** I got the phever. I got it bad. Phils are taking it all home this year. **

I like the team, but World Series talk seems far-fetched. I agree with Zuchini that Hamels' role on this team is crucial, especially now that Manuel made the (unadvisable) decision to put Myers in the bullpen as a middle-reliever. Hamels has shown signs of brilliance (15 ks against Cincy last week), but even assuming an 18-win, 200-k season out of him, it will take more. I personally think Lieber, despite a couple promising outings so far this season, shouldn't step out on the field unless it's to throw BP. He doesn't paint like a Maddux or a Glavine, yet he relies on his fastball, which tops out in the mid-80s. I don't see how a team can win consistently with a pitcher like Lieber in the starting rotation. I hate to be a downer, but I'll be happy if my Phillies make the playoffs this year.

they're a tough team which doesn't throw in the towel easily, so i won't rule them out.  but i'm not ready to sign them off as winners just yet.  sure, they have lots of power with the bats, but as has been said plenty of times before, good pitching trumps good hitting.  I hear so much about howard's bat, but he's a par-level firstbasemen at best.  Whoever's gonna win the series is going to have to match power with defense. I'm not sure i see them holding off boston or the yanks for four out of seven. supposing they even get there.

They're scrappy and determined and they can hit a ton, all of which they proved down the stretch in beating the Mets like a bad dog.

I can see them getting past the first round of the playoffs, but I think their suspect bull-pen may prove to be a weakness too much to overcome.

*Go Fightin' Phils!*

I think the Phils are going to break my heart again this year and just miss the playoffs. I hope that I'm wrong. They have overcome some of the worst pitching in the big leagues to put themselves in a position to just miss again. Their number two pitcher, Kyle Kendrick, wasn't even invited to spring training and was 4-7 in double A ball. Their number one pitcher, Cole Hamels, is coming off the DL with a bad elbow. Their number three pitcher, Jamie Moyer, will occasionally scrap, but he's 59 years old. Adam Eaton has held his spot in the rotation despite an ERA of well over 6! The bullpen isn't much better. There are three "reliable" pitchers in the pen - JC Romero, a cast off from Boston (who has been legitimately great), Tom Gordon (whose ERA is over 5), and the hot headed Brett Myers (whose ERA is over 4). Offensively, they're mighty however. Rollins, Utley, Burrell, Howard, and Rowand provide a murderous stretch in the lineup, with Jayson Werth very dangerous as well. In baseball, good pitching trumps good hitting. If they find a way to beat out the Mets or the Pads / Rockies for the last NL playoff spot, it will be miraculous. More than any Phillies team in recent memory, this team has really scrapped. And for that, I love them.

Imagine if they didn't have to raid the rosters of community colleges for pitchers. . .

Hard to argue with the offensive potential of their infield. Howard will probably have another monstrous year that should be fun to watch. Their outfield is only decent, but their all around lineup is solid for a NL team. Brett Myers and Freddy Garcia should be solid starters. The big question will be if Cole Hamels has turned into the ace that people have predicted he could be. If he has a breakout year, then the Phillies are likely headed to the postseason. If he struggles, then they will be in a tight pack in the NL East.

It should be a close call between the Phillies and the Mets for that division, on paper anyway. Three fourths of their infield ( Rollins, Utley, and Howard) are about as good as it gets, though Wes Helms at third is merely ok. The pitching staff is not spectacular, but solid enough to contend. There are some concerns in the outfield and at catcher, and though Tom Gordon has had a good career, Father Time may catch up to him this year. A solid 3.5 for this list.