2024 Phillies Season Discussion

[zambonir]

Managing egos is also a consideration! And I don't just mean Walker's. Within the clubhouse there are bound to be some guys who think Turnbull is getting a raw deal, but probably just as many who don't think Walker should lose his spot.

Probably as much luck (and the history with Detroit people) as anything but however it ends up Turnbull was a heck of a signing. Already more impressive than both the fringe starters Dombrowski signed in 2021.

And never mind that he wound up in the rotation - he wasn't even a certainty to make the team had everyone (Covey, Kerkering) been healthy. The original assumption was that he'd accept the assignment to AAA to stay on a starter schedule rather than being a long man.

So yeah, the role is an issue for both of them and piggybacking wouldn't solve that either.

[bkox]

To add to that.. there was some rumblings about hurt feelings already from last postseason when Walker never got an appearance .

[Callison]

Suarez might win 20.

Encouraging to see Rojas hit for extra bases, not just trying to slap singles while he learns.

Clemons shows why he was the right choice. Nice game.

Good luck to the Harpers both in raising a family and on the field. Maybe Bryce has been distracted.

One game behind the evil empire in Atlanta. Phils are HOT!

[bkox]

Good luck to the Harpers both in raising a family and on the field. Maybe Bryce has been distracted.

its his 3rd kid.. probably not distracted

[zambonir]

Oh for sure that's part of the drama of it, right or wrong. While also respecting what he actually did contribute last year in the regular season, and needing that contribution again regardless.

But, he did not deserve to start ahead of Sanchez last year (both on paper and, apparently, based on how he was throwing in the pen) and was not necessarily as good a bullpen option as Lorenzen (in extremely low-leverage spots in any case).

And Lorenzen also didn't deserve to stay in the rotation over Sanchez last year.

If Turnbull was not on an ostensible innings limit or it could be definitively known that he could keep this going it would be a much harder decision.

[andyb]

Almost an all right-handed lineup tonight against Abbot. Schwarber the only lefty with Bryce out and both Marsh and Stott sitting. Abbot's career OPS splits against LH/RH batters are 484/791. Merrifield, Pache, and Sosa all in the lineup.

[zambonir]

I know at least one fan online who is angry that Harper would dare to miss three games to be there for this birth (and not do family planning better). Which is deranged. But honestly, this early in the season, between his slow start/sore back and the opportunity to get a few other guys playing time, I can't even see his absence as a bad thing. We got Clemens yesterday and for the next two nights (or at least one) more of the righties can get their licks (I assume Marsh and Stott will play tomorrow but that still leaves one spot for Merrifield or Sosa).

[andyb]

2024 Sprint Speed update. Trea has not lost a step. He and Rojas rank 3rd and 4th in MLB at 30.0 feet/second (behind Victor Scott and Bobby Witt). Rest of the team below. Merrifield, Stott, and Realmuto in a cluster of above average runners. Marsh is a bit slower this year though and both Harper and Bohm are also slower. Still SSS as there are probably runs where players like Harper only go 75%. The Bohm numbers could be the same thing too though he used to be around 27 so something to watch.

Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard

[phillychuck]

Running speeds should be measured at maximum, so jogging to first on a routine ground ball should not be considered.

[andyb]

I think they try to do that. It is just imperfect and sometimes 95% effort is hard to distinguish from 100%. JT almost got thrown out on his 2B yesterday when he kind of jogged in before the throw. I bet he was a little bit embarrassed by how close that play was.

[DurhamBull]

2024 Sprint Speed update. Trea has not lost a step. He and Rojas rank 3rd and 4th in MLB at 30.0 feet/second

I didn’t realize Turner and Rojas were considered equally fleet of foot!

[andyb]

Same lineup as last night tonight except Stubbs in for JT. Not sure yesterday's game is one we want to run back.

Last Turnbull start. Looks like Walker will start Sunday to split up the lefties in the rotation.

[zambonir]

Not sure yesterday's game is one we want to run back.

Yeah I would have thought one of Marsh or Stott would get in. Plus if it's so important to have mostly RHBs they should have gotten Stubbs a different game.

Obviously they believe playing the platoon match-ups is the best path to a win. As noted in the other thread if they only get a split here that does give the Reds wild card seed tiebreaker down the line, due to them already winning their road series against us.

[andyb]

Guessing Rob does not care about the wild card tiebreaker at this point in the year. This lineup feels like he wants to get the bench guys going so this was a chance to give them 2 games in a row. Just not sure it is a great idea with Bryce out and JT resting. It sure would be a nice night for Casty to break out, but not pulling up my ESPN Bet app just yet.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Plus if it's so important to have mostly RHBs they should have gotten Stubbs a different game.

It looks like Stubbs is becoming Turnbull’s personal catcher

[zambonir]

Yes except he didn't catch the last one. JT just made five consecutive starts including Turnbull's on the 19th. Stubbs hadn't played since Turnbull's previous start on April 13 (there was a non-game off-day in there, that was JT's only break).

[zambonir]

Phillies say they want to get Clemens more OF work in AAA

Phillies observations: Wheeler's adaptability, Turnbull's new role, the...

[Callison]

Looking at the attendance in Cincy is depressing. What happened to the city that was so high on their team that they used to elect nearly their whole team as starters for the NL All Stars? They're competitive. Inexcusable. Under the Blue Sky Theory, MLB will financially penalize owners for low attendance. Motivate the lazy, indifferent owners that are only in it for the money.

Sure hope the Phils don't see another LHP this season, prompting Big Rob to put out the lineup that lost the middle 2 games against Cincy. The first game, players out of their position committed 2 errors, one to open the game. Sanchez was sloppy.

Fondly remembering the days when Seranthony was dominant. Wildest I've ever seen him last outing. Hope he apologized to Turnbull.

At the present rate of improvement, the Phils should be at full hitting strength no later than mid September.

[andyb]

Phillies say they want to get Clemens more OF work in AAA

That is logical. We all knew that Cave was a better fit for this roster than Pache (as long as Rojas hit enough). So the only way Clemens could stick is if that left-handed bat need is occasionally in the lineup and that will probably come in LF with Marsh in CF more than with any other position. One could also sub Castellanos occasionally (though that brings up other issues).

[Austinfan]

Clemons only chance to play is as a LH LF with March moving to RF with Castellanos sitting against RHP.
So it makes sense they want him in that role in LHV.
Problem for him is Dahl and Luplow are ripping it up (SSS of course) and Dahl is a LH OF.