Pitching Wins In Philly

The 2008 Phillies validated the age-old cliches about pitching, including, but not limited to, the importance of having an elite No. 1 to anchor the rotation, a lights-out closer to nail down the ninth, starters who can eat innings, and consistency and depth in the bullpen. They had it all, and it's safe assume that pitching will be the key to repeating as champs in 2009.

The Phillies, who had been known mostly as an offensive juggernaut before beating the Rays in five, became the perfect subject to put the "pitching wins championships" formula to the test. Oddly enough, the offense sputtered more often than not in '08 and it was up to the pitching staff to make ends meet.

At the top, Cole Hamels completed his first healthy season, saving his best for last by earning league championship and World Series MVP honors. The Phillies wasted little time in naming the 25-year-old recipient of a three-year extension as the opening day starter. With 269 innings added to his arm in 2008 alone, health remains the only real obstacle going forward for the young lefthander.

Behind Hamels, there's Brett Myers, who arrived in Clearwater Saturday, Feb. 14 significantly lighter and with a new outlook on starter life. Myers, who would have preferred to remain a closer last season, admitted to allowing his frustrations over being stripped of his closer status impede his physical and mental preparation to return to the rotation. Today, he says he understands his purpose and agrees the closer job rightfully belongs to Brad Lidge. He's focused on getting out of the gates quickly, in this his walk year.

Veteran Jamie Moyer signed a two-year extension and will turn 48 by the time his contract expires. History suggests the ancient lefthander will hit the wall at any point. When he does, he'll become a high-priced second pitching coach. Until then, Moyer can be counted on to kick around the younger teams in the league, including the Florida Marlins, lifetime .222 hitters against him.

The Phillies have no regrets in trading top prospects for righthander Joe Blanton, who delivered workman-like performances down the stretch and won two games in the postseason. During his time in Oakland, his arm was heavily taxed and his numbers tailed off significantly until Oakland considered him expendable. The Phils are leaning on Blanton for quality frames at the back of the rotation.

The fifth starter spot represents one of few open battles in spring training, where the Phillies will audition Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Chan Ho Park and Carlos Carrasco. Kendrick, owner of 21 career wins at age 24, is considered the front-runner, even though Happ overtook Kendrick in the rotation at the tail end of last season. Park will get a look, but is more likely to start in the bullpen. The Phillies have already said they would prefer to start Carrasco - considered their top pitching prospect - at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

In the 'pen, Lidge looks to follow a season in which he was considered - among most close followers of the team - to be the true MVP. Bridging the gap to Lidge will be Ryan Madson, who dialed it up to 96-97 mph during the postseason. With J.C. Romero suspended for the first 50 games, veteran Scott Eyre slides into high-leverage duty as the team's top situation lefthander. Righthanders Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey can be counted on to pitch anytime, anywhere.

J. Weitzel covers the Phillies on his blog Beerleaguer.