The 2011 Major League Baseball playoffs get under way on Friday, September 30, when the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays meet up in Arlington, Texas. The eight teams remaining all earned their playoff spots and have a chance to win the World Series. The San Francisco Giants proved last year that you can't discount any team in the playoffs. The Giants recipe for success in 2010 was great pitching paired with some timely hitting, and I think the Philadelphia Phillies are the team best suited to follow in their footsteps.
Philadelphia Phillies Pitching is the Best in Baseball
The Philadelphia Phillies lead the Major Leagues in wins in 2010 thanks to their stellar starting pitching. The Big Three of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels entered the season with high expectations and lived up to the hype. Halladay, Lee, and Hamels all finished in the top six in the National League in ERA and in the top four in WHIP. Halladay led the league in complete games with eight while Lee lead the league in shut outs with six.
The Phillies pitchers also have the advantage in experience over their National League foes. Hamels won the 2008 World Series MVP for his efforts. Lee has playoff experience with several teams including last season with the Texas Rangers. Roy Halladay kicked off the playoffs for the Phillies last year by throwing only the second postseason no-hitter in Major League history.
The Big Three led a Phillies pitching staff that posted a Major League best ERA of 3.02 with 21 shut outs. The Phillies 3.02 ERA is the best mark since the 1989 Los Angeles Dodgers led the league with an ERA of 2.95.
While Halladay, Hamels, and Lee get the most attention, there are other Phillie pitchers that excelled this year as well. Ryan Madson (2.37 ERA) and Antonio Bastardo (2.64 ERA) were both outstanding out of the bullpen for the Phillies. Vance Worley also pitched great for Philadelphia posting an 11-3 record with an ERA of 3.01 in 25 games.
In a short series the Phillies pitching gives them a clear advantage. If a team is able to push the Phillies to seven games it is possible they will have to face each of the Big Three twice. No small task for an opponent.
The Phillies Line-Up Can Put Up Runs
The strength of the 2011 Phillies is obviously pitching, but there hitting should not be overlooked. Any lineup that features Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Hunter Pence, Ryan Howard, and Shane Victorino is potentially dangerous. Howard hit over 30 home runs and drove in over 100 for the sixth straight season.
The Phillies made a brilliant move picking up Hunter Pence before the trade deadline. In 54 games with the Phillies Pence hit .324 with an on base percentage of .394. He also added 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in that short span.
Rollins, Victorino, and Utley are all experienced hitters with a blend of power and batting average. They all run the bases well and are a threat to steal when the opportunity is right. The Phillies stole 96 bases this year and were only caught 24 times for a success rate of 80%, tops in the National League. Utley stole 14 bases in 14 attempts this year and for his career he has 110 stolen bases in only 123 attempts. I think you call that 'smart base running.'
The Philadelphia Phillies Should Win the 2011 World Series
The Phillies have the makings of a World Series champion. Philadelphia's pitching is by far the best in baseball. They have a lineup that can hit the long ball, but can also play small ball if needed. Throw in an outstanding defense that only committed 74 errors this season, best in the National League, and a parade in Philadelphia looks like a sure thing. I think the Phillies will coast through the National League playoffs before winning the World Series over the Yankees in 5 games.
Of course, it's the postseason which means, expect the unexpected.
Daniel Allan - Daniel is a graduate of Fresno State University and has been an elementary school teacher for five years. He loves spending his summers ...
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