WeAreNDHockey
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Re: 2011 Philadelphia Phillies - If you liked H2O, you're gonna love R2C2
So, I'm convinced that this is the best regular season Phillies team I have ever seen. In addition, I've seen only a few examples of any team being better, at least in the regular season. Seattle was great in 2001, and had to contend with a team down the coast in Oakland that was almost as good. The Yankees likewise in 1998, especially since they proved it in October, although there were really no other great AL teams that season. A few early 20th century teams come to mind as well, but I tend to discount a little of what happened in baseball before a fuller integration became the norm by the 1950s. I also discount a lot of what happened in the pre-AL era.
But this Phils team just wins. They come back. They hit with 2 outs (whether or not the get an assist from a lousy umpire), they play the best 9 man defense in baseball -- and have for the last 4 years now, and they even find a way to beat the team with the best home record in the majors despite playing without 3 of their biggest cogs. We all know how hard it is to start any kind of a losing streak with the kind of rotation they have. And the bullpen ERA is among the NLs best.
It looks like the biggest issue they face is who will be their 4th starter in the post season, Oswalt or Worley. My guess is Manuel and Dubee will opt with playoff experience and go with Oswalt. But they have made some moves here and there over the last few years that have gone against the conventional wisdom, so we'll have to wait and see. Perhaps it will be determined by each of the last 2 or 3 starts by the two.
Something I thought maybe we'd see a little more is pulling back on some of the innings the starters have thrown. As someone who is absolutely loving the old-school approach to starting pitching a number of teams are showing (most notably of course, the Phils), I find it strange I am thinking this. But when Hamels towed the rubber in the 9th, I was surprised. Especially since the Phils broadcasters thought he may have come out for a PH in the top of the 8th anyway. But here we are in the middle of September, and there have been few hints that any of the starters are fatigued. Hamels had the one little hick-up, but Lee, Halladay, and Worley have been horses. I think part of it is they have the mind set of not letting up on the throttle. I agree with that approach. We've seen too many examples of 100 win teams not making the Series, let alone winning it all. I think coasting in September hurts. But then again, the 1993 Braves didn't see the World Series, and that 104 win team didn't even know they made the playoffs until 6:00 on the final Sunday of that season, thanks to the 103 win Giants staying right on them until the final day.
We could actually see a playoff spot tied up in a couple of days (I think the magic number for no worse than the second best 2nd place finish is 4) so the final couple of weeks will be a wait and see game. Here's to 11 wins in October!
So, I'm convinced that this is the best regular season Phillies team I have ever seen. In addition, I've seen only a few examples of any team being better, at least in the regular season. Seattle was great in 2001, and had to contend with a team down the coast in Oakland that was almost as good. The Yankees likewise in 1998, especially since they proved it in October, although there were really no other great AL teams that season. A few early 20th century teams come to mind as well, but I tend to discount a little of what happened in baseball before a fuller integration became the norm by the 1950s. I also discount a lot of what happened in the pre-AL era.
But this Phils team just wins. They come back. They hit with 2 outs (whether or not the get an assist from a lousy umpire), they play the best 9 man defense in baseball -- and have for the last 4 years now, and they even find a way to beat the team with the best home record in the majors despite playing without 3 of their biggest cogs. We all know how hard it is to start any kind of a losing streak with the kind of rotation they have. And the bullpen ERA is among the NLs best.
It looks like the biggest issue they face is who will be their 4th starter in the post season, Oswalt or Worley. My guess is Manuel and Dubee will opt with playoff experience and go with Oswalt. But they have made some moves here and there over the last few years that have gone against the conventional wisdom, so we'll have to wait and see. Perhaps it will be determined by each of the last 2 or 3 starts by the two.
Something I thought maybe we'd see a little more is pulling back on some of the innings the starters have thrown. As someone who is absolutely loving the old-school approach to starting pitching a number of teams are showing (most notably of course, the Phils), I find it strange I am thinking this. But when Hamels towed the rubber in the 9th, I was surprised. Especially since the Phils broadcasters thought he may have come out for a PH in the top of the 8th anyway. But here we are in the middle of September, and there have been few hints that any of the starters are fatigued. Hamels had the one little hick-up, but Lee, Halladay, and Worley have been horses. I think part of it is they have the mind set of not letting up on the throttle. I agree with that approach. We've seen too many examples of 100 win teams not making the Series, let alone winning it all. I think coasting in September hurts. But then again, the 1993 Braves didn't see the World Series, and that 104 win team didn't even know they made the playoffs until 6:00 on the final Sunday of that season, thanks to the 103 win Giants staying right on them until the final day.
We could actually see a playoff spot tied up in a couple of days (I think the magic number for no worse than the second best 2nd place finish is 4) so the final couple of weeks will be a wait and see game. Here's to 11 wins in October!
