If Phillies we’re going to pick the right time to get back on track, I’d wager now would be that time. Going 5-9 to start the season wasn’t what many had expected from this team. Then again, I’m not sure many thought the bullpen would be the worst in all of MLB. However, even with all of that, there is still room for hope. Let’s find out if we can get back on the right track!
It’s almost not fair that in a sea of uncertainty with this team that we have two legit MVP candidates. Bryce Harper is hitting .347, has four home-runs, eleven RBI’s, 2 Steals, eleven walks, and has an OPS of 1.157. J. T. Realmuto is batting .288, with eight home-runs, twenty RBI’s, and an OPS of 1.101. For this game, in general, they combined 2-8 with a three-run home-run, 4 RBI’s, and a game-winning single. With all that has been wrong for this team, this dynamic duo isn’t one of them. Speaking of game-winners, that wouldn’t have been possible if not for Roman Quinn’s speed. Somehow someway this kid was able to avoid the tag from Wilson Ramos. Not without the expert coaching of J.T. Realmuto, of course!
Some other great things to see were the continued hitting of Alec Bohm. Through his first two games, he’s 2-8 with a double and an RBI single. He’s currently batting .250 on the season. Rhys Hoskins also continues his improvement. In the past five games, he’s 6-18 with 1 RBI and three walks. He’s batting .333 during this stretch, and that’s just good to see for Hoskins. You also have seen Andrew McCutchen make some strides while still recovering from his 2019 injuries. In his last six games, he’s six for twenty-one, with four RBI’s and two walks. Here’s hoping he and Rhys can continue to get better and healthier. Roman Quinn also went 2-4 with an RBI and was able to slide home to secure the Phillies victory. All in all, six runs on eleven hits against a rival is a pretty good day.
Spencer Howard is showing good stuff so far, just hasn’t been able to put it all together yet. During his first eight starts, Cole Hamels went 1-4 during his rookie year. He and Howard aren’t the same type of pitcher, but no need to worry just yet. Howard went 3.1 innings while allowing four runs on 11 hits, walked two batters, and struck out two batters. The more game action this kid gets, the better he’ll be in my mind.
The bullpen was somehow a source of strength in this game. The combined group of Jose Alvarez, Blake Parker, Adam Morgan, and Tommy Hunter were money. They allowed three hits, two walks, and struck out four batters in 4.2 innings of work. The surprising issue was the Phillies closer Hector Neris. In His lone inning of work, he allowed two hits, one run, one walk, and struck out two batters. Thankfully there was a happy ending as Bryce Harper hit a walk-off, game-winning single. I know we like to make fun of the bullpen, but they had a great game. In 5.2 innings of work, they only allowed one run. Here’s hoping this can continue as The Sprint To The Finish wages on!
The Philly Blitz 