The Phillies Continue To Be Somewhat Watchable, Drop 13 Runs On Giants
I was at the edge of my seat all game yesterday. I wont lie, but watching a team 10 games below .500 day after day is a pretty sad hobby. Then again, I’m a cockeyed optimist and when the 13 run, 15 Hit, 3 Home Run and 6-9 w/RISP games come, I appreciate it so much more.
That’s the 2007 nostaliga I have been looking for! The days where dropping 10+ runs happened more often than not. I don’t know about you, but seeing the box score of the 1-4 hitters absolutely assaulting the Giants, specifically MadBum made it move in all kinds of directions. In an Odubel-less lineup, go figure! I truly believe we saw a glimpse of the future last night, boys. It won’t come everyday, but at least our faith can finally be restored with tiny moments like these.
I have praised the man plenty, but he deserves a lot more. Aaron Altherr is the x-factor. We saw what he can bring to the table in the last month of 2015 season. He was projected to be the starting Right Fielder this season, that was of course before he went down with a wrist injury in March. Altherr brings so much to the table for this baseball team. Every time I talk about him I sound like Rufio finally acknowledging Peter Pan in Hook. He is an above average OPS guy who can hit, run and he can crow. Seriously though, since he rejoined the team last week, the Phillies are averaging over 6 runs per game. Not only that, but they are getting on base at a 35% clip, averaging 9 hits per game and walking 4.8 times per game, which double their season average.
22 of @AAltherr's 39 career hits have gone for extra bases. Since 8/19/15, no player has more XBH in as few at bats. pic.twitter.com/Ngj02vneWl
— Phillies (@Phillies) August 3, 2016
I love Altherr in the two hole and think it is the most optimal spot in the lineup for a guy like him. Cesar who continues to swing a hot bat (.364 avg. since June 15th) stays in the leadoff spot, pushing a struggling Odubel Hererra down a few spots. Hernandez is a career .276 hitter in the leadoff spot and continues to look more like a Luis Castillo style player, something I have absolutely no problem with.
Maikel Franco is our horse and the 3 hole will be his for a long time, while Mr. Exit Velocity himself, Cameron Rupp holds down the clean up spot. The average speed a ball comes off Rupp’s bat is 95.1 MPH, good for 3rd in the MLB behind two obvious names, Nelson Cruz and Giancarlo Stanton. I am not saying this stat translates into a lot of hits, but if a guy is hitting a ball that hard, their is really only one spot in the lineup for him.
The 5 hole is where I would like to see Odubel for the time being. While his leadoff numbers are solid (.287 BA, .359 OBP) he has grown too impatient over the course of the season. Plus, his numbers versus LHP (.238 BA) is still something to be desired. Sandwich him between mashers, Rupp and Tommy Joseph and I can think it can only benefit Odubel. That only leaves Nick Williams and J.P. Crawford to round out the rest of the lineup.
Speaking of Williams and Crawford, Jake Thompson as well, I really don’t have have much to offer you here. Matt Klentak is harder to read than a medical journal and anything that comes out of his mouth is just about as vague as any statement can. Looking forward to seeing them when rosters expand, I’m guessing.
Last thing, what is the consensus on Ruppies Puppies? Kinda gay, but it’s something. The Wolfpack will never be topped even though I was more of a Padilla Floatilla guy.
