Mac Attack: Lights Out, Bullpen Special Edition

The Phillies bullpen, last season and in the postseason, was lights out. The combination of Chad Durbin-Ryan Madson-J.C. Romero-Brad Lidge rivals that of Rivera-Wetteland of the mid-1990s New York Yankees fame. Not to mention guys like Clay Condrey, and the midseason acquisition Scott Eyre stepped up big time and keep the majority of the games close.

So, in the traditional spirit of things and the rule of threes, lets review, then preview the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen.

Long Relief

Clay Condrey

2008 record: 3-4, 1 save, 1 save opportunity, 56 games

2008 ERA: 3.26

2008 Strikeout and Walk totals: 34 K, 19 BB

2008 Innings Pitched: 69 IP

Middle Relief

Chad Durbin

2008 record: 5-4, 1 save, 7 save opportunities, 71 games

2008 ERA: 2.87

2008 Strikeout and Walk totals: 63 K, 35 BB

2008 Innings Pitched: 87.2 IP

Left Handed Specialist(s)

Scott Eyre

2008 with Chicago (NL) record: 2-0, 1 save opportunity, 7.15 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 4 walks, 11.1 IP, 19 games

2008 with Philadelphia record: 3-0, 1 save opportunity, 1.88 ERA, 18 strikeouts, 3 walks, 14.1 IP, 19 games

2008 totals: 5-0, 4.21 ERA, 38 games, 32 K, 7 BB, 25.2 IP, 2 save opportunities

J.C. Romero: See Set-Up Men

Set-Up Men

Ryan Madson

2008 record: 4-2, 1 save, 3 save opportunities, 76 games

2008 ERA: 3.05

2008 Strikeout and Walk totals: 67 K, 23 BB

2008 Innings Pitched: 82.2 IP

J.C. Romero

2008 record: 4-4, 1 save, 5 save opportunities, 81 games

2008 ERA: 2.75

2008 Strikeout and Walk totals: 52 K, 38 BB

2008 Innings Pitched: 59.0 IP

Closer

Brad Lidge

2008 record: 2-0, 41 saves in 41 chances (7 postseason saves for 48 total), 72 games

2008 ERA: 1.95

2008 Strikeout and Walk totals: 92 K, 35 BB

2008 Innings Pitched: 69.1 IP

2008 All-Star stats: 0-1, 0.2 IP, 1 game, 13.50 ERA, walk

2008 Cumulative Postseason stats: 0-0, 0.96 ERA, 9 games, 7 saves in 7 chances, 9.1 IP, 13 K, 3 BB

The Phillies' bullpen has not changed much from last year. Durbin-Madson-Romero-Lidge combined for 44 saves, 244 innings pitched, 274 strikeouts, 101 walks, and a combined ERA of 2.66 during the regular season.

Everyone loves lists, so it's time to reveal the projected 2009 numbers for the Philadelphia Phillies Relievers.

Long Relief

Clay Condrey

2009 Projected record: 6-5, 3.95 ERA, 40 K, 21 BB, 50 games, 72.1 IP

Chan Ho Park*

2009 Projected record as a reliever: 4-4, 4.50 ERA, 60 K, 29 BB, 61 games, 89.0 IP

J.A. Happ**

2009 Projected record as a reliever: 5-0, 3.95 ERA, 70 K, 39 BB, 53 games, 101.2 IP

Kyle Kendrick***

2009 Projected record as a reliever: 5-0, 4.00 ERA, 80 K, 40 BB, 53 games, 102.1 IP

Middle Relief

Chad Durbin

2009 Projected record: 5-1, 2.53 ERA, 50 K, 21 BB, 70 games, 73.1 IP, 2 saves in 3 chances

Robert Mosebach (Rule 5 draftee)

2009 Projected record: 2-5, 3.34 ERA, 49 K, 27 BB, 50 games, 50.2 IP

Left Handed Specialist

Scott Eyre

2009 Projected record: 6-5, 3.67 ERA, 45 K, 17 BB, 49 games, 73.2 IP, 1 save in 1 chance

Set Up Men

Ryan Madson

2009 Projected record: 5-2, 2.99 ERA, 71 K, 25 BB, 80 games, 91.2 IP, 3 saves in 5 chances

J.C. Romero

2009 Projected record: 3-0, 1.99 ERA, 59 K, 30 BB, 50 games, 67.2 IP, 2 saves in 3 chances

Closer

Brad Lidge

2009 Projected record: 3-0, 1.01 ERA, 93 K, 33 BB, 61 games, 101.1 IP, 45 saves in 48 chances

*If Happ or Kendrick take Fifth Starting Rotation Spot

**If Kendrick or Park take Fifth Starting Rotation Spot

***If Happ or Park take Fifth Starting Rotation Spot

Because as the old baseball adage goes, "Good Pitching beats good hitting; pitching and defense wins championships."

Mac Attack: "the Howitizer Edition", Reviewing The Phillies Starting Rotation

And I cant see the Hand no,
That pulls me to my knees,
But when I meet my shadow
I see gravity,- Embassy, Gravity

Another edition of the Mac Attack here, reviewing the Phillies starting rotation. Gravity seems to love the Philadelphia Phillies rotation, by keeping the ball in the ballpark for the most part. The Phillies franchise has never really been blessed with "hall of fame" caliber pitching, outside of select few: Alexander, Carlton, Bunning, I dare say Schilling.

The 2008 Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation had its bumps and bruises. Brett Myers being demoted. Eaton... uh yeah forget Adam Eaton, Kyle Kendrick shelled out of the rotation, replaced by lefty prospect, J.A. Happ.

The bright spots all so included Cole Hamels' 14 wins and postseason MVP performance, Jamie Moyer's god-like CY Young caliber performance at 16-7, Joe Blanton's 4-0 and playoff performance, and Kyle Kendrick's 11 wins.

So, reviewing the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies Starting Rotation:

Cole Hamels

Record: 14-10 2008
Postseason Record:4-0, 1.80 E.R.A., 30 SO, 9 BB, and 35.0 IP
E.R.A. of 3.09 196 SO, 53 BB, a career high 227.1 IP
Hardware: Two MVPs (NLCS and World Series)

Brett Myers

Record: 10-13
2008 Postseason Record: 2-1, 4.74 E.R.A., 12 SO, 10 BB, and 19.0 IP
E.R.A. of 4.55
163 SO, 65 BB, and 190.0 IP
Notable: 4-5, 3 RBI, 4 H, 1 BB in 2008 Postseason

Jamie Moyer

Record:16-7
2008 Postseason Record: 0-2, 1 ND, 8.49 E.R.A., 10 SO, 4 BB in 11.2 IP
E.R.A. of 3.71
123 SO, 63 BB, AND 196.1 IP

Joe Blanton

Record (overall):9-12, 4.69 E.R.A., 197.2 IP, 111 SO, 66 BB
Record (with Oakland):5-12, 4.96 E.R.A., 127 IP, 62 SO, 35 BB
Record (with Philadelphia):4-0, 4.24 E.R.A., 70.2 IP, 49 SO, 31 BB
2008 Postseason:2-0, 1 ND, 3.18 E.R.A., 18 SO, 6 BB in 17 IP
Notable: hit first career home run in game four of the World Series

Kyle Kendrick

Record:11-9 E.R.A. of 5.49

68 SO, 58 BB, in a career high 155.2 IP

Notable: 21-13 in two Major League seasons since being called up from AA Reading

Other Starting Pitchers Used in 2008:

Adam Eaton

2008 Record: 4-8, E.R.A. of 5.80, 57 SO, 44 BB in 107 IP

J.A. Happ

2008 Record: 1-0, E.R.A. of 3.69, 26 SO, 14 BB in 31.2 IP
2008 Postseason Record: 1 game, relief, 3.00 E.R.A., 4 IP, 2 SO, 2 BB
Notable: first career win against Atlanta

Team Starting Stats (win, loss, E.R.A., SO and BB total from PHILLIES SEASON, not other team):

2008 Starting Pitchers record: 60-47
2008 Starters E.R.A.: 4.25
2008 Starters SO and BB Total: 671 SO, 328 BB

And we be...
Taking care of business every day
Taking care of business every way- Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Takin' Care of Business.

Projected 2009 Regular season numbers for the Philadelphia Phillies Starting Staff as well as the projected fifth starter, according to the Mac Attack staff:

Cole Hamels:

21-7, 3.01 E.R.A., 220 SO, 50 BB, 230 IP

Brett Myers:

17-9, 3.59 E.R.A., 200 SO, 70 BB, 220 IP

Jamie Moyer:

16-10, 4.00 E.R.A., 170 SO, 70 BB, 210 IP

Joe Blanton

10-10, 3.75 E.R.A., 132 SO, 60 BB, 250 IP

Projected Fifth Starter: Kyle Kendrick

16-8, 3.96 E.R.A., 100 SO, 40 BB, 200 IP

Other Possible Starters:

Chan Ho Park

Projected 2009 Starting numbers for Park (if Kendrick, Happ, or Carrasco don't take the fifth spot): 15-14, 4.50 E.R.A., 110 SO, 65 BB, 150 IP

J.A. Happ

Projected 2009 Starting numbers for Happ (if Kendrick or Park don't take fifth spot): 16-8, 3.50 E.R.A., 110 SO, 60 BB, 170 IP

Carlos Carrasco

Projected 2009 numbers for Carrasco (if Park, Happ, or Kendrick don't take the fifth spot): 13-4, 4.05 E.R.A., 120 SO, 50 BB, 120 IP

Mac Attack: "Locked and Loaded" Edition, Reviewing The Phillies Lineup

Locked and loaded, voices screaming
"Let's go! Come on, do it, here we go!" -Offspring, Hammerhead

The Philadelphia Phillies lineup has not changed much since the postseason. Other than the fond farewell to Pat "The Bat" Burrell, and jolly good welcome to Philadelphia for Raul Ibanez. The Phillies traded offensive stats if you think about. 30 home runs, 90 RBI, and roughly 100 BB for .290-.300 batting average, 200 hits, and 110 RBI.

We will be reviewing the 2008 lineup and previewing the projected 2009 defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies lineup and projected offensive numbers.

So without anymore posturing, let's begin the Attack.

Reviewing 2008's lineup. Each spot varied certain games, and order varied from game to game to spark offense when it would start to slump.

1. Jimmy Rollins

2. Shane Victorino

3. Chase Utley

4. Ryan Howard

5. Pat Burrell

6. Jayson Werth

7. Pedro Feliz/ Greg Dobbs

8. Carlos Ruiz/ Chris Coste

9. Pitchers

Reviewing the Players 2008 season. Offensive numbers only.

1. Jimmy Rollins. The 2007 MVP had sort of an off-season offensively. Benched twice. He hit .277 with 154 hits in 556 at bats. 2007 for Rollins also saw a dip in hits (154), RBI (59), and average (.277). He was injured in the beginning of the season. He did have 47 stolen bases though and was caught stealing only three times.

2. Shane Victorino. The Flyin' Hawaiian had a break out season. Victorino hit .293 with 167 hits in 570 at bats. Victorino who, smashed a grand slam off of C.C. Sabathia during game two of the NLDS, hit 14 home runs during the regular season. Victorino also stole 36 bases and drove in 58 Runs.

3. Chase Utley. Chase got off to a rip-roaring start prior to the All-Star break. After the All-Star game, that same scorching bat practically fell silent. Chase knocked in 33 home runs, and batted .292 for the season. Not much off of his career average of .298. Last season, Chase drove in 104 RBI and scored 113 Runs, while raking 177 hits.

4. Ryan Howard. The "Big Dog" got off to a slow start in March (and April... and May... and June) but picked up his slack and started to hit the ball. Despite hitting .251 and striking out 199 times, Howard managed to crush 48 home runs. As well as drove in 146 RBI and scored 105 Runs. Howard slapped 153 Hits as well as stole a base. In the month of September alone, Howard hit .352 with 11 home runs, two triples, seven doubles, and drove in 32 RBI.

5. Pat Burrell. "Pat the Bat" got off to a blazing start much like Utley did, and carried the team throughout Howard's slow start. Prior to the All-Star game, Burrell hit .275 with 23 home runs, 57 RBI, and slugged .575. After the All-Star break tough, he cooled down much like Utley, a lot. After the All-Star break, Burrell hit .215, with ten home runs, 29 RBI. During the 2008 season, Burrell was in the top ten in walks with 102.

6. Jayson Werth. Werth had a "breakout" season, if you could call it that. He hit .273 with 24 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and slugged .498. Werth was one the four Philadelphia Phillies hitters with 20+ home runs (Utley 33, Howard 48, Burrell 33, Werth 24). Prior to the All-Star break he hit .271 with 12 home runs, and 36 RBI. After the All-Star break, he hit .275 with 12 home runs, and 31 RBI.

7. Pedro Feliz. Another Phillies hitter that got off to a hot start and cooled of, drastically I might add. Prior to the All-Star break: Feliz hit .270 with 12 home runs, and 45 RBI. After the All-Star break it's a different story. After the All-Star break, Feliz hit .189 with two home runs, and only 13 RBI. 2008 season for Feliz: .249, 14 home runs, and 58 RBI.

8. Carlos Ruiz. Ruiz had an off season hitting, while only hitting .219, with four home runs and only 19 RBI. Ruiz came up clutch when it really mattered especially in the playoffs. Prior the All-Star break, Ruiz hit .202 with two home runs and 20 RBI. After the All-Star break, Ruiz picked it up hitting .244 with two home runs and 11 RBI. 2008 Postseason stats: .261 (.375 in the World Series alone), one home run, and four RBI along with one stolen base.

9. Pitchers: (Hamels, Myers, Moyer, Blanton, Kendrick): The Philadelphia Phillies pitchers last season hit .107 combined with Cole Hamels leading in the average category with a steely .224. Next it was Kyle Kendrick batting .100, and so on. Big Boy, Joe Blanton hit his first career home run during Game 4 of the World Series.

10: The Bench. 2008 numbers for Chris Coste (catcher): he hit .263 with nine home runs and 36 RBI. 2008 numbers for Greg Dobbs (utility): he hit .301 with nine home runs, 40 RBI and three stole bases. 2008 numbers for Eric Bruntlett (utility): he hit .217 with two home runs, 15 RBI, and 15 stole bases. 2008 numbers for Geoff Jenkins (outfielder): he hit .249 with nine home runs, 29 RBI and one stolen base. 2008 numbers for Matt Stairs (outfielder):he hit .252 for the season (.294 with the Phillies) with 13 home runs (two with the Phillies), 49 RBI (five RBI with the Phillies) and one stole base. 2008 numbers for So Taguchi (outfielder): he hit .220 with nine RBI and three stole bases.

If you've got a match then we've got the gas
Let's start a fire and have ourselves a blast- Airbourne, Stand Up For Rock And Roll

Team totals for 2008: .255, 214 home runs, 762 RBI, 586 BB, 1117 SO's, 136 SB. Led Majors with 214 home runs. Second in Majors with 762 RBI. Tenth in Majors with a .255 batting average. Seventh in Majors with 1117 strikeouts.

2009 Projected Numbers for the starting lineup according to myself:

1. Jimmy Rollins- .285, 20 HR, 70 RBI, 49 SB

2. Sane Victorino- .291, 15 HR, 65 RBI, 45 SB

3. Chase Utley- .300, 25 HR, 80 RBI

4. Ryan Howard- .275, 53 HR, 152 RBI, 200 SO, 100 BB

5. Jayson Werth- .293, 30 HR, 29 HR, 75 RBI, 21 SB

6. Raul Ibanez- .310, 30 HR, 110 RBI

7. Pedro Feliz- .250, 15 HR, 50 RBI

8. Carlos Ruiz- .275, 13 HR, 56 RBI

9. Cole Hamels- .230, 2 HR, 13 RBI

Bench players projected 2009 numbers

10. Greg Dobbs- .310, 11 HR, 60 RBI

11. Matt Stairs- .263, 11 HR, 40 RBI

12. Eric Bruntlett- .250, 7 HR, 31 RBI

13. Chris Coste- .264, 10 HR, 41 RBI

14. Geoff Jenkins- .270, 11 HR, 30 RBI

Possible bench players prjected 2009 numbers:

15. Ronny Paulino- .267, 5 HR, 30 RBI

16. Lou Marson- .279, 11 HR, 25 RBI

17. Jason Donald- .281, 9 HR, 30 RBI

18. John Mayberry- .275, 11 HR, 20 RBI

Starting Pitchers projected 2009 hitting numbers:

19. Brett Myers- .175, 0 HR, 5 RBI

20. Jamie Moyer- .155, 1 HR, 7 RBI

21. Joe Blanton- .245, 4 HR, 15 RBI

22. Kyle Kendrick- .133, 0 HR, 3 RBI

Possible starting pitchers projected 2009 hitting numbers:

23. J.A. Happ- .133, 0 HR, 5 RBI

24. Chan Ho Park- .137, 0 HR, 5 RBI

25. Carlos Carrasco- .131, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Five for Fighting

The Phillies and Mets (of all teams) have a similar problem that has to be addressed. Both teams number five starting spot is up-for-grabs. As Richard Marsh, explained in his slide-show about the New York Mets five rotation issue, the Philadelphia Phillies have one of their own that has to be addressed.

As of right now, it is a four man slug-fest for the fifth starting spot between Rookie and top prospect Carlos Carrasco, 2nd year lefty J.A. Happ, third year righty Kyle Kendrick, and veteran right-hander Chan Ho Park. Sub-par veteran right-hander, Adam Eaton has ultimately been "eliminated" from the running; due to his sub-par performance throughout his tenure in Philadelphia going 14-18 in two seasons.

The fifth starting spot has always been a problem for the Phillies.

During the 2008 season the Phillies used a number of different pitchers down the stretch when Kendrick ran out of gas and Eaton just imploded.

Onward to the pitchers fighting for that coveted fifth spot.

Kyle Kendrick

In the green corner: Kyle is returning from a season which featured both his high and low points. At the crux of the season, he was removed due to a number of problems. The 2008 season saw him have a career high in wins, but a career high in losses, E.R.A., walks, etc.

2008 Season:

11-9, 5.49 ERA, 68 SO, 52 BB in 31 games, 30 of which he started with 155.2 Innings Pitched.

Career:

21-13, 4.78 ERA, 117 SO, 82 BB in 51 games, 50 of which he started with 276.2 Innnings Pitched

Keys to regaining the fifth starting spot: show he can command his slider, show he's willing to use his changeup and show that he can get left-handed hitters out better. Has to regain his confidence, throw his changeup more and show the Phillies that he is every bit as capable of being a consistent winner like he was in 2007 and early in '08.

James Anthony (J.A.) Happ

In the red corner: J.A. (pronounced: JAY) Happ saw his first career win last season The Phillies won the four games he started, including two games against the Braves in September, when Happ replaced Kendrick in the rotation. Happ proved he can compete in critical situations. He finished strong. He made the postseason roster. So he enters Spring Training with plenty of people feeling good about him.

2008 Season

1-0, 3.69 ERA, 26 SO, 14 BB, 31.2 IP in eight games, four of which he started.

Career

1-1, 4.54 ERA, 31 SO, 16 BB, 35.2 IP in nine games, five of which he started.

Keys to earning the fifth starting spot: outshine all other candidates for the job.

Chan Ho Park

In the blue corner: Park, came here to Philadelphia to do one thing: start. I don't think he expected there to be competition for the fifth starter's job, though. In 280 career starts, Park is 112-85. And last season went 4-4 in 54 appearances, going 1-0 in four starts. But since the 2001 season Park has gone 34-34, 5.48 ERA in 104 starts with L.A.

2008 Season with Los Angeles Dodgers

4-4, 3.40 ERA, 95.1 IP, 79 SO, 39 BB, 2 SV out of 5 SVO in 54 games, five of which he started.

Career

117-94, 4.34 ERA, 1590 SO, 858 BB, 1846.0 IP, 2 SV, in 378 games, 280 of which he started.

Keys to earning the fifth starting spot: prove that veteran know-how is better than youth. As an accomplished starter user the experience to earn the spot.

Carlos Carrasco

And finally in this corner, the Phillies top Minor League Pitching Prospect. He will be pitching most likely for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He is highly-toted, and looks forward to breaking into the rotation sometime soon.

2008 Season in Minors

7-7, 4.32 ERA at AA Reading; 2-2, 1.72 ERA at AAA Lehigh Valley; 3-0, 2.11 in 11 starts in a Venezuelan Winter League.

Minors Career

27-20, 3.93 ERA, 510 SO, 240 BB, 581.1 IP in 108 Games, 103 of which he started.

Keys to earning the fifth spot: prove the hype about you is right. Don't expect anything other than most likely a full year at AAA. But be ready if none of the other three don't perform. Show unbelievable poise for someone at his age (21).

Let the fight begin. Let the debating begin.

How to survive a season, the Mac Attack way.

0-16, 31-131, 2-33, the list goes on. Does your team fall under this category? Is your team a stinker, not even worth the effort to press the power button on the television remote? You can't even GIVE away the tickets! Or do you just walk out at the 4th inning, halftime, etc.?

Or...

16-0, 101-61, 33-2, and so on. Does your team fall under this category? Is your team a dynamic powerhouse that shreds its competition in half, and their tickets are more prized than both gold and oil put together? Do you sit through the elements just to watch your team win or lose?

Well, with the new year comes the crushing depression of being a fan of the first category. Surviving these team's seasons are like combating the plague: hard and and it just gets harder and it pains you to call yourself a fan of that team. Likewise, does watching your team play gives you indigestion?

Can you ask yourself: "Hey! Is my local high-school or college team better than these so-called 'players'?"

Whether your team goes perfect or imperfect, B-Mac will be here to guide you through your team's season (regardless of sport, league, conference, division).

Rule No. 1 to surviving a season: Hopes and Expectations

First off, keep your expectations low, and you will be pleasantly surprised. Believe that your team will win at least half their games. If/when/once they win half their games during the season, then think about the claiming the wild card spot. Or if they have enough wins, think about claiming the division. Don't think about the playoffs or who's going to win the division at the beginning of the season. Also, don't get your hopes up. Because if you get your hopes up, you are only setting yourself up to be crushed further down the line.

Rule No. 2: Become a "Die-Hard"

Become a "Die-Hard fan", meaning that you try to weather the storm that is your team's season. Buff yourself up with knowledge, facts, and trivia about your team that no else would know.

For example, for a Phillies fan, "Can you name the former Phillies' pitcher to throw two no-hitters; one in both leagues?" Of course, the answer to that question is obviously the Senator, Jim Bunning.

If your team is really bad, go to games anyway. It's called a show of faith, most people would begin to lose hope.

Rule No. 3: The Sports Section, ESPN, and you

If you read the sports section of the newspaper, watch the "talking-head" shows on ESPN (PTI, ATH, ESPN First Take, Baseball Tonight, etc.). Keep an open mind. Don't believe everything that is written about your team or the season that your team goes through, especially when your hometown team is in a major market (NYC, L.A., Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia).

Rule No. 4: Curses?

There are no such things as curses. Curses are just stuff made up by the sports writers to cover up the fact that your team has bad players, bad management, or bad ownership. So Cubs fans, you are not cursed. You just have one of the above. The Red Sox were not cursed by that trade of the Babe, they just had bad teams or management, or ownership.

Same goes with the professional teams out of Philadelphia: you are/were not cursed by that building (One Liberty Plaza) or William Penn. You just have had lousy teams, players, management, ownership, etc.

Addition to Rule 4: The only thing if it is a curse, is the funk that the NCAA D-I Men's Basketball team at NJIT is in. I haven't checked lately, but I believe their winless streak was at five or six seasons, and at one point went 0-51.

Rule No. 5: As Tug McGraw once said, "Ya gotta Believe!"

Above all, believe in your team. If your team is a perennial stinker, believe that this is the year that we get out of the cellar and become champs. Or believe that this is the year that we turn that 0-16 into a 16-0. Or if your a Pirates or Royals fan: believe that this is the year that we finish above .500, and someplace other than last or second-to-last place in our division.

That's it. If you can survive an 0-16 season or a Pittsburgh Pirates season and make it out without killing yourself or your team, you can survive just about anything.

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Lights Out: Preview of the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies Bullpen

With the Super Bowl over, millions of people who were hunkering down for the winter, are now returning to their natural calling: baseball. It is almost a week away from the perennial calling of pitchers and catchers to head down to Florida and out to Arizona.

That means the Phillies are returning to Clearwater once again, only this time to defend their World Series title.

But the Phillies are coming into Spring Training with some burning questions: Who is going to get the fifth starting spot? What about the bullpen? Is it going to stay the same dominant form?

Well I'll cover one of these pressing issues, primarily the bullpen. This is the 2009 Spring Training profile of the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen.

The Phillies bullpen last season and postseason, was lights out. The combination of Durbin-Madson-Romero-Lidge rivals that of Rivera-Wetteland of the mid-1990's New York Yankee fame. Not to mention guys like Condrey, and the midseason acquisition Scott Eyre stepped up big time and keep the majority of the games close.

So, what is the outlook for the 2009 bullpen? It is looking the same as last year: a strength. One of the biggest potential strengths of the Phillies 2009 bullpen is: that is majority intact from last season.

The Phillies' bullpen has not changed much from last year. Potential strength No. 2: the back-end of the bullpen. Durbin-Madson-Romero-Lidge combined for 44 saves, 244 innings pitched, 274 K's, 101 BB's, and a combined E.R.A. of 2.66.

The other relievers: Condrey and Eyre pulled their own weight as well, coming into games in pressure situations and either keeping it close or keeping the lead intact.If Chan Ho Park losses out to Kyle Kendrick for the fifth starting rotation spot, he can be used as a tool in the bullpen.

Adam Eaton, I believe will not be returning to the bullpen at all this season, and will be release before the end of Spring Training. If Park does get the fifth starting spot in the rotation, Kendrick and J.A. Happ could be utilized as long relief pitchers.

Some of the biggest concerns: what will happen to J.C. Romero when he comes back from suspension? It is only a matter of: when will "Lights Out" Lidge blow a save? And if he blows a save, how many might he blow? What's going to happen to the right-handers in the bullpen when Romero ends his suspension?

One of the biggest concerns is J.C. Romero. He was key in that 7-8-9 combination of last season. When he returns from suspension on June 1, he will have not of pitched since either Game Five of the World Series or whenever the last game for Puerto Rico is in the World Baseball Classic.

For the Phillies bullpen that is a big chunk of games. Most likely of those 50 games that Romero will miss, he would have been in 30 of those.

For the Phillies bullpen, that is a huge chunk of innings as well for their lefty set-up man not to appear in. Which in turn, puts a strain on the right-handers and Eyre. They may go after lefty fireballer Joe Biemel to fill his spot.

Another concern is; When will Lidge blow a save. I hate saying this but, Brad "Lights Out" Lidge will eventually blow a save. Will it be in the beginning of the season? Will it be the middle of the season? Or will it be in the home stretch of the season when Lidge blows a save? Or in a key game?

I can't say when Lidge will blow a save. Only time will tell.

The Phillies can count on Durbin, Madson, Lidge to get them out of pressure situations this coming season. They did it last season well, they should do the same this year. The Phillies can count on Romero to return to his set-up role, once he returns.

Expect Eyre and Condrey to step up even more than last year.

So which pitchers have something to prove? I would have to say Ryan "Mad Dog" Madson, Brad Lidge, Chan Ho Park, and/ or Kyle Kendrick and J.A. Happ.

Madson has to prove he is worth the $4 million a year that his new contract says he gets.

Lidge has to prove that staying perfect last season was not a fluke, even though the majority of fans know that Lidge last season was not a fluke.

Park has to prove he was worth the Phillies to pick him up. By either starting or assimilating into the bullpen. He has to prove that he can compete with the big dogs of the National League East Division.

Kendrick has to prove that he can return to his 2007 form. If not, he has to prove that he can assimilate into the bullpen and provide long relief.

Happ is in the same boat as Kendrick is, except he can be used as a another lefty in the bullpen.

How vital is the Phillies bullpen to their chances of returning to the playoffs and the World Series in 2009? The bullpen is as vital as the starting pitching: the lifeline of the team. If the bullpen can avoid injuries they will play a key role in the Phillies title defense this season.

Because as the old baseball adage goes: Good Pitching beats good hitting; pitching and defense wins championships.

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Surviving Philly

Think you can play, coach, or manage in Philadelphia?

Can You?

To be one of the longest tenured players in Philadelphia sports history, like Dawkins and Burrell; takes skill. So random 76er, Flyer, Eagle, and Phillie, it begs the question: think you have what it takes to compete down at One Citizen’s Bank Way?

This is your comprehensive “player” survival guide to surviving in Philadelphia.

1) Performance Matters: first off before you can win, you have to perform. If you don’t perform up-to-snuff, you may just be that key throw-in that sends a big name player here, and your ass goes far away.

Or if you don’t perform well, your position on the team may just be: bench-warmer or worse; bye-bye Philadelphia, hello Lehigh Valley, Reading, Clearwater, Williamsport, Lakewood, the practice squad (Eagles and Sixers), Phantoms.

So above all, perform well and up to YOUR AND YOUR team’s expectations, not the press’ or the fans.

2) Stay away from the press: stay away from the press; they are not your friends. You could be hitting .450 one week and the press’ favorite person; the next week you could be mired in a slump hitting .150 and the press are calling for your departure.

1. Amendment 1 to Rule 2: The “Cole- Rollins” Amendment: Don’t give the press anything to write home about. Comments, thoughts, stats, and trash talk: keep them to yourself, unless a situation warrants it.

Watch out for phrases like: “We’re the team to beat” or “Choke Artists”. Don’t say said phrases (or other phrases), unless you can back up said phrase, taunt, or insult. Also watch out for baited hooks, phrases like: “Do you think that the Mets are choke artists?” or “Did you know about the overtime rule?”

3) Win: Winning is important, but not that important when compared to rules one and two (as well as amendment one to rule two). Win and you are a hero. Lose and you’re life will be a living hell.

When you win, don’t over celebrate. When you lose, don’t cry about it. No one likes a crybaby. Do not under any circumstances accept ties. Never settle for anything better than a victory.

4) If benched in the middle of a game: Don’t sulk about it. And don’t cry about it either. Realize that the coach or manager may have benched you in order to one: “fire-up” the team and/or two: you are really just playing poorly so maybe a benching might help.

Just remember- it’s only one game, don’t read anything into it. Also, remember: that you can always go after it the next game.

5) Know the Rules of the Game: If you don’t know the rules of the game then you should not be playing. If you’re a baseball player, know the ground rules; know what would be called a home run and what would be called a foul ball.

Also, know the rules about balks, infield flies, and foul balls. If you’re a football player, know what is legal and illegal (pertaining to passes, formations, eligible players, hits, and tackles), also know where the boundary lines are. This applies to all sports and is retroactive, applies to rule 2 and rule 2.1

1. The Donovan Amendment to Rule 5: Know the rules of your sport. This pertains to ties, overtime, ties in overtime, extra innings, and shootouts. There is no excuse for not knowing your sports’ rules about overtime, ties and ties in overtime, shootouts and extra innings, as well as rain delays.

6) Pay Attention to the Game (The Kolb-Coste Rule): Know the situation of every game, because you never know when you might just get into a game.

7) Always know the rules of your team (The Rollins Rule): plain and simple- know the rules that your head coaches and managers set. That means show up on time and hustle every game, all the time or be ready to ride the pines.

8) Never be seen with Celebrities: Off days, holidays, off seasons, travel out in Los Angeles: never be seen hanging with the likes of: T.O., Plaxico, Madonna, Britney Spears, K-Fed or any other Hollywood A-List celebrity. These people are no good and nothing but distractions.

9) Never Carry a Concealed Weapon: Rule is self-explanatory

1. Never Shoot Thyself with Said Concealed Weapon: Self-explanatory as well. Rule 9 will be known as the “Dumb-ass Plaxico Rule”, Rule 9.1 will be known as “Dumb-ass Burress Amendment”. Together these two rules will be combined for one overall rule 9.

10) Win a Championship (will be known as the Mitch Williams Rule): Most importantly, play hard and win a championship. Because no one will remember all those achievements, records, strikeouts, and wins without a championship.

Win one and be hailed as a hero. Lose one or don’t win one and become public enemy number one. Remember the tag-line for EA Sports: “If it’s in the game; it’s in the game.”

These are the 20 rules that should live by here in Philadelphia. Win and these streets and stadiums will welcome you home as a hero, lose and these streets and stadiums will become your own personal hell.

article featured on bleacherreport.com