Post by thebonabus on Sept 19, 2006 12:32:39 GMT -5
Eh, Phillies are going to come up a game or two short again is my assumption. Howard is a stud hands down and doing his best to carry this team, but Utley has struggled some of late, Pat Burrell is an easy out in the 5th slot and depending on the day, pitching can be suspect. I like their depth at lefties as it will be a big asset in the postseason if they make it, but the issue is their pen. They blew two games with Gordon out for two weeks and those games could come back to haunt them.
My overall grading out of 10
Offense: 7.5 (the top of the lineup is a potent as most NL teams, but as the order drops, so do the RBIs, BAs and such)
Defense: 6 (With the exception of Utley and Rollins, they are mediocre at best. Howard isn't solid with the glove andtheir outfield corners are very suspect)
Pitching: 7 (This varies on the day. If Hamels is on, like he was Saturday vs. Houston, he is lights out. Same for Myers. Leiber is a good veteran who works fast, but can blow up easily. Moyer was a nice addition and has looked OK so far. Wolf is suspect, but looked good lately)
Bullpen: 6 (Without Gordon, they are screwed. He has looked very good since coming back and it pains me not to see him setting up Mo anymore. But hands down, they need starters to go deep or they will be in trouble.)
Bench: 5 (There is speed there and a little pop, but no one that will scare you. Randall Simon is their top bench guy. Enough said)
Coaching: 4 (Charlie Manuel is in the wrong league. He doesn't understand the intricacies of the NL, can't pull off a double switch and totally botches lineups trying to play his favorites and that stubborness cost them games. All you need to know is for the first month of the season Howard batted 6th.)
So my overall estimate of the Phillies making the playoffs, 30%. I'd love to see them make it to see some playoff baseball, but in all reality I think this team is going to come up short in the end. At least I know my team will secure their spot in the next week in the meantime.
My overall grading out of 10
Offense: 7.5 (the top of the lineup is a potent as most NL teams, but as the order drops, so do the RBIs, BAs and such)
Defense: 6 (With the exception of Utley and Rollins, they are mediocre at best. Howard isn't solid with the glove andtheir outfield corners are very suspect)
Pitching: 7 (This varies on the day. If Hamels is on, like he was Saturday vs. Houston, he is lights out. Same for Myers. Leiber is a good veteran who works fast, but can blow up easily. Moyer was a nice addition and has looked OK so far. Wolf is suspect, but looked good lately)
Bullpen: 6 (Without Gordon, they are screwed. He has looked very good since coming back and it pains me not to see him setting up Mo anymore. But hands down, they need starters to go deep or they will be in trouble.)
Bench: 5 (There is speed there and a little pop, but no one that will scare you. Randall Simon is their top bench guy. Enough said)
Coaching: 4 (Charlie Manuel is in the wrong league. He doesn't understand the intricacies of the NL, can't pull off a double switch and totally botches lineups trying to play his favorites and that stubborness cost them games. All you need to know is for the first month of the season Howard batted 6th.)
So my overall estimate of the Phillies making the playoffs, 30%. I'd love to see them make it to see some playoff baseball, but in all reality I think this team is going to come up short in the end. At least I know my team will secure their spot in the next week in the meantime.
