competitor in MLB sporting an all-time low in egos, controversies and independent player separation which other teams can’t seem to accomplish.

Basically this Phillies team is more like a family, not a collective payroll.

Each player on this team feeds off of each other and their undying collective faithful.

This is a team that on any given day will say “come get us” and when they are down in the seventh, turn around and say “now it’s our turn, are you ready?”

This is a team that is constructed on the idealism of everybody plays as a collective, and it is that collective that has risen above the cream of the crop.

They ARE the cream right now.

So when one takes an objective look at Worley, yes, you could suggest he is an unsung hero.

But to me, Worley is just another part of a larger equation; an equation that is soundly constructed, incredibly difficult to crack and unwavering in their march towards the inevitable.

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The New Cole Hamels: 5 Factors That Have Made Him so Successful in 2011

Does anyone remember Cole Hamels’ 2007 season? It was arguably his best season as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, earning a career best 15-5 record with a 3.39 ERA tagging close behind which gave Phillies’ fans more than enough reason to immediately fall in love with the kid.

The following year in 2008 wasn’t as spectacular in the win/loss column, but that ERA came down even lower to 3.09, and of course, Hamels did go undefeated n the postseason which included the World Series.

In 2009, however, Hamels seemingly hit a rough patch.

His season ended with a blow .500 win/loss record (10-14), his ERA ballooned to 4.34 and there were even times when Hamels couldn’t get any run support at all.

This was all compounded by the Yankees doing a number on him in the World Series that year, too.

2010 was an improvement, but not exactly what everyone expected the season to be as Hamels went 12-11 with a 3.06 ERA.

The point to mentioning all of this is simple: Cole Hamels has always been a staff ace on the rise, but sort of lacking in certain departments to elevate him to the next level permanently.

Well all of that has changed in 2011, and today we’re going to look at some of the factors that has helped in that accomplishment.

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Philadelphia Phillies: Not-So-Fab Five Are Notoriously Slow Starters

The 2011 MLB season is back and so are ‘Dem Phightin Phils’. Philadelphia’s finest are ready to make yet another push toward—what will be—their fifth straight appearance in the postseason. But along the way there will be some inevitable bumps in the road that the Phillies will have to endure, and it begins with five players who are notoriously slow starters.

Dealing with slow starting players is as synonymous with baseball as hot dogs and peanuts, and for the Phillies, it always seems to be the same players year in and year out.

Let’s take a look at Philly’s sluggish sluggers, and plodding pitchers and maybe even try to shed some light, on this ever annoying plight.

Caveat: This slide was completed prior to the Phillies 7-3 win Sunday led by Ryan Howard and Ben Francisco. As you read further you’ll see why I am writing this.

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Jayson Werth Could Be Headed to Boston, Is Domonic Brown Even Ready?

Have you ever owned a jack-in-the-box? If so, do you remember that feeling of anticipation that sunk deep within your stomach right before the lid popped open? No matter what you did to prepare yourself, nothing could stop the overflow of surprise when that lid popped open, right?

Well, the same feeling has run through the Philadelphia faithful after news of Jayson Werth declining arbitration Tuesday night. We can all say it was expected, but it does nothing to lessen the blow.

And while a few diehard fans will fall deep into the gasping grip of denial and comment, ‘just because he declined arbitration doesn’t mean he still can’t sign,” the rest of us are beginning to move on, and accept the end of a truly great run from a truly great player.

But there are two significant questions that still linger: Could Jayson Werth be headed to Boston, and is Domonic Brown even ready?

Across the Boston University Bridge is another fanbase beginning to wonder if perhaps Mr. Werth could be the offensive addition they’ve been so desperately craving. The rumor is that Boston is, in fact, very interested.

The Red Sox have the second-largest payroll in baseball—we all know who is the current champion in that arena—but they also have significant room to move. Outfielders Bill Hall and Ryan Kalish have been serviceable, but not the Type A power bats the Red Sox need.

In addition to all of this, there is news that eight different teams have shown interest in Hall, and Kalish could be used as possible trade bait in the near future. This could open a clear path for the Red Sox to roll out the red carpet for Werth.

But the question always comes down to money doesn’t it?

The Red Sox could toy with the notion of extending a five-year offer worth a cool $100 million dollars, but that is left to be seen. The Red Sox also know that there aren’t many teams that are willing to compete in such a high-priced arena for one guy—namely Jayson Werth.

The second question is whether or not prospect Domonic Brown is ready to fill some pretty big shoes.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that despite being sent to the Dominican Winter League, Brown has yet to appear in a single game.

And nobody believes Philadelphia sent Brown down there to gauge how comfortable the benches are.

The hot-hitting Phillies’ prospect has been a monster in minor league ball since 2007, accumulating a .296/.373/.464 line with 48 home runs, 232 RBI and 89 stolen bases, so the Phillies are eager to get Brown some at-bats, and back in shape.

But that’s just it, the Winter League isn’t very long. After the league finishes up, there is a month-long layover in holiday happy-land before the advent of Spring Training.

The biggest question is whether or not that will be enough time to get him in shape.

Not being in shape leaves a player vulnerable to injury in Spring Training, and the Phillies can’t afford such a situation with Brown, especially considering the sizable shoes he has to fill in such a short time.

So here we are, the latest scribed chapter in an ever-growing book of questions.

Either way, the coming months are going to be quite arduous for Phillies’ fans to say the least, or as George Herbert put it: “Every mile is two in winter.”

But in the same vein, winter dies into spring, and with such a death rises a new life (season) filled with promise, hope and new beginnings.

Ah, such is the way of the diamond.

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