2012 MLB Trade Deadline Updates: Why the Philadelphia Phillies Could be This Year’s St. Louis Cardinals

2012 MLB Trade Deadline Updates: Why the Philadelphia Phillies Could be This Year’s St. Louis Cardinals: During their streak of five straight National League East Division titles, the Phillies won a World Series in 2008, played in another in 2009, and posted the best record in the majors in 2011. Needless to say, expectations were high for this year’s team to continue the trend of success, but things haven’t gone according to plan. With the trade deadline approaching and just over 60 games remaining in the 2012 MLB season, the Phillies are in the cellar of the division they have won the last five years. While the situation is far from ideal for Philadelphia, there are several reasons to believe that this team is capable of making a late-season push.

Injuries have plagued this team all season long, but the Phillies are finally healthy. The return of Roy Halladay once again makes the starting rotation one of the best in the majors. More importantly, the struggling offense recently got slugger Ryan Howard and Chase Utley back from injury. For a team that has been in the middle of the road in nearly every offensive category, adding a former MVP in Howard and one of the best-hitting second basemen in the game in Utley will certainly help the cause. Yes, it will likely take both players a few weeks to get fully dialed in, but Howard and Utley are an upgrade to the lineup even if they are still in spring-training mode.

In fact, the results are already starting to show up on the field. The Phillies have ripped off four straight wins, going 7-3 in their last 10 games. Granted, they are still 14 ½ games out of the top spot in the NL East, but they are only 9 ½ games out of a wild card spot. The Atlanta Braves were 10 ½ games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals in the wild card race last year on August 26, and they didn’t make the playoffs. Sure, Atlanta’s collapse was all-time epic, but the Phillies have an extra month to work with and one less game to make up. Not to mention the fact that there are now two wild card spots up for grabs.

The Philadelphia front office seems to be buying in, giving starter Cole Hamels a six-year extension worth $144 million, rather than trading him away before the deadline. With Halladay, Hamels and Cliff Lee at the top of the rotation and closer Jonathan Papelbon at the back end, there is no doubt that the Phillies can string together some victories. Having an improved offense will only help the cause. After all, a lineup featuring Howard, Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Hunter Pence isn’t too shabby. A solid lineup and incredible pitching has been the Phillies’ recipe for success during their run of dominance in the NL East, and for the first time this season, they have all the parts in place.

Sitting in the cellar of its division, Philadelphia is currently, a 40/1 longshot to win the World Series and is getting 18/1 odds to win the NL pennant. Even if the Phillies can’t rally to win a division, their recent play suggests that a wild card spot in a definite possibility. If they make the postseason, the Phillies will be tough to knock out. Halladay, Lee and Hamels are all great options in a one-game scenario, and in a seven-game series, no team in the majors can match Philadelphia’s rotation. The Phillies looked primed for a hot streak, and their odds are only going to get better if they keep winning games. Bettors looking for a dark horse team to make a postseason may want to back the Phillies. They have stellar pitching, plenty of players with playoff experience, and they are finally getting healthy just in time.

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