- Phillies bounced back Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park by beating Arizona 5-3. Despite a sloppy game where thee Phils committed three errors, a late three-run homer to dead center field by Aaron Altherr saved the day.
Jake Arrieta pitched another solid outing, allowing only one earned run in seven innings. Arrieta went to 3-0 so far in the early season.
Scott Kingery didn't start, but he did pinch-hit and struck-out for the fifth time in a row. He is clearly struggling, swinging and flailing at balls in the dirt, ala Maikel Franco. Hopefully he figures it out and adjusts. Is the fact he is constantly changing positions hurting him offensively?
Cesar Hernandez continues to be solid at the plate, but I worry about his defense, as I do with shortstop J.P. Crawford. Catching is also a big concern, as both Alfaro and Knapp strike-out too much and are lacking defensively. Getting a catcher at the trade deadline would be a challenge, as a good catcher is rare and valued. Not sure what catchers would be available in the off-season thru free agency. Draft a young, promising catcher in June is an option but he would still be years away form Philly.
For now, the team has hitched its wagon to Alfaro and Knapp. Hopefully at least one emerges as a solid backstop. Both have shown flashes of potential. The Phillies aren't giving up- not that they have much choice.
The ridiculous Facebook-only game occurs this afternoon, the rubber game of the Phillies- Diamondbacks series. It's big, as beating the D-backs- who happen to have the best record in the National League- would show these 2018 Phillies aren't just beating bad teams. Having the game only broadcast on Facebook is baseball suicide. It's geared for the millennials, who can watch the game on their phones or other devices. But millennials really don't care about baseball. it's too slow takes too much time to think.
Closer Hector Neris nearly blew the save last night. He rarely has a 1-2-3 ninth, always drama with him. There has got to be a cleaner option for closer down the road. I keep thinking of that horror show in Los Angeles almost a year to the day when Neris surrendered three consecutive home runs in a shocking Dodger comeback win.
Give Arrieta credit. He was booed when he gave up a walk with the bases loaded. When asked his reaction later, Arrieta said he didn't blame the fans, unlike Claude Giroux.
- Speaking of Giroux, in an interview yesterday, he downed the Flyer fans for their boos thru-out their disastrous playoff loss to the Penguins. He is a disgrace. He should be traded or have the C ripped off his uniform. What are the fans supposed to do when the inconsistent, unemotional Flyers give up a total of 18 goals in just 3 home playoff games to Pittsburgh? Cheer them? He is clearly out of touch and too soft. The Orange and Black lack heart, and while the rest of our sports teams have taken up the banner after the Eagles' Super Bowl victory, the pathetic Flyers didn't show up against their cross-state rivals.
The Pens won all five games this year in Philadelphia. Sidney Crosby, the most hated player in the NHL, went wild and unchecked in the series. At times the Flyers looked lackadaisical and didn't seem to care. Yet diva Giroux has got his feelings hurt because the Philly fans demanded effort, after paying so much frigign' money to attend the games.
More and more I think the Flyers need to clean house and go strictly with their young and up-coming guys. Would they be a better team without Giroux, who had a banner season? No, but think of what they could get in return a player who will soon be in decline anyway.Get a true No. 1 goalie or let the promising Carter Hart come up and play. Change coaches to a more passionate leader. Just don't be stupid and criticize your loyal fans just because you suck.
- Will be fun to see Dallas host- and botch- draft this weekend. Will Foles be traded tonight? Will Mychal Kendricks be dealt? Who will Birds select? Will they trade down and get extra picks? Who will announce the Birds' first pick?
I think they do trade down- may more than once- and grab as many picks as possible. With No. 32, why not trade with a team that needs a quarterback? (the Giants?). Get a high second rounder, a third, and maybe more. After all, it is a first round pick you are trading away.
When the Eagles do pick, will they take a difference-making running back? What about a linebacker or secondary help? Always a need for line help. If there is a surprise, as GM Howie Rossman loves to do on Draft Day, what will it be?
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