Phillies Season Preview

No matter which team you root for, everyone can agree: the start of baseball season is absolutely incredible. 


After waiting out a Winter which feels like an eternity, Opening Day really marks the first day of Spring.


And for the Philadelphia Phillies, this past Winter felt like an eternity and then some. If the Phillies ever had a chance to win it, 2011 was the year to do it. Phillies fans were ready to hang up the World Series Champions banner even before the first pitch was throne.


This year, the aura surrounding the Phillies this year, a feeling of desperation and nervousness, shared by both players and fans alike.


For veterans like Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton, and aces Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, the 2012 season could be "win or forever be ringless." In the case of Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins and others, the hunger to win another World Series is still there.


In order for this Phillies team to make a deep run in the playoffs, they cannot rely on starting pitching alone. 2-1 wins are great, but they cannot expect to win that way every game.


Even with the losses of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley (for the time being), the offense will have to hold their own.


Early in the season, the Phillies have been given the chances to do so. They open their season with the Pirates, Marlins, Giants, Padres, Diamondbacks and Cubs. 4 out of 6 of those teams had losing records in 2011. 


If the Phillies want to give themselves breathing room come September, the month of June would be the time to do it. 


They are also being given the chance to smack around some poor pitching. In 2011, the Pirates, Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Cubs had team ERA's around 4.00, and none of those team ERA's were good for better than 14th in the MLB.


In May, the Phillies play host to the Boston Red Sox, but travel to Atlanta and St. Louis, to take on the Braves and Cardinals, respectively. Atlanta are strong contenders this year to take the NL East crown from the Phillies, and beating them 2 out of 3 would do wonders for team morale.


16 of their 28 games that month are at home, and at CBP is a place where the Phillies can get into a groove hitting wise. June also brings Inter league play, where the Phillies will take on the Twins, Blue Jays, and Orioles.


Picture a truck running over roadkill. Picture that truck putting the car in reverse and running over the roadkill again.


The Phillies are the truck. You can guess who the roadkill is. 


July brings about the trade deadline, as well as the All-Star break. Although they always find a way to be, do not expect the Phillies to be active during the deadline. 


The All-Star break will be much more important because, well, the Phillies are that old. The four days off will allow the Phillies to re-cooperate, and play strong versus the Dodgers, Giants, Brewers, and Braves.


For the month of August, the Phillies will make themselves quite comfortable at Citizens Bank Park. But it will be no easy task, as they will play the Braves, Cardinals, and Brewers (who could be a first round matchup for the Phils), among others. 


For every team in playoff contention, the Phillies need to put the "pedal to the metal" in September. The most important series of the month is against the Braves, from the 21st-23rd. If the Phillies want to win the division, they are gonna have to put away the Braves at home.


Regular Season Record: 90-72 (1st in NL East)
The Phillies will edge out the Braves to win the division, and by the slimmest of margin. Pitching is key down the stretch for any team, and the Phillies happen to have 3 of the best in the league (and Vance Worley). Sorry Joe. 


Playoffs: Phillies Lose To Brewers In First Round
The homer in me wants to see the Phillies make a deep playoff run, and win the World Series. Sadly, I just do not believe the Phillies will make it out of the first round. Injuries, age among other things are major factors that will definitely affect the Phillies. 


However, anyone can beat anyone come playoff time. Do not fret yet about October, just be happy baseball is finally here.


It was one long offseason.