i think if the phillies stay healthy this year, especially their pitching staff, they could suprise alot of people. what does everybody think of this?

Mark,

Do you really think they will have enough to pass Atlanta and the Mets ?

I think the bullpen is the weak spot, they have lost their reliable guys early and it sure has cost them the last 2 years.

Believe it or not losing Schilling will probably end up helping them. They got some good pitchers out of the deal, it just was that they had off years from the year before when everyone on the D-Backs had monster career years all at once.

freak,

the mets have lost some pitching, and i think they are a bit over-rated this year. the braves are a year older, and are due to start sliding down a little bit.

the phillies because of injuries, mailnly to their pitching staff have folded in the second half of the season the past few years. bruce chen is going to be a very good pitcher whom they got from the braves. omar daal cannot possibly be as bad as last year. their others pitchers are young and have alot of potential.

scott rolen is going to be a star if he is not considered one already, mike leiberthal is one of the best catchers in the national league. jimmy rolens (ss) is supposed to be the real deal and is one of the favorites for the rookie of the year. bobby abreau is one of the best pure hitters that nobody knows about.

i like larry bowa's attitude. i think it will carry over to this team. he was with seattle last year and he said that the mariners came within two games of going to the series, and the phils this year have 5 or 6 players who could have started on that team. this team has alot of talent, but bowa says they need to learn how to win.

do you think they have at least a shot at a wild card this year? i really do.