Philadelphia Phillies' Heart of the Order in the 2017 Season

Philadelphia Phillies’ Heart of the Order

By Tal Venada | Jan 23, 2017

Aug 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) celebrates with Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) after final out against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Rockies, 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

3 of 4

Saunders Will Provide Souvenirs for Fans in the Right Field Seats. Photo by Nick Turchiaro – USA TODAY Sports. /

Batting sixth for the Phillies, Tommy Joseph – (bugle call) charge! – will be more comfortable in this slot and can protect Saunders. And less pressure will help because the league will make adjustments to him that he will have to overcome. Expectation: His projection is a .260 hitter with 25 home runs or more and 80 RBI.

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “The passion is my favorite part of the city [Philadelphia]. You go from ‘we love you’ to ‘we hate you’ back to ‘you walk on water.’ You’re driving, and somebody might wave or somebody might flip you off.” – Jim Thome"

If you listen closely, you can almost hear the conversation between Matt Stairs, the new hitting coach, and Mackanin. The skipper expresses his extreme optimism about ’17. And planning to work tirelessly with the youngsters is the promise Stairs makes to Mackanin. And what is the manager’s reply? Good luck!

Home/Philadelphia Phillies