October 21, 2008
World Series Offense, Phillies versus Rays
The following table compares the 2008 offensive seasons of the Phillies and Rays, opponents in the World Series (league ranks are NL for the Phillies, AL for the Rays).
League Ranks
| 2008 | Phillies | Rays |
| Runs/Game | 4.93 (2nd-T) | 4.78 (9th) |
| Batting Avg. | .255 (10th) | .260 (13th) |
| On-Base Average | .332 (7th) | .340 (6th) |
| Slugging Pct. | .438 (2nd) | .422 (8th) |
The Phillies and Rays offenses are similar in terms of batting average and getting on base. Neither team hit for a very high average in the regular season, but made up for it somewhat by drawing a good number of walks. Tampa Bay ranked second in the AL in walks drawn, Philadelphia fifth. Power differentiated the teams during the regular season. Philadelphia generated a very high percentage of their hits for extra bases, 38.5%. The Rays finished at 34.7%. The Phillies were slightly ahead in doubles, one behind the Rays in triples, but 34 ahead in home runs. Remember, Philadelphia batted a pitcher in most of their games.
18 OCT 2008: B. J. Upton of the Rays hits a home run in the first inning of game six of the 2008 ALCS.
Photo: Icon SMI
The Rays faced a slugging deficit against both the White Sox and the Red Sox. It didn't turn out that way. The Rays post-season slugging percentage stands at .508. Forty three of their 102 hits advanced the batter past first, 42.2%. Much of the credit for that burst of power goes to B.J. Upton. The Rays centerfield hit seven post season home runs so far after just knocking out nine during the regular season. B.J. reminds me of the hero who lost his power; Superman trapped by kryptonite, Underdog searching for his super energy pill, the Hulk in a good mood. Just when all seems lost, the power returns in time to vanquish the opponent. Upton's power returned at just the right time. With Longoria, Pena and Aybar all slugging over .600, the two through five slots in the Rays lineup knocked the ball out and the runs in.
The Phillies are the post season's second highest slugging team, coming in at .431 through their first nine games. Their surprise power hitter turned out to be a centerfielder as well, Shane Victorino. Of his nine hits, three went for doubles, one for a triple and two for home runs, good for a .625 slugging percentage. The team's 37.6% of hits for extra bases nearly equals their season average.
Shane Victorino
Photo: Icon SMI
The Phillies accomplished this with only one home run between Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Can those two power hitter stay down all post season? If they get hot, they can carry the Phillies the way Upton and Longoria carried the Rays.
Both teams support their offense with a good running game. The Phillies swiped 136 bases with just 25 caught stealings, an 84.5% mark. The Rays ran more, stealing 142 bases, but got caught 50 times, a solid 74%. As with their power, Tampa Bay turned up their base stealing in the post season, swiping 17 bases in 19 attempts while the Phillies were a solid seven for ten. The speed of these two teams also helps them avoid double plays. The Phillies, with 108, grounded into the fifth fewest double plays in the majors, with the Rays right behind them with 111, tied for sixth fewest.
Based on regular season stats, the Phillies appear to have the better offense. It's somewhat difficult to gauge American League hitters against National League hitters this season. The AL appears to be the better league as they dominated interleague play, and pitchers like CC Sabathia and Rich Harden mowed down NL hitters with ease compared to their performances in the AL. Interleague play does give us a clue, however. The Phillies and Rays played ten teams in common, Philadelphia meeting those opponents 62 times and the Rays playing half their games against those common foes. Without weighting the runs per game by number of games against the opponent, the Phillies come out ahead:
| Common Opponents | Phillies | Rays |
| Batting Average | .245 | .258 |
| On Base Average | .328 | .339 |
| Slugging Percentage | .423 | .419 |
| Runs per Game | 4.6 | .4.4 |
The Phillies deserve to be slight favorites in terms of offense. If the Rays can keep powering the ball as they did against Chicago and Boston, they'll be the Phillies equal. Philadelphia does have some pent up power in the likes of Howard and Utley. I expect this series to provide lots of double, triples and home runs, with enough base stealing to keep the pitchers and catchers on their toes.
I'll look at pitchers in the next installment.
Correction: Fixed the team names in the first line.
i as the phillies is going to take this and the next take right home iam counting on you i put money you your next game
i as the phillies is going to take this and the next take right home iam counting on you i put money you your next game
i as the phillies is going to take this and the next take right home iam counting on you i put money you your next game
i as the phillies is going to take this and the next take right home iam counting on you i put money you your next game
Erm, first line should be Phillies and Rays.. NOT the Blosox.