It's about that time.
The most successful era in Philadelphia Phillies history starts another chapter on Friday, April 1st. Expectations are extraordinarily high this season as possibly the best pitching staff in history takes the mound day after day.
Despite numerous questions about the lineup and middle relief, this Phillies team is poised to once again win the NL East and go deep into the playoffs.
Can Jimmy Rollins regain any part of his form that led to an MVP season in 2007? Can Ben Fransico and eventually Domonic Brown produce close to the same level as Jayson Werth the past two years? Will Chase Utley ever get back on a HGH cycle so his knee can heal? These are all questions that will be answered throughout the season.
Key Additions:
- Boom. Clif Lee.
- Luis Castillo
- Additional Ruben Amaro smugness
Key Depatures:
- Jayson Werth
- Chad Durbin
- Luis Castillo
- Brad Lidge's Rotator Cuff
Last year Oswalt-less for half the year, Kyle Kendrick starting games instead of Cliff Lee, and with a mediocre to below-average offense, they won 97 games. This year, I think they at least match that, if not exceed it.
My prediction: 101-61, 1st NL East, back to the World Series


