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What the Phillies have to do to win this season (besides scoring more runs than the other team in more games than the other teams.)
1B – 1) Ryan, don't go to Subway, 2) hit left-handers, 3) cut down on the strikeouts, 4) hit a single to left rather than strikeout, and 5) make fewer errors in the field.
2B – Be Chase, don’t break anything, and hit for more power against left-handed pitching.
SS – I would like to say walk more, but I’ve officially given up expecting that. Just be Jimmy.
3B – Pedro, you have to play great defense, hit .275, and bang out 20+ homers. It's realistic.
LF – Be the Pat Burrell of the last half of last season, only do it all season.
CF – Shane! Come home, Shane! Often! You can do that if you become more selective at the plate and run your glutes off. While you're at it, play great centerfield.
RF – The Jenkins/Werth combo must hit .270 - .290, 30+ homers, and play sound defense.
C - Señor Ruiz, por favor, improve that warning track power to over-the-wall power and add 30 points minimum to your batting average.
Bench – Dobbs, Helms, Taguchi, and either Jenkins or Werth are experienced and versatile. Should be a strength over a long season.
P – In general, do what you haven’t done before: Stay healthy, cut down the gopher balls, and take a run off the team ERA.
Starters
Hamels must win 22 and the Cy Young, both reachable goals. He’ll need to stay healthy and cut down on homerun balls
Myers must become more consistent than past years as a starter. He can’t pitch four great innings and then fall apart or go into weeks-long funks.
Moyer cannot have a 5.00 ERA again this year.
The double Durbin-Kendrick combo could go either direction, but Eaton will probably be going the wrong way.
Middle relief
Madson could be excellent or a batting practice pitcher. He’s been both. Romero, come back as you were. Gordon, keep your right arm on your shoulder for the entire season.
Short relief
Lidge, be all that you can be without joining the army.
View: The offense will likely be there, and the infield is among the best in the game. Young players like Ruiz and Victorino have to take further strides toward being all-stars and realistically could. But the pitching is still suspect, although on paper it should be better than last season. (If only the rules allowed paper players.) The starters after Myers have to prove they belong. The Phils must beat the teams they’re supposed to beat, something they have struggled with over the past years. They can’t count on beating the Mets eight straight again even if they didn't pick up Santana.
There isn't a darn thing wrong with Charlie Manuel. Just be yourself, Charlie, and screw your critics!
1B – 1) Ryan, don't go to Subway, 2) hit left-handers, 3) cut down on the strikeouts, 4) hit a single to left rather than strikeout, and 5) make fewer errors in the field.
2B – Be Chase, don’t break anything, and hit for more power against left-handed pitching.
SS – I would like to say walk more, but I’ve officially given up expecting that. Just be Jimmy.
3B – Pedro, you have to play great defense, hit .275, and bang out 20+ homers. It's realistic.
LF – Be the Pat Burrell of the last half of last season, only do it all season.
CF – Shane! Come home, Shane! Often! You can do that if you become more selective at the plate and run your glutes off. While you're at it, play great centerfield.
RF – The Jenkins/Werth combo must hit .270 - .290, 30+ homers, and play sound defense.
C - Señor Ruiz, por favor, improve that warning track power to over-the-wall power and add 30 points minimum to your batting average.
Bench – Dobbs, Helms, Taguchi, and either Jenkins or Werth are experienced and versatile. Should be a strength over a long season.
P – In general, do what you haven’t done before: Stay healthy, cut down the gopher balls, and take a run off the team ERA.
Starters
Hamels must win 22 and the Cy Young, both reachable goals. He’ll need to stay healthy and cut down on homerun balls
Myers must become more consistent than past years as a starter. He can’t pitch four great innings and then fall apart or go into weeks-long funks.
Moyer cannot have a 5.00 ERA again this year.
The double Durbin-Kendrick combo could go either direction, but Eaton will probably be going the wrong way.
Middle relief
Madson could be excellent or a batting practice pitcher. He’s been both. Romero, come back as you were. Gordon, keep your right arm on your shoulder for the entire season.
Short relief
Lidge, be all that you can be without joining the army.
View: The offense will likely be there, and the infield is among the best in the game. Young players like Ruiz and Victorino have to take further strides toward being all-stars and realistically could. But the pitching is still suspect, although on paper it should be better than last season. (If only the rules allowed paper players.) The starters after Myers have to prove they belong. The Phils must beat the teams they’re supposed to beat, something they have struggled with over the past years. They can’t count on beating the Mets eight straight again even if they didn't pick up Santana.
There isn't a darn thing wrong with Charlie Manuel. Just be yourself, Charlie, and screw your critics!
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