2023 Phillies Regular Season Discussion Part 2

[zambonir]

Perhaps another part of the picture on Grichuk. Otherwise, what all the claims have in common seems to be teams that are currently not good enough to make the playoffs (except the Ms who were on the outside for a long time). Luckily that's not the Phillies.

Randal Grichuk Clears Waivers

He hasn’t hit at all since landing in Southern California, posting a .168/.220/.347 slash in 109 plate appearances as an Angel. Grichuk’s strikeout rate is up more than four percentage points relative to his time in Colorado.

Dismal batted ball luck has surely played a role. After hitting .363 on balls in play for the Rox, Grichuk owns just a .181 BABIP for the Halos.

[Aquapong]

I’m shocked the Guardians got three of those guys. Once they got one of them, they’d move to the end of the waiver claim priority. So basically most teams didn't out claims on these guys.

[zambonir]

No, you could claim as many people as you wanted at one time.

[zambonir]

Not messing around with an extra bullpen spot for two games

The Phillies reinstated LHP Ranger Suárez from the 15-day IL (right hamstring strain) and recalled OF Cristian Pache from his rehab assignment with Lehigh Valley (AAA) and reinstated him from the 10-day IL (right elbow irritation), expanding the roster to 28 players.

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) September 1, 2023

[bkox]

RO!!!!

Johan Rojas has been named a Defensive Player of the Month for August by @sis_baseball pic.twitter.com/uvKGNQzrK1

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) September 1, 2023

[bkox]

Also, from @PhillyInquirer https://t.co/yXb5mztyYS Trea Turner reveals the secret behind his season-turning success: He stopped gripping the bat so tightly. Literally.

— Scott Lauber ( @ScottLauber ) September 3, 2023

[Callison]

Sure glad to escape Milwaukee with ONE W. That series could have gone a lot better. So totally out of character to see the steady arms of the Phils' pen fall apart. Here's hoping they're over that.

Elsewhere, the Pads just took 3 of 4 from the Giants. Did it with strong starting pitching and Soto and Machado hit like the stars they are - so they haven't quit by a long shot and the Phils will have to play some good ball to beat them.

[BostonRoss]

[quote="bkox, post:448, topic:53466, full:true"]

Also, from @PhillyInquirer https://t.co/yXb5mztyYS Trea Turner reveals the secret behind his season-turning success: He stopped gripping the bat so tightly. Literally.

— Scott Lauber ( @ScottLauber ) September 3, 2023

[/quote]

Now I have a .38 special earworm!

[Callison]

Those who don't get baseball often complain that it bores them. OTOH, they could become Phils phans and OD on drama like we do.

Anybody have a clue what's going on with Soto? Just a week ago he was dominant. Last two outings he's been dog meat.

The Cubs saw the future when they decided they were a playoff team at the trade deadline. They are a dangerous team in the same way the Phils are - capable. Won their away Milwaukee series. Was hoping the Giants would slow them down, but the Giants can't get healthy enough and they might be out of the playoffs soon.

[Austinfan]

They have to rest Kimbrel, come the playoffs they can get by with Kimbrel, Alvarado, SD, Strahm and Hoffman if they're rested, with Sanchez and Lorenzen as long relief/spot starters.

[zambonir]

I don't think Soto is irredeemable. And Alvarado and Seranthony are both still concerns (as is Kimbrel). Heck, Strahm is both over his career innings limit and hasn't had any health issues for the first time in a long time. But they will get by, just as they did last year come playoff time. They have more than they did last year (SD, Alvarado and Kimbrel vs. SD, Alverado and Robertson, Lorenzen in Eflin's spot, Strahm better than Hand, Hoffman and Soto probably better than Bellati and Brogdon, Sanchez better than Falter or Gibson. Plus Ranger again).

They just have to get through this doubleheader and then the pen can breathe a little for 10 days - and then hopefully a lot for the next 10.

[bkox]

Trea Turner went on the paternity list. He should be back Friday at Citizens Bank Park. Weston Wilson was recalled from Triple A.

— Matt Gelb ( @MattGelb ) September 5, 2023

And as MLBTR pointed out.. today is exactly 9 months after his signing was announced with the Phillies

[zambonir]

Trea on paternity leave, Weston Wilson up. I guess we might even see Castro (though Sosa still preferable obviously).

Haha just behind you. Pretty funny he also signed with the Phillies partly because wife's family is in Jersey and then has to schlep back from California.

[bkox]

Trea was also named player of the week

Luis Rengifo: 11-for-25 (.440 AVG), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1.207 OPS

Trea Turner: 11-for-26 (.423 AVG), 6 HR, 14 RBI, 9 R, 1.695 OPS

Your @Chevrolet AL and NL Players of the Week! pic.twitter.com/eZNS0T1G65

— MLB ( @MLB ) September 5, 2023

[bkeich]

Man, he is red hot. Couldn't his wife wait until his hot streak was over?

[zambonir]

And if they decided to keep Wilson up instead of Castro he might not get the chance to pass Rhys for the Iron Pigs HR record.

[BostonRoss]

I’m sure she is quite ready

[gmwannabe]

Could be a lot of movement in the NL Wild Card race this weekend. Cubs-Diamondbacks for 4 and the Phils-marlins for 3. Will the Phils still be in that first hole for the Wild Card on Monday morning? I see Alcantara is out, which is a shame. the Phils usually are successful against him.
gm

[zambonir]

I would say it's more that they'd had some good luck/a few good games against him. Career, he is 6-8 with a 3.48 ERA, not exactly like his ace-type numbers last year but not far from his career marks. Given the ostensible gulf between the two teams Phillies should have probably done better.

I've said the Phillies will be just fine unless one of the other teams gets ragingly hot, but the Marlins and Cubs have been pretty hot! Not that much better or worse over the last 10 (7-3 v.s 6-4 for Phillies) but Miami's won six straight and are handling the Dodgers.

[Callison]

Sanchez, Nola and Suarez - how confident are you? Sanchez CAN be good, especially pitching with some cushion - really don't know how much to expect of him, though. Nola has extra rest, so I expect him to have a strong outing and reassure everybody he'll be here for the playoffs. Huge game in that respect. Suarez has had another week to regain his form, so I expect a strong outing from him. Marlins are fighting to stay alive, so the Phils will get their best effort. The house should be rockin'.