2013 MLB Team Previews – Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia owned the NL East in recent years with five-straight division titles from 2007 until 2011 including a World Series Championship in 2008, but it suffered a harsh dose of reality last season that a good thing does not last forever.
After going an even 81-81 in 2012, this team is at a crossroads heading into this season. The Phillies lineup and starting rotation still has enough star power to compete for a possible wildcard spot in the NL, but they could just as easily head in the other direction if some of their veteran bats and arms continue to show their age.
Bovada’s Odds to Win
- NL East: +300
- National League: 8/1
- World Series: 18/1
Key Additions
The biggest offseason addition to the team was third baseman Michael Young, who had spent the previous 13 seasons with the Texas Rangers and was named to the AL All-Star team in seven of his last nine with the club. The Phillies also sent pitcher Vance Young to Minnesota for outfielder Ben Revere, who batted .294 last season while stealing 40 bases.
Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence were traded right before last season’s trade deadline so Delmon Young was brought in to fill one of the holes created in right field. Unfortunately, he will have to start the season on the DL.
Projected Starting Line-Up
- 1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
- 2. Chase Utley, 2B
- 3. Michael Young, 3B
- 4. Ryan Howard, 1B
- 5. Delmon Young, RF
- 6. Carlos Ruiz, C
- 7. Domonic Brown, LF
- 8. Ben Revere, CF
Look for Erik Kratz to open the season behind home plate as Ruiz serves out a 25-game suspension using a banned substance. John Mayberry should get the start in right field until Young is ready to return to action.
The Phillies line-up should receive an immediate boost from having both Howard and Utley on the field on opening day after both All-Stars missed a substantial amount of time last season recovering from injuries. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Projected Starting Rotation
- 1. Cole Hamels
- 2. Cliff Lee
- 3. Roy Halladay
- 4. Kyle Kendrick
- 5. John Lannan
While this rotation is not nearly as formidable as it was a couple of years back, it still has the potential to be one of the best in the National League. The key will be a return to form by both Lee and Halladay who are coming off a less than stellar 2012 campaign.
Hamels sign a fat long-term contract to assume the role of staff ace and Lannan was brought in to replace Worley.
Closer
- Jonathan Papelbon
Papelbon was one of the more vocal players this offseason in questioning the team’s heart and determination to get back to its winning ways. He will now be under the gun to walk the walk in a bullpen that had its fair share of meltdowns last year. To give him some help, Philadelphia brought in Mike Adams as its new setup man.
2013 Philadelphia Phillies Prediction:
Last season never got off to a good start with Howard and Utley out of the line-up as the run support needed to help the starters never really materialized. There are now enough pieces back in place to give the fighting Phils a chance to fight it out with Atlanta and Washington in the NL East.
They might not have enough juice to catch those two in the division title race, but they do have enough to contend for the other wildcard spot in the NL.
