GDT 6/2/19 Philadelphia Phillies (Pivetta) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (Hill, R)

[julio]

Now, running VV out there -- the first time in his career he's pitched on back-to-back days --that's a risk. That's the downside of managing each game like it's Game 7 of the World Series; your bullpen gets beaten down.

[kikutaro]

Bellinger

Pitching Change: Vince Velasquez replaces Nick Pivetta, batting 9th.
Ball (94.5 mph four-seam fastball)
Called strike (94.5 mph four-seam fastball)
Swinging strike (94.7 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (88.9 mph slider)
In play, no out (94.8 mph four-seam fastball)
299 ft line drive (exit speed: 107 mph, launch angle: 9°)

Cody Bellinger singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Bryce Harper.

[kikutaro]

Verdugo

Pickoff Attempt 1B
Called strike (95.1 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (96.1 mph four-seam fastball)
In play, out(s) (83.9 mph knuckle curve)
136 ft ground ball (exit speed: 97 mph, launch angle: -12°)

Alex Verdugo grounds into a double play, shortstop Jean Segura to second baseman Cesar Hernandez to first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Cody Bellinger out at 2nd. Alex Verdugo out at 1st.

[zambonir]

Well, the message there seems to be that Gabe trusts his veteran major league starter in an unfamiliar role more than Rios, Garcia or Hammer, because he's certainly got enough arms for 9 outs (Seranthony and Nicasio too, and surely Neris, if not Alvarez). That's still enough for extra too.

[schillingfan]

Do not agree with using Gosselin. He’s a AAAA and this is your best chance to score. Replacing Pivetta was right.

Who would you have chosen instead?

I’ve lost track of bench, I guess that’s why we are getting Bruce. I was going to say the same thing about VV. It feels like we only have 20 players on the team right now.

[kikutaro]

Freese

Ball (96.4 mph four-seam fastball)
Foul (87.2 mph slider)
Swinging strike (96. mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (95.6 mph four-seam fastball)
In play, run(s) (86. mph slider)
382 ft fly ball (exit speed: 103 mph, launch angle: 22°)

David Freese homers (6) on a fly ball to right center field.

Los Angeles Dodgers 1 - Philadelphia Phillies 0

[schillingfan]

Well that just completely sucks.

[julio]

... and there's the home run against.

[zambonir]

Well hey Neris could have done that too

Gotta get something against the Dodgers' bullpen. Our pitching has oddly been the strength in this series (but the Dodgers have good pitching too).

[LoneStarPhan]

Too many home runs being given up.

[Patchmk88]

Just do not agree with the management here. Take out a pitcher that is cruising and use a guy that has never gone back to back days.

[zambonir]

I think Vince could have done that even if he hadn't pitched yesterday. And also no way you don't hit for the pitcher with a man in scoring position this late in an 0-0 game.

[kikutaro]

Taylor, C

Swinging strike (95.8 mph four-seam fastball)
Foul (96.6 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (89.2 mph slider)
Ball (94.7 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (95.7 mph four-seam fastball)
Foul (94. mph four-seam fastball)
Foul (87.4 mph slider)
Ball (94.6 mph four-seam fastball)

Chris Taylor walks.

[Patchmk88]

Agree to disagree. Your bench is awful and your bullpen has been abused. You ride the guy that has dominated their lineup for the day. My opinion of course. I’m a fan and CPA not a manager though.

[julio]

Agree to disagree. Your bench is awful and your bullpen has been abused. You ride the guy that has dominated their lineup for the day. My opinion of course. I’m a fan and CPA not a manager though.

What's Pivetta's history when he's north of 80 pitches? I don't know the answer to that - but I'll bet Kapler does.

[Lucky_Beagle]

It isn't Kapler's fault the only choices he had to pick from are Goslin and Rodriquez from the right side to pinch hit against Hill. His choice of VV though doesn't seem to be working either. He has allowed 3 of 4 runners to reach base and only the double play ball makes this less than a horrible inning so far.

[kikutaro]

Martin, R

Foul (95.3 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (93.6 mph four-seam fastball)
Pickoff Attempt 1B
Ball (93.7 mph four-seam fastball)
Called strike (87.3 mph slider)
Pickoff Attempt 1B
Ball (96.1 mph four-seam fastball)
Chris Taylor steals (4) 2nd base.
Ball (86.2 mph slider)

Russell Martin walks.

[Patchmk88]

The bench is definitely not his fault but knowing what you have on the bench is his responsibility. Pivetta was cruising and was on his game. Ride him for another inning or two (again the opinion of a fan).

[julio]

I have to say that trying to convert Vinnie to a short reliever in the majors, on a contender, doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Even assuming that VV can make the transition, asking him to do it in the majors, against the best team in the league?

If they mean to make this conversion, they need to think about the best way to make it work - which IMHO would entail Vince working in AAA in the relief role until he's at least somewhat comfortable there. But throwing him in cold, against the Dodgers?

[LoneStarPhan]

Pivetta was pitching a gem. Only 3 hits and no walks. Of course, we don't know what would have happened had he continued but we do know that Velasquez has given up the run, two hits and two walks and only has gotten two outs on the double play, so in reality, only one batter has produced outs. I certainly can understand trying to cash in a run with a runner on second, but with the pinch hitters available, the odds may well have favored going deeper with Pivetta today.

We don't know what would happen if Pivetta stayed in the game. We now know what happened to the pinch hitter and the follow on pitcher.