Good things the games don't count in spring training. The Phillies are off to a 1-6 start in Clearwater, losing for the third time in a week to the Yankees yesterday afternoon. The Bronx Bombers hit five solo home runs. Nick Pivetta and Zak Eflin each gave up two homers apiece.
Both Pivetta and Eflin have "good stuff" as they sometimes showed against the yanks. They are wildly inconsistent. When will all this "good stuff" turn into quality pitching?
Aaron Altherr continues a good spring, hitting his third homer against new York. Altherr is making it interesting for new manager Kapler and his outfield situation. Four outfielders- Altherr, Nick Williams, Rhys Hoskins and Odubel Herrera- for three spots. look for a platoon system of Altherr and Williams in right field, or maybe Kapler will go with whomever is hot?
I'm not worried about the offense.The team has plenty of punch and versatility. The shaky pitching is a different story. Beyond Aaron Nola lies inconsistency, potential and average-looking hurlers.
One would hope the pitching would be bolstered by a the signing of a veteran free-agent pitcher, but after listening to owner John Middleton this morning on WIP Sports Radio, I'm not so sure.
First, Kapler was on the air, and i almost threw-up listening to him lavishing praise on host Marc Farzetta. Farzetta is one of the worst sports guys in the city, so I'm not sure what Kapler was smoking this morning.
I like Kapler's positive energy, but he does come off a bit like a slick con-man. Managers are only as good as their players, so let's see how Kapler handles losing streaks and this seemingly=awful pitching staff.
Then it was Middleton's turn. Surprisingly, he dampened hope for signing a free-agent pitcher such as Jake Arroeta, preaching caution. It appears that ultra-conservative team president MacPhail has gotten to Middleton. MacPhail has always been against signing veteran pitchers on the other side of age 30. Although an Arrieta would be an improvement for this summer,and may make the team wild card contenders, and be a signal to future free agents that the Pihllies mean business and intend to win, signing Arrieta now appears cloudy.
Plus Middleton said the club is "still rebuilding." That's a departure from his earlier statements when he proclaimed over the winter that the Phils were ready to win now. Maybe Middleton got a got look a this 1-6 squad and a reality check has sunk in. Is it going to be another long summer ahead?
Meanwhile, terrible GM Klentak continues to do absolutely nothing. No trades. players like Joseph are still on the team, despite having no where to play.
Is Middleton listening too much to losers like MacPhail and Klentak and will regret it later?
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Both the Sixers and Flyers were in action last night, with mixed results.
The 76ers broke an 11-game losing streak to the Cavaliers and beat Cleveland on the road. LeBron James, rumored to come to Philly over the summer as a free agent, got a first-hand look at the potential of the Sixers.
Meanwhile. the Flyers snapped their winning streak at home, losing to Carolina 4-1. They play the best team in the NHL tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Tampa to take on the Lightning.
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