Phillies Favored to Win the NL?

[LVJimmy]

Obviously as a Phillies fan, I'm rooting for them big time, but I don't understand why they're favored to win the NL. The lineup is sick, but IMO the pitching is still a little suspect after Hamels.

Thoughts?

[BigWeiner]

As crazy as it might sound, I think they could be the best of the 4 teams playing for the NL. I agree their pitching is weak, but so is all four teams. The Cubs bullpen reeks worse than my nuts. Zona has Webb. The Rockies have Francis. The Cubs have headcase Zambrano, Lilly who gets shit on regularly, Hill who's ok, but the Cubs are the Cubs. The NL is wide open. The Phillies were only 1 game away from the bests record in the NL and they're the 2nd hottest team. The hottest team just played extra inning and now has to travel. I think their peaking right at the right time. Gordan and Myers will be ok for a bullpen. Utley is healthy and rakes, Howard is one of the only homerun hitters left in baseball. Even Pat the Bat is playing well. Rollins could be MVP. I think the Phillies are going to the series. Crazy.

[TheRook]

As crazy as it might sound, I think they could be the best of the 4 teams playing for the NL. I agree their pitching is weak, but so is all four teams. The Cubs bullpen reeks worse than my nuts. Zona has Webb. The Rockies have Francis. The Cubs have headcase Zambrano, Lilly who gets shit on regularly, Hill who's ok, but the Cubs are the Cubs. The NL is wide open. The Phillies were only 1 game away from the bests record in the NL and they're the 2nd hottest team. The hottest team just played extra inning and now has to travel. I think their peaking right at the right time. Gordan and Myers will be ok for a bullpen. Utley is healthy and rakes, Howard is one of the only homerun hitters left in baseball.

your nuts must smell very sweet!

[BigWeiner]

BTW, the Game 2 matchup in the Rockies series, is Kyle Lohse, sounds gross right? Well the Rockies are countering that by sending Mark Redman to the hill. Are you kidding? Mark Redman is still pitching in the majors.

[BigWeiner]

Two words for you Rook, Ryan Dempster

[TheRook]

Bullpen Innings pitched

philly 331.2
chicago 413. 2
arizona 467.0
colorado 530.1

Bullpen WHIP
colorado 1.32
Arizona 1.33
Chicago 1.34
philly 1.53

ERA
Chicago 3.44
arizona 3.57
colorado 3.95
philly 4.67

[griswold]

At most books right now, the Cubs are favored to win the NL.

The numbers I see are:

Cubs +225
Phillies +225
D-backs +285
Rockies +345

[BigMike]

BTW, the Game 2 matchup in the Rockies series, is Kyle Lohse, sounds gross right? Well the Rockies are countering that by sending Mark Redman to the hill. Are you kidding? Mark Redman is still pitching in the majors.

Game 2 is Kendrick. Lohse will be in the bullpen and if not used in Game 1 and 2 he will pitch game 3.

[zeib10]

I think that the Phils win the NL because of CHARLIE!!

[wayne1218]

My pick to come out of the N.L. is very close between the Cubs & Phillies. I like the Phillies lineup but i would rather have the Cubs pitching. Cole Hamels is great but after that i trust nobody. I would go, and in this order ...

Cubs
Phillies
Rockies
D-Backs


I do not like the D-Backs at all. How a team can have the best record in their league and be out scored on the season by their opponents is baffling to me. I don't like their lineup at all and after Webb, i don't like their pitching much either.

[LVJimmy]

BM, I thought Moyer was going game 3 according to Phillies website.

[BigMike]

BM, I thought Moyer was going game 3 according to Phillies website.

If Lohse comes in from the bullpen and pitches in game 1 or 2 Moyer starts Game 3. If the Phils don't need Lohse in Game 1 and 2 then he starts Game 3. Hope that makes sense.

[BigMike]

Here's the link.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playof...ory?id=3046331

[Three Jack]

Mets in 6!

[Spark]

If Lohse comes in from the bullpen and pitches in game 1 or 2 Moyer starts Game 3. If the Phils don't need Lohse in Game 1 and 2 then he starts Game 3. Hope that makes sense.

Here we go Rockies here we go ...