The defending National League Champs enter the season as the team to beat in the NL, putting their hopes in recently acquired ace Roy Halladay to lead them back to World Series glory.

Offense

While Ryan Howard may be the big bat in the Phillies’ lineup, Chase Utley is the heart and soul of this team. Time and again Utley delivers when his team needs him to, and his approach to the game shows why the Phillies once again became relevant after Utley burst onto the scene.

Utley’s 31 home runs and 93 RBIs from last season are stellar when combined with the 23 bases that he stole in 2009. If he can increase his .282 average from a year ago (he has hit .332 and .309 in previous years) then he will challenge Albert Pujols for the NL MVP this season.

The Phillies are in the rare situation of having two potential MVP candidates hitting back to back in their lineup. Ryan Howard has become one of the premier power hitters in all of baseball.

For four years now he has hit at least 45 home runs and 136 RBIs, while last year’s numbers show that he is working on his plate discipline. After posting two 199-strikeout seasons in a row, Howard was retired on strikes 13 fewer times in 2009, resulting in a .279 average.

If Howard can maintain his patience at the plate, there won’t be a pitcher in the majors that will look forward to facing him.

Jayson Werth broke out last season, showing the world that he was a force to be reckoned with. Werth blasted 36 homeruns last season while driving in 99 RBIs and stealing 20 bases. He fits perfectly into the Phillies lineup, using the advantage of batting behind both Utley and Howard to his utmost advantage.

While Werth may not be as good in another lineup, few players could outperform him in his spot on a nightly basis.

After having a down year in 2008, shortstop Jimmy Rollins bounced back to hit 21 home runs and drive in 77 RBIs. While he should still be an integral part of the Philadelphia lineup, look for his numbers to start declining as he gets into his 30s.

Shane Victorino, who came up big for the Phillies in the playoffs last season, will start in center, with Raul Ibanez, who hit 34 home runs in 2009, starting in left. Recently acquired Placido Polanco will start at second, and Carlos Ruiz will start behind home plate for the Phillies.

Pitching

After trading for Cliff Lee in the middle of last season, the Phillies shook up their rotation again, trading Lee for Roy Halladay, arguably the best pitcher in baseball.

Last season, Halladay won 17 games and struck out 208 batters with a 2.79 ERA — and that was when pitching in the AL East. Who knows how many wins Halladay will be able to pick up pitching in the National League.

Look for Halladay to be included in Cy Young talks all season.

After being worked too hard toward the end of the 2008 season, Cole Hamels struggled in 2009, but still managed to win 10 games. Hamels is still a stud, and he will enjoy having Halladay pitching in front of him in the rotation.

Look for Hamels to bounce back in a serious way and win 15 games this season.

J.A. Happ, who won 12 games as a rookie and nearly earned NL Rookie of the Year honors, will be the third starter for the Phillies. Behind him, 47-year-old Jamie Moyer, who also won 12 games last season, will start in the fourth spot.

Ryan Madsen takes over for Brad Lidge as the Phillies’ closer, while Lidge remains on the disabled list to begin the seaosn.

Prediction

On paper, there is no team better than the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League.

Their combination of strong pitching and stronger bats makes them a threat at any point of any game, and their long postseason runs have given the Phillies both the confidence and ability to bounce back from any situation.

Given that they work in such a weak division, there is no question that the Phillies will once again win the NL East, arguably with the best record in the National League.

But while they may be the best team going into the postseason, the third time will be the charm for the Dodgers, who will finally beat the Phillies in the NLDS, keeping Philadelphia from reaching a third World Series in as many years.