What will the Red Devil do?
Saturday will be the first baseball trip to the City of Brotherly Love since last September when the Phillies beat Washington to win the National League East.
What a day!
But a new season opens Monday afternoon at the Bank. The question I was asked the other night when I was out having a few “sodas” while watching the basketball tournament is when am I going to write about the Phillies.
So here goes.
The MVP shortstop of the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins, has already predicted the team will win 100 games. So that leaves 62 games to play with.
Everyone knows I am not a big Charlie Manuel fan.Okay, he did something that the likes of Larry Bowa and the “Boston Legend” Terry Francona didn’t do -- win a division. Maybe his “country charm” is just what the team needs, I don’t know.
Perhaps if they win the division again and do something in the post-season, I might become a convert.
Let’s just say this that Charlie will cost the team at least 10 games this season. So that only leaves 52 games to play with, just in case J-Roll’s prediction needs help.
In the front of the rotation, the Phils might have two of the top arms in the National League in Brett Myers and Cole Hamels. Both could win 20. They need to get between 10-15 wins out of the rest of the rotation.
Will Kyle Kendrick suffer the sophomore jinx? Will Jamie Moyer pitch like Cy Young until it gets hot? Those are two spots to watch.
The number five spot in the rotation is also a big question. Adam Eaton has a lot to prove and unless they are willing to take a chance on some of the kids, there’s not much left there.
The bullpen will be solid if everyone is healthy and stays in their roles.
Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste are solid behind the dish.
The infield of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, J-Roll and Pedro Feliz might be the best in the game. All four are capable of stroking more than 30 homers each and glove-wise, aren’t that bad either.
If there’s one question I have, its in the outfield. Will Pat Burrell pick up like he ended last season? Will Shane Victorino be better in center? How good is the platoon of Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth? If they all play up to their expectations, it will be a fun year.
Hopefully Charlie won’t screw it up too bad.
What a day!
But a new season opens Monday afternoon at the Bank. The question I was asked the other night when I was out having a few “sodas” while watching the basketball tournament is when am I going to write about the Phillies.
So here goes.
The MVP shortstop of the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins, has already predicted the team will win 100 games. So that leaves 62 games to play with.
Everyone knows I am not a big Charlie Manuel fan.Okay, he did something that the likes of Larry Bowa and the “Boston Legend” Terry Francona didn’t do -- win a division. Maybe his “country charm” is just what the team needs, I don’t know.
Perhaps if they win the division again and do something in the post-season, I might become a convert.
Let’s just say this that Charlie will cost the team at least 10 games this season. So that only leaves 52 games to play with, just in case J-Roll’s prediction needs help.
In the front of the rotation, the Phils might have two of the top arms in the National League in Brett Myers and Cole Hamels. Both could win 20. They need to get between 10-15 wins out of the rest of the rotation.
Will Kyle Kendrick suffer the sophomore jinx? Will Jamie Moyer pitch like Cy Young until it gets hot? Those are two spots to watch.
The number five spot in the rotation is also a big question. Adam Eaton has a lot to prove and unless they are willing to take a chance on some of the kids, there’s not much left there.
The bullpen will be solid if everyone is healthy and stays in their roles.
Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste are solid behind the dish.
The infield of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, J-Roll and Pedro Feliz might be the best in the game. All four are capable of stroking more than 30 homers each and glove-wise, aren’t that bad either.
If there’s one question I have, its in the outfield. Will Pat Burrell pick up like he ended last season? Will Shane Victorino be better in center? How good is the platoon of Geoff Jenkins and Jayson Werth? If they all play up to their expectations, it will be a fun year.
Hopefully Charlie won’t screw it up too bad.
Labels: Phillies, View from the Sidelines
posted by Tide talk at
9:23 AM
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