Know Your Foe #37: Undoubted World Champions Visit Coors To Kick Rockies While They're Down

Philadelphia Phillies (68-39 / 1st in the NL East / 6.0 GA)

2010 Record vs. COL: 6-1

Last Series vs. Rockies: May 18-19, 2011 (Split 1-1 @ Citizen's Bank Park)

This series, despite being just a little series in between real series, was surprising, in that it was split 1-1 and wasn't just a complete laugher for the Phillies. Really, with all of the preseason expectations for Philadelphia and their rotation made entirely of Aces and Joe Blanton, why would the Rockies even want to try? Well, back in May they didn't know their entire season would be over by July. There was still hope and magic and stuff. Nobody go back and tell them, either, because April was awesome and I was still smug enough after April to get through May in one piece.

Game 1 of the series was a pitcher's duel to almost the extent of the modern definition. Jorge De La Rosa pitched 8 innings of 2-run ball, allowing just 5 hits, zero walks, and striking out 4 to just 1 earned run. Problem was that Cole Hamels had also brought his big boy left arm and matched DLR's 8 innings, and then struck out 8 to 1 BB to pile on. Todd Helton doubled to bring in Carlos Gonzalez for the Rockies' lone run, and that was pretty great. What sucks is the Rockies had 6 hits and 2 walks to the Phillies 5 hits and 0 walks, and still the Phillies scored more runs than the Rockies.

We stuck it to 'em good in Game 2 though. 5 runs off of Kyle Kendrick and another 2 off of Danys Baez while Jhoulys Chacin went 7 innings, allowing just 1 run and punching out 9 Phillies. Jason Giambi punching 3 bombs didn't hurt, either. 

Latest Series Results: L 1-2 at San Francisco; W 3-0 at Pittsburgh

So if I stacked up the Phillies, who is having the biggest season?

How about mammoth slugger Ryan Howard, whose unavoidable 5-year extension starts next year at $25M per?

Nope.

How about perennial MVP snub Chase Utley?

Nope.

How about Jimmy Rollins and his power-hitting slick-fielding SS prowess?

Nope.

The answer is actually CF Shane Victorino, quietly one of the most under appreciated players in the majors.

Shane Victorino

#8 / Center Field / Philadelphia Phillies

Height: 5-9

Weight: 190

Bats: B

Throws: R

Born: Nov 30, 1980

 

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	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2011 - Shane Victorino	80	311	62	94	17	12	9	37	34	37	15	3	.302	.378	.521

Seriously, that kind of line from your CF is pretty incredible. Victorino leads the team in WAR, wRC+, batting average, slugging, and being from Hawai'i. In a general baseball sense, it's a shame that Victorino was hurt in July, as he really did belong on the All Star Team.

What's so funny about Victorino is that he is carrying that lineup is that he's surrounded by guys like Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, John Mayberry, Cooch Ruiz, and yet he's the productive one, the slugger. I don't know why that amuses me so much, but it does, alright?

I should briefly mention new acquisition Hunter Pence.

Hunter Pence

#3 / Right Field / Philadelphia Phillies

Height: 6-4

Weight: 220

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Apr 13, 1983

Pence was born a poor black child. He remembers the days, sittin' on the porch with his family, singin' and dancin' down in Houston. So far, Pence is 2-for-9. Much as don't really care how much better or worse Philadelphia is, but seriously, if they'd given up Domonic Brown for Pence, I'd have been nice and frustrated with stupid baseball trades that would somehow work out for Philadelphia.

Monday, August 1, 2011 @ 6:40PM MT

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 @ 6:40 PM MT

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 @ 1:10PM MT

Expected Lineup

Bench

Closer