InsideThePhillies

Featured Article -----on Dec 7th

Next October will be fun! Are you getting Phillies Fever yet ? by Jules Pilla Dec 14th

If you don’t have it yet, you haven’t been paying much attention to the Phillies’ recent off- season acquisitions. More than likely you are probably focused on the Eagles run for the SuperBowl. But you can count on InsideTheEagles.com to keep you up to date and informed.

The Phillies are fast becoming the favorite to win the NL East. What? You heard me right. The FAVORITE. How is that possible? Because they upgraded their pitching that much.

Let’s start with the bullpen first.

Last year, the team carried Jose Mesa , Turk Wendell, Mike Williams, Terry Adams and Carlos Silva, Dan Plesac and Rheal Cormier. So what has happened? Well, Silva was traded. Plesac retired at 41. Are the rest of the heap was given their traveling papers.

And in return the Philles have brought in left hander closer Billy Wagner for Brandon Duckworth. Acquired set up man Tim Worrell and just got Roberto Hernandez for middle relief.

Middle relief…just acquired Hernandez will handle that duty. Last year he was 5-3 with a 4.35 ERA in 66 games.

Set -up man…Last season in San Francisco, Worrell became the team's closer after Robb Nen was hurt. Worrell went 4-4 with a 2.87 ERA and 38 saves in 45 chances. Only Eric Gagne (55), John Smoltz (45) and Wagner (44) had more saves in the National League. In 2002, Worrell was 8-2 and had a 2.25 ERA. But in the Phillies uniform next year , he will be our set up man. Because we got one of the best closers in the business.

Closer…. With Billy Wagner, its lights out. Make no mistake about it; he is a top notch closer. Last year, he pitched 86 innings, had a 1-4 record, and saved 44 games with a sparkling 1.78 ERA. He also had 105 strikeouts and only 23 walks.

Add in Cormier, Coggin, Bud Smith and Telemarco and that adds up to one terrific bullpen. And the starting rotation is one of the best 5 men in the league.

The Phillies added a lefty in Eric Milton from the Twins. Recovering from knee surgery, he had limited duty but can win 15 games for the Phils.

The starting rotation looks like this…Righthanded Kevin Millwood, (he’ll be back), Lefty Randy Wolf, Righty Vicente Padilla, Lefty Eric Milton and Righty Brett Myers. That is one strong rotation my friend.

Add to that Bowa’s extension and a New ball park and you have reason for excitement. So get your tickets now because the Phillies are going to give us some real excitement this October.

Go Phillies!