Post by Bish on Dec 18, 2023 9:47:24 GMT -5
Phillies 2008 September/October Report
Record: 22-6
Home: 10-4
Road: 12-2
Positive Team Stat: HRs—196 (2nd)/HRs Allowed—63 (1st)
Notes: When you can be as dominant in just these two categories, then you are setting yourself up for major success. We actually were tied for first going into the last sim of the season, but didn’t hit any on the last day. We had seven guys hit at least 18 home runs. We had five of those guys hit at least 22 dingers. The amount of power in this lineup is impressive. By the same token, our pitching staff only gave up 63 long balls. I mean, good lord. We’ve seen some impressive pitching over the years, but this was truly a season for the ages with this group. Heck of a team, and one of the best HR differentials in the league…possibly ever at +133. Just absurd stuff.
Negative Team Stat: Batting Average—.268 (10th)
Notes: Listen, I’ve nitpicked at this one all year, so why not continue! I mean, if there is a weakness on this team, then it’s this one. We’ve quite simply not been able to get as many hits as I think this team is capable of. I think guys like Chooch, Hardy, Rolen, Utley, Granderson, etc. could all do much better. This is where we see if Larry Walker can make a little bit of a difference towards the bottom of the order as well. I’m excited to see how this all pans out, but man we have our hands full against the Cardinals who gave us easily our toughest games of the season. Their pitching is as LEGIT as they come from their top 3. They can match ours, and are one of the few teams that can say that.
Major League Spotlight
Best Hitter: C Carlos Ruiz
Stats: .367/.480/.700/1.180OPS 8 2Bs 0 3Bs 4 HRs 15 RBIs 12 Runs 13 BBs 7 Ks
Notes: I could’ve gone Matsui or Kemp who actually did play most of the games in this month in comparison to Chooch, but man Chooch was something else in his 17 games this month. He was a hit machine who got on base at nearly a .500 clip! He hit 12 extra base hits in those 17 games. He was nearly doing an RBI and a run each game as well. Just stellar stuff from a guy that we were kinda waiting for with that production. He’s going to be a huge piece to our puzzle in the playoffs, and hopefully he can deliver us some mighty big moments to propel us to another deep playoff run. CHOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!
Best Pitcher: SP Ben Sheets
Stats: 7 Starts 5-2 0.88 ERA 61.1 IP 22 Hs 6 ERs 10 BBs 63 Ks
Notes: Ben Sheets has simply been the best pitcher in baseball once again. He has made another strong case at a Cy Young. When you look at this stellar month, he actually lost two ball games. The offense will tell you that should’ve never ever happened. 6 earned runs in over 60 innings is just bananas. Sheer dominance. To think back and be able to witness Ben Sheets’ greatness throughout the years has been nothing short of amazing. I believe this is the 3rd time Mr. Sheets has been our pitcher of the month. When you factor in guys like John Thomson, Cole Hamels, and Chris Young on the staff…well, that’s mighty damn impressive stuff right there. We look forward to seeing what Ben can do come playoff time.
Minor League Spotlight
Prospect: 1B Wilmer Flores (AA)
Notes: When you factor in that this guy literally has just turned 17 years old, wow. Impressive to see him dominate Double A ball in back to back seasons. He arguably might’ve been better the prior season. This season has stamped him as the future of this system. He had 59 extra base hits with 31 of them coming from the long ball. He actually hit six more dingers this season in 23 less games. Wilmer’s ability to play 1st and 2nd base right now are added bonuses. Rumor has it, he has been a work in progress at shortstop and 3rd base, but continues to work diligently at both spots. A true future cornerstone piece for your Philadelphia Phillies!
Record: 22-6
Home: 10-4
Road: 12-2
Positive Team Stat: HRs—196 (2nd)/HRs Allowed—63 (1st)
Notes: When you can be as dominant in just these two categories, then you are setting yourself up for major success. We actually were tied for first going into the last sim of the season, but didn’t hit any on the last day. We had seven guys hit at least 18 home runs. We had five of those guys hit at least 22 dingers. The amount of power in this lineup is impressive. By the same token, our pitching staff only gave up 63 long balls. I mean, good lord. We’ve seen some impressive pitching over the years, but this was truly a season for the ages with this group. Heck of a team, and one of the best HR differentials in the league…possibly ever at +133. Just absurd stuff.
Negative Team Stat: Batting Average—.268 (10th)
Notes: Listen, I’ve nitpicked at this one all year, so why not continue! I mean, if there is a weakness on this team, then it’s this one. We’ve quite simply not been able to get as many hits as I think this team is capable of. I think guys like Chooch, Hardy, Rolen, Utley, Granderson, etc. could all do much better. This is where we see if Larry Walker can make a little bit of a difference towards the bottom of the order as well. I’m excited to see how this all pans out, but man we have our hands full against the Cardinals who gave us easily our toughest games of the season. Their pitching is as LEGIT as they come from their top 3. They can match ours, and are one of the few teams that can say that.
Major League Spotlight
Best Hitter: C Carlos Ruiz
Stats: .367/.480/.700/1.180OPS 8 2Bs 0 3Bs 4 HRs 15 RBIs 12 Runs 13 BBs 7 Ks
Notes: I could’ve gone Matsui or Kemp who actually did play most of the games in this month in comparison to Chooch, but man Chooch was something else in his 17 games this month. He was a hit machine who got on base at nearly a .500 clip! He hit 12 extra base hits in those 17 games. He was nearly doing an RBI and a run each game as well. Just stellar stuff from a guy that we were kinda waiting for with that production. He’s going to be a huge piece to our puzzle in the playoffs, and hopefully he can deliver us some mighty big moments to propel us to another deep playoff run. CHOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!
Best Pitcher: SP Ben Sheets
Stats: 7 Starts 5-2 0.88 ERA 61.1 IP 22 Hs 6 ERs 10 BBs 63 Ks
Notes: Ben Sheets has simply been the best pitcher in baseball once again. He has made another strong case at a Cy Young. When you look at this stellar month, he actually lost two ball games. The offense will tell you that should’ve never ever happened. 6 earned runs in over 60 innings is just bananas. Sheer dominance. To think back and be able to witness Ben Sheets’ greatness throughout the years has been nothing short of amazing. I believe this is the 3rd time Mr. Sheets has been our pitcher of the month. When you factor in guys like John Thomson, Cole Hamels, and Chris Young on the staff…well, that’s mighty damn impressive stuff right there. We look forward to seeing what Ben can do come playoff time.
Minor League Spotlight
Prospect: 1B Wilmer Flores (AA)
Notes: When you factor in that this guy literally has just turned 17 years old, wow. Impressive to see him dominate Double A ball in back to back seasons. He arguably might’ve been better the prior season. This season has stamped him as the future of this system. He had 59 extra base hits with 31 of them coming from the long ball. He actually hit six more dingers this season in 23 less games. Wilmer’s ability to play 1st and 2nd base right now are added bonuses. Rumor has it, he has been a work in progress at shortstop and 3rd base, but continues to work diligently at both spots. A true future cornerstone piece for your Philadelphia Phillies!
