FanNation

MLB Nation, and all baseball fans on FanNation,

This year the Phillies will have arguably the best infield in the NL with Ryan Howard at first, Chase Utley my MVP pick at second, the reigning MVP Jimmy Rollins at SS, and an average offensive, but one of the best at the defense of the hot corner, Pedro Feliz at third. A decent pitching staff with two or three studs in the starting rotation (Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick) and a decent bullpen with two studs as well (Romero, Madson, Lidge {if he is healthy}). A speedy outfield with Victorino and Jenkins, and Werth on occasion will combine with Burrell on offense (if he keeps his momentum from last year) and this outfield is pretty decent. Ruiz at catcher, and the bench? DECENT! That seems to be the magic word for everything but the infield. Well that's the truth. Even last year with a career year from J-Roll the MVP, an off year for Howard (47 HR, 136 RBI), and a near MVP season by Utley cut by injury (.332 AVG, 22 HR, 103 RBI, 104 R, .410 OBP, .566 SLG), and a late season surge by Burrell (30 HR, 97 RBI), plus stunning defensive play from everyone, this team still needed a late season choke by the Mets to win the division on the last day by ONE GAME! That means decent just won't cut it this year. I have the Phillies at the Wild Card spot. But I would rather prefer the NL EAST TITLE defense obviously. But so it goes. So will the Phillies repeat? Or will a bad spring like they always have, hobble them to Wild Card contention, or just plain sucking? All I can say, is this is the year to build off our experiences from last year, and take home the WS Title. Easier said then done, but I think they are capable. Monday at 3:05 EST time is first pitch from Citizens Bank Park in Philly against the Nationals. Will it be the start of a NL East title defense, a Wild Card season, or just the perfect season to add to that 10,000+ loss total? We shall see...

The Resident Rally Towel Waving Philly Phanatic,

Anthony E.