2008 Philadelphia Phillies Predictions & Season Preview

Jimmy Rollins made a very bold prediction when he called that the Phillies would win the NL East last season. His team had the powerful Mets and experience Braves to overcome, but the Phillies came through to end a 14-year playoff drought with its first division title since 1993. Rollins took down the NL MVP and deservedly so, while Ryan Howard and Chase Utley finished in the Top 8 in the voting. The Phillies once again have the line-up to win the division, but do they have the pitching in 2008? Larry Cook gives you his 2008 Philadelphia Phillies predictions along with a season preview of which faces you will see out on the field in the following article.

Starting Rotation:

With Cole Hamels and Brett Myers anchoring the front of this starting rotation, the Phillies have a 1-2 punch that can match any in the NL East. Hamel is one of the game's top young stars with three strikeout pitches and a quiet confidence. He could become the Phillies' first 20-game winner since Steve Carlton back in 1982. Myers is back in the starting rotation after spending a year at closer. It seemed to work well for Smoltz with the Braves, now how quickly can Myers make that transition? Myers has 4 strong pitched and 200-innings potential. After the top 2 in this rotation it gets a bit dicey. Kyle Kendrick was great last year by winning 10 games after being called up from Double-A in June. He did not finish the season strong though and with only 20 games' experience, he still has a lot of growing to do. Veteran Jamie Moyer will man the No. 4 spot, but he's 45 years old and ended with a 5.65 ERA after the month of may last season. He adds leadership, but not much success to back it. Adam Eaton, whose 6.29 ERA was the worst among big league starters last season, Chad Durbin and Rule 5 pick Travis Blackley will compete for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation.

Bullpen:

The trio of Myers, Tom Gordon and J.C. Romero were huge in taking down the division crown last season. November trade acquisition Brad Lidge takes over for Myers at closer in 2008. Lidge struggled in Houston the last 2 seasons, but maybe this change in scenery will prove a career-saver for this powerful righthander. The Philes will be in trouble if Lidge struggles because Tom Gordon, who is next in line, is 40 years old and admitted playing with a tear in his shoulder last season. Gordon is effective when he is pain free, so his workload will be monitored closely. Romero was brilliant last year, saving his team from disaster in the 7th and 8th innings, a trouble spot for the Phillies in the past. Ryan Madson must come back strong after missing time due to a shoulder injury. Durbin will help in relief if he isn't' in the rotation. Hard-throwing Scott Mathieson is back from Tommy John surgery and could help as the season unfolds. Clay Condrey, Mike Zagurski and Francisco Rosario will get their chance to make an impact in the bullpen as well.

Line-Up:

SS Jimmy Rollins is perhaps the best leadoff hitter in the game after becoming the only player with at least 200 hits, 15 triples, 25 homers and 25 SB's in one season. CF Shane Victorino is one of the most underrated outfielders in the game in batting at the No. 2 hole. He was successful on 37 of 41 stolen base attempts in 2007. Victorino had 10 outfield assists last season as well, showing his strong arm. He adds speed at the front of this line-up that no other team in the league can match. That's scary considering Chase Utley and Ryan Howard will hit in the No. 3 and 4 holes right behind Rollins and Victorino. Utley led all major league second basemen with 103 RBI's despite missing a month last year. Howard has averaged a monstrous 52 homers and 142 RBI's in his first two full seasons. Pat Burrell adds power in LF batting in the No. 5 spot. He is in a contract year and hit .295 with 60 RBI's in the second half of '07. RF Geoff Jenkins comes over from Milwaukee after reaching 20 homers in seven of his last 10 seasons. He will bat sixth. C Carlos Ruiz is a reliable backstop who knocked in 54 RBI's last season which ranked eighth among all NL Rookies. 3B Greb Dobbs mans the No. 8 spot in the line-up after playing as an effective role player last season. This year he gets his chance to shine as a starter. OF Jayson Werth leads the bench after hitting .329 with a .438 OBP and 39 RBI's in his final 52 games. Werth will definitely see the field as much as possible this season. C Chris Coste was a fan favorite in the back-up role after going 5-for-16 with a homer and four RBI's as a pinch-hitter in 2007. So Taguchi is another steady utility man along with Eric Bruntlet, Wes Helms and Chris Snelling coming off the bench.

Phillies 2008 Predictions:

Rollins has set 100 wins as the goal this season. An 11-game improvement will be difficult, nearly impossible with the starting rotation the Phillies have. But Rollins proved anything is possible with his claim to grab the NL Crown last year. Even without Aaron Rowand's 89 RBI's, the Phillies should still score enough runs to be dangerous. Good health will be crucial because there isn't much depth, especially in the starting rotation. Another strong arm would help, along with a more proven third baseman. But the Phillies are still left with a line-up that will sell tickets and compete in the East. In the end the starting rotation is too weak as a whole and the Phillies will not be able to score enough runs to overcome it. Expect around a .500 record in Philadelphia and a 3rd place finish in the tough NL East behind New York and Atlanta.

Larry Cook finished with the #5 World Ranking with his baseball picks in 2007 last year. Hard work with research, analysis and starting pitcher breakdowns gives Larry the edge over your sportsbook and bookies. You won't believe the kind of profits you can make by signing up for any of Larry's long-term packages. By doing so, you will get in on all of his winning MLB action this season. Larry will guide you to profits you have never seen before once he makes his move up to the #1 spot in 2008.

2008 Philadelphia Phillies Odds:

Odds to win NL East: 2/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant: 7/1
Odds to win 2008 World Series: 20/1