2011 ST Random Phillies Stuff II: Spring Harder

by **Phan In Phlorida** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 02:07:32

FTN wrote:
Below are the best and worst offensive performances from pitchers among NL teams in 2010. wRAA is Weighted Runs Above Average (or in this case, below average, since each team is in the negative compared to a league average hitting position player). Believe it or not, having a staff of good hitting pitchers can make an enormous difference.

3. Philadelphia - .136 wOBA, -56.5 wRAA
The Marlins and Pirates posted worse overall lines from their pitchers, but wRAA accounts for the fact that the Phillies' stadium is a pretty good place to hit -- unless, of course, you pitch for the Phillies. We shouldn't be surprised that AL escapees Roy Halladay and Joe Blanton aren't much with the bat, but Roy Oswalt is a lifelong NL pitcher and he was just as useless at the plate.

We have CLIFF LEE back. Dude can rake.

by **Phan In Phlorida** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 02:09:51

I'll tell ya why the Phillies stink. Their pitchers can't hit.

by **The Nightman Cometh** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 02:12:32

those teeth are photoshopped yes?

by **jerseyhoya** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 02:13:44

Yes

Have you been drinking the coolant by accident?

by **Shore** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 02:13:53

The Nightman Cometh wrote:those teeth are photoshopped yes?

PiP shrunk 'em

by **phatj** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 09:50:00

FTN wrote:
CrashburnAlley wrote:That's Phillies bashing?

not quite as bad as his "phillies preview" at fangraphs last week, which basically made these points

* the phillies have awesome pitching, which isnt a good thing, because pitchers get hurt
* the phillies offense might be terrible
* the phillies are probably going to miss the playoffs

Geez, I hate Cameron too, but that's a pretty uncharitable reading.

He didn't say that having awesome pitching isn't a good thing, just that putting a lot of money into pitching is riskier, generally speaking, than a more balanced approach.

He didn't say the offense is going to be terrible, he said that it could be a problem if a few things don't go right.

He certainly didn't say that the Phillies are probably going to make the playoffs. He did say that they might not end up being the best team in the division, which is mostly saying that the Braves are very good as well.

Basically, he didn't say anything that a lot of us haven't been saying, at least since the CLIFF LEE giddiness wore off.

by **FTN** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:18:10

I guess its open to interpretation!

Hes an idiot

by **Soren** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:22:32

FTN wrote:I guess its open to interpretation!

Hes an idiot

by **JFLNYC** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:28:04

Yeah, I'm not overly concerned about the pitchers and injuries. I figure Oswalt may miss some starts because of his hip and maybe the rest of the starting staff misses a few starts overall. But I just can't get past how iffy the lineup looks, first without Werth and now (probably) without Utley for some significant period. Very tough for any team to lose its top two offensive performers and not feel it.

I fully expect Howard to have a decent and healthy season (last year's injury was a fluke). Jimmy should be pretty good in his contract year. Polanco won't be great, but he'll be reasonably consistent. But I'm really afraid that Raul is cooked and, although I like Francisco, I like him a whole lot more as a fourth OF than as our regular RF. A big year from Vic could make a big difference, as he could easily end up in the 5, or even 3 hole.

With the Phils pitching and defense, the team is going to be good no matter what and, of course, well-suited for the post-season. But I fear the offense is likely to be pretty frustrating this year.

by **Grotewold** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:30:01

JFLNYC wrote:I'm really afraid that Raul is cooked

Why? He finished last year strongly and appears in great shape. Also thrived in the three hole last year (in a small sample).

by **JFLNYC** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:24:47

Did I say my fear was rational? Huh? Did I?

by **SK790** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:27:27

Also, he's 39. There's reason to be a bit concerned that his production will drop off.

by **Soren** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:28:40

yea but he bathes nightly in an HGH/Virgin's Blood/Warlock drank pool so he'll probably OPS over .900 this year

by **Grotewold** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:34:29

SK790 wrote:Also, he's 39. There's reason to be a bit concerned that his production will drop off.

he's 38 and 9 months, and was raking at 38 and 3 months. not saying I'd re-up him for five years or anything, but I'm reasonably confident in him this season

by **SK790** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:40:02

I'm not saying he's going to fall off a cliff, I'm just saying if his production slips a bit, it'd be understandable.

by **CFP** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 13:08:46

PSUSarge reports that CLIFF LEE just hit a HR in BP

by **PrattRules** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 14:22:59

Hamels working on walking people. To steal Smitty's shtick.

by **PrattRules** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 14:47:29

Cole settled down after giving up the 2 first inning runs.

by **Eem** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 15:02:14

So I gather Ryan Howard is having a nice spring

by **PrattRules** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 15:03:34

Oppo Popo

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2011 ST Random Phillies Stuff II: Spring Harder