ALL DECADE PHILLIES

Coming into the 2010s, the Phillies were absolutely rolling off of back-to-back Pennant triumphs. They kept it going -- NLCS in 2010, well over 100 wins in 2011. Then came some droughts, but Philly still has some amazing talent from those early teams to put together an awesome squad. Hard to believe it, but we're now 18/30 teams through the All Decade squads... and we're seeing another title contender here!

The Hall of Famer is an absolute beast.... and this 2010 stud wasn't even his best card!

LINEUP: The Phillies have a strong lineup, starting with 2010's Jayson Werth. Werth brings speed, extra base pop, and high on-base to kick things off for Philly! Sensational Chase Utley brings one of the best 2B cards in the NL to the two hole. I love this card, especially for giving the Phillies an offensive weapon at a typically weak offensive position. Two guys with 40 HR power hit third and fourth, giving Philly some incredible pop that's protected in the lineup. Speaking of power, Bryce Harper comes in fifth. Yes, the narrative all season was that Bryce was a disappointment... but he sure put up an incredible card (and earned his place on the All Decade squad)! Next up is Wilson Ramos, who's got a solid enough OB 9 from the catcher position (and you gotta love the +8 arm). One of my all-time favorite cards hits 7th (and potentially could leadoff) -- 2011 Shane Victorino. My buddy Kyle called him the best value in Colby's 2011 set and with 22 speed and a 14-18 triple range, I think we can all see why! His OB 8 is the only thing keeping him down in the order. The Phillies have struggled with 3B this decade, but they've got a solid double machine in Franco. Rounding it out is Jimmy Rollins, aka the original Javy Baez! He's got speed and extra bases, plus some fantastic defense up the middle for the Phillies. While not the best top-to-bottom lineup, I think they're going to be plenty good to support the team's backbone -- their rotation!

ROTATION: No one is going to be surprised by the Phillies incredible rotation! Starting things off is Hall of Famer Roy Halladay's awesome 2011 card!! The premier stud that Colby tweeted off to announce the 2011 set, this is the stud who got me and my friends to snag the 2011 and 2012 sets! He's a Tier 1 who brings EVERYTHING you could want in an ace -- strikeouts, high control, even ground balls, plus IP 7 to go deep in the game! He's followed by another stud Colby creation in 2012 Cole Hamels -- he's a Tier 2, Control 6 with 7 IP. We take a brief break from the early decade aces to bring out 2018 Aaron Nola! A tier 2, Control 5 with no doubles, Nola is a dependable beast!! Rounding out this beast of a rotation is 2011 Cliff Lee. I didn't have a color version of the Colby card, so I brought his card into the old school design! Lee may have a lower control, but with tons of strike outs and lots of outs on his charts generally (plus the stud IP 8), make him a very good fourth starter! While not quite at the level of the Dodgers or Mets on paper, the Phillies indisputably are still one of the best rotations in the NL!

BULLPEN: The rotation is supported by an awesome bullpen!!! Ken Giles is one of the best closers around -- Tier 1, Control 6, no doubles! Following up Giles are a plethora of Tier 2, Control 4 pitchers. Three of them don't allow doubles. Thanks to the rotation being (a) amazing, (b) full of strong IP pitchers, the Phillies will be able to utilize their bullpen more surgically than other teams. Honestly, I'd be afraid if I was a foe in the NL, because the Phillies are likely going to have the freshest set of relievers around... and they all mean serious business!

Overall, the Phillies are an indisputable contender for best in the National League! I'm shocked that they're less points than the Reds, but I think that's because Cincy has an IP 2 reliever on their squad. Honestly, "points per IP" is a better way to gauge how good a pitching staff is! I've got no doubts that Philly will contend for the playoffs... but the NL East is going to be a dogfight!! Both the Nats and Phillies are among the best teams in the entire league, and just wait until the Mets and Braves come into play too!! So, after adding the studly Phillies, here's the current standings by points:

1.   Dodgers             8010 points
2.   Yankees             7920 points
3.   Red Sox             7770 points
4.   Nationals           7670 points
5.   Astros                7420 points
6.   Reds                   7220 points
7.   Phillies               7200 points
8.   Blue Jays           7140 points
9.   Rockies              7090 points
10.   Rays                   7060 points
11.   Indians               6880 points
12.   (T11) Mariners  6880 points
13.   Orioles               6830 points
14.   Giants                6800 points
15.   Marlins              6750 points
16.   Tigers                6710 points
17.   Royals                6570 points
18.   Padres                6510 points