MLB Rumors 2010: Five Goals for the Philadelphia Phillies Offseason
As Ryan Howard watched a 3-2 pitch from closer Brian Wilson catch the plate, the 2010 Philadelphia Phillies season was over. An unsatisfying taste was left in the mouths of the team, manager, front office and the fans. This team, which had traded for Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt in the past year, had expectations of World Series or bust.
Consider 2010 a bust.
While there were feel good moments such as Halladay’s perfect game and playoff no-hitter and the team’s rally in the second half to win the NL East, ultimately they did not reach their goal of playing in a third straight World Series as the National League Champions.
Last off season, they saw themselves upgrade at third grade and acquire Roy Halladay. What will the Phillies do before Opening Day 2011?
Here are five goals for the Philadelphia Phillies offseason.
Notable First Playoff Starts of Philadelphia Phillies Pitchers Over The Years
With his 97-pitch complete game shut out of the Washington Nationals, Phillies starter Roy Halladay sent the Phillies back to the postseason for the fourth straight year.
Soon after, pitching coach Rich Dubee announced that Halladay would be the Phillies Game 1 starter in the NLDS, it will mark the first time in Halladay’s career that he pitches in the postseason.
Halladay has been one of the most elite pitchers in baseball over the past decade. Despite being near the top the league every year statistically, his Toronto Blue Jays were never able to overcome the Yankees or Red Sox and later the Rays.
This brings up the point: Who are some other Phillies starters whom, regardless if they had been with the team a long or short while, made their playoff debuts in red pinstripes.
Here are a couple notable starting pitchers who made their first career postseason starts with the Phillies.