GDT 7/29/24 New York Yankees (Gil) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Wheeler)

[bkox]

Put him on base every time and make the rest of the lineup beat us

Well he only had 3 of the 14 RBIs... so the rest of the team did beat us

[VoteForKalas]

Wheeler was horrible and Rob used the B team relievers last night. That is not indicative of what we normally can do. Plus he hit the first HR in the first inning. You do not think that got his team fired up?

If I'm Nola and JT, walk him in the first and go from there. The rest of the lineup is not that great outside of Soto.

[Philsmania]

The Phillies are in one of those free fall modes where everyone is uptight and trying to do too much. Hitters are all trying to hit five-run homers and pitchers are all trying to strike guys out with just one pitch. Earlier this season, this team was winning and having fun. Right now, they look miserable.

What this team needs is for their starter to shut the opposition down in the top of the first and then for the lineup to put up a four spot in the bottom of the first just to get everybody relax and feel good again.

[zambonir]

interesting definition of "closing"

[zambonir]

Pretty much what they did on Saturday. Would be nice to just start doing it half the time instead of 1/3 of the time. Will settle for that until they get back from the West Coast.

[EastFallowfield]

Mets were 9 games back on May 11. 2 and a half months later they're 9 games back. At this rate....

But seriously, don't know why we get convinced that a team that is playing well will play that way for the rest of the season and a team that is slumping will play that way for the rest of the season.

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

I honestly was surprised they were winning as much as they were. Before the season started, I did not picture them leading the division.

[zambonir]

I have already lost money on that and I didn't even consider that to be betting against the Phillies which I don't do.

[Philsmania]

The Mets, conversely, are probably overachieving right now. I honestly don't think they are as good as they are playing. Although maybe it is a good thing if they have a good season which might lead to them pivoting out of their rebuild and make a bunch of moves which trash their future for what turns out to be a dubious reach for a pennant in 2025.

[zambonir]

Even so, my worry has always been that this would be the year the Braves win a short playoff series against the Phillies. Definitely don't want that to be the Mets instead. Though it would still be funny to see them play a wildcard series.

[Patchmk88]

Cole scratched for tonight. Phillies need to take advantage.