Welcome back, Patch readers!
Now that half of the baseball season is in the books, we're going to change things up for the week as we hand out our midseason grades and awards. We'll also announce the winner of last week's Phillies ticket giveaway.
It's been a historically great half for the Phillies, in which they tied their record for most first-half wins. They're sitting pretty with a 3.5 game lead over Atlanta, and the All-Star Break should serve the team well, giving the walking wounded a chance to heal and rest.
Put on your hindsight goggles!
PITCHING: A+
The Phillies enter the break with the best pitching staff in baseball, having an overall team ERA of 3.02 through 91 games. While that's an impressive statistic, a closer look at the numbers reveals some other amazing accomplishments.
As of last night, the Phillies lead the entire league in ERA (3.02), WHIP (1.16), BB/9 (2.4), and save percentage (.89). They also lead the league in complete games thrown (11), and shutouts (13).
While those numbers would put any seamhead on cloud nine, we'll give you what we believe to be the most startling statistic of the first half.
The Phillies pitching staff currently has a 3.21 strikeout-to-walk ratio, which easily leads the league. In fact, only 23 pitchers in the entire league can lay claim to a better number.
When you factor in the revolving door at the fourth and fifth starting positions, as well as the rash of injuries in the bullpen, it makes these numbers all the more special.
Hamels is having the best season of his career, and Halladay and Lee continue to live up to their reputations. The emergence of names like Bastardo, Stutes, and Worley have played a vital role in the team's success, admirably filling in for spot-starts and closer duties.
With Blanton and Madson eyeing their returns after the break, it's safe to say the staff will only improve over the second half.
Question: What grade would you give the Phillies pitching staff?
OFFENSE: C+
The Phillies offense has been the subject of much discussion, as the team shifted focus from hitting to pitching. Still, a quick look at the stats shows that the Fightin's rank just about middle of the road in every offensive category.
Compared to last season, the offense is eerily similar. Batting average, slugging percentage, and on base percentage are all on par, though the one noticeable difference is the lack of extra-base hits this season.
Ryan Howard's numbers continue to go down season by season, along with his formerly famed power. On the bright side, Howard is tied for first in the NL in RBIs and he's a notorious second-half player, but on the downside, a .257 batting average and 18 homeruns leave much to be desired from the former MVP.
Ibanez and Rollins are shells of their former selves, but Utley is back and Brown seems to be rebounding nicely since his miserable spring.
The lack of power on the team is troubling, but Charlie Manuel has countered the abundance of singles with a strong running game. Manufacturing a few runs a game is all that is needed when your pitching is as strong as it is.
Question: What grade would you give the Phillies offense?
FIELDING: A-
There's not a whole lot to be said here. The Phillies are typically a league leader in fielding percentage, and that rings true again this season as they find themselves tied for first with .987 FPCT.
There was a two week hiccup in May that saw an abnormal amount of errors, but that's not the norm, nor should it be cause for concern.
Question: What grade would you give the Phillies fielding percentage?
MIDSEASON AWARDS
National League MVP
Matt Kemp, CF Los Angeles Dodgers. Runner-up: Jose Reyes, SS New York Mets.
Kemp is having a monstrous season for a team in such disrepair that it was taken over by the league, thanks to owner Frank McCourt's divorce proceedings and poor judgement.
The Dodgers center-fielder is in the top six in HR, RBI, and BA. Additionally, he's third in stolen bases behind only Michael Bourn and Jose Reyes.
American League MVP
Jose Bautista, RF Toronto Blue Jays. Runner-up: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B Boston Red Sox.
This is a "benefit of the doubt" choice, since there's something suspicious about a player who plays four full seasons as a borderline big-leaguer (13HR in 2009), only to see huge power surge the following season (54HR in 2010). This season, Bautista is on pace to increase on last year's total.
Still, the guy is batting .334 with 31 homeruns and 65 runs batted in. Add in a couple stolen bases and a plus-arm, and you end up with back-to-back MVP's for the slugger.
National League Cy Young Award
Cole Hamels, SP Philadelphia Phillies. Runner-up: Jair Jurrjens, SP Atlanta Braves.
It's been a remarkable year for the young lefty, as he's the best pitcher on a staff that features multiple Cy Young Award winners. Looking back to the second half of last season, Hamels has simply been the most dominant pitcher in all of baseball.
Hamels is second in the NL with a 2.32 ERA, and he beats out Jurrjens in opposing batting average, strikeouts, and WHIP.
It's hard to believe that he is only one win short of tying last season's total of 12.
American League Cy Young Award
Justin Verlander, SP Detroit Tigers. Runner-up: Jared Weaver, SP Los Angeles Angels.
Verlander and Weaver are neck and neck in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, complete games, and shutouts, but Verlander has a minor edge in a few important categories.
It's a tough call, but Verlander gets the nod.
National League Rookie of the Year
Danny Espinosa, 2B Washington Nationals. Runner-up: Freddie Freeman, 1B Atlanta Braves
Second base is always a tough position to get offensive production from, so when a rookie comes along who can switch-hit, bat for power, run, and field, they're as unique as they come.
Espinosa is on pace for a .250 / 30 / 100 season with 25 stolen bases thrown in for good measure. That's fantastic production for any second baseman, let alone a rookie who can switch-hit.
His batting average leaves a bit to be desired, but that'll raise as he gains experience.
American League Rookie of the Year
Michael Pineda, SP Seattle Mariners. Runner-up: Mark Trumbo, 1B Los Angeles Angels
The 22-year-old right hander from the Dominican Republic is quickly making a name for himself, serving as the understudy to the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Felix Hernandez.
The rookie pitcher is 8 - 6 with a 3.03 ERA and a 9.0 K/9.
Playing for such a bad team in the American League, Pineda is frequently pitching when his team is behind in the game, and he also has to face the designated hitter.
King Felix may have to make some room on the throne.
TRADE DEADLINE
The trade deadline will be July 31st, and despite widespread rumors stating that the Phillies aren't looking to make any moves, you can expect something as the deadline approaches. An available outfielder with power would be a welcomed addition, though Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro says otherwise.
At the very least, they'll make a move to strengthen their bench, and possibly pick up a Matt Stairs type to ride into the playoffs.
The return of Jim Thome, anyone?
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Imagine how great this would have sounded had Harry Kalas been around. Safe and secure, New York Life.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=16780933&topic_id=11493214&c_id=mlb
LAST WEEK'S WINNER
No one correctly predicted that Ibanez would only strikeout twice, so we picked the person who was closest. Congratulations Victoria Towne!
You've won two tickets to see the Phillies at a game of your choosing. We'll be in touch within the next 24 hours, so in the meantime, go ahead a figure out which game you'd like to attend.
LOOKING FORWARD
Due to the All-Star Break, the Phillies won't play until Friday, which begins a road series against the Mets. Until then, watch the five representatives from the Phillies dominate the American League in the Midsummer Classic.
The Union will head to New England to face the Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
Here's your Philadelphia sports schedule for the week.
Monday:
All-Star Home Run Derby 8 p.m. on ESPN
Tuesday:
All-Star Game 8 p.m. on FOX
Wednesday:
no games
Thursday:
no games
Friday:
Phillies at Mets 7:10 p.m. on CSN
Saturday
Phillies at Mets 4:10 p.m. on Fox
Sunday:
Phillies at Mets 1:10 p.m. on PHL 17 and TBS
Union at New England 7 p.m. on CSN
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