2011 Philadelphia Phillies Roster Breakdown and Season Preview

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Whilst the Philadelphia Phillies won their fourth straight National League East title, they were unable to get back to the Globe Series for a third consecutive season, falling to the San Francisco Giant 4-2 in the NLCS. The Phillies went out and added but yet another ace to their pitching staff in Cliff Lee, giving them 1 of the most beneficial 1-4 starting rotations in baseball history. Expectations are as high as ever in Philly, and anything much less than a Globe Series trip in 2011 would be a disappointment. Here is a breakdown of what Philadelphia's starting lineup and beginning rotation will look like to start the this season, plus our MLB predictions on exactly where they will end the year in the division.

Starting Lineup

Philadelphia's offense didn't really have the season every person expected given that of injures in 2010. Both Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins missed considerable time, and as a result their production dropped. When healthy these two have the talent to carry the offensive load.

Ryan Howard is yet another vital piece to this offense, as he gives a ton of power in the middle of the lineup. Howard ended the season with 31 dwelling runs and 108 RBIs, his fifth straight season of 30-plus residence runs and 100-plus RBIs.

Placido Polanco may possibly not get the acknowledgment that the other players get, but he is a great No. 2 batter who puts the ball in play and gets points going for the rest of the players to drive runs in.

Shane Victorino and Rual Ibanez both struggled compared to a season ago in 2010, and it would honestly make this lineup hazardous if they could bounce back and put together a solid year.

Philadelphia is putting their trust in top prospect Dominic Brown to grow to be the everyday player in suitable field, and are thrilled about what this kid can bring to the plate. Catcher Carlos Ruiz had an career year at the plate, batting.302 with a.400 OBP, if he can come close to those stats in 2011, the Phillies will have 1 of the even more total lineups in the NL.

Beginning Rotation

The rotation is loaded with four starters who could be no. 1s on other squads. Roy Halladay was the very best pitcher in baseball last year as he won 21 times with a 2.44 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He also threw much more innings, had more total games, and shut out even more opponents than any person else.

Following Halladay is Cliff Lee. He comes back to Philly following posting a three.18 ERA and 1.00 WHIP last year playing for the Mariners and Rangers. Last time he was in a Phillie uniform he had seven wins with a three.39 ERA in 12 starts.

Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt are both good quality above typical starters as properly. Oswalt came more than from the Houston Astros last season and compiled 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA and .90 WHIP in 12 starts with Phillies. Hamels had some poor luck last season, as he finished with a career-top three.06 ERA, but finished with a 12-11 record. Even though Halladay, Oswalt, and Lee have all been around for some time now, Hamels is just 27-years-old, and ought to continue to get far better as time goes on.

Philadelphia could go a couple of various methods at the back of the rotation. Kyle Kendrick and Joe Blanton both have the talent to be an powerful No. 5 starter. Blanton went 9-6 with a 4.82 ERA last season, although Kendrick compiled an 11-10 record with a 4.73 ERA. No question there is a big drop off from the best four starters, whoever wins the job could conveniently finish the year with 10+ wins.

2011 Prediction: 1st Place NL East

The Phillies are with no question the clear favorites to win the division and represent the NL in the World Series this season, and it's not difficult to see why with the pitching staff they will send to the field. The biggest key to the Phillies reaching their goals in 2011 will be keeping injury free, seven of the eight position players and 3 of the five starters are over the age of 30.