2023 Phillies Regular Season Discussion Part 2

[zambonir]

It just sounds like from that Stark interview that there was nobody they liked or could get for a RHB. They've decided Rojas and Pache and Castro between them will suffice (and they will, if Pache keeps hitting like he had been and Castro maintains his hitting against LHP. It was curious to play him last night though. Sometimes the manager just doesn't think it through, i.e. he picked Castro the SH over Bohm or Wilson even though Castro can't actually hit from that side.)

Pache could just come up for Wilson, or they could slow-play his rehab until Marsh's return (or 9/1). Rojas is kind of looking like this year's Kevin Stocker. Once Marsh is back Cave won't play but we're stuck with him (or Hall or Clemens) as a LHB if they don't give Muzziotti a look.

[andyb]

Once Marsh is back Cave won't play

He'll be the 1B when Harper can't play there unless they keep Wilson for that. Though again the opportunity for Cave is there when Marsh is back if the team thinks his offense is worth it over Rojas' defense.

[bkox]

Though again the opportunity for Cave is there when Marsh is back if the team thinks his offense is worth it over Rojas' defense

Well right now Rojas is beating Cave there too by 130 OPS points, albeit in 1/2 the ABs.

[andyb]

Well right now Rojas is beating Cave there too by 130 OPS points, albeit in 1/2 the ABs.

But that is all small sample size and pitchers are likely going to learn how to get Rojas out relatively easily. If one used all the data on each player to project their OPS for the rest of the season against RHP I am guessing that projection would be over 700 for Cave and under 600 for Rojas. Obviously Rojas keeps playing if he keeps hitting (and his speed does help him regardless of whether it is a LHP or a RHP). But should we expect that?

Sometimes it takes a GM a while to learn of course. DD probably thought he could hide Schwarber's offense more in LF than he could. The stats (which mostly matched the defensive projections) eventually told him otherwise.

[Callison]

Rojas is helpful though I still think he'll hit a wall

Maybe... maybe not. Looks real capabale, IMHO.

Another Rojas feature is his ability to steal. Got a little obvious with it and got picked off recently, but Rojas can run and it won't be long before everybody knows it.

The big question concerning Nola is how he'll perform with more rest in te 6 man rotation. The Phils could have "The Good Nola" the rest of the way, in which case he'll earn whatever he can get from the Phils, and the Phils will be there to pay him. He'll likely want to sign because the team is strong. But if he's gonna continue to get shelled every 5 batters, the Phils won't miss him. Watchin' and a-waitin', hopin' for the best.

[Callison]

Big Rob does things his own way and if you're on his team, you'll play and get responsibility. He's got shut-down relievers in a 2-run game, but he brings in Hoffman, who has looked better lately, but gave the game away this time. Take a lesson, Big Rob - you've got a couple lightweights in the pen and they need a bigger lead to offset their inconsistency.

The decision to give Castro the PT yesterday was also Big Rob doing things his own way. The Phils have come a long way with Big Rob and so we accept these unexpected moves, but not without asking, "Really?"

Maddening that Kimbrel got jobbed on a strike he threw that was called a ball one pitch before the GW homer.

[zambonir]

He'll be the 1B when Harper can't play there unless they keep Wilson for that.

I would think Harper plays 1B almost everyday by September

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Rojas is helpful though I still think he'll hit a wall

He already has (and more than once).

[andyb]

Well, we found a way to get all of Wilson (LF), Sosa (SS), and Castro (3B) in the lineup at the same time. It only means sitting Schwarber and Stott against a LHP (Gore) and moving Turner to DH for a game. Harper the only LH hitter tonight.

[bkox]

Perfect... except tonights Nats starter has some significant reverse splits

[allentown]

SSS or not, the Phillies should not sit the hot guy. Only 50 AB, but already 0,6 bWAR. Cave over 100 AB, but not at all good. Stick with the hot hand. When borh Pache and Marsh are back, two of Pache/Marsh/Rojas should be starters in every game, until they show they are unworthy, as Cave already has, unfortunately. I don't see what about Caves 100 AB says he deserves a longer audition or that it will help the team to stick with him.

[LoneStarPhan]

Lorenzen has two starts, two wins, and has pitched 17 innings. What a shot in the arm for the starting rotation and for the bullpen.

[Austinfan]

Sanchez and Lorenzen have allowed the Phillies to go with a 6 man rotation, and no bullpen games, so not only do SPs get an extra day of rest, but they're more likely to go deeper into games, resting the bullpen. And Rojas has changed a below average defensive OF to above average (if you have Rojas/Pache in CF, Castellanos is acceptable in RF, just keep Schwarber at DH).

This is taking a lot of pressure off the hitters, you don't need to score 6 or 7 runs every game.
Bodes well for the stretch run.

[zambonir]

This is taking a lot of pressure off the hitters, you don't need to score 6 or 7 runs every game.

But it's a lot cooler when they do! (Like, for real, they've scored 9, 8, 8 and 7 runs in their last five games. Lost the other one 5-4).

[Philsmania]

No bullpen games. I like that.

[Callison]

I don't like Lorenzen - I love him.

Show time for Nola in the 6-man.

[LoneStarPhan]

It sure would make me happy to see Nola turn in a strong start tonight.

[bkox]

I know BA isnt held in as high regard anymore.. but this still is cool

And Marsh is 16th and Casty 22nd

NL Leaders - Batting Average

Now that Bryce Harper qualifies, 3 of the top 7 are Phillies. pic.twitter.com/TrM1YeN8u7

— John Foley ( @2008Philz ) August 10, 2023

[zambonir]

Hey, listen, batting average is still good, and all of those guys except for Casty are rocking impressive OBPs. Some of them could use more power but Schwarber could use a bit more of what they've got too (and so could Turner and JT).

[allentown]

Schwarber's OPS is 'okay'. Not my ideal leadoff hitter but Turner, who was likely supposed to be the leadoff hitter, has an OBP below .300. The team likely thinks leading off would be too much pressure for the young OFs.