Jonathan Jansen
Injuries are piling up and so are the losses. It was a rough series for the Philadelphia Phillies (12-9) in Colorado. What to attribute it to? A bit of everything, at times, went wrong for the Phillies. Now going into New York for another series against a divisional opponent could get the Phillies back on track. Let’s sift through the injuries and figure out what the Phillies can correct for its next series.
Pitching Match-ups and Start Times:
Monday 4/22, 7:00 p.m.: Jake Arrieta (+100) vs. Steven Matz (-110)
Tuesday 4/23, 7:10 p.m.: Zach Eflin (+115) vs. Zack Wheeler (-125)
Wednesday 4/24, 7:00 p.m.: Vince Velazquez vs. Jason Vargas
Pitching has been a target for criticism and that continues after the series loss in Colorado. Of course there are a few blunders that stick out. To start the series, the bullpen squandered what was a good start from Zach Eflin. Then Juan Nicasio’s blown save by letting up a two-run walk off home run to Charlie Blackmon the next day. But, believe it or not, it wasn’t all bad in the Mile High.
Let’s start off with the most encouraging performance of the series for the Phillies, Aaron Nola. There of course has been some that still were screaming that the sky is falling with Nola. I’m here to tell you, it wasn’t bad, at all. The first two innings were challenging for Nola and the things that plagued him in his three losses this season still were prevalent. Then after three straight singles and an earned run in the third inning, Nola started to find a groove.
What he really found from that point in the game was his curveball. That pitch has evaded Nola in 2019. It’s been his most reliable pitch, but had not found a good feel for the pitch. Location was bad and it just did not have the some bite to it. His last two batters faced in Colorado he struck out with probably his two best curves of the season. Another thing that helped, his fastball. It became a strikeout pitch later in the game and produced some bad swings.
Yes, there was some bad with Nola, but for the most part there was plenty of good that can be carried over into his next start.
What else was good? Hector Neris picked up his third save of the season and has now gone nine games without an earned run and his ERA is now down to 1.86. Vince Velazquez had eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings and gave up only two runs. Lastly, Jerad Eickhoff made his first start of the season and had eight strikeouts in the game.
In New York, all three Phillies starters are coming off good outings in previous starts. Jake Arrieta has been the anchor for the Phillies while Nola figures things out. While Eflin and Velazquez hope to continue to provide stability for the Phillies in the back of the rotation.
What to Watch For:
It’s been tough for the Phillies with injuries. Jean Segura, Scott Kingery and Odubel Herrera were put on the 10-day IL. Injuries may or may not be the catalyst for what was a poor series offensively for the Phillies.
Other than an eight run game on Saturday, the Phillies had scores of two, three and one. Those three dud offensive outings all resulted in losses. Offensive issues aren’t too concering, but it would be better for those injured to return soon.
The odd part about the offensive performances was the two most important pieces in the lineup were good. Rhys Hoskins had two three-hit games. Bryce Harper had a five-hit game and a home run in the series. It just seems like the offense was out-of-sync.
Segura may be an underrated piece of the offense. He has the best batting average for the Phillies and at the time of his injury, he has as many RBI as Harper. At the top of the lineup Andrew McCutchen, Harper and Hoskins have OBP of over .400, but Harper has 27 strikeouts, while McCutchen and Hoskins have 24.
The fact that those three get on base often is great, but it’s even better that Segura is there to move runners by putting balls in play and getting hits. Segura balances out the top of the lineup and his return will be a great help for the Phillies, whenever that is.
Prop Bets (from Monkey Knife Fight):
Game 1:
Jake Arrieta – o/u 4.5 strikeouts – Arrieta in eight spectacular innings only had three strikeouts in his last outing, which was against the Mets. Still think 4.5 is a low total and Arrieta has been over that number in two of four starts. OVER.
Steven Matz – o/u 4.5 strikeouts – After his last outing against the Phillies, I am passing on anything related to Matz. PASS.
J.T. Realmuto – o/u 1.5 Total Bases – Realmuto is batting second in the lineup for the first time this season. Think it’s a good spot for him. OVER.
Total Runs – o/u 8.5 – The Phillies scored eight runs in the first inning against Matz in his last outing. I don’t expect that to happen again. Because of Arrieta pitching well and the Phillies offensive struggles: UNDER
DFS Play: J.T. Realmuto
Realmuto had five RBI against Matz in a 14-3 win over the Mets. The Phillies catcher is not batting second in the lineup. He is the most expensive catcher on the board in DraftKings, but will be worth it.
Other Notes:
Jimmy Rollins will be on the call for the first time this season on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The last time we had a 2008 World Series Champion in the booth we created a debate on who was the better Phillie, Chase Utley or Ryan Howard.
Ok, lets play nice on this one because without either player, there is NO 2008 championship. But @jjansen34 asked the question.
Better #Phillies career:
— Philly Influencer (@PHL_Influencer) April 15, 2019
Now there were a few responses that pointed out a certain player that was missing from this poll. Well I will finally indulge those people. Yes, Jimmy Rollins was better than both Utley and Howard. In fact, Jimmy Rollins is the only one to have a legitimate case for the MLB Hall of Fame.
When I was growing up the Phillies were not very good. I can remember when the attitude changed with baseball in Philadelphia and it started my love for baseball. Rollins may be the most important piece of creating a winning atmosphere with the Phillies. It will be fun to hear him in the broadcast booth, especially against the Mets.
You can follow Jon Jansen on Twitter (@jjansen34) and e-mail him at [email protected].
Follow Philly Influencer on Twitter (@PHL_Influencer), Facebook and Instagram.