I'm sitting here watching the 2008 World Series Game 5 on espn classic and I'm wondering why the 2010 Phillies aren't preparing to at least attempt to accomplish what that team did with far less talent.
The 2008 Phillies roster consisted many home-grown players and role players brought in by then-GM Pat Gillick. Growing up with a father who is a diehard Phillies fan, I saw most of this home-grown talent play for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, the Phillies Triple-A farm team from 1989-2006. I was so proud to see them succeed in the major leagues and rooted for them like any other raucous Phillies fan throughout the playoffs despite my allegiance to the Atlanta Braves since the early 90's. Their lineup with the exception of Raul Ibanez for Pat Burrell in Left and Placido Polanco for Pedro Feliz at Third, was identical to this year's lineup. Offensively, I considered these swaps an upgrade. Ibanez was a run-producing machine in the American League and continued that with the Phillies. Burrell, one of the those home-grown players, never quite lived up to expectations and was a very inconsistent hitter throughout his career. Polanco was always a great contact, get on base, hit for average hitter whereas Feliz had a little pop in his bat but couldn't hit for average. Their starting pitchers heading into the playoffs were Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, and Joe Blanton. Going into the 2010 playoffs, the Phillies added two elite starting pitchers in Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt to go along with Hamels and Blanton.
The 2010 Phillies had it all! They had an all-star lineup full of veterans with speed, power, and playoff experience. With Hamels, Halladay, and Oswalt almost unhittable down the stretch, the Phillies went 22-7 from September 1st on. They headed into the playoffs with the best record in baseball, home field advantage, and the hottest team peaking at the right time. The Reds didn't know what hit them. They had no answer for H2O or the intimidating lineup and were swept in the blink of an eye. Then came the San Francisco Giants, who won a very close and competitive series with my Atlanta Braves. I predicted the Phils would beat them in six games because I thought the Phils were just too powerful. So what went wrong with these Phils who were in the NLCS for the third year in a row?
Clutch Hitting
The Phillies as a team hit .216 with 3 HRs, 18 RBIs, and 56Ks. Ryan Howard went 7 for 22 with 12Ks and ZERO RBIs. I'm not just going bash and blame him though. Chase Utley went 4 for 22 with ONE RBI. Raul Ibanez went 4 for 19 with ZERO RBIs and was benched in game 5 because he was struggling so much. Carlos Ruiz, a .293 hitter with runners in scoring position (risp) during the season, went 3 for 18 with 1HR, ONE RBI, and 7Ks. Jayson Werth, despite his .150 avg. with risp during the regular season had 2HRs and 5RBI in the series to lead a very poor showing by the Phils run producers. In fact, normal run scorers Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, and Shane Victorino combined for the 11 of the team's 18 RBIs in the series. You're not going to win many playoff games with those kinds of numbers from a supposed all-star lineup.
Lack of Bullpen Depth
Because of the Phillies lack of reliable relievers, Ryan Madson pitched in five games and was working on his second inning of relief in game 6 when he gave up the series-clinching home run to Juan Uribe. Chad Durbin blew a 4-3 Phils lead in his only appearance in game 4. The Phillies eventually lost game 4 in the bottom of the 9th when Charlie Manuel summoned starter Roy Oswalt to pitch with Brad Lidge still in the bullpen and Madson on the bench after pitching the last inning and a 2/3rds. H2O can't do it all. A few more dependable relievers would've helped in those close, late-inning games.
Poor Game Management
I could see what Charlie Manuel was thinking when he went with Joe Blanton to start game 4. He'd had Halladay for game 5, Oswalt in 6, and Hamels for game 7 if necessary. However, down 2-1 in the series and with the known lack of success teams have in coming back from being down 3-1 (my Braves did it in '96!), this is a must-win game. If my ace says he's ready to go whenever you want him to pitch before this game, I'm going with my ace. Who knows if the end result would've been different with Halladay on the mound in Game 4 but if I'm a betting man, I'd bet that Halladay would've given the Phils at least 6 or 7 solid innings and they wouldn't have had to use Chad Durbin early in relief or have to go with Roy Oswalt to pitch the ninth. I didn't like Manuel's decision to go with Oswalt in the ninth either. He should've went with Lidge in his normal ninth inning spot and then went to Oswalt or another well rested starter or reliever if it went to extras.
Ben Francisco is your pinch-hitter with runners in scoring position and one out in game 6? This just shows how weak their bench really was. His other options were Ross Gload, Domonic Brown, Wilson Valdez, and the veteran former RBI machine Mike Sweeney. Francisco was never a run producer. Brown is rookie who was just called up in September. Valdez is known for his slick fielding. I'd have went with Sweeney who had a hit in his only previous at bat in the series. He was enjoying his first postseason in his long career. He would've loved getting this opportunity to drive in the go-ahead run. Coulda, shoulda, maybe woulda! The Phillies will have to improve in these areas if they want to live up to their potential.
Looking Ahead to 2011
The Phillies need to shore up their bullpen whether it comes from their farm system, free agency, or via trade. Their four postseason starters are back. Kyle Kendrick, who shared the fifth spot with Jamie Moyer during the regular season, is eligible for salary arbitration. Moyer is a free agent. Kendrick is still young and could be brought back for a one year trial and another year under the tutelage of pitching coach Rich Dubee. Despite some success earlier in the year, I wouldn't give the ageless wonder Moyer more than a minor league deal and invite to spring training to tutor and compete with the Phillies young pitchers.
Besides Jayson Werth who is a free agent, the rest of the Phillies lineup is signed through next year. I highly doubt they can afford to keep Werth with Scott BorASS as his agent. The Phillies want to keep Werth and he would like to stay but Boras is known to persuade his clients to try the open market first. He's also known to be a tough negotiator and I don't think the Phillies' offer will be match what Boras thinks Jayson is worth. As a cheaper alternative, Baseball America's no. 1 prospect Domonic Brown is also waiting for his turn at the major league level. The Phillies have mentioned possibly using him in a platoon role with Ben Francisco in right field next year. Werth is a great talent but I see the Phils going a different direction and giving Brown his chance along with an opporunity for Ben Francisco to show what he could do with more playing time than he's had the last two years. I also see them bringing in another veteran outfielder or two to spring training to push and compete with them.
I can't wait for next year. I'm hoping for another to another pennant race between the Phils and Braves! Until then, I will be watching the World Series because I love baseball but not with as much interest. I'm picking the Rangers because I love their team, their potent offense, and clutch pitching. Let's see if the Giants prove me wrong again and shut down another powerful lineup.
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