GDT 8/17/22 Philadelphia Phillies (Suárez, R) @ Cincinnati Reds (Lodolo)

[LoneStarPhan]

Suarez with the seven shutout innings is a very positive and encouraging sign. Pitching has generally been very good. In the long run, good pitching usually wins out.

Troubling to be shut out four times in the past 8 days, but as noted, not having Schwarber and Harper in the lineup is a major loss to the offense.

I cannot fault Dominguez for the hits. The winning hit was a ground ball up the middle that eluded the fielders. That happens to the best of them. I am concerned that he gets a K on four pitches to start the inning and then walks a .226 hitter on four pitches. That is on him and it cost him and the Phillies the loss today.

Home to the Mets. Dare we hope for 3 of 4 games in this upcoming series?

[zambonir]

really still like him but not for the money he wants. also, he might not want to stay with that previous grievance he has with the Phils. I'd look to put the money in to Nola and another extension for Wheeler. The young kids are on their way.

I don't think Eflin is going to have much say in his 2023 contract. A one-year deal that is more than he makes now and less than the mutual option is probably in his future (perhaps with a more lucrative second-year option to sweeten it). But it could be even lower than that (with appearance incentives). The Phillies might not want to do it but having the mutual option gives them the first shot at least.

If I had to bet on it I'd say a split this weekend.

[LoneStarPhan]

A split of the four with the Mets would be fine. Of course, I hope for winning 3 and dream of sweeping four. Not an easy task.

[zambonir]

Granted, if we view these seven as a faux playoff series they have to win three (especially since in a real playoff series they wouldn't even have four home games)

[BostonRoss]

Hopefully in a real playoff series we’ll have Harper and Schwarber.

[zambonir]

Yeah I think they can probably help.

As will the easy seven after the Mets - a four-game home series against these same Reds, unlike a road series or a Mets series, ought to be sweepable. Plus the fact that the West Coast road trip is only against the lesser teams (and by then Harper should with them).