So the starting rotation isn’t the worst, but ultimately it won’t matter how dominant the rotation is if the bats stay quiet once again in October.

In last year’s NLCS, the Phils hit an abysmal .216.  The Giants weren’t much better, .244, but they got the timely and clutch hitting from Cody Ross, Juan Uribe and Edgar Renteria that Philadelphia was looking for all series.

The big boppers, Utley, Howard, Werth and Ibanez were just 19-for-82 with 27 strikeouts.

With Werth now in Washington, someone needs to step up and protect Howard in the fifth spot in the lineup.  At times, Werth single-handidly carried the Phightins last postseason.

Begin Slideshow