It’s back to baseball !

by Joseph Birmingham

Wednesday March 3, 2010 

Spring Training and pre season usually means high scoring games as managers test their pitching rotation and  hitters usually require less reps to get their timing down.

The Phillies tuned up against a hapless Florida State squad down in Clearwater with a 13-6 outing that meant little, but allowed the pitching staff to warm up their arms in preparation for a long grueling season.

They officially open spring training tomorrow in a rematch with the Yankees, and that game, although also meaningless, may very well show how much fight the Phillies will display as they defend their National League title.  It seems obvious that anything short of a return to the World Series will be considered a set back.

Last year, there was much discussion about who the Phillies would rather face in the World Series and the consensus seemed to be they wanted the Yankees, just to show they could beat the best.  Now their focus should be redoubled on this team as they are the reigning World Series Champions and the Phillies will most likely have to beat them to become champions once again. 

It has been a long winter with record snows in the north east and precipitation across much of the country.  It is Phillies time once again.  The Phillies are stronger with the additions of Halliday and Polenco among others; remember this team did not have Lee at the start of the year last year.  They should come out of the gate with a chip on their shoulder and three pitchers capable of throwing for 20 wins.

At this point, it is up to the management of the club to ensure they don’t hit any snags.  Baseball is a game of superstitions and momentum, and as long as they Phillies start strong, they should be looking back on the entire league all year.

Let’s go Phillies !!  Time to three-peat as NL champions, and get back to the show and take it home this time.  Here is to a budding dynasty that could use this year to seperate from the rest of the league and stay in a dominant position for years to come.

I requested off work for April 5th as soon as the schedule was anounced.  I have tickets to opening day in Washington and the home opener in Philly a week later.

I will be reporting on most the games this year and would like to be first to predict the 2010 season record will be 101-61 with the Phillies out in front of the rest by 10 full games.  I agree with Greek’s picks as far as the way the NL should pan out; there are others that think the Mets will make a better showing, but I am with him on expecting to see them finish dead last.

It should be a fun year !  Let’s go Phillies !!  Let’s go !!

Filed Under Phillies

Comments

2 Responses to “It’s back to baseball !”

  1. Rick on March 4th, 2010 9:04 am

    The sick taste of the Yankees winning the World series will not leave my mouth. The only way to get rid of it is to knock them off … and hopefully bury them in the process.

  2. Doug on March 8th, 2010 8:04 am

    Totally agree Rick. I would like nothing more than to see the Phillies crush the Yankees in the 2010 World Series!

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