The Phillies are having a great season, currently leading the National League East Division. People around the city of Philadelphia are starting to think that this could be the team that ends the 25 year wait for another championship in Philadelphia.By Michael C. Smith
It has been twenty five years since a professional sports team has won a championship in Philadelphia. Many of the teams have come close over the years, but can never do enough to bring a championship back to the city of Philadelphia. The fans of Philadelphia have learned to accept the failures of their teams by believing that the city is cursed, and that they will never again have a championship to call their own. In the past couple years there has been one team,the Philadelphia Phillies, which has caused excitement and has given hope to the fans. This could be the season that the Phillies bring a championship back to the city and put an end to the “curse”.
The Phillies are currently just coming off of a 4-game winning streak and winning 11 of their last 14. Everything seems to be going perfect for the Phillies right now. Ryan Howard, who was in a dreadful slump in April and May, is now hitting with power and consistency. Chase Utley is having an MVP caliber season, batting .316 with 21 homeruns and 56 RBI’s. Pat Burrell is having the best season of his career so far and has been clutch whenever the Phillies need a hit. Players coming off the bench have also done a fantastic job. For example, catcher Chris Coste is batting .374 with 6 homeruns and 17 RBI’s. The Phillies offense is very capable of putting up runs. So far this season they have scored 348 runs, which ranks them second in the league behind the Cubs.
Coming in to the 2008 season many people believed that pitching would be the weak link of this team, but thus far that is not the case. Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer are leading the team in with 6wins apiece. The Phillies bullpen has also been strong. Reliever J.C Romero has a record of 4-2 with an ERA of 1.59 and Chad Durbin has a record of 2-1 with an ERA of 1.67. The most impressive pitcher on the Phillies has to be closer, Brad Lidge. Lidge has been lights out all season. He has recorded 17 saves which ranks him in the top five of closers in the National League, and he has an ERA of 0.96.
The Phillies are on a roll right now with no signs of slowing down. They are first in the National League East and are 2 ½ games up on the Florida Marlins. People around the city of Philadelphia are beginning to believe that this might be a team of destiny, which will end the twenty five year curse of not having a championship team in Philadelphia.