The Phillies usually known for their slow starts has really turned it around and are playing as good of baseball as they have in a long time in the first half of the season. Even last season, the Phillies had to come from behind in the NL East standings and make a strong late push to capture the NL East title largely because of the Mets collapse. This year Phills team appears to be better than the one from last season and the power hitting has really carried over on the road as well as at hitter friendly Citizens Bank.
The bullpen has been a bright spot for the Phills a part in the club that has sometimes been looked at as a weak spot. Chad Durbin has really settled in well in the pen and is getting key outs when called out to do so. Madson has always been a rubber arm for the Phills to go to and the lefty Romero has provided a good lefty presence in the pen and has proven to be tough on left handed hitters.
As for the Phills hitters, they continue to rack as usual. Chase Utley has really rebounded from a slow start and is leading the team with 20 homers and 50 RBI's. Ryan Howard has struggled a bit this season and hasn't put together a consistent stroke up at the plate but all signs seem to him turning it around sooner than later.
The Phillies once known as a team that you didn't have to start worrying about until August, now is a team that is playing good baseball early on and only looks to get stronger in the latter part of the season.
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