The Philadelphia Phillies have re-raised the bar for their own expectations in the coming 2011 season. As if expectations hadn’t already been sky high over the past few years, 2011 may be the most hyped season in team history.
With the signing of yet another ace in Cliff Lee, it’s safe to say that the Phillies are the “paper champs.” But where does this get them ultimately you ask? Nowhere. There’s still 162 games to play and a lot is able to happen during that six-month window. Then of course, you can include the playoffs, which the Phillies are a shoo in for at this point.
Roy Halladay was OUTSIDE! running on Monday in shorts and a tee-shirt in NINE degree weather at Citizens Bank Park. Does that make you believe in how much this team wants this?
They have a plethora of talent on offense too which people tend to forget. It’s rather been their “Fab Four” pitching rotation that’s gotten a bulk of the credit and deservedly so. But don’t discount this offense. When they turn it on, they can hit with anyone in the league. Consider 2010 a collective slump and floundering for the offense. Now a bounce-back 2011, as a whole offensively, could be instrumental to the team’s success.
Ladies and gentlemen, the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies.