How do you like them Grapefruits?

Yes, Philadelphia, this is the year we've been waiting for. It's been a long three years since the Phillies took us to the promise land. It's about time they do it again. And if they don't do it this year, the world series window could close soon after. The Phillies have put all their eggs into one basket in hopes of winning now. I have all the faith in the world that they can do it, especially with the four aces, but I do have some questions as to whether this house of cards will be able to stay up.

The number one cause for concern is the reappearance of the injury bug which wreaked havoc on the Phils all last season. The Phillies placed players on the DL 20 times last year, including Moyer and Madson, who were on the 60-day DL. When Chase Utley sat out the first Grapefruit league spring training game against the Yankees, I began to wonder if this was a harbinger of things to come. An MRI showed that Utley is dealing with patellar tendinitis, which he says he would have played through if it was the middle of the season. Last year, Utley only played in 115 games, his fewest since 2004 (he played in 94 games that year, while the Phillies began to make the transition from Polanco to Utley), and his batting average dipped to .275. Since posting a career high batting average of .332 in 2007, Utley's average has dropped to .292, .282, .275.

Historically a better batter in the beginning of the season (.301 avg. before the all-star break; .284 after), Utley's injury during spring training may prevent him from getting into his early groove and prevent him from having a strong year at second base. Only 32 years old, Utley should have several more quality years in Philadelphia, but if his health is really declining and his best days are behind him, I have reason to worry about the Phillies' offense this year and in years to come.

The Phillies offense is the biggest question mark this year. Will they be able to produce runs on a consistent basis or will they leave their star pitches hanging out to dry after a near perfect pitching performance. After dumping off Jayson Werth and his 25+ home runs to the nearby Nationals (who really hate us, by the way http://bit.ly/f00Swu ) the Phils have a gaping hole in right field. That hole was supposed to be filled by youngster Domonic Brown. Brown's 0-12 performance so far in spring training hasn't helped his chances of landing a starting job. Chances are, that job goes to Ben Francisco, who I believe can provide quality numbers in right. If he's given the chance to be the regular RF, I predict he will impress us and put up 20 HRs and 75 RBIs. Charlie Manuel may even want Francisco's right-handed bat to go fifth behind Ryan Howard. The Phillies' offense really needs to fire on all cylinders this year or we'll waste quality starts from our four aces and continue to lose regular season and playoff games 1-0, 2-1, etc.

The final question is will the bullpen be able to close out games after the aces are out of the game? We'd all love to see Halladay, Lee, Hamels, and Oswalt throw complete games every game, but we'd all be devastated if any of them had to get Tommy John surgery. It's safe to say that for most of their games the big four should make it through the seventh, but can Madson and Lidge close out the eighth and the ninth (pending Madson going on the DL for self-inflicted injuries)? And do you really trust Romero, Baeys, and Zagurski; and Kendrick when Blanton is pulled early? I hope that Ruben Amaro has his eyes open for a trade that would bring in a strong reliever.

I'm not trying to rain on the 2011 World Series parade, but for us to flood Broad Street with a sea of red again, the Phillies really need to take care of more than just starting pitching.