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

[zambonir]

The balance is wrong; eight relievers implies lots of pitching changes, lots of PH. A four-man bench means your backup middle infielder and backup catcher are going to be pinch-hitting in critical situations, for which they are ill-equipped. That isn't going to work.

I would certainly not mind a five-man bench, but not now, because the pen is so thin. It's literally quantity over quality until Robertson and Hunter (both of whom can go more than one) get back.

It would also help if we had a better starting rotation. The big bullpen is not merely analytics-driven; Gabe (after his disastrous first game) has shown himself to be perfectly willing to let his starters go deep but only a few of them actually can. Would be a big deal if Pivetta has found himself.

I also don't feel like the five-man bench actually led to better hitters pinch-hitting all that often, because managers still like those glove/utility guys so much. If this team had a five-man bench right now and Herrera was back they'd probably have a glove-first OF (which is what Altherr was) and Rodriguez as the utility guy, along with Knapp, Bruce and Kingery. In our case Quinn is the glove-first OF but it remains to be seen whether he can A) play or B) hit. I don't think they'd replace Rodriguez with a better hitter.

We were gonna lose this game 1-0 anyway I guess. But we're getting to see the bottom of the bullpen (Gabe's definitely managing for tomorrow now).

[kikutaro]

Hernández, K

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Enrique Hernandez replaces Pedro Baez.
Called strike (88.1 mph slider)
Ball (87.2 mph slider)
Ball (96. mph four-seam fastball)
Swinging strike (95.6 mph four-seam fastball)
In play, run(s) (85.8 mph slider)
307 ft line drive (exit speed: 85 mph, launch angle: 21°)

Enrique Hernandez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Scott Kingery. Chris Taylor scores.

Los Angeles Dodgers 6 - Philadelphia Phillies 0

[kikutaro]

Pederson

Ball (96.6 mph four-seam fastball)
Swinging strike (95.1 mph four-seam fastball)
In play, run(s) (95.9 mph two-seam fastball)
399 ft fly ball (exit speed: 106 mph, launch angle: 21°)

Joc Pederson homers (18) on a fly ball to left center field. Russell Martin scores.

Los Angeles Dodgers 8 - Philadelphia Phillies 0

[mdougherty12]

Suggestion: After this game, when Bruce is activated, VV goes back to AAA. The organization has to decide what they want him to be - a starting pitcher, or a reliever - and use him exclusively in that role in AAA, until he gets his head (and his pitch command) straightened out. The quest for "flexibility" sounds nice, but if it results in players being asked to do things they cannot do well (square pegs in round holes), it's nuts.

Well, VV's the Phils are out of the inning, with far less damage than deserved. We'll see if a 1-0 lead holds up for the Dodgers. [I missed the pitching change...]

Does Velasquez have an option remaining?

[julio]

We were gonna lose this game 1-0 anyway I guess. But we're getting to see the bottom of the bullpen (Gabe's definitely managing for tomorrow now).

Yeah. Given that it's completely out of hand, I can agree with just letting Yack Rios finish.

[kikutaro]

Muncy

Called strike (82.3 mph slider)
Ball (88.9 mph two-seam fastball)
In play, out(s) (87.3 mph slider)
155 ft popup (exit speed: 57 mph, launch angle: 48°)

Max Muncy pops out to shortstop Jean Segura.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Philadelphia Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	3	1
Los Angeles Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7		8	10	0

---

Current Batters

Philadelphia Phillies

Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Andrew McCutchen LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.256	.375	.457	.832
Jean Segura SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.291	.341	.447	.788
Bryce Harper RF	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.248	.360	.486	.846
Rhys Hoskins 1B	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.274	.398	.534	.932
J.T. Realmuto C	3	0	1	0	0	2	0	.261	.318	.437	.755
Scott Kingery CF	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.333	.373	.551	.924
Cesar Hernandez 2B	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.290	.347	.463	.810
Maikel Franco 3B	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	.209	.284	.383	.667
Nick Pivetta P	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	.091	.091	.091	.182
Phil Gosselin PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.244	.261	.311	.572
Vince Velasquez P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.125	.222	.125	.347
Edgar Garcia P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Yacksel Rios P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000

Los Angeles Dodgers

Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Joc Pederson LF	5	1	1	2	0	0	1	.272	.374	.667	1.041
Max Muncy 3B	5	1	1	0	0	1	0	.279	.367	.523	.890
Corey Seager SS	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.246	.340	.424	.764
Cody Bellinger RF	4	0	1	0	0	2	0	.376	.462	.733	1.195
Alex Verdugo CF	4	1	1	1	0	1	0	.310	.362	.494	.856
Matt Beaty 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.286	.286	.310	.596
David Freese 1B	3	2	2	2	0	0	1	.294	.423	.576	.999
Chris Taylor 2B	2	1	1	1	1	1	0	.233	.302	.404	.706
Russell Martin C	3	1	2	0	1	1	0	.265	.381	.382	.763
Rich Hill P	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	.100	.182	.100	.282
Justin Turner PH	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.306	.394	.446	.840
Kenta Maeda PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.227	.227	.318	.545
Pedro Baez P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Enrique Hernandez PH	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.224	.300	.410	.710

Current Pitchers

Philadelphia Phillies

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-K	ERA
Nick Pivetta	6.0	3	0	0	0	9	0	82-56	6.14
Vince Velasquez	0.2	2	1	1	2	0	1	27-14	4.67
Edgar Garcia	0.2	3	4	4	2	0	0	25-11	5.93
Yacksel Rios	0.2	2	3	0	0	0	1	17-11	0.00

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-K	ERA
Rich Hill	7.0	3	0	0	3	9	0	103-75	2.25
Pedro Baez	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10-6	3.08

[julio]

Does Velasquez have an option remaining?

Two option years remaining.

Can the Phils just skip the ninth and go to San Diego now?

[zambonir]

I think it's pretty clear that Velasquez is one of our six best relievers (but he does have options remaining).

Now poor Rios (or Garcia?) probably goes back for De Los Santos.

(Oh I guess he's not able to come back up. Anderson should be. Of course they still have Irvin.)

[andyb]

Probably need to bring Austin Davis back. For Rios?

[kikutaro]

Hoskins

Enrique Hernandez remains in the game as the right fielder.
Pitching Change: Joe Kelly replaces Pedro Baez, batting 4th, replacing right fielder Cody Bellinger.
Ball (84.8 mph knuckle curve)
Called strike (84.5 mph knuckle curve)
Foul (97.7 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (88.6 mph changeup)
Ball (87.3 mph changeup)
Called strike (86.6 mph knuckle curve)

Rhys Hoskins called out on strikes.

[julio]

I think it's pretty clear that Velasquez is one of our six best relievers (but he does have options remaining).

I'm not sure I agree he's one of our six best (although given the pool...). His BB/9 this season is 4.8. That's downright scary in a reliever. He's really never posted a particularly strong WHIP. I mean, if you could assume that he's only going to appear at the start of innings, and never come in with men on base, then maybe. But he's not somebody you would want to use to try to get out of a bad situation.

[kikutaro]

Realmuto

Called strike (86.9 mph knuckle curve)
Ball (98.9 mph four-seam fastball)
Foul (86.9 mph knuckle curve)
Swinging strike (blocked) (88.6 mph changeup)

J.T. Realmuto strikes out swinging.

[kikutaro]

Kingery

Ball (87. mph knuckle curve)
Foul (98.5 mph four-seam fastball)
Ball (85.1 mph knuckle curve)
In play, out(s) (97.8 mph four-seam fastball)
272 ft fly ball (exit speed: 78 mph, launch angle: 35°)

Scott Kingery flies out to right fielder Enrique Hernandez.

[kikutaro]

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Philadelphia Phillies	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Los Angeles Dodgers	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	7		8	10	0

Final

---

Philadelphia Phillies

Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Andrew McCutchen LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.256	.375	.457	.832
Jean Segura SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.291	.341	.447	.788
Bryce Harper RF	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.248	.360	.486	.846
Rhys Hoskins 1B	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.273	.396	.531	.927
J.T. Realmuto C	4	0	1	0	0	3	0	.260	.317	.435	.752
Scott Kingery CF	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.329	.369	.544	.913
Cesar Hernandez 2B	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.290	.347	.463	.810
Maikel Franco 3B	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	.209	.284	.383	.667
Nick Pivetta P	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	.091	.091	.091	.182
Phil Gosselin PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.244	.261	.311	.572
Vince Velasquez P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.125	.222	.125	.347
Edgar Garcia P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Yacksel Rios P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000

Los Angeles Dodgers

Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Joc Pederson LF	5	1	1	2	0	0	1	.272	.374	.667	1.041
Max Muncy 3B	5	1	1	0	0	1	0	.279	.367	.523	.890
Corey Seager SS	3	1	1	0	1	1	0	.246	.340	.424	.764
Cody Bellinger RF	4	0	1	0	0	2	0	.376	.462	.733	1.195
Joe Kelly P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Alex Verdugo CF	4	1	1	1	0	1	0	.310	.362	.494	.856
Matt Beaty 1B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.286	.286	.310	.596
David Freese 1B	3	2	2	2	0	0	1	.294	.423	.576	.999
Chris Taylor 2B	2	1	1	1	1	1	0	.233	.302	.404	.706
Russell Martin C	3	1	2	0	1	1	0	.265	.381	.382	.763
Rich Hill P	2	0	0	0	0	2	0	.100	.182	.100	.282
Justin Turner PH	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.306	.394	.446	.840
Kenta Maeda PR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.227	.227	.318	.545
Pedro Baez P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
Enrique Hernandez RF	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	.224	.300	.410	.710

Philadelphia Phillies

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-K	ERA
Nick Pivetta	6.0	3	0	0	0	9	0	82-56	6.14
Vince Velasquez (L, 2-3)	0.2	2	1	1	2	0	1	27-14	4.67
Edgar Garcia	0.2	3	4	4	2	0	0	25-11	5.93
Yacksel Rios	0.2	2	3	0	0	0	1	17-11	0.00

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	P-K	ERA
Rich Hill (W, 2-1)	7.0	3	0	0	3	9	0	103-75	2.25
Pedro Baez (H, 12)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10-6	3.08
Joe Kelly	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	14-8	7.91

[zambonir]

Yes that was more a (slightly sarcastic, but still accurate) comment on the current state of our bullpen. If I was actually doing the math the pecking order would be:

Neris
Seranthony
Alvarez
Nicaso
Hammer
Velasquez
Irvin
Garcia
Rios

(Hey, what's wrong with that picture? The Phillies actually could have sent Irvin down today and called up a bat, he was taking one of the 5 rotation spots, not a bullpen spot. But again, who?)

Obviously there will be multiple transactions this evening.

[julio]

But again, who?

This is the $64k question, z. The Phillies have 23 pitchers on the 40-man roster (plus two on the 60-day IL). They have 17 other players (plus one on the restricted list).

If these guys don't provide enough depth, and they don't have adequate replacements in AAA (not on the 40), then Klentak needs to make changes. Moreover - if there isn't enough depth on the 40-man, then there are players there who are expendable. Expend them.

[LoneStarPhan]

Dodgers sweep the Phillies in the 3 game series. In spite of some good things shown in the series, the Phillies were out hit, out pitched, and out managed this weekend in LA.

The upcoming series in San Diego is very important. They need to win at least two games of the three.

[zambonir]

Agreed there. I wanted a .500 road trip and now it's a taller order. Yesterday's the one they should have taken, but today too. They'll likely have to win at least one game in LA in the post-season (though, you just never know what any of it means or what will happen, consider 2008 when they should have been playing the Cubs and had also not beaten the Dodgers all season, IIRC).

[allentown]

The very good news is a great start by Pivetta -- something the Phillies really needed. Clearer than ever: the Dodgers are just better than us. The bullpen was bad, but if you don't score any runs, you're going to lose, regardless of how good the bullpen is. I think the Pivetta start is as important as a win here.

[zambonir]

This is the $64k question, z. The Phillies have 23 pitchers on the 40-man roster (plus two on the 60-day IL). They have 17 other players (plus one on the restricted list).

If these guys don't provide enough depth, and they don't have adequate replacements in AAA (not on the 40), then Klentak needs to make changes. Moreover - if there isn't enough depth on the 40-man, then there are players there who are expendable. Expend them.

I mean, this is gonna sort itself out. Up until this point, the current roster has been good enough to fuel the second-best team in the NL. Playing the very best team in the NL, on the road, makes the need for a few marginal upgrades appear to be more urgent than it probably is, on June 2.

And yet, they've already made one, and it won't be the last. At some point Walding probably won't stay on the 40. Williams and Quinn (whether from a move or a 60-day IL) neither. Maybe one of Gosselin and Rodriguez hang in there but surely not both. And it's only been four days since Herrera went on leave. A West Coast road trip starting with the Dodgers not exactly the optimal time to muddle through.

And the bullpen will change too. Prognosis for Robertson still not sounding great. They were clearly already going to be bullpen shoppers but now it might be higher-end, or higher-quantity.

If memory serves neither Cozens nor Arano are on the 60-day IL yet so they can add Bruce easily. And then Kimbrel, heh.