2023 Phillies Regular Season Discussion

[David_Criss]

Jake Cave named international League Player of the Month. I know he hits lefthanded and the team just won two against the last place Nationals, but when can we see some changes...ie. Covey and Harrison designated, Kingery and Cave promoted along with Alvarado activated - doesn't solve 5th starter issue though - is Sanchez or Falter ready to go again? Also gives us an extra 40-man spot

[andyb]

We can't really go to Cave unless Bryce starts playing 1B. Just no starts available because Schwarber and Castellanos need to be in the lineup most days.

If that happens then I am for swapping Harrison or Clemens or Ellis for Cave. Alvarado really does not solve the Covey problem. We need someone for bulk innings. Guessing Sanchez gets another shot at this for the next start.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

With the off day on Thursday, they may kick the 5th starter decision down the road. The Phillies can skip the 5th starter this week and not need one until Tuesday, June 13 in Arizona (assuming no rainouts against Detroit and LA Dodgers this week in Philly).

[zambonir]

It sounds like they might be more reluctant to skip the 5th starter because of how many pitches Wheeler threw in so few innings the other day (i.e. get him the extra day of rest). But they could also still just go bullpen game without Covey as an actual bulk starter (which he hasn't even been) and just bring back up Bellatti to get you an inning or two.

All players are different but I don't see bringing back Cave now as being that much different than bringing back Vierling last year. Cave's AAA numbers are more dramatically great but Vierling had done better in the majors more recently. I just don't know that he'll be that much better than Clemens (or than Vierling was/is). I suspect they are more eager to get Pache back into the mix and when Bryce starts playing 1B they'll need to trade for a RH bench OF (replacing Harrison, presumably) unless Ellis sticks.

[RolenRules]

IMO the Phils should use Strahm in the 5th starter role and let him pitch 5+ innings if he effectI've the first time through the opponent's lineup. He had 3 such stats in April.

[zambonir]

But his season would end in August.

Everyone/everything is a bit to blame for this situation - the front office that drafted the players who might be more usable AAA (or even AA) depth - or actual fringe major leaguers - at this point in their careers, the current front office for not signing more arms (even though I don't really blame them for avoiding last year's incumbents specifically) and MLB in general since no team seems to have enough pitching, in MLB or AAA.

Look on the bright side: last year's 5th starter - the one who was an upgrade over Gibson and Falter at the time - makes $13 million and hasn't been any better than Falter or Covey this year.

Eventually Nelson and Sanchez will get their shot too I imagine. But it's hard to believe Plassmyer was considered as good a candidate as Falter going into spring training. Then again, turns out he was.

[andyb]

Strahm has had one season in his major league career over 61 innings and it was not a good year. He has 41 innings already. Pretty sure the Phillies want to keep him in the 80-100 range no matter what happens. And even that is a stretch.

I think we give both Sanchez and Falter more shots. If they fail and we are still competing, we probably go get a starter at the trade deadline.

[Patchmk88]

Sanchez seems to have had a couple of good outings in a row. I'd try the hot hand the next time we need the 5th starter which I assume they will opt for this weekend against the Dodgers.

[Aquapong]

True, we can’t keep piling the innings on Wheeler and Nola and expect them to hold up. We do need a 5th starter.

Zach Plesac was Dfa’d by the former Tribe. He been pretty bad lately though even in AAA.

Perhaps of interest could be Ramiel Tapia, who was also dfa’d. Dump Harrison and give us someone who can at least be a late inning defensive replacement and pinch runner.

[phillychuck]

Everyone needs pitching -- pitcher DFAs usually are pretty horrible. They need a trade or a rising star.

[Austinfan]

Don't be surprised if Abel or McGarry get a shot after the All Star break, if they're pitching well in a hitters park, they might be effective the first time through the league.

[flyers19rw]

Like it or not, with the scarcity of decent SP, teams like the Dodgers and Braves are digging down to AA ball starters to find someone who can give five plus innings of reasonable pitching. There is an absolute dearth of good arms in the game right now. So hold your nose and hope is who is going to the mound these days.

[zambonir]

Yup, what needs fixing here (as David Murphy wrote today) is not the 5th starter or even the offense, but just the pitching in general. If Nola and Wheeler can be better and Walker can be at least okay that will go a long way (and Suarez seems like he's fine now that he's healthy/ready).

[RolenRules]

I get what you are saying andy and z but if the poor pitching continues the Phillies' season might be over by August. As AF suggests maybe Abel or McGarry could be ready by then.. Granted we don't expect much from a 5th starter but we need help anywhere we can get it without gutting the pharm

[zambonir]

I get what you are saying andy and z but if the poor pitching continues the Phillies' season might be over by August

100%. The pitchers they currently have have to produce - so far so good tonight - for them to even consider trading for a starter of any note, whether he slots in at 5 of ahead of Walker.

If McGarry pitches in July the Phillies are still alive and rolling the dice. If he doesn't debut until August they are already out of it.

[Aquapong]

I would say if the hitters are hitting and the pitching is keeping us from a playoff spot, it makes more sense to try guys like Skirrow or Abel. Last I looked Abel wasn’t doing so hot himself.

[andyb]

Abel and Mcgarry just aren't close to ready though. ERA near 5 for each in AA does not suggest a 2-level jump for either will happen any time soon.

At least Painter had pitched well at Reading.

[Jazzhead]

I was at the game last night and it sure was phun. I love seeing Casti in the 2-hole, and Thompson couldn't have picked a better time to slide Turner into the clean-up spot. Meanwhile Schwarber leads off and draws three walks and comes within three feet or so of a three-run homer to dead center.

The crowd gave Nola a nice hand as he almost made it through seven innings with no hits. Maton sure looked pumped as he ran past the Phillies dugout, though.

And there wasn't even any bad traffic on the drive home. Keep it up, Phightins - 33,000 went home happy on a Monday night against the Tigers. Let's light up this town.

[zambonir]

I am still in the "let's see them do it against some better teams" camp, but it's not like they aren't capable of that. If they do start winning we will certainly credit the Nats and Tigers with the jumpstart.

[bkox]

I am still in the "let's see them do it against some better teams" camp, but it's not like they aren't capable of that. If they do start winning we will certainly credit the Nats and Tigers with the jumpstart.

Beating the bad teams may be the key in the wild card era. Last year the Phillies were 16-3 versus the Nats and 71-72 versus all others