2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[allentown]

Well, he's basically saying that they're hitting the ball harder than any other team and that this will ultimately show in the results, so... how is it not already showing in the results if we rank as highly as we do in OPS? What is going to change with respect to the rest of the teams? It would seem that in order to do better in the W-L stats, that better defense and pitching need to result in giving up fewer runs and that we need to make better use of our OPS. Warm weather will undoubtedly raise our OPS, just as it will undoubtedly raise the OPS of other teams. That's not necessarily a gain in W-L terms.

[zambonir]

Yup. The idea that the offense would transcend all still seems flawed.

The other implication is that they focused on the bat-first off-season strategy - vs. aggressively addressing CF, lead-off or starting pitcher - from the jump and did not give any thought to the news about the new balls, which came before the lockout was over (the humidors in every park news broke later, I think).

It is not exactly inspiring that the President of baseball ops actually took Lauber's call, tbh. I mean, it's good he did but it shows he knows what the pulse is right now.

[EDmuch]

I read the article about Showalter’s impact on the Mets and there seem to be real tangibles which Showalter’s meticulous approach has had on the Mets’ players and may be the cause of the elevated level of play that we have seen from the Mets so far. By contrast, it does not seem like Joe brings much of an extra edge to the Phils. Yes, he fills out a competent lineup card. He looks dignified walking to the mound to change pitchers. That kind of stuff. But he just does not seem to have that extra edge that Showalter brings to elevate the team’s level of play.

[VoteForKalas]

Life comes at you fast, right? First you're the young whippersnapper 15% owner forcing out Bill Giles after 16 years because he's lost touch. 17 years later you've got almost half the team and are more gently forcing out another old-timer due to ill health. What does Middleton see after looking in the mirror for the past eight years - besides the absence of another ring? While he can't actually be fired given his much greater $$$ and ownership share, does he realize his tenure is already halfway to the expiration date on those guys?

Great point

[Austinfan]

Actually, Herrera/Vierling look fine in CF, Quinn adds depth, they've survived Harper's arm, Bohm after a rough start has been serviceable, Didi at least is healthy and is buying time for Stott at Lehigh. Camargo has helped the bench and Stubbs is an upgrade over Knapp. So the offseason moves on the field haven't been a disaster.

The starting pitching is looking pretty good, only Suarez is struggling, and it's his command, not velo. As a command pitcher the late start and truncated ST has hurt him. Despite the meltdown, the bullpen is better.

Right now this is a team playing worse than the sum of its parts - and that is on the manager.

[EDmuch]

Worse than the sum of its parts ???? Yeah, I buy that as a good description of the team right now.

[zambonir]

Actually, Herrera/Vierling look fine in CF, Quinn adds depth, they've survived Harper's arm,

I mean, Vierling is pretty much on the verge of losing his job. Herrera makes a real difference for as long as he's hot. And I wouldn't say they have actually survived Harper's arm, what is their record since he started DHing? He and Hoskins also both have OBPs under .300 (as does Segura).

And yet, the stats say the offense is not less than the sum of its parts. We have a Top 5 offense in all of MLB, and it's still either being let down by other aspects of the team or not producing with enough consistency to outscore the other guys more often than not. Those poor OBPs (including from all the leadoff hitters) while the balls aren't leaving the park can't be helping either.

The premise of the team is that adding a few expensive bats to last year's club, with a better bullpen and the same manager, would be good enough to contend but that's not really a premise many people actually bought. In the eyes of most they were maybe three wins better rather than three wins worse, but not a serious contender. The problem now is the schedule. Frontloading the Mets, the Braves, a Pacific time zone road trip and an immediate return visit from the Dodgers is just a very imposing formula for a team that needs time to find itself.

If we were Braves fans, we could have faith that they will turn it around, and a reason to stay loyal to the manager.

[zambonir]

well, sometimes things take care of themselves

The Phillies placed Didi Gregorius on the 10-day IL (retro to 5/5) with a left knee sprain and have recalled Bryson Stott from Lehigh Valley.

— Alex Coffey ( @byalexcoffey ) May 7, 2022

[bkox]

If they start him most games.. good move. If hes just going to ride the bench, then it should be Maton.

[zambonir]

I think he'll be the starter. Camargo against lefties, which is reasonable (career .828 OPS).

[bkox]

An emotional story about Joe Girardi.

On Mother’s Day, Joe Girardi gratefully recalls a long ago act of kindness

[bkox]

According to multiple players, Bryce Harper held a brief players-only meeting after their stunning 8-7 loss to the Mets on Thursday night. His teammates said his words resonated with them in a moment when many were "in shock."

— Alex Coffey ( @byalexcoffey ) May 7, 2022

https://www.inquirer.com/phillies/phillies-mets-bryce-harper-20220507.html

[zambonir]

Ah, nothing says it's a bad Phillies season like a dramatic team meeting!

Also sad to realize I'm not going to see the Phillies play in Seattle, a trip I'd originally planned to take in 2020. Now, due to the combination of COVID (including still greatly reduced train schedules), poor planning and the uninspiring team, can't expend the time or money. Of course I'll also be in Philly for most of the second half of the season so opportunities to see them won't be scarce.

[BaseballCat]

I was going to see them in Seattle in 2020 as well. We had planned to drive across country to see my brother and hit various minor and major league teams along the way (nature and historical things as well). The timing was right to take 3-4 weeks off. Then COVID - so poof. With our current life and lingering COVID - that has squashed that idea. Still want to drive across country, but will see if that ever happens.

[RTaylor]

I have tickets for the first two games in the Seattle series. I live three blocks from T-Mobile Park.

[zambonir]

There was a time where I would have thought nothing of doing an up-and-back but this is not that time. I am just too tied up Monday and Wednesday.

[bkox]

The Phillies are indeed calling up right-handed pitching prospect Francisco Morales.

Morales has allowed a singular run across 16.1 innings of Double-A ball. He’s struck out 28 batters.

Morales is already on the 40-man, so he could be the extra man for tomorrow’s doubleheader.

— Alex Carr ( @AlexCarrMLB ) May 7, 2022

[zambonir]

Interesting I wonder if they really want to just give him a taste or if they will take him on the road. Nelson or Bellati with options, Norwood might clear waivers after Thursday!

[Aquapong]

They’d certainly need another arm for today. We’ll need a spot start or bp game somewhere this week. I thought they might call up Falter for one of the starts today, but maybe he’s not truly stretched out yet.

[andyb]

The regular starters are fresh, though I could easily see Falter being recalled for 3 or 4 innings when that 6th starter spot comes up later in the week.

It does feel early for Morales though I wonder if this is just for today and an inning or two. Then down to LHV where one must imagine he was going to head anyway in the next week or two. He has had a great stretch to start the year, but it is also a new role for him and AAA will be a new level. Getting Morales here in good shape around July is still probably the goal.