Call to the pen
Fansided

2011’s Phillies: Pinnacle or curse?

By Tal Venada

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 2: Manager Charlie Manuel #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues with umpire Gary Cederstrom after being thrown out of the game during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 2, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 6-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 2: Manager Charlie Manuel #41 of the Philadelphia Phillies argues with umpire Gary Cederstrom after being thrown out of the game during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 2, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 6-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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Eventually, Lee joined Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt to be the fourth Phillies ace. Photo by Miles Kennedy/Philadelphia Phillies/Getty Images. /

Zenith achieved:     

Describing the Phillies’ pinnacle is when their climb ended and their decline began. For some, though, it was 2008’s World Series, while others may now believe going to consecutive Fall Classics. However, 2011’s squad set the franchise record for wins, but they were never the same again. That final out was a bad omen!

Instead of listing all the individual moments, I remember the 2008 campaign and the postseason of two hurlers: Brad Lidge and Cole Hamels. Lidge blew no saves for the entire 162 and October (9 saves). As for Hamels, he was money in the NLCS and World Series.

Phillies aces:

2008:

  • Hamels, 24: 33 Gms., 227 1/3 Inn., 14-10, a 3.09 ERA, a 4.8 fWAR and a 1.08 WHIP.

2009:

  • Hamels, 25: 32 Gms., 193 2/3 Inn., 10-11, a 4.32 ERA, a 3.8 fWAR and a 1.29 WHIP.
  • Lee, 30: 12 Gms., 79 2/3 Inn., 7-4, a 3.39 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

After the rubber-chicken circuit had affected Hamels’ offseason preparation and ’09,, the club needed an ace. And Cliff Lee was just the jolt the red pinstripes required to defend their crown. Yes, Lee was an instant hero. Dominating in October, he added the exclamation point with his nonchalant catch on the mound.

From a perfect game to a no-hitter in the 2010 NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds, Halladay quickly helped fans to partially accept the Lee trade to the Seattle Mariners. Basically, GM Rube Amaro had absorbed the heat, but the difficulty of having both was apparent in ’11 after Middleton finally signed off on the dollars.

Phillies aces:

2010:

  • Hamels, 26: 33 Gms., 208 2/3 Inn., 12-11, a 3.06 ERA, a 3.6 fWAR and a 1.18 WHIP.
  • Halladay, 33: 32 Gms., 250 2/3 Inn., 21-10, a 2.44 ERA, a 6.2 fWAR and a 1.04 WHIP.
  • Oswalt, 32: 13 Gms. (1 relief), 82 2/3 Inn., 7-1, a 1.74 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.

2011:

  • Hamels, 27: 32 Gms. (1 relief), 216 Inn., 14-9, a 2.79 ERA, a 5.1 fWAR and a 0.99 WHIP.
  • Lee, 32: 32 Gms., 232 2/3 Inn., 17-8, a 2.40 ERA, a 7.1 fWAR and a 1.03 WHIP.
  • Halladay, 34: 32 Gms., 233 2/3 Inn., 19-6, a 2.35 ERA, an 8.7 fWAR and a 1.04 WHIP.
  • Oswalt, 33: 23 Gms., 139 Inn., 9-10, a 3.69 ERA, a 2.8 fWAR and a 1.34 WHIP.

With four aces, the Fightins cruised from start to finish except for being behind by a half game on April 26. Through Sept. 17, though, they even won three out of four with three regulars alternately getting a rest and were 98-52. But they lost eight straight before a four-game winning streak: 102-60.

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