2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[bkox]

Kyle Gibson, who was scheduled to pitch in Toronto until Phillies flipped rotation, said he's unvaccinated. He cited his ulcerative colitis and the medicines he takes for it. Phillies are TBA then Wheeler for Toronto games.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) July 9, 2022

[EDmuch]

The lesser known guy is Vierling.

[EDmuch]

Lots of credit needs to go to Thomson & pitching coaches who have reall stabilized the whole pitching staff, other than Familia.

[zambonir]

All of the organizations that study and support patients with Crohn's or ulcerative colitis recommend vaccination. But of course there are probably Reddits and Facebook groups that say otherwise. So, just surprised he takes advantage of modern medicine to treat it in the first place.

I think Eflin's health and Gibson and Suarez's consistency are both questionable enough to require an extra starter - ideally one good enough to bounce Gibson or Suarez, and one who is signed past this season. But they could also go cheap and just get a depth piece and pray it all works out.

And obviously Suarez back to the bullpen would be the natural move if you have that luxury.

[bkeich]

At some point you have to think that league GM's are going to really question Girardi's qualifications at this point. His bench coach is blowing the doors off the competition, even assuming a "bump" for a new voices in the dugout, this changed is really pronounced.

I am not even sure I see Thomson as a great amateur as begin to question whether Girardi was just very bad

[BaseballCat]

The meds used to treat IC do reduce immune function, but all info I see recommends vaccination. Studies show that the immune response to the vaccine is sufficient for protection in patients with IC. Thus on the surface Gibsons claim does not seem to hold water. However I do not have specifics into his situation, but assume he may be swayed by voices not founded in scientific evidence. Still there may be something specific to his health that suggests not being vaccinated, I am just not seeing something obvious from my physiology and pharmacology background.

[zambonir]

It's a fine line from "the vaccine might not protect me as well because of my already-reduced immune function" to "the vaccines don't work!"

Re Girardi my guess is he's on TV for a few years but some teams still love a veteran, and he's really only failed the one time (manager of the year in Florida, tons of winning - if arguably recent underachievement except in the year the Astros won - with Yankees). It can't actually be that different with Thomson especially considering he was here for all the bad years (Kapler included) but a new voice makes a difference. We'll never know if things might have settled down (along with the easier schedule) had Joe stayed but it probably wouldn't have gone this well!

[nycphils]

His bench coach is blowing the doors off the competition, even assuming a "bump" for a new voices in the dugout, this changed is really pronounced.

Still have to take into account the competition, which is of course offset by the loss of Bryce. We’ve had several series against sad sack teams like the Angles, Nats, Dbacks and Marlins. We have done well against the Cards and Padres and Brewers, but not sure how the overall records compare. If this keeps up to the end of the year, though, you’d have to conclude Girardi was at least a material part of the problem.

[zambonir]

Joe was a .500/losing manager for the first three months last season, before going 31-23 in July and August. Maybe that could have happened again, but of course, they went back to being under. 500 from there last year.

It just does seem like the team's record under Thomson falls outside the margin of both strength of schedule and the "bump," especially given the loss of Harper and two SPs. Of course people were still writing off this season as recently as the Braves series loss.

The question now is really how hard to go out to improve if you are just in a three-team race for the last wild card? But any of the wild cards could be in reach if they stay this hot or make enough upgrades (2.5 back of Pads, 4.5 Braves). We've passed the Pads in run differential and are catching up to the Mets.

[zambonir]

“The medicines I take don’t let me build up antibodies,” Gibson said after shutting out the St. Louis Cardinals for seven innings in a 2-0 victory, “so I don’t have a vaccination.”

He's not wrong, and yet he's also completely wrong. (i.e. his immune response to the vaccine won't be as good as a person who is not on those drugs. But it will still be better than not being vaccinated. And being immunocompromised means he's putting himself at greater risk too).

Kyle Gibson’s vaccination status played into Phillies’ decision to shuffle...

Basically, it's an excuse to justify an existing belief, IMO. Also according to Gelb in the Athletic note he probably won't lose money or service time since you can't put a starting pitcher on the restricted list on his off-days (which these now are due to the rotation flip).

[BaseballCat]

The scientific evidence demonstrate what he says is BS. Whether coming from an existing belief or a poorly informed doctor quack, I can’t say, but I have my own thoughts which it is. A foolish decision regardless that the scientific literature does not support. Just frustrating

[bkox]

Kyle Schwarber is named an All-Star reserve.

No other Phillies named as reserves.

[Patchmk88]

The fact that neither Nola or Wheeler made the roster is ridiculous.

[gmwannabe]

yes it is. and the home run leader, as a reserve.... not good.
gm

[gmwannabe]

what do you think the Phils would have to pony up for Alcantara? Ortiz, Martin, Sands and MacArthur?
gm

[bkox]

what do you think the Phils would have to pony up for Alcantara? Ortiz, Martin, Sands and MacArthur?
gm

You're joking right? First the Marlins arent gonna trade Alcantrana. Hes signed to a very team friendly deal.

2nd if they did put him on the market, like 28 other teams would put together a package better than that. Think Painter, O'Hoppe, Rojas and Watson to start

[gmwannabe]

I am, but MacArthur should bring a haul.

[gmwannabe]

AND BK I just noticed that Joc Pederson is a starting outfielder for the NL with 17 homers and 47b rbi's.What a joke.

[BaseballCat]

He was voted in by fans - just the way voting by fans works. Did my best to vote for Harper and Schwarber. Was hoping one of our pitchers made it. Hope all had a good weekend

[BostonRoss]

The fact that neither Nola or Wheeler made the roster is ridiculous.

That was my initial thought, but looking at the starting pitchers who were chosen, they all have ERAs less than Nola, and only Fried and Castillo have higher ERAs than Wheeler. Fried's other numbers are mostly a little better than Wheeler's, and Castillo was chosen because they had to pick a Red. So it's not really an injustice.