The Phillies' Offense Returns To Form

The Philadelphia Phillies seem to have found their way out of their extended scoring slump. In the last week, through 6 games, the batting order has scored 36 runs. That's 6 runs per game, and it's also the third-highest number of runs scored in the majors over the last seven days. But just what is it that the team is doing now that they couldn't do back when they were scoring only 10 runs per week? The answer lies in in how the Phillies score their runs.

That's easy. They're power hitters.

The Phillies don't score simply because they get a lot of hits. The team's overall batting average for 2010 is only .256--only good enough for 20th in the majors--and their total number of hits (581) only ranks 24th out of 30 teams. No, Philly has a different strategy than just having a high average.

The team gets their runs because, when they do get hits, they usually go for extra bases. This is why they have one of the top 10 slugging averages--which divides the total number of bases per the total number of at bats--in the league. Likewise, the team ranks in the top half of the majors in doubles (124), 8th in triples (16) and 10th in home runs (68). They're also one of the most efficient teams. Only one team--the White Sox--has had fewer at bats in 2010 than the Phillies, so the team is making the most of its opportunities.

That's the secret to the Philly baseball formula and it's also something that the team wasn't doing whne they fell into their slump. The Phillies don't need to hit a lot if its hitters are maximizing their opportunities. If the Phillies can continue to get extra bases and can keep getting the most out of their at bats, they'll leave their scoring slump far behind.

Now, if only the pitching would come around.