2024 Phillies Late Season Discussion

[Austinfan]

I'm almost 70, cut me a break. The mind isn't as efficient as it used to be.

[owaistabish]

Smoltz interviewed with the combination of Todd Zolecki, Ruben Amaro Jr and Jim Salisbury and was high praises for Nola and Wheeler (deservingly so). Both are such durable and reliable starters.

[zambonir]

I agree Hays might be out all year. But he also might just need to be hooked up to an IV for a few days and will be back.

That said, I don't know what Callison is seeing in him. He has not hit RHP much better than Marsh hits LHP. It would be a loss to not have him in the LF with Marsh, platoon; it's more of a plus than a minus to go back to the Marsh/Rojas OF against RHP every day.

What would be ironic (if unfortunate for Hays) is if he ends up being out and Wilson continues to be just as good an option (again, just in the platoon role).

Merrifield and Soto were All-Stars too.

[andyb]

What would be ironic (if unfortunate for Hays) is if he ends up being out and Wilson continues to be just as good an option (again, just in the platoon role).

I do not see a good defensive player when I look at Wilson (or Clemens) in the OF. They just don't look like they take great routes out there or get great jumps on the ball.

[julio]

I do not see a good defensive player when I look at Wilson (or Clemens) in the OF. They just don't look like they take great routes out there or get great jumps on the ball.

If I actually trusted "modern" defensive statistics, I'd tell you to ignore what you think you see and look at the numbers. But since I remain skeptical of those measures...

[andyb]

Do your eyes feel good when Schwarber is in the outfield and a ball is hit over his head towards the corner?

I think we can all see the jumps Rojas gets on balls coming in. Eye test plus analytics plus ("he really looks like an infielder playing OF for the first time") intangibles. I think as a group most of us can discern the obviously good versus bad fielder.

I have tough times on figuring out how good someone like Turner is any more. He makes far too many errors, but has a good arm and athleticism to make up for slightly declining range. If he got the errors under control I think he'd still be close to average at SS defensively. But that is just a tough thing to "know" for sure.

[zambonir]

I do not see a good defensive player when I look at Wilson (or Clemens) in the OF. They just don't look like they take great routes out there or get great jumps on the ball.

That's fair. Of course the guy the Phillies originally signed for the role was also not really suited for regular play in LF. I guess in the worst case, if Hays is done, the Phillies will have a tough call to make when facing a LHP in the playoffs. Marsh at the plate or Wilson in the field.

[zambonir]

Those who wish they could hear more Frantzke on TV are about to get their wish. McCarthy missing the rest of the Marlins series as well as two next week against the Mets due to his NFL gig.

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Tom McCarthy won’t be calling the rest of the...

[EastFallowfield]

I always thought they said that Franzke preferred staying on the radio in this situation, do we know what's changed lately?

[Aquapong]

He’s probably being voluntold.

[zambonir]

I think he prefers it in general but I don't think he's ever been opposed to doing the occasional fill-in. They have used McCarthy's son in the past, as well as Murphy who is actually doing the radio this time. The novelty of it will probably be fun for him. Or maybe he could use a break from LA.

[Aquapong]

Maybe JJ will get warmed up for Flyers season.

[zambonir]

Oh yeah, him too. I always liked him fine as well. Solid voice. Substitute PBP announcers just show up and do the job, whereas the regular guy has more of that bantering, tangential dynamic with his established color partners. Even Frantzke has to do more of that than I need.

[David_Criss]

Bohm to IL and Kennedy recalled. Why did that take so long?

[phillychuck]

They were hoping he would recover more quickly. Let's hope he's back in time to get comfortable again in the batter's box!

[RolenRules]

Glad to see Kennedy up. 3 consecutive good years at AAA. Good walk rate and some increased power this year. He is still only 25 so he might have a chance to improve.

[EastFallowfield]

Or maybe he could use a break from LA.

If they're faking their relationship on-air they're quite the actors!

(Maybe he prefers radio cause it's more about baseball than the rest of the stuff they do on TV, the eating of sandwiches and the interviews with someone with something to promote for a half inning and there's less of those obligations on the road games?)

[andyb]

Bohm to IL and Kennedy recalled. Why did that take so long?

As PC said it was day to day and they thought he would recover. Hitters is still a 10-day IL, so for both Bohm and Hays the hope is that this is just a few more days and why keep going with a short roster. Stevenson and Kennedy won't play much but it is good to have options. We can definitely pinch hit for Rojas for instance and still have Stevenson to play D in CF.

[VoteForKalas]

Those who wish they could hear more Frantzke on TV are about to get their wish. McCarthy missing the rest of the Marlins series as well as two next week against the Mets due to his NFL gig.

I used to really dislike McCarthy's calls and banter; I guess now I'm resigned that he will be here forever. I try ignore him and listen to the radio whenever possible.

[schillingfan]

I'm almost 70, cut me a break. The mind isn't as efficient as it used to be.

And I use an IPad, not a keyboard, which makes for a lot more errors and laziness. I will always correct grammar errors, but spelling or autocorrect, meh. Too effort is involved. But, come on, every baseball fan should know how to spell the name Clemens.