Philly Front Office

Well, that was about the worst way possible to end a series. In a game that should have been postponed or at least started earlier, the Braves hit a walk off homer to take a 2-1 series win at around 1am. It was just a weird tight series.

Atlanta Braves Out

Game 1: Phillies 5 – Braves 7

The only thing anyone needs to know about this one is that one play. Sure Edmundo made a great homerun robbery in his first ever start and lefty Kyle Schwarber dominated lefty Chris Sale, but we all know the play. Sosa seemed to be calling for a flyball, but he wasn’t and it landed directly in front of Johan Rojas. The next strike out should have ended the inning, but a walk later and Sean Murphy hit a 3 run homer. The Phillies battled back, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the gaff.

Game 2: Phillies 4 – Braves 3

What a game. Who would have thought Taijuan Walker would be the Ace among aces. Not me. Through 2 starts, he still has not allowed a run. This game was a seesaw battle with the Phillies going up one on some small ball, the Braves battling right back to go up 2-1, then a 2 run homer by Harper was negated by a solo shot from Austin Riley. The heroics landed with Trea Turner and his 9th inning solo shot off of Raisel Iglesias. Jose Alvarado recorded a 4 out save to lock it down (it was really just a straight win, but it was a save at heart).

Game 3: Phillies 2 – Braves 4

This one was annoying. With the game tied at 1 to start the 7th, the rains came. The tarp would be on the field for almost 3 hours. Despite both teams going on the road to play the next day, this game didn’t start until 7:15. Since it didn’t end until after 1, I’m sure everyone was thrilled with their sleep last night. Thanks Atlanta. Why wasn’t this game postponed? Alec Bohm made 6 outs on 12 pitches by the way, 5 of which were in 1 at bat. He is a mess. Luzardo was great again.

St. Louis Cardinals Up (Away)

This series is all about scouting. Any number of Cardinals could be traded this season and many are on the Phillies radar including Lars Nootbar, Brendan Donovan, Ryan Hellsley, and even Nolan Arenado.

Friday, April 11 at 8:15p – Aaron Nola v. Andre Pallante (R)

The only Cardinals with any real experience against Nola are Nolan Arenado and Wilson Contreras who thankfully are not very good against him. Pallante has been a solid righty so far in his career, but strangely has reverse splits. Lefties have something like a .550 OPS against while righties are up around .750. That is a very good sign for us.

Saturday April 12 at 2:15p – Cristopher Sanchez v. Mr. Mustache Miles Mikolas (R)

This guy just keeps coming back, huh? While the Cards haven’t seen much of Sanchez (who is notoriously worse on the road) everyone on the Phils has seen Mikolas. Bohm is batting a robust .500 against him, so maybe bench him for Game 1 and let him come back in Game 2? Most of the lineup has robust numbers against Mykolas except for JT, Schwarber, and Stott who have barely hit him at all

Sunday April 13 at 2:15p – Zack Wheeler v. Matt Liberatore (L)

Wilson Contreras has a book on Wheeler, but that can’t be said for the rest of the lineup. No one on the Phillies has more than 5 ABs against Liberatore. He was a guy who came in with a lot of hype, but has not been a productive Major Leaguer since his arrival, especially this season. He’s been moved back and forth between starting and relieving but is back to the big job so far this year. Righties crush him. Lefties do not.

San Francisco Giants On Deck (Home)

Monday, April 14 at 6:45p – Taijuan Walker v. Landen Roupp (R)

Tuesday, April 15 at 6:45p – Jesus Luzardo v. Justin Verlander (R)

Wednesday, April 16 at 6:45p – Aaron Nola v. Robbie Ray (L)

Thursday, April 17 at 6:45p – Cristopher Sanchez v. Jordan Hicks (R)

Picture

Without question, the most insulting jersey to wear to Busch Stadium in St. Louis is that of Steve Carlton