18 Philadelphia Phillies (Eflin) @ Cincinnati Reds (Castillo, L)

Philsmania 2018-07-30 14:10:46 UTC #81

Interesting to note that the the Phillies won the season series against both the Giants and Reds 4-3 but, in each case, lost the last three after winning the first four.

Philsmania 2018-07-30 14:19:43 UTC #82

And it's unlikely that any of the three teams will end up making any big moves before tomorrow's deadline. What you see is pretty much what you get in this division.

bkeich 2018-07-30 15:21:09 UTC #83

Yea, it is a weird year, you have the team that was suppose to have a cake walk through the division now looking like they may not even compete, 2 teams that were suppose to still be rebuilding leading the way, but neither seems willing to commit to the short term since they are still "building", one team that just seems lost (Mets) and one that was blatantly tanking and may stay that way forever since they have no fan base (at least until they move).

phillychuck 2018-07-30 15:26:59 UTC #84

Exactly--very well summarized. Klentak needs to be creative to break the logjam, and I don't think creativity and deal-making are in his repertoire.

Austinfan 2018-07-30 16:29:41 UTC #85

No, Klentak needs to be patient, either the young players are for real (in which case what moves would really help? Would Harper be much of an upgrade over Williams?), or they're overacheiving, in which case no move will stave off an August collapse.

This is not 2010-11, an aging team with one or two shots left (and by 2012 it was time to throw in the towel).
This is a team that should be significantly better in 2-3 years, and ready to add Trout in 2021.
So making panic moves now doesn't compute.
Kilome I didn't mind b/c I thought he'd be a tough 40 man roster decision this offseason.

zambonir 2018-07-30 17:45:32 UTC #86

If the front office decided making a postseason run was more important than development or sticking to the long-term plan and payroll projections I'm sure Klentak could go nuts but right now it really does look like the Nats are out and the Phillies are better than the Braves. That 5-7 head-to-head record feels like it was from a different universe (especially the two losses in the opening series, and then they lost two more in mid-April. And our winning pitcher the first week was Hutchison).

My point being they already have enough to stay in the race, and probably the lead, but it's going to come down to the seven remaning head-to-head games. Remaining opposition also favors the Phillies greatly on the Fangraphs chart.

bkeich 2018-07-30 23:26:07 UTC #87

Funny part is that the league isn't really much better. A few wins in a row and the Phil's would be the best in the NL, which is very weak this year (or at least there isn't a great team)

Do you make a run for the playoffs and hope? It isn't crazy, we are right there. Adding a prime starter, a reliever and 1 bat and suddenly you have a strong team for this season. Is it worth it? I think selling off prospects would be foolish, but if you can get solid rentals for Kilome types it isn't a bad risk?

zambonir 2018-07-30 23:35:10 UTC #88

The league is winnable, the WS probably isn't. But of course anything can happen. I do think the Dodgers are better than their record, they've been a steady .650-.660 team in June and July, most of that pre-Machado too. Cubs also started slow and finished big last year...and then got steamrolled by LA of course.

Austinfan 2018-07-30 23:54:17 UTC #89

Problem is a prime starter will cost you a lot more than Kilome, as will a top RP (we have plenty of Hunter types) and what bat is worth adding with Williams and Franco turning their seasons around (a big reason we're in 1st base in the first place).

I hate trading young pitchers, because pitchers will be injured so you'd better go 8-9 deep, including your AAA starters. Just look at the injuries we'd had the past few years, Morton, Buchholtz, Eickhoff, Leibrandt, etc. And veterans go belly up like Hellickson. You can always justify any one trade, it's the cumulative effect of hollowing out your farm system that kills you - imagine if they never make the Garcia for Gio and Floyd trade?