Phillies Trade for Roy Oswalt Has First Test Tonight

The Phillies trade for Roy Oswalt was finally official yesterday. Now the Phillies trade is expected to put them back on top, just as Phillies trades in the last two deadlines did. Of course, when Philadelphia got pitchers in 2008 and 2009, they were in a better position and were healthier. But they happened to get Oswalt in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, which put them back in striking distance of the Braves. Tonight, the Phillies trade will start to yield results on the field, as Roy Oswalt tries to keep momentum going.

The newest Phillie is heading right into action, as he pitches against the Nationals in Washington. Starting him off against a last-place team may help Oswalt settle down, especially since his new team is on a roll again.

However, this big Phillies trade has to have bigger results in the future, as Oswalt is painted as nothing less than the key to a division crown. With Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Oswalt leading the rotation, it has made pundits give Philadelphia a better shot at another pennant. But first, they have to actually make the playoffs.

There is still some ground to make up, as the team still trails in the NL East and wild card races. Yet they made up a lot of distance with two straight sweeps at home, just a week after they looked to fall out of contention. With the Phillies trade for Oswalt, fans are confident again that they can overtake the Braves, and the rest of the National League.

Still, their offense can get cold at any time, and the closer spot is as volatile as ever. The Phillies trade moves in 2008 and 2009 catapulted them to the World Series, but they had fewer up-and-down teams back then.

Oswalt himself is a wild card, as, for all the hype around him, he is still 6-12 this season. He has had very bad run-support most nights - just as Halladay and Hamels have. But his ERA is right around 4.00, and he was rocked by the Reds in his last game at Houston. In addition, this wasn't his first choice, as he hoped to go to St. Louis.

Yet the Phillies trade put Oswalt on a contender, just as he wanted all along. But now, he actually has to help them stay in contention, and take pressure off of Halladay and Hamels. If Philadelphia misses the playoffs for the first time in four years, and misses the World Series for the first time in three years, this deal will be a short-term failure for many.

The ultimate results of this Phillies trade won't be certain for two more months. But tonight, Oswalt will try to set a good tone early - like Cliff Lee did when he threw a complete game in his Phillies debut.

Sources

Press Of Atlantic City- "Phillies acquire Oswalt from Astros, will send him to mound today vs Nationals"