The New Crew

When the clock struck Midnight on July 31st, like every year it did not only signify the end of July and beginning of August but also the end of the period in which Major League franchises can trade players. Jake Peavy was now a member of the White Sox, Victor Martinez had become a Boston Red Sock, and Roy Halladay the deadline's diva had not been moved. Above all else that happened in the week leading up to the trade deadline, the most important acquisition was Cliff Lee becoming a Philadelphia Phillie. With that move, Phillies GM Reuben Amaro Jr. did not only give his team that much more of a shot to win a second straight World Series title, but also finished  a puzzle long in the making while doing so, inserting the final piece into what is now the best starting rotation in baseball. 

The Ace

Cliff Lee is one of the newest members of the Phillies rotation and in only four starts has already made himself the Ace of the staff. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has dazzled opponents in every start he has made since putting on red pinstripes. In his first start he threw a complete game on the road in San Fransisco only surrendering one run on four hits to the Giants. He followed suit in his next two starts only giving up one run in Phillies wins. In his most recent start he beat the Arizona Diamondbacks giving up an earned run throwing a complete game and only giving up two hits. Cliff is the ace that the fans have been itching for since Curt Schilling left the club years ago. He works fast and his command on the mound can only be matched by the league's best, the ones whom are grazed with his presence. 

The Movie Star

The story has it that when Cole Hamels first walked up to big league camp he was wearing his big sun glasses, khaki shorts, and polo shirt just like a California boy, earning him the nick name Hollywood. While he is almost an outcast in a sea of blue collar players in the Phillies clubhouse, Hamels' work ethic and performance makes him fit in the with the bunch, no one is harder on Cole than Cole. Hamels, the once ace of the staff is struggling a little bit in '09 but he is a pitcher who knows how to throw down the stretch and certainly when the pressure is on in the playoffs, as he was the recipient of the NLCS and World Series MVP Awards in '08. While Cole hardly seems to be pitching like it he completes the rotation's 1-2 punch with Cliff Lee as the Phillies two pitcher.

The Work Horse

Pat Gillick brought Joe Blanton to the Phillies at the '08 deadline and he has hardly faltered since. He had a rocky start to the '08 season, but has really settled in as the year has worn on. Joe has not given up more than three runs in a game since June 18th and he has pitched seven or more innings in seven of his last eight starts, truly a work horse. Blanton has substantially lowered his ERA to 3.86, and his 8-6 record doesn't speak for itself, while Joe on occasion has not gotten run support, as hard as that is to believe with the Phillies lineup. Big Joe has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since the All-Star break, and has really padded his case as one of the league's most underrated players. 

The Young Gun 

J.A. Happ has been the pleasant surprise for the Phils pitching in '09. Happ in his first full season won over the starting position when Chan Ho Park was struggling and cemented himself into the rotation when Brett Myers went to the DL. He has been nothing short of brilliant since. He has a 9-2 record and a 2.66 ERA and his making himself a strong case for the NL Rookie of the Year. His two complete game shutouts (one on the road in Toronto) showed Philly fans what he is capable of doing when he is really on, amidst his consistency. Having a pitcher who will give you a legitimate shot to win every time he goes out there is so valuable, especially in the form of a twenty seven year old rookie. 

The Daddy

Who can forget when Pedro Martinez said the words "Who's your Daddy?" in that infamous interview regarding his then rivals New York Yankees. That alone illustrates the personality and charisma that Pedro can bring to a ball club. The Phillies signed Martinez for 1 million dollars for one year taking a small risk with him as he was one year removed from baseball. Pedro beat the Cubs in his first start, and was settling into his second start when rain struck and ended his day in just three innings. His pitches seem to be on point and his two Cy Young Awards along with his "down the stretch" experience makes him very suitable to hold down the fort as the fifth starter. 

A combination of Ruben Amaro Jr. and Pat Gillick has built this mammoth of a pitching staff, something that the Phillies have not had in a long time. Combining with possibly the league's best lineup, this pitching has to make you like the Phillies chances, they can just smell October, and it smells like repeat.  

JD