The Phillies' march to the MLB playoffs is very simple to understand: good team + Roy Oswalt - nothing = great team.
2010 MLB Playoffs: How The Philadelphia Phillies Got To The NLDS
Granted, on the day of the Roy Oswalt trade, the Phillies had already won eight games in a row to move from seven games back in the NL East to 2.5 back instead. The hot streak had begun. But Roy Oswalt helped it sustain. From the date of Oswalt’s first appearance onward, the Phillies won 41 of their remaining 60 games to end up with the best record in baseball and blowing right by the Braves. That’s what happens when you can give 78 starts to three of the top starters in the league.
Because of their rotation, the Phillies are being looked at by most as World Series favorites. It's hard to imagine anybody being able to wade through that set of arms and coming out peaches. Especially when the rotation is supported by an offense that's near full strength, which hasn't been the case very often this year. Jayson Werth's still there. Chase Utley's still there. Ryan Howard's still there. This team can hit.
The key to beating the Phillies, then, will be surviving while the aces are on the hill and trying to take advantage of the bullpen. Not that Brad Lidge and his support staff are particularly vulnerable, but they're more vulnerable than the starters.
Record
97-65
Key Players
Jayson Werth (RF; .296 BA, .388 OBP, .532 SLG)
Chase Utley (2B; .275 BA, .387 OBP, .445 SLG)
Ryan Howard (1B; .276 BA, .353 OBP, .505 SLG)
Roy Halladay (SP; 2.44 ERA, 7.3 K/BB)
Roy Oswalt (SP; 2.76 ERA, 3.5 K/BB)
Cole Hamels (SP; 3.06 ERA, 3.5 K/BB)
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