- Give the Phillies credit. They are now 25-16, 9 games over .500 for the first time since 2001, and only 1/2 game behind Atlanta in National League East. Gotta give new manager Gabe Kapler credit for some of this success, but you also can't ignore the fact he has made stupid moves all season.
After a rocky first week of the season, where there were calls for his firing, Kapler has settled down somewhat. He still uses analytics but doesn't make bold, crazy, drastic, head-scratching moves like early in the year. Until Wednesday in Baltimore.
After Kapler mysteriously removed Ramos form the game with 2 out sin the 9th inning, and after Ramos easily struck-out the only two Orioles he faced, the struggling Hector Neris was put into the game to get the final out and the save. He did, getting the save as well, kinda stealing it away from Ramos, who did all the heavy lifting. Camden Yards was pretty empty by that time, with the visiting Phillies up 4-1 over Baltimore. The majority of the fans remaining were Phillies fans. When Kapler made his dumb move the Philly fans lustily booed his ass, rightfully so.
Some have wondered, because the team is winning, if Kapler deserved to be booed. Bandwagon jumpers, like the caller Levi on WIP Sports Radio, don't think Kapler did anything wrong. If Neris would've blown the save in Baltimore Kapler would've been killed with criticism. Instead he is praised by certain clueless fans.
No, Kapler mad e a stupid move. I don't trust him. I'm afraid he will revert back to the Kapler of old in big games. Just when I was starting to trust the guy he makes a questionable move to shake my confidence in him again.
The Phillies won in the 70s despite Danny Ozark, and again in the 2000s despite Charlie Manual. This talented group of young Phillies can win games on their own. I just don't want Kapler to lose games for them.
- Look where the Phillies are now. All this success without key young guys like Hoskins and Kingery playing well. Is is because they haven't adjusted to the National League pitchers? Or does it have something to do with each playing positions in the field which are not their familiar spots in the field?
- Odubal Herrera continues to play like a bona fide all-star, on-base now 43 consecutive games. And to think he was benched the first game of the season! If he continues to play hard and hustle, he may actually erase all the negative feelings about his style in the past and become a fan favorite in the future. Speaking better English will also help endear him to fans.
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