Phillies Season Preview 2006

(Philadelphia, PA) - It has been no longer than six months to the day that the Phillies entered the last game of the 2005 season. The Phillies were only one game back and they needed help from the Houston Astros. If the Phillies won and the Astros lost there would be a one game playoff for the NL wildcard slot. The Phillies were in Washington to take on the Nationals for the regular season finale. The Astros were in Houston facing the Cubs in their final game of the regular season.

All around the city that day Go Phillies and Go Cubs chants arose, the same at RFK Stadium. With an overwhelming amount of Phillies Fans, the Phillies easily handled the Nationals to complete their end of the one game playoff situation. The Phillies and Nationals game was over as the eighth inning in Houston began. It seemed like the Astros knew what they had to do. In the eighth inning the Astros made a come back on the Cubs after being down most of the game. They went on to win the game. As they broke out the champagne, the Phillies hopes were shattered.

The Astros went on to win the NL crown, but they lost in the World Series to the White Sox. After the season the two series that Phillies' fans looked back on was the six games against Houston, as Houston took all six from the Phillies. The most notable game was when Billy Wagner suffered his first loss as a Philly, giving up two big knocks to the "Killer B's" to increase the Astros lead on the Phillies.

However, the off season was kind to the Phillies; the big move was the trading of Thome to the World Series champion Chicago White Sox. He went to Chicago for Aaron Rowand and Cash. Aaron Rowand will hopefully be a solid center fielder replacing the mediocre, Kenny Lofton. This move means that the Ryan Howard, 2005 NL Rookie of the Year, will be the full time first baseman. This is much to the Phillies fans liking hence Howard has become a fan favorite in the city of brotherly love. Hopefully, Howard can continue where he left off last season.

Another player that should continue where he left off is Jimmy Rollins; "J-Roll" ended the 2005 campaign with a thirty-seven game hitting streak. The streak does roll over to the next season. So, Jimmy can still break “Jolting” Joe's record of hitting safely in fifty-six consecutive games. Some people will be more concentrated on that then the start of the Phillies season.

Wins are more important than a hit streak and to win the Phillies needed to upgrade their pitching staff. The first trade that involved a pitcher was CF Jason Michaels for Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes will set up for Tom Gordon. Gordon was acquired from the Yankees to replace closer Billy Wagner, who was lost to the Mets.

Then the final move the Phillies made was the acquisition of a fourth outfielder. With Michaels gone the Phillies needed to fill this position. So, the Phillies gave up SP Robinson Tejada for OF David Delluchi.

Every position will be the same as the end of last year with the exception of Rowand at center. But, the pitching rotation will be very different; it will be the same top three Lieber, Myers, and Lidle. But, the last two will be Gavin Floyd and Ryan Madson. Also, newly acquired Ryan Franklin might see some starting time if either of them two gets into any trouble. Also, down on the minors Cole Hamels, now with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, might be called up some time in the season. But, that will be decided at a later time.

However, going into the season that's how the roster will look. This season the Phillies are predicted by some to finish dead last in the NL East. They will have to prove some people wrong if this is the year they get into the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

- Rich Ballezzi