2021 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion (part 2)

[bkox]

Rhys Hoskins is not in tonight’s lineup. Brad Miller plays first. Odúbel Herrera is back in leadoff spot. Saw some Friday tailgaters at 3 p.m.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) August 6, 2021

Hoskins is dealing with groin soreness again, Girardi said. They’ll try to have him available as a pinch-hitter, but that is uncertain.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) August 6, 2021

[bkox]

Girardi: Gregorius' elbow is sore. He told the team he could play the field but couldn't hit again. Doubtful he'll go tomorrow. Hoskins was not available; still in question for tomorrow too.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) August 7, 2021

[EDmuch]

Looks like Girardi may have found his primary combo of relievers, Neris in 7th, Bradley in 8th and Kennedy in 9th.

[zambonir]

Well, I hope you're right rather than andy in the other thread, if only because Kennedy will have to blow a couple of saves for anything to change. But I'd be fine if there was no pecking order at all, which is what seems to be working. And until Eflin comes back or Ranger shows otherwise we've still got two turns through the rotation where good relievers might be needed earlier.

[andyb]

I don't think I was that negative in the other thread. I just see the back end of our bullpen as a bunch of average to above average relievers now. 3 guys that can put up a 3.00-3.50 ERA. Nothing wrong with that, and nobody is really that much better than anyone else.

Kennedy has basically had a 3.50 ERA in both 2019 and 2021 out of the bullpen. He walks 2 guys every 9 innings. Has a decent K rate. And generally does not give up too many home runs. He can be hit though because his stuff is not dominant. Like Ranger Suarez too. They both locate pretty well though which makes them above average.

3 guys in the bullpen that are above average but not dominant. I think that is me gushing over how good this bullpen is compared to what it has been at times.

[bkox]

3 guys in the bullpen that are above average but not dominant. I think that is me gushing over how good this bullpen is compared to what it has been at times.

And honestly it should get even better. Brogdon (2.63 ERA this year if you remove the game Joe left him in to give up 2 3R HRs), Coonrod and Dominguez should all be back over the next few 3 weeks. Giving us an 8 man bullpen of Kennedy, Bradley, Neris, Coonrod, Brogdon, Dominguez and Alvarado and Falter. Also gone unnoticed by me. JD Hammer still have a 0.00 ERA in 6 appearances since hes been brought up.

Whats interesting when looking at that... is if we have a rotation of Nola/Wheeler/Eflin/Gibson/Suarez all healthy... there is no place on the roster for Moore, Anderson or Velasquez. But the Phils could send Falter down to AAA.

Rosters do expand in Sept by 2 places but would hate to see the Philles carry an 11 man bullpen when it seems our bench is always short because of nagging injuries,

[zambonir]

I don't think you were being negative, but you predicted Hector would be the closer again in a few weeks, and while I know that was based on how good he looks, I still think Kennedy would have to really stumble for that to actually happen, especially since Joe is fairly staid about bullpen roles/changes.

Though his load management philosophy ends up turning into de facto closer-by-committee sometimes, and maybe that's just as well.

Hopefully those three injured guys will come back strong. Coonrod has been out a long time and may not be as effective as he was earlier in the year (or without the pitch he can no longer throw, though I don't think he was using it for that long. In fact it may have been something he started trying post-crackdown?)

They could really use Falter to replace Suarez, whether in longer outings or as a lefty, but who knows what he'll look like either.

[bkox]

Phillies have placed Chase Anderson on the IL with right triceps tendinitis

They have called up Nick Maton from AAA

Phillies can skip Anderson’s No. 5 spot in the rotation because they’re off Monday. Next time that spot would come up is next weekend against the Reds.

— Corey Seidman ( @CSeidmanNBCS ) August 7, 2021

[flyers19rw]

Maybe I didn’t hear it correctly but I thought that JRoll said that he was going to work with Bohm before Saturday’s game on his foot work and also on throwing the ball more overhand than sidearm. Rollins said that both need work. The ball usually comes quickly to 3B. Bohm is unnecessarily rushing to make the plays and not getting set. The sidearm throw is sailing on him which is causing most of his throwing errors.

[bkox]

Maybe I didn’t hear it correctly but I thought that JRoll said that he was going to work with Bohm before Saturday’s game on his foot work and also on throwing the ball more overhand than sidearm. Rollins said that both need work.

I thought thats what he said he would do if he was coaching. I dont think he actually volunteered to do so. But i would love it if he did

[Philsmania]

Maybe I didn’t hear it correctly but I thought that JRoll said that he was going to work with Bohm before Saturday’s game on his foot work and also on throwing the ball more overhand than sidearm. Rollins said that both need work.

I thought thats what he said he would do if he was coaching. I dont think he actually volunteered to do so. But i would love it if he did

Perhaps Schmidt could give him pointers, too, though he's never really been a good teacher (tried but didn't succeed in helping to Rolen to "get" Philadelphia, flopped as a manager that one year in Clearwater).

[bkox]

Phillies Acquire T.J. Rivera

[Sabin]

I don't think I was that negative in the other thread. I just see the back end of our bullpen as a bunch of average to above average relievers now. 3 guys that can put up a 3.00-3.50 ERA. Nothing wrong with that, and nobody is really that much better than anyone else.

I don't think you were being negative, but you predicted Hector would be the closer again in a few weeks, and while I know that was based on how good he looks, I still think Kennedy would have to really stumble for that to actually happen, especially since Joe is fairly staid about bullpen roles/changes.

This was my take as well. My posting of Kennedy's stats weren't really meant as a declaration against Kennedy, per se, just happened to think of looking his post-June 30 ERA up after the tweet on Bradley and seeing Kennedy give up 3HR and 5ER in his first 3.1 innings / 4 outings with the Phillies. I never thought of Kennedy as a major force, but an adequate piece to put in the backend of the 'pen.

[phillychuck]

Unfortunately, probably taking Brito's spot.

[Austinfan]

Watching Kennedy and Llovera was an interesting contrast, Llovera throws slightly harder, but Kennedy's motion keeps the ball close to his body, and batters seem to struggle locating the ball, he was throwing high strikes at 93 which were missed, whereas Llovera's 95 MPH FB went a long way the wrong direction.

[bkox]

BTW, scoreless 9-pitch inning for Seranthony Dominguez at high-A Jersey Shore. He has allowed one hit and one walk in three innings over three minor-league rehab appearances.

— Scott Lauber ( @ScottLauber ) August 8, 2021

[EDmuch]

Seranthony would be a big add to the pen as a September call up.

[zambonir]

Heck they might not even wait that long

[bkeich]

I wish they would have him pitch in LHV (AAA) and not A+. Even if he is only 50% he can probably get out 18-19 year olds. I would rather see him against some AAA / AAAA type guys. Maybe that is the plan and they are just giving him a few days to get a return to just pitching.

[zambonir]

Of course that's what will happen. It is a 2-3 week process, if not the full 30 days. He probably wouldn't have even started at High A if not for the Clearwater outbreak. Which teams are at home also play a part.