The Philadelphia Phillies Sweep The Marlins And This Team Is GOOD
5 in a row, 15 above 500, 1st place in the NL East on August 6th. That is the current situation of America’s team, The Philadelphia Phillies aka the 2 years away from contention Philadelphia Phillies. The Phils are making the National League their bitch this year and I am loving every minute of it. Obligatory kudos to Gabe. There is no contest for Manager of the Year in the National League right now.
If the start of the season was June 23rd and ended today, Maikel Franco would be your National League MVP and the Gold Glove for 3B. His incredible run continued yesterday with 2 more hits and another RBI. Would you believe me if I told you that Maikel has the highest BA on the team right now? Would you believe me if I told you on June 22nd that over his next 37 games, Maikel would be hit .333 with an OPS of .974. Would you believe me if I told you that the slow, unathletic, stubborn Maikel was the next Mike Schmidt with his glove?
This team has power.
Since the Trade Deadline, the Phillies are 5-0. They have 7 HR, 25 RBI and a team OPS of .803. Asdrubal has 2 of those bombs. Since June 17th, they have hit 60 HR with a .747 team OPS in a 43 game stretch and by year’s end, theh could possibly have 7 players on their roster with 20 or more HR.
This team has pitching.
The 3.13 ERA since the beginning of July is no joke. What is even more impressive is the the .220 BA against and the 17 quality starts they have made in that same time frame. Forget Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta, we know how awesome they have been in the past month and some change, the trio of Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin and Nick Pivetta have ceratinly held their own. In the 2nd half, Velasquez and Eflin are a combined 4-1 with a combined 2.54 ERA, 30 K’s and a 1.11 WHIP. This includes Eflin’s disatrous July 23rd start in which he went 2 2/3 and allowed 3 HR.
This team has a bullpen.
What was thought to be their weakest link, this Pen has been PHENOMENAL.
Gabe Kapler asked if he still believes the bullpen is still a strength: "Yes, I believe our bullpen is a major strength." #BeBold
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) June 20, 2018
Since Gabe said this on June 20th, the Pen has a combined .216 BAA, 3.75 FIP, 1.18 WHIP and are 2nd in the NL with a 3.29 ERA. Tommy Hunter who was Public Enemy #1 in Philadelphia for a while.has lowered his ERA almost a full run since June 28th. We do not have to hate him anymore Phillies fans, I repeat we do not have to hate him.
Most importantly, this team CARES.
The ?@Phillies?’ Carlos Santana promised a leukemia patient he'd hit a homer. Then he did. https://t.co/rryGslDUNY
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 6, 2018
The Phils are not only good, but Watchable, Bloggable, and going to CBP and restarting the sell out streak-able. I honestly can’t believe my eyes sometimes when I look at the standings. They travel out west for a 3-game slate against the first place D-Backs, who have been lukewarm of late. We got Arrieta they got Zach Godley. Godley has been nice the past month to the tune of a 2.64 ERA and .537 OPS against. Let’s end that hot streak. I don’t like our chances tonight gents, I FUCKING LOVE THEM.
Go Phils.
PS – Jayson Werth, I don’t hate you anymore. Sorry for the 7 years of booing and 9-volt battery throw attempts. No hard feelings.