- The Phillies had been playing so well recently, they were due for a clunker. hopefully they got it all out of the way with a 12-4 defeat in St. Louis last night. The team played a sloppy, ugly game, filled with errors, mental miscues and bad luck. Jake Arrieta went three innings and dropped to 3-2 on the season. Arrieta had pitched very well his last two starts, with Hector Neris blowing saves each time.
With the loss, the Phils dropped to 25-17 but stayed in second place in NL East, 1/2 game behind Atlanta. They have the third best record in the National league, on pace to win 97 games. After Sunday's final game in St. Louis, the team comes home to face the Braves in a big three-game series. The Phils need to play well, as they won't play Atlanta again until September.
- Pedro Florimon was the Phillies' MVP in the defeat. Florimon hit a home run and also pitched a scoreless/hitless inning late in the game.
- Scott Kingery continues to struggle. He made a key error during the Cardinals' 4-run 3rd inning. Should he be sent down to Lehigh Valley to clear his head, especially when J.P. Crawford returns soon?
- Another crucial player is scuffling too, yet the Phillies are shining brightly. Rhys Hoskins has fewer home runs (5) than Cesar Hernandez (6). He strikes out too much. He doesn't seem to be as patient as last summer. Imagine this offense when Hoskins gets hot?
- Zach Eflin goes this afternoon against the Cards, with Aaron Nola pitching the finale on Sunday. Looks like Pivetta, Valasquez and Arrieta start the big Atlamta series.
- Odubul Herrera continues to play like a superstar. He has now reached base in 44 consecutive games. I used to dislike his hot dog style- flipping the bat, his antics in the field and on the base paths. But, maybe because he is playing so great, I like him. At least he has some personality. This current Phillies team is a nice collection of good guys, but they are boring in interviews and in their commercials.Never know what Herrera will say or do. Sometimes to can't keep your eyes off him. After watching the 1993 highlights during the rain delay last night, and remembering the colorful characters such as John Kruk, Darren Daulton and Lenny Dykstra, it got me to thinking how much fun they were to watch- on and off the field. Sports is meant to be entertaining, and Herrera certainly is entertaining. He may be painful to watch sometimes but you can never take your eyes off hum.
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