There have been a lot of questions left unanswered as the 2011 MLB season comes to a close — Will the Rays catch the Red Sox in the American League Wild Card race?
Will Justin Verlander, a starting pitcher, be the first non-position player to win the Most Valuable Player award since Dennis Eckersley won the AL MVP in 1992?
Will C.C. Sabathia finally go on the Atkins diet, or will he continue to win 20 games a season looking like the Michelin man?
One question that has been answered, however, is what team has played the best baseball over the course of the season: the Philadelphia Phillies.
Let’s take a look at why the Phillies have been so good in 2011.
Pitching
From the moment Cliff Lee signed that multi-million dollar contract this offseason to become part of a dominant starting rotation that already included the likes of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt, the Phillies have completely baffled opposing hitters, en route to leading the majors in shutouts (21), ERA (3.02), and quality starts (99).
This type of performance was what the Phillies wanted when they put these guys together. When you put together a rotation compiled of four guys that were aces for their respective teams just two years ago, the standards are high. It’s what they planned for. It’s what they expected.
What they didn’t expect was what 23-year-old rookie Vance Worley has been able to contribute this year.
Like the Phillies needed more pitching.
Worley has been nothing short of fantastic this year. Since being called up during interleague play in early June, Worley leads all rookies in wins (11) and opposing batting average (.233). The Phillies also ripped off an unbelievable streak of 14 straight wins in games started by Worley, a streak that lasted almost three months.
Defense
In addition to being the team with the best pitching in the major leagues, the Phillies also showcase a .988 fielding percentage, tops in the majors.
Outfielders Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez have been almost flawless in the field this year with only one error between them the entire season, Ryan Howard is vastly improved at first base, and Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins both boast fielding percentages north of .990.
Pitching and defense is the blueprint of success for most teams in the majors, and the Phillies have used both of these team strengths to put together a likely 100+ win season in 2011.
Offseason/Mid-Season Acquisitions
Cliff Lee: Most people know that Lee is a top level pitcher in the MLB, but most fail to recognize to what extent his contribution has been to the Phillies in 2011.
The guy has quietly put together another Cy Young caliber season. Lee currently resides inside the top 10 in the majors in almost all pitching categories including wins (16), ERA (2.38), strikeouts (223) and WHIP (102). He also ranks 2nd in the majors in innings pitched, making him an extremely valuable commodity you know who is going to go out there and pitch deep into game and save your bullpen.
Lee, to put more emphasis on exactly the kind of season he’s had this year, also has the most shutouts (6) this season. It’s the most shutouts in a season by a pitcher in over a decade. Randy Johnson had six in 1998 for the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. The last pitcher in the National League to have at least six shutouts was Tim Belcher – over 20 years ago. He had eight for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1989.
Hunter Pence: A former 2nd round pick of the Astros, Pence has been one of the best all-around players in the majors, never failing to hit less than 25 home runs with 10+ stolen bases in any full major league season since being called up early in 2007.
The Phillies, who had a hole in their lineup after losing longtime outfielder Jayson Werth in the offseason to a big free agent deal, acquired the two-time all star before the July 31st deadline for four minor leaguers.
Since then, Pence has done what he’s always done.
Produce.
The lanky right fielder has hit a robust .323 during his time with the Phillies with 9 home runs and 25 RBI.
Now what looked like the one weakness the Phillies had isn’t looking quite so weak anymore.
To the other seven teams that will join the Phillies in postseason play this year?
Good luck, you’re going to need it.
Ryan Howard isn’t great, but he is vastly improved.
Also Ryan Howard isn’t great with the glove.
“Outfielders Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez have been almost flawless in the field this year with only one error between them the entire season”
BAHAHAHHA. Thanks that was a great line because Raul Ibanez is one of the worst defensive players in the game. Fielding percentage is a horrible stat to use in evaluating a players defensive ability.