Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Spring Training Lineup Predictions

Straight Phillies.com today they have a new story about the likely lineup the Phillies will use this season. I'll just copy and paste it to be easy, and also so you get the player links.

Projected batting order
1. SS Jimmy Rollins:
.277 BA, 25 HR, 83 RBI
2. RF Shane Victorino:
.287 BA, 6 HR, 46 RBI
3. 2B Chase Utley:
.309 BA, 32 HR, 102 RBI
4. 1B Ryan Howard:
.313 BA, 58 HR, 149 RBI
5. LF Pat Burrell:
.258 BA, 29 HR, 95 RBI
6. 3B Wes Helms:
.329 BA, 10 HR, 47 RBI
7. CF Aaron Rowand:
.262 BA, 12 HR, 47 RBI
8. C Carlos Ruiz:
.261 BA, 3 HR, 10 RBI

That top 4 if they play up to their potential can be great this season. The bottom of the lineup has more ifs. Can Burrell raise that .258 average and be a more clutch hitter behing Howard? Can Wes Helms bat around .300 again this season? Can young Carlos Ruiz be an everyday catcher in the big leagues or does Chris Coste deserve that starting spot?

Now for the best opening day rotation the Phillies have had in years:

Projected rotation
1. RHP Freddy Garcia, 17-9, 4.53 ERA
2. RHP Brett Myers, 12-7, 3.91 ERA
3. LHP Cole Hamels, 9-8, 4.08 ERA
4. LHP Jamie Moyer, 11-14, 4.30 ERA
5. RHP Adam Eaton, 7-4, 5.12 ERA

Can this rotation win a world series? Who knows, right now the hope is that they can stay healthy and win a few more games than they lose.

This year the Phils can't start off slow in and try to fight back in the end, they need to have a strong opening 2-3 months of the season.

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