Opening Day is just five days away, as the Phillies will oppose the Rangers down in Arlington, Texas. There are many doubts going into this upcoming season, however general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and company still believe that if everything works as planned, the season will not be a lost cause.
To have a season based on multiple "ifs" coming together to fruition is highly unreliable and unlikely to occur, however that is in fact what will ultimately define this season for the Phillies. The following are five keys to success, that if are performing effectively, could surprise fans and lead to team to October baseball for the first time in three years.
5. The Coaching Staff
After ten seasons with manager Charlie Manuel, the Phillies are bringing out newly hired skipper Ryne Sandberg to lead the club at the start of the regular season.
Along with Sandberg come many new, or familiar in some cases, faces that will be a part of the coaching staff for 2014. Returning as hitting coach will be Steve Henderson, however upon the departure of Wally Joyner comes John Mizerock as Assistant Hitting Coach. Bob McClure, the new pitcing coach, replaces long-time Phillies coach Rich Dubee, who worked his way up through the system. Juan Samuel, slated at first base, will coach opposite of the returning Pete Mackanin (who creates the amazing calligraphy-penned line-up cards) at third base.
A big surprising, new addition to the 2014 Phillies coaching staff was Larry Bowa, who was the Phillies' first manager at Citizens Bank Park. Hired as the bench coach this time around, Bowa will nicely complement the more relaxed Sandberg. Bowa will likely also be responsible for the newly-installed Instant Replay Challenging System this season at all Major League Baseball stadiums.
Rod Nichols and Jesus Tiamo round-out the coaching roles with them respectively being the bullpen coach and bullpen catcher.
Even coaches play a huge role in team chemistry. It is a two-way street. If this assembled team of coaches can bring a message to the club and teach them new intriciacies to improve the players' games, and if players themselves are willing to listen to their advice, that would go a long way in succeeding throughout the entirety of the season.
4. Timely Hitting & The Bench
We've seen it before, and we will see it again. Timely hitting late in ball games is huge in coming-from-behind or taking the lead when the opposing starter has exited the game and newly rejuvinated bullpen relievers enter-in.
The recent departure of Kevin Frandsen is puzzling, as he lead all of baseball in-pinch hits, however the team believes Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis will be able to fulfill the role Frandsen provided over the past few seasons.
How the rest of the bench fills out, with also the inclusion of backup catcher Wil Nieves, is unpredictable as of this post. We will find out soon enough, likely Sunday afternoon, who makes the club and who will be sent packing, either to Triple-A Lehigh Valley or the free-agent pool.
3. The Bullpen
The Phillies' bullpen was one of the worst in the entire league last season, and closer Jonathan Papelbon was one of the reasons why it was labeled as such.
Papelbon regularly attributed this Spring Training that his 2013 struggles existed due to the team overall underperforming. As a result, he had no adreanaline whenever he got the change to enter games, resulting in reduced velocity and easier pitches for batters to connect on.
He wasn't the only culprit, however. The injury of Mike Adams set the entire bullpen back from the get-go. The roles players practiced throughout Spring Training last season were altered, or shifted to new ones, when Adams went down in mid-to-late April. Continuity is huge for the mentality of relievers.
As long as the bullpen remains healthy and Papelbon finds a way to remain effective, the bullpen will improve that much more this go-around. Also, a year later means a more experienced Jake Diekman and other young pitchers such as Jonathan Pettibone, Phillippe Aumont, B.J. Rosenberg and alike.
2. The Health of the (Three?) Aces
Well, Cole Hamels is already scheduled to be on the disabled list for the majority of April. He has thrown multiple bullpen sessions, but it was said that he is still a month or so behind his regular, normal schedule. His shoulder injury is not for fans to worry, as the Phillies took the appropriate and most benefical precautions. If the club ignored the injury, Hamels' entire season would be a lost-cause.
Cliff Lee, knock on wood, has generally remained healthy during both his tenures as a Phillie. He has been named the Opening Day starter, thus he will oppose #1 pitchers in most of his hopeful 30+ starts this season.
A.J. Burnett, the quote-on-quote third ace, is also a huge factor for the Phillies' rotation and if he remains healthy, that will go a long way in solidifying the starting rotation staff.
1. Ryan Howard
What's there to say? He was given the nickname "The Big Piece" for a reason. When Howard succeeds, the ship sails. When he goes down injured or is struggling at the plate for an extended period of time, the ship sinks.
The way the current team is put-together is built majorily on the performance of Ryan Howard. A 30-HR, 90+ RBI season from the 2006 National League Most Valuable Player would do wonders. If he performs otherwise, expect there to be a sea of blue at a much-filled stadium of disappointment at Citizens Bank Park this Fall.
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Matt Rappa: Philliedelphia contributor.
