2007 Philadelphia Phillies Picks & Predictions
June 16, 2008
The Phillies look to have all the necessary pieces in place which should have them poised to make a run at the Mets in 2007. With Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard, the top of the Phillies’ order is stacked. I expect good production out of Pat Burrell once again hitting behind Howard as well. Burrell drove in a run every 4.86 at bats in 2006. Rowand’s numbers will also increase. He was limited to just 109 games last season. In a full season, we can expect him to put up some good numbers possibly moving up in the order to utilize his speed.
In less than two major league seasons Ryan Howard has already won an MVP award, which was the first by a Phillies player since Mike Schmidt won the award in 1986. However, Howard would gladly give up MVP honors if it meant getting the Phillies into the postseason where they haven’t been since the 27-year-old was in middle school. With the offseason acquisition of Freddy Garcia, it has the Phillies thinking they will get back to the postseason in 2007.
Freddy Garcia makes the trip over to the National League having won more than 15 games four times. He joins Brett Myers, who has posted double-digit wins four years in a row, and Cole Hamels, who finally made the Phillies feel good about making him their first pick back in 2002. No other pitchers in the NL sat down more batters after the All-Star break than Myers and Hamels. Moyer and Eaton are the weak spots, but their experience keeps them in games. If either one of these guys gets double-digit wins, it will be a huge plus for the Phillies.
As far as the bull pen goes, the Phillies will still be recovering from giving up Billy Wagner. Tom “flash” Gordon was great in the first half of last season making the All-Star team, but his 39-year-old shoulder couldn’t hold up in the second half. It could be closer by committee for Philly. If anything keeps this team from the postseason, it will be the pen.
Getting Freddy Garcia should help the Phillies improve immediately at home. He is a proven winner. I don’t foresee anything drastic though like finishing 20 games over .500 because of the questions surrounding their pen, but I think a five game improvement in Philly is easily attainable. As far as betting the Phillies goes, you’re going to want to take a nice look at this team on the road. The 2006 Phillies were a surprising 44-37 on the road. With an even deeper starting pitching staff in 2007, we should be able to pick our spots with Philly on the road and see some nice profit.
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