Philadelphia Phillies 

Brett Myers – The Phillies will move Myers back into the starting rotation this year, after moving into the bullpen in 2007.  Myers did start three games last season before the Phillies inexplicably moved him into the bullpen.  This team is far better off garnering as many innings as possible from Myers.  In fact, his two prior seasons with the Phillies, Myers started 65 games, with a sweet 3.81 ERA.  Myers is a power hurler, while featuring a hard curveball as his outpitch off his fastball and cutter.  Before last season, the 27-year-old lost 30 pounds, which should again help his endurance this season.  Entering his prime, look for Myers to pitch with much success as the Phillies opening day starter this season.  Note Myers did miss over a month of the campaign last year with a shoulder strain. 

Cole Hamels – No question, the Phillies own a formidable tandem at the top of their rotation with Hamels and Myers.  In addition, they’re two very different hurlers, which gives the opposition a much different look.  Hamels uses one of the best change-ups in the major leagues with over 30% of his pitches, off a deceptive low-90’s fastball.  In fact, many opposing batters will call his 93-MPH one of the fastest they’ll see.  In 2006, Hamels recorded a 2.70 ERA in his last 12 starts, while he dealt a 3.39 overall number last season.  Certainly, keep in mind this flyball pitcher throws in an ultra-tough home park to pitch in.  Injuries are and will be a concern, while Hamels has dealt with a bad back, shoulder and elbow in professional baseball.  If healthy, Hamels is ready to step in as an elite pitcher.   

Kyle Kendrick – Kendrick stepped in and gave the Phillies a shot in the arm last season, while coming up huge as an integral part to get the Phillies into the postseason.  He recorded a 10-4 record, while showing a 3.87 ERA.  However, I’m not sure he continues to pitch with success in the major leagues.  He posted just 49 strikeouts in 121 innings for the Phillies last year.  He features hard moving, sinking stuff, but he’ll have to develop his off-speed stuff, while missing more bats would be a plus as well.  The 23-year-old is working hard on his change-up this spring, and he’ll need that pitch.  Note Kendrick showed a massive right/left split in his rookie year.  He allowed right-handers to just a .628 OPS, but left-handers notched a striking .922 OPS against him.   

Jamie Moyer – The 45-year-old, yes 45, Moyer returns for another season after a regressing 2007 season pitching to a 5.01 ERA.  Citizens Bank Park is a tough home locale for the flyballing southpaw as he allowed 30 ‘big flies’ last year.  In past seasons, Moyer always showed a huge home/road split, while understanding how to pitch in vast Safeco Field with the Mariners.  In 2007, 18 of his homeruns were allowed at home in just 89.1 innings.  He barely cracks 80-MPH on the radar gun anymore and an implosion wouldn’t be surprising this season from the left-hander.   

Adam Eaton – As rock-solid as the duo at the top of the Phillies rotation is, the bottom three will be a crapshoot.  Eaton won the fifth spot probably more by default and with the money he’ll make in 2008.  Last year, the right-hander started 30 games for the Phillies, but a 6.29 ERA explains his trustworthiness on the hill.  Fortunately, for Eaton, his run support was kind, which allowed his 9-10 record.  To open, his 97/71 strikeout to walk ratio is troubling.  In addition, his flyball ways are a bad addition to Citizens Bank Park as he surrendered 30 home runs.  To make matters worse, after a shoulder ailment last year, Eaton showed up this spring with a herniated disk in his back.  Avoid!