The key to Phillies season

If healthy, Roy Halladay is a lock to win 20 games pitching in the National League. Winning the Cy Young award is not out of the question.

Halladay is a known commodity. So is the Phillies offense. Both will produce. No doubt about it.

But when it comes down to winning in the playoffs, the key will be Cole Hamels.

Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, was terrible last season. Behind Cliff Lee, the Phillies did not have a guy who could dominate. It cost them a second straight World Series as the Yankees, who could not solve Lee, feasted on the rest of the Phillies pitching.

Admittedly, Hamels did not throw much during the off season after winning the World Series. His focus was more on making different public appearances and enjoying the fruits of being a Series MVP than preparing for the 2009 season - and it showed.

Not so this off season.

Hamels threw just about every day, even while on vacation.

He has looked good so far in the spring and seems to have a renewed focus on getting back to being a solid ace.

If Hamels can return to 2008 form, when he was un-hittable in the playoffs, the Phillies would be tough to beat in a playoff series.

A 1-2 punch of Halladay and Hamels, along with the offenses ability to score runs in bunches can compete with anyone in the league.

Halladay has made the Phillies favorites to win the National League.

Hamels can make the Phillies favorites to win the World Series.