That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies history: Franchise’s top five rotations since the 1970s

By Kerry Kauffman

Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)
Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 22: Starting pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch during the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on August 22, 2011, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

No. 1:  2011 (Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt, Vance Worley, Kyle Kendrick)

The 2011 Phillies set a franchise record in wins with 102 and on paper, had the best team in their most recent era of dominance. However, the team’s loss to the Cardinals in the NL Division Series three games to two resulted in a disappointing and underachieving season.  The starting rotation was looked at before the season as the best in the league. They didn’t disappoint, as three of the starters finished with an ERA under three.

Roy Halladay dominated in his first season with the Phillies in 2010. Not only did he win his second Cy Young Award, but Halladay also led the league in wins, innings, complete games and shutouts. Also, he hurled a perfect game against the Marlins and a no-hitter in the playoffs against the Reds.  Halladay’s 2011 season was almost as impressive, finishing second in the Cy Young Award voting while leading the league in complete games with eight and 220 strikeouts in 233 2/3 innings.

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Cliff Lee finished right behind Halladay in the Cy Young Award vote after winning 17 with an ERA of 2.40  and 238 strikeouts in 232 2/3 innings. Lee went on to two All-tar teams in five seasons with the Phillies, posting a record of 48-34 with a 2.94 ERA.

Cole Hamels was in his seventh season with the Phillies in 2011. The 2008 World Series MVP won 14 as the number three starter with an ERA of 2.79, the lowest of his career at that point. Hamels also struck out 194 with only 44 walks in 216 innings.

Roy Oswalt rounded out the “Big Four” with nine wins and a 3.69 ERA despite being limited to 23 games due to injury. Vance Worley surprised as a 23-year old, going 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA and Kyle Kendrick posted a 3.22 ERA in 34 games, which included 15 starts.

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The staff dominated, ranking first of 16 NL teams in ERA, complete games, and shutouts while ranking second in strikeouts.

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