GDT 4/13/23 Philadelphia Phillies (Falter) @ Cincinnati Reds (Lodolo)

[bkeich]

Harper may be too late to save this mess (that and I don't really expect very much from him this year)

[zambonir]

Kind of ironic that last year Girardi was thought to be too tightly wound and put too much pressure on the team, whereas Thomson - not that his job is in danger - is going to be just the opposite. Tthe fans are already questioning his moves and want him to be less patient. I think his way is the right one in the long run though. Truth is this team was never a serious contender for the divison and that's all that is really lost here if they struggle for another month (which they probably will, but hey, I remember last year they went to LA and won some games they weren't supposed to).

I'm not sure the WBC matters much more than spring training - including quality of opposition. I mean, look at Jake Cave.

[Sabin]

Maybe opening spot for Song when he is ready to pitch. Need to get is 90 days on the active roster.

I don't think it's hugely mysterious why the team is struggling! They are missing 2 of their best hitters and one of their three best starters and the other two may or may not be worn out a little from last year still. Ditto the top relievers, while the two new ones they got are both disappointing. And neither Walker nor Falter could be expected to give you long starts. But I was hoping we'd see a .450-.475 team not a .333 team while they ride some of this out.

I doubt many were expecting this team to come out of the gates posting a .650 winning percentage. But. as you also noted above, seeing them flail around with a .333 is a bit disappointing. Part of this can be attributed to poor timely hitting, poor situational pitching, and a reduction in fairy magic around some of Thomson's decisions compared to most of last year, but it still leaves the feel of something to be desired thus far.

[EDmuch]

Or simply mediocre starting pitching

[zambonir]

It's both but maybe the pitching is a little worse. Last year they averaged 4.61 runs and allowed 4.23. This year they are at 4.08/5.53 (and that first number includes the Marlins blowout).

In tonight's game story Turner noted that Long had noted that the team was hitting .280 collectively in the first 12 games. That's very high, and if they keep that up, the RISP will eventually come around. But they need the dingers too.

And they really need the bullpen. I'm not sure we're gonna get impeccable six and seven-inning starts from this rotation which is why they stacked up relievers. I think Nola will be fine and Suarez will be back but if both Soto and Kimbrel fail and Dominguez struggles what looked like a strength just won't be (especially if Strahm stays in the rotation).

Of course you don't need the bullpen to be important if you have both a better offense and better starting pitching