MLB preview: Philadelphia Phillies
Every other team in the NL East looks improved, meaning the Phillies could be caught after they made a late push to repeat as division champion in 2009. I think they've still got way too much of everything to expect that they'll not come out on top once again.
2009 record: 93-69 (1st in NL East)
2010 projected record: 96-66 (1st in NL East)
Probable starters:
C — Carlos Ruiz
1B — Ryan Howard
2B — Chase Utley
SS — Jimmy Rollins
3B — Placido Polanco
LF — Raul Ibanez
CF — Shane Victorino
RF — Jayson Werth
SP — Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer
CL — Brad Lidge
RP — Ryan Madson, J.C. Romero
Strengths: Though Polanco doesn't have the power of its other three members, he joins what's probably the best infield in the National League and might be the best in the game. The outfield is almost as strong, as there's not a weak spot among Ibanez, Victorino and Werth. Halladay may or may not be an upgrade over what Cliff Lee did last year, but he is certainly someone anyone would be thrilled to have atop their rotation. If Hamels gets back on track after a frustrating 2009, he and Happ could make for an excellent pair of left-handers in the Nos. 2 and 3 spots.
Weaknesses: Lidge was 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA last year and had offseason surgery. Madson is a nice setup reliever, but if Lidge fails, he's not a proven closer, and moving him into that role would only weaken the rest of the bullpen, which already is the team's weakest area. Ruiz isn't much of a hitter, though he doesn't really need to be in this lineup. I'd feel better about Rollins if his batting averages the past two years were higher than .277 and .250. Moyer finally started to slow down last season, and Blanton is nothing more than a middle-of-the-road starting pitcher.
