2008 vs. 2009: Through 115 games
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
2008 vs. 2009: Through 115 games
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
I was interested to see how this Phillies team stacks up with last year's. Right now they are 66-49 with a 4.5 game lead in the National League East. Last year they were 62-53 with a one game lead in the NL East.
Here are some more comparisons:
1) In 2008, they were hitting .255/.333/.439 with 159 home runs and averaging 4.9 runs, 8.8 hits, and 3.4 extra base hits per game. In 2009 they are hitting .257/.334/.446 with 162 home runs and averaging 5.2 runs, 8.9 hits, and 3.6 extra base hits per game.
2) In 2008, they were averaging 6.8 strikeouts and 3.7 walks per game. In 2009, they are averaging 7.2 strikeouts and 3.7 walks per game.
3) In 2008, they were 92/108 on stolen base attempts (85.2 percent). In 2009 they are 81/101 (80.2 percent) on stolen base attempts.
4) In 2008, they had a 3.94 ERA and were holding opponents to a .259 average while allowing an average of 4.3 runs, 8.9 hits, 1.0 home runs and 3.0 extra base hits per game. In 2009, they have a 4.26 ERA and are holding opponents to a .264 average while allowing an average of 4.5 runs, 9.2 hits, 1.2 home runs and 3.1 extra base hits per game.
5) In the 15 games since Cliff Lee made his first start as a Phillie, they have a 3.33 ERA and are holding opponents to a .257 average while allowing an average of 3.7 runs, 8.7 hits, 0.5 home runs, and 2.2 extra base hits per game. In games 101-115 last year they had a 3.87 ERA and held opponents to a .256 average while allowing 4.7 runs, 8.7 hits, 0.9 home runs and 2.8 extra base hits per game.
Nice job Murph...way to dig up the stats. Really similar stats between the two seasons...the main difference, in the end, is that the Mets are playing a lot worse than they did last season...hence, the difference in the standings from last year.— JimG- joey, the dodgers aren't even playing 500 ball right now. We are tied with them in losses. We are only 2 games behind the best record in the NL...my point? Phils are taking it in grand style this year!!!— MFPhils
- Lidge-for the 2008-2009 span he is 70-78 in save chances. I think that if, coming from being demoted to the 7th inning guy in Houston, someone told us when we signed him that he would be 70-78 and we'd have a Ring, we would have said ok!
- reg, none of that matters to these clowns. They focus in on the most negative thing they can. In 3 days, we could have the best record in the NL and they will still be crying about something.— MFPhils
- The blown saves stick out more for me since they meant sweeping teams like the Yankees, the Dodgers, and Atlanta. The other important fact is that a blown save takes a win away from the pitcher of record. Hamels pitched a nice game against the Braves and bonehead took the win away from him. How about some more fielding practice or was that a fastball he was trying to throw to Howard? Some more pitching practice too!
- MFPhils, you're right. So fix the last line to say.....Marlins suddenly play .613 ball— joey bagadonuts
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Why do i keep reading these blogs....Utter boredom i suppose- Do they actually pay you for your less than 100 words of wisdom blog?— Wm Penn
- So, then why is it so painful?— leeagolf6
Hey Murph, you ever hear of a spread sheet?— KINGOFZED- I don't really think it matters. The hottest team that makes the playoffs will probably win the World Series if they are playing the best. Last year doesn't matter and whoever has the most talent. You need to win games.— NickFromGermantown
- Hunter - you killed me with that Eddie Munter line. I dont care if David is the Fonz or Eddie - he does a great job covering the Phillies.This was an interesting comparison which would have been better if Lidge was the closer he used to be.— TomEBoy
- Several mathematical illiterates here - first off, numbers/stats NEVER lie, they are only abused or taken out of context by people who are either ignorant or seeking to mislead. The bottom line is that, to this point, there's not a lot to differentiate the two teams. Obviously, Lidge is going to have to step it up for the Phils to be anything more than a longshot in October, but they were hardly a favorite to win it all last August either. The 2008 Phils got a lot of breaks, from the Mets, Cubs, and Red Sox all falling flat on their face and several improbable contributions from role players. And what's with the haters? If you don't care about numbers, don't read the f'in column, and surely don't waste your time posting.— Bobby G
Ok, I don't understand: "1) In 2008, they were hitting .255/.333/.439...." What do the THREE averages represent?- VPF: Those are Batting Average/On Base Percentage/Slugging Percentage— chicagoB
