Items after the jump:
- Phils batters vs. projections
- Phillies stats vs. early 2011
- NL Standings and team stats
- Upcoming milestones
Who would have thought before the season started that after 39 games, the Phillies would rank higher in scoring than in ERA?
Interestingly, FIP and xFIP are both ranked 2nd. The Phillies' ERA happens to be at the back end of a large group of teams clustered in a small range from #3 (PIT 3.34) to #10 (PHI 3.54). #11 is far back at 4.09.
Red Sox
It's a battle of very high priced, last-place teams this weekend. After a very slow start, the Red Sox have won 6 of their last 7 and are now 18-20, although their positive run differential would predict 20-18.
They're not shown below, but the Red Sox have been the 2nd-best hitting team in the AL so far, behind only the Rangers. However their pitching is near the bottom, ranking 13th (out of 14) in ERA, 12th in FIP, and 11th in xFIP.
Phillies' Hitters vs. Projections
Rollins and Mayberry are inching up in fits and starts, with OPS's of .705 and .744 in the last ten games. They, along with Victorino, will be needed if and when Ruiz stops carrying the team.
Phillies Team Stats vs. early 2011
First 16 games: 2.7 runs per game, 15th in the NL
Last 23 games: 5.0 runs per game, 3rd in the NL
The percent of games with 3+ and 4+ runs scored are now included in the table:
- 3 or more: slightly less than in the first 46 games last year
- 4 or more: quite a bit more than in early 2011
The Phillies' walk rate has finally climbed out of the basement.
NL Standings and Team Stats
All NL East teams are now over .500. The Phillies would be in 2nd place in the West, and virtual tie for 2nd in the Central.
Upcoming Milestones
Jimmy Rollins
With his single yeterday, Rollins passed Roy Thomas for sole possession of 4th place on the Phils’ all-time list for one-base hits at 1,237, behind Ashburn (1,811), Delahanty (1,525), and Bowa (1,498). He won't pass Ashburn, but he does have a good shot to get to 2nd on the list before his current contract ends. Thomas, a product of Norristown High and the University of Pennsylvania, was the Phillies’ center fielder from 1899 through 1907, and led the NL in walks 7 times in those 9 years. He’s tied for 3rd on the Phillies’ walks list.