Most MLB teams that finish the season on a hot streak usually play well in the playoffs.
With that in mind, which team would you rather be rooting for right now? TEAM A was 6-0 last week and has won 15 of their last 18 games, sweeping four of their last five series. Also, the coming week looks to include more of the same as they play the Washington Nationals four times.
TEAM B was 3-4 this past week and has seven games left. Four are against the Houston Astros, which the team is a hapless 0-4 in 2009 contests.
Obviously the answer is TEAM B since it is the Philadelphia Phillies and TEAM A is the Atlanta Braves who still trail in the National League East division by five games and the Wild Card race by 2.5 games. While they are red hot at the moment, they might not even make the playoffs.
The Phillies could go 3-4 again this week and the Braves could win all seven of their remaining games and the Phillies would still take the division and actually have a better overall win-loss record than last year’s 92-70 showing.
Still, Philly fans aren’t exactly brimming with confidence as the 2009 postseason fast approaches. After all, it is unavoidable for fans to start comparing this year’s team to last year’s champion ballclub, and of course, the team’s ability to close out games has been converted from its greatest strength to its most vulnerable weakness.
However, I am not going to discuss the bullpen today, or any of the pitching. Instead, I would like to compare the offensive numbers of the Phillies' eight starting position players this season to the numbers from last season.
The first thing that jumped to my attention is the number of stolen bases. Last season, the Phillies managed 136 successful thefts in that department, making them a very, very dangerous baserunning team. In 2009, the numbers have dropped down to 110 stolen bases (with seven games left), which is still quite resepectable, but certainly not as lethal.
On the plus side, Chase Utley already has nine more stolen bases than last year; on the flip side, Jimmy Rollins has 17 less thus far and Victorino is down 12 from their 2008 totals.
Overall, though, I believe this is a much better offensive team than its 2008 counterparts. Let’s look at some of the big numbers:
2008 Phillies (162 games)
Total Runs: 799
Total Hits: 1,407
Total RBIs: 762
Total Home Runs: 214
2009 Phillies (155 games)
Total Runs: 786
Total Hits: 1,380
Total RBIs: 757
Total Home Runs: 217
Basically, the Phillies played a little more small ball last season, although they still relied heavily on the long ball for scoring production. This season, they have already managed to eclipse their 2008 home run total.
Carlos Ruiz has five more home runs thus far and Jimmy Rollins has ten more. At this point in 2009, Victorino and Werth currently have the same number of home runs they had last year (10 and 34, respectively) and Raul Ibanez has clipped 33, tying him with Pat Burrell’s 2008 performance. Howard (43) and Utley (31) are slightly down in total home runs, but could still reach last year’s totals with a hot final week at the plate.
In terms of batting average, Ruiz, Howard and Feliz have all significantly improved this season (.253, .277 and .267), and Ibañez’s .276 is a nice step up from Burrell’s .250 average in 2008.
Werth, Victorino and Utley are hitting virtually the same (.266, .292 and .290, respectively), but Rollins is down 30 points this season (from .277 to .247). Of course, that discrepancy can be attritubed to his early season struggles. It’s safe to say that he’s now out of the slump, which is a good thing since a hot leadoff hitter is a great advantage come playoff time.
Perhaps the most startling numbers can be found in RBI totals. Ruiz jumped from 31 in 2008 to 42 so far in 2009. Rollins and Feliz both already have 17 more RBIs a piece than last season. Victorino is two better overall and Ibañez has batted in three more than Burrell did. And, keep in mind, there are still seven games left.
Still, the player who really grabs attention is Jayson Werth. He has 94 RBIs so far in 2009, making a goal of 100 quite possible. That’s a big jump from his 67 in 2008. He made a great leap of talent this season and will be a big factor in the playoffs.
As for Howard and Utley, the two big guns of the offense in 2008 (with 146 and 104 RBIs, respectively), their numbers are down but still quite strong. Howard just tied for the National League lead in the category with 137 this season and Utley is flirting with 100 again with 91 total RBIs in 2009.
The 2009 offensive team is definitely slightly better than the 2008 one, at least on paper anyway. I am a firm advocate that pitching is the most important factor in the playoffs, but I also realize that a potent offense can always keep a team in position to win.
The 2009 Philadelphia Phillies will definitely be capable of doing precisely that as they lead the National League in runs scored (786) , doubles (303), home runs (217), SLG (.448), OPS (.783), and total bases (2,394).
Perhaps the most startling numbers can be found in RBI totals. Ruiz jumped from 31 in 2008 to 42 so far in 2009. Rollins and Feliz both already have 17 more RBIs a piece than last season. Victorino is two better overall and Ibañez has batted in three more than Burrell did. And, keep in mind, there are still seven games left.
Still, the player who really grabs attention is Jayson Werth. He has 94 RBIs so far in 2009, making a goal of 100 quite possible. That’s a big jump from his 67 in 2008. He made a great leap of talent this season and will be a big factor in the playoffs.
As for Howard and Utley, the two big guns of the offense in 2008 (with 146 and 104 RBIs, respectively), their numbers are down but still quite strong. Howard just tied for the National League lead in the category with 137 this season and Utley is flirting with 100 again with 91 total RBIs in 2009.
The 2009 offensive team is definitely slightly better than the 2008 one, at least on paper anyway. I am a firm advocate that pitching is the most important factor in the playoffs, but I also realize that a potent offense can always keep a team in position to win.
The 2009 Philadelphia Phillies will definitely be capable of doing precisely that as they lead the National League in runs scored (786) , doubles (303), home runs (217), SLG (.448), OPS (.783), and total bases (2,394).
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