MLB Monday: Philadelphia Phillies

     The chicks might dig the long ball, but the Phillies might have the best pitching rotation of all time.  Two offseasons ago, the Phillies traded one of the top two pitchers in the Major Leagues Cliff Lee, so they could trade for the other of the top two pitchers in baseball, Roy Halladay, apparently because they thought they had a better chance of signing Halladay to a long term deal.  So Halladay signed the big contract, and pitched unbelievable for the Phillies last year, with 21 wins, a 2.44 ERA,and threw a no-hitter in the playoffs.

     This is in addition to the Phillies other ace they had last year, Cole Hamels, whose 12-11 win-loss record, really didn't reflect how good he pitched with a 3.06 ERA and over 200 strikeouts.  Hamels really started to look like the Phillies ace he was before Lee or Halladay came along.

     So, the Phillies figured even with Halladay and Hamels, they needed some more pitching power.  They went out and traded for Roy Oswalt, long time veteran of the Houston Astros.  Like Hamels, Oswalt had an average record at 13-13, but also like Hamels, Oswalt had a great ERA and high strikeout count. 

     With Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt returning this season, the Phillies already locked in the top starting pitching rotation in all of baseball.  Still not satisfied, the Phillies signed Cliff Lee again as a free agent.  Cliff Lee has by far been the best pitcher of the last two postseasons with the Phillies and Rangers.  He also had a great season along with the other three Phillies starters.  With the Phillies starters, I don't know how other teams are going to be able to win a series against them.  The Phillies did lose outfielder Jayson Werth to the Nationals, and I think second basemen Chase Utley's injury is looking pretty bad the way people in the media are talking.  Either way, the Phillies pitching rotation makes them one of the most fun teams to watch this season.