2008 Phillies Prediction

Opening day is upon us and it is time for our pre-season predictions.
Record: 87-75, 2nd in division, 2nd in wildcard race
Rotation:
Brett Myers - 15-9, 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Cole Hamels - 17-7, 3.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
Jame Moyer - 14-11, 4.65 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Kyle Kendrick - 12-9, 4.45 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Adam Eaton - 12-12, 5.10 ERA, 1.45 WHIP
Bullpen:
Pitcher with lowest ERA - Ryan Madson - 2.55 ERA
Pitcher with highest ERA - Tom Gordon - 5.10 ERA
Most Wins - Ryan Madson - 6
Most Saves - Brad Lidge - 34, 6 blown saves
Lineup:
SS Jimmy Rollins - .285 avg, .340 obp, .525 slg, 25 hr, 85 rbi, 135 r, 40 sb
CF Shane Victorino - .280 avg, .350 obp, .410 slg, 10 hr, 45 rbi, 95 r, 50 sb
2B Chase Utley - .325 avg, .400 obp, .570 slg, 28 hr, 110 rbi, 110 r, 15 sb
1B Ryan Howard - .295 avg, .410 obp, .635 slg, 51 hr, 140 rbi, 105 r, 1 sb
LF Pat Burrell - .260 avg, .375 obp, .500 slg, 32 hr, 100 rbi, 80 r
RF Geoff Jenkins - .270 avg, .350 obp, .490 slg, 20 hr, 60 rbi, 45 r, 3 sb
3B Pedro Feliz - .260 avg, .300 obp, .450 slg, 20 hr, 75 rbi, 60 r, 2 sb
C Carlos Ruiz - .285 avg, .360 obp, .425 slg, 10 hr, 70 rbi, 55 r, 8 sb
Bench:
OF Jayson Werth - .275 avg, .360 obp, 10 hr, 45 rbi, 35 r, 15 sb
Last year, the Phillies pinch-hitters tied for the fourth most RBIs by pinch-hitters in the last half century with 56. If our bench could somehow find similar production that would be huge for a team often finding themselves in late-inning battles.

I am really not sold on the back-end of our rotation. I was rather generous with my predictions for Moyer, Kendrick, and Eaton, but I really think they're the near-optimal results. I really like Kendrick's composure, but his stuff is not a real selling point. I think Moyer's age got to him last year, though he had a few great starts over the final weeks of the season and the playoffs. If he could pitch like ten years prior, that could be a huge boost for a questionable rotation.

The bullpen also has question marks, especially with Tom Gordon's horrible, sorry, pathetic spring. Thankfully, he comes off the books this year. Ryan Madson seems poised for another good year out of the bullpen. His pitching may truly make or break this season. Brad Lidge should be back by next weekend and all signs looked good. Lidge's slider is working again and a dominating closer will be clutch for the Phillies. The good news for the Phillies is that the Mets bullpen is not much better and unless their rotation throws all complete games, the Phillies should be able to knock them off again.

Year after year, the Phillies battle injuries with the pitching staff. If this proves to be a healthy year, the Phillies might be able to take over the division.