We Can Win The World Series

[Falconsfan567]

I'm tired of seeing people saying the Braves can't win the World Series because their pitching or their hitting isn't good enough. I've done some research being the stat junkie that I am and I say heck yes the Braves can win the World Series. Let's go back over the past 10 years.

TEAM ERA

2000 - Yankees - 4.76

2006 - Cardinals - 4.54

2004 - Red Sox - 4.19

1999 - Yankees - 4.16

2003 - Marlins - 4.04

2008 - Phillies - 3.89

2001 - Diamondbacks - 3.88

2007 - Red Sox - 3.87

2002 - Angels - 3.69

2005 - White Sox - 3.61

TEAM BATTING AVERAGE

1999 - Yankees - .282

2002 - Angels - .282

2004 - Red Sox - .282

2007 - Red Sox - .279

2000 - Yankees - .277

2006 - Cardinals - .269

2001 - Diamondbacks - .267

2003 - Marlins - .266

2005 - White Sox - .262

2008 - Phillies - .255

TEAM RUNS SCORED

2004 - Red Sox 949

1999 - Yankees - 900

2000 - Yankees - 871

2007 - Red Sox - 867

2002 - Angels - 851

2001 - Diamondbacks - 818

2008 - Phillies - 799

2006 - Cardinals - 781

2003 - Marlins - 751

What I gather from these stats is that the Phillies offense wasn't nearly as good as everyone (myself included) gave them credit for last season. I guess people gave them the credit they did since 799 runs scored is a lot in the National League and compared to the Americal League teams it's not a lot.

Our best case is to repeat what the 2006 Cardinals did. That team only won 83 regular season games but won when it mattered. They weren't that good. They were mearly average. Our pitching staff is much better than 4.54 team ERA. I think our team ERA should be right around 4 if not below 4. Our offense should be good enough to support that pitching staff.

[keller24VT]

Philly's offense was very inconsistent last year. They would score 13 runs in one game and then 1 the next day. I guess people gave the offense so much credit because of the players in the lineup and the potential they had and often demonstrated (just not consistently).

I think any type of playoff run for this team comes down to winning close games. This year we don't have a spectacular offense or a great pitcher that shuts everyone down. What we have is a bunch of solid pitchers who should keep us in every ball game and give us the opportunity to win games. If our offense can do what it takes to win those close games, we can make a run. However, we certainly had trouble to do it in the past, to say the least. Two big question marks is Francoeur and the center field spot (most likely Anderson). Francoeur has to return to 2007 form. He has to be able to hit with RISP. Anderson has to get on base often and be able to steal bases to set up Chipper, McCann etc. with RBI opportunities. Nothing is going to come easily, as we are not the most talented team in the world, but if we can execute and play smart, we definitely have a chance.

[Falconsfan567]

Philly's offense was very inconsistent last year. They would score 13 runs in one game and then 1 the next day. I guess people gave the offense so much credit because of the players in the lineup and the potential they had and often demonstrated (just not consistently).

I think any type of playoff run for this team comes down to winning close games. This year we don't have a spectacular offense or a great pitcher that shuts everyone down. What we have is a bunch of solid pitchers who should keep us in every ball game and give us the opportunity to win games. If our offense can do what it takes to win those close games, we can make a run. However, we certainly had trouble to do it in the past, to say the least. Two big question marks is Francoeur and the center field spot (most likely Anderson). Francoeur has to return to 2007 form. He has to be able to hit with RISP. Anderson has to get on base often and be able to steal bases to set up Chipper, McCann etc. with RBI opportunities. Nothing is going to come easily, as we are not the most talented team in the world, but if we can execute and play smart, we definitely have a chance.

It's long been said it's not always the most talented team that wins the World Series. But the best team that plays as a team. If it were all about talent the Yankees would always win.

The reason we should win the close games this year is because our bullpen should be healthy and if so then that's a much improved unit. With our starters constitently going 6 plus every game we should be just fine.