FanPost

THE TEAM TO REPEAT?

The Eagles have taken over as the CHEAP KINGS in Philly.  The Phils have  put up $135 million to go  for another parade.

This team, on paper, appears to be in position to get to another World Series.  They did bring back the core of the Championship team..all happy with their contracts.

The starting pitching looks much better this year without Eaton's automatic forfeit every fifth day.  As long as Myers, Moyer, and Blanton  can be reasonably consistent, we seem to be in pretty good shape in this department.

The bullpen will miss JC  for the first 50 games, and Lidge will probably not be able to match last year's perfect season. Madson needs to maintain that velocity he found at the end of last season.  Kendrick, Durbin, Park, Happ, and Condrey should be pretty good in long relief.  Something we may not need as much of this year.

Defensively, the Phils look as good as anyone in MLB, as long as Howard has improved his fielding enough to avoid being called a butcher.

The bench looks better from the left side with Dobbs, Stairs, and Jenkins, than from the right.  Mayberry may be able to provide some pop from the right side.

The starting eight is strong, and particularly, the infield is outstanding offensively, as long as Utley and Feliz can stay healthy.

The catching with Ruiz and either Marson or Coste is more than adequate.

Ibanez will probably have to be moved to the 6 hole against most starting lefties, with either Werth or Victorino moving into the 5 hole for those games.  It all adds up to a much better season than last year..and an easier Division title..K-Rod or no K-Rod.

The biggest problem I see is the right handed power off the bench, or for that matter, any  right handed power at all.