With the reporting of pitchers and catchers just a few days ago, I though it appropriate to start my roster breakdown with the starting rotation. This starting rotation was excellent last year. The addition of Cliff Lee makes the rotation down right scary this year. This is one of the best rotations ever put together in the history of baseball, let me break down each pitcher for you.
Roy Halladay: First up is Roy Halladay. Halladay went 21-10 last year with a 2.44 ERA. He won the NL Cy Young award and pitched a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter. He had quite the year to say the least. You know what your going to get from Roy night in and night out. Your getting a work horse who will take you deep into games and work his tail off on and off the field. Although Roy has 2 career Cy Young awards, a no-hitter, a perfect game and 7 All-Star appearances he still does not have a ring. I think this is going to drive him to play even harder this year and try and help his team win a world championship.
Cliff Lee: I think I'm still in shock. I can't believe that I am typing about Cliff Lee as a Phillie once again. Believe it or not Cliff Lee is back in Philly and he too brings an extreme hunger for a World Series title. He has reached the world series the past 2 years only to come up empty handed both times. Now Lee is teaming up with Roy Halladay and the rest of this pitching staff to try and bring this city a championship. Lee is going to battle every time he takes the mound. Whether he is down by 8 or winning by 12, Lee is going to play hard no matter what the circumstance. Lee is a true gamer and that is one of the reasons he is so beloved in Philadelphia.
Cole Hamels: Cole Hamels had his best year last year hands down. Although he only went 12-11, Cole managed to put together a 3.06 ERA a career best. Don't let the win total fool you, Cole received very little run support last year and he easily could have won 18 games + last year if he had gotten some offense to back him. I think Cole is going to be the pleasant surprise of the year. He is entering into a contract year at the prime of his career and I think those factors coupled with a new work ethic will make him the ace of this staff. Cole has the ring, the confidence, and the talent to be the ace of this staff he just has to go out there and execute. And a little run support would be nice too.
Roy Oswalt: When the Phillies acquired Roy Oswalt last year at the trade deadline there wasn't an overwhelming sense of excitement. It's understandable because at the time the Phillies acquired Oswalt he was 6-12. I think that Oswalt still isn't appreciated even after going 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA last year during his time with the Phillies. Oswalt is the guy on this staff who is not going to do anything flashy. He's not going to win the Cy Young award or win 30 games but he is going to be the silent workhorse that is vital to this team's success. Oswalt will keep his team in the game every night and providing that he gets run support Oswalt will easily win 15 games + this season.
Joe Blanton: Don't forget about Joe. It's understandable that Blanton is getting forgotten as he is on the staff that features 4 of the game's best pitchers. But don't forget Joe Blanton is a solid number 3 on any other team and he is one of the most consistent pitchers in the game. Joe Blanton is going to keep you in the game and that's all you can ask for. As long as he gets out of the early innings he can be a very effective pitcher. I do expect the Phils to move Blanton before the start of the season. If not, Blanton will be a solid number 5 and will look to compete all season long. If Blanton does get traded I expect Kendrick to get the nod for the 5th spot. The 5th spot isn't all that important when you have one of the best staffs in the history of the game. It's truly going to be a luxury this season sending an ace to the ace to the mound 80% of the time. Just stay healthy, score a few runs here and there, and let the pitching staff do the rest.
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