GDT 4-7-23 Opening Day (Home) Thread Phillies (Wheeler) vs Reds (Greene)

[Lucky_Beagle]

ground out to 1B advances runner to 3rd with 1 out

[Lucky_Beagle]

Stephenson rbi 2B ties the game

[Lucky_Beagle]

That's it for another of the Phillies aces....less than 6 inning and under a 100 pitches!
No chance for victory but could be the losers!!

[LoneStarPhan]

Phillies make the pitching change.

Wheeler 5.1 IP, 2 earned runs, 5 hits, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts. Leaves with one out and a runner on second base.

Bellatti in to pitch.

[Lucky_Beagle]

Bellatti gets a K after a BB to end the inning.

[Lucky_Beagle]

Clemens K's
Cave K's
Marsh K's

I am leaving so no more updates from me.

[LoneStarPhan]

Phillies take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh on a 2 run home run by JT.

They leave runners on second and third. Second inning leaving runners on second and third, also an inning leaving runners on first and third, and an inning leaving the bases loaded. So we have the lead, but really need to cash in some runs in at least on of those chances.

Alvarado pitching the 8th.

[LoneStarPhan]

Top of the 8th.
K
K
K
1-2-3 inning for Alvarado.

Nice.

[DurhamBull]

PH home run by Sosa!

[LoneStarPhan]

FINAL
Phillies 5-10-0
Reds 2-6-0

WIN: Soto (1-1)
LOSS:D. Law (0-1)
SAVE: Kimbrel (1)

Home runs from JT and Sosa.
Best relief appearance, Phillies: Alvarado.

Again, Kimbrel unimpressive in the closer role. One on, two out in the ninth with a three-run lead and he issues a walk. Sets up for a save or a blown save on every pitch he makes to the next batter.

Kimbrel goes on to get that third out. Sigh of relief here.

Solid home opening day win for the Phillies.

[BostonRoss]

I wouldn't be surprised if Alvarado ends up eventually getting more save opportunities than Kimbrel, and maybe Seranthony, too.

Could be worse, could be Familia or Knebel!

[donaldorc]

What's with Kimbrel's unorthodox stance before he throws the ball? There was a guy in the stands on camera obviously making fun of him.

[andyb]

Alvarado is our best reliever by far at this moment. And likely more capable in back to backs than any of the other late inning options too. Kimbrel throwing 92-94 is just not going to be a reliable option. Hopefully the warm weather gets him back to the mid 90s or he could be done. Just does not have enough command to live on lower velocity.

[zambonir]

I am puzzled that Kimbrel is getting the opportunities he has after all that talk that he was fine with not closing. But I think that also has to do with Soto's struggles. He literally does seem to be Familia or Knebel. At least Soto is younger/cheaper/controlled/a work in progress.

OTOH, that was still a scoreless save. They know his stuff isn't what it used to be so they must be counting on him to make some adjustments and lean on his experience. Or to get some of that stuff back.

The big difference between now and past years is if he stinks the Phillies will just eat the money, and spend more if need be. Unlike in 2019.

[zambonir]

I thought I was going to come home to 200 posts, guess the bot didn't hear about the rainout!

A few pics here (that's the 2022 pennant on the right in the preview)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FaYywD9ieWWrw3KY6]

[BostonRoss]

Kind of reminds me of Kimbrel with the 2018 Red Sox. He lost his speed, then he lost his command, and they didn't really trust him in the postseason at the end. And that was five years ago! But he has had some success since then, I guess.

[zambonir]

If only our President had talked to the guy who ran the Red Sox that year.

[donaldorc]

I am puzzled that Kimbrel is getting the opportunities he has after all that talk that he was fine with not closing.

Perhaps they want to give him the opportunity to reach 400 saves.