If there was a game you wanted to see from the Phillies, then make no mistake it was this one. Any game where you can get 11 runs against a team like the Yankees, you know it was a good game. You got the hits,the runs, and pitching you had been pleading for. At a time where you needed to get back on track this was exactly what you needed from your team.
Zach Wheeler has been just what the doctor asked for in regards to starting pitching. So far through 2 games hes pitched a average of 6.5 innings, allowed 11 hits 4 runs, has given up 4 walks and struck out 6 batter so far. Along with that he has a 2-0 record with a 2.08 ERA. He’s been money and a nice change of pace compared to the likes of Jake Arietta and Nick Pivetta. Granted he was a little wild to start yesterday but absolutely lights out from innings 3-6. It’s fair to say Zach was the best pitching acquisition the Phillies have made in awhile.
The hitting was everything you wanted from your lineup. Literally everyone hit with the exception of Andrew McCutchen. It also didn’t hurt that J.A. Happ walked 7 Phillies batters. It was great seeing Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto hitting home runs. Rhys Hoskins, Roman Quinn, and Scott Kingery knocking in some runs was also good to see since they have been having their struggles. Having Bruce, Haseley, and Goesselin continuing their dominance does a lot to help the offense.
It did however get a bit dicey towards the end of the 7th inning but i completely understand what Girardi was thinking. 11-3 game, you have the momentum so you might as well get in some bullpen work in. Austin Davis and Trevor Kelly shitting the bed however didn’t go the way Joe expected. The need to bring in Hector Neris would have major implications for the second game of the double header. Do the Phillies prevail and win out the double header? Find out in the Conclusion of the double header as The Sprint To The Finish continues on !
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