The Philadelphia Phillies probably made the biggest news this offseason with the surprise signing of left hander Cliff Lee. He joins a rotation of 19 other aces. OK, maybe not 19. But two or three, for sure, in Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt. Joe Blanton rounds out a rotation that is mighty, make no doubt about that.
Their offense, however, is not mighty. It's not mighty because it features no one who bats righty. Not true, but it sure rhymed nicely. And it's not too far off the mark. The Phillies lost their best right handed bat (Jayson Werth) to free agency, and now have maybe three in the lineup, counting the switch hitting Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins. The guys who batted the Phillies to the playoffs in 07, and the World Series in the two subsequent years—sluggers like Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley—just ain't bringing it like they used to. Every Phillie fan to this day has the look on Howard's face when he struck out looking to end the 2010 NLCS etched in their memory, and if they tell you otherwise, they're lying.
Point is, the Fightin's don't hit like they used to. For the worse. But they don't pitch like they used to, either. For the better. And they say pitching is what wins baseball games. However, because they lack offense I see them losing low scoring games more than they'd like. And getting beat in the late innings more than they'd like. And if closer Brad Lidge struggles like he's been known to, watch out.
Nope. I don't see a division title being the lock the flock of Phils fans figure it will.
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