- Disappointing loss to Braves last night, dropping the Phillies back to 1 1/2 games behind Atlanta. Musty win tonight against the braves, Difference in two full games. A Phils' loss leaves them 2 1/2 games in second place; a win leaves the team only 1/2 game behind and has the Phillies finally beating Atlanta in a series. They don't play again until late September. In fact, the teams play the final three games of the season at Citizens Bank Park.
- Quick assessment: Santana- defense sucks. He made his 4th error in four games. A supposed Gold Glove first baseman, Santana has been a disappointment so far. Yes he has hit some homers and is near the lead in team RBIs but he also has a paltry .195 batting average. Plus his signing forced Rhys Hoskins into left field.
Kingery- huge disappointment. Scott hit a ringing double off the left field wall last night but overall has struggled. Maybe his role as utility guy has hurt him at the plate, but he has been the regular shortstop since J.P. Crawford was injured and Kingery still struggles. I was excited when the organization signed him to a 9-year contract and brought him north with the club. Now, looking back 20/20, maybe Kingery did need a little more time at Lehigh Valley. Now, it would be embarrassing to send him down to the minors. You almost have to play him and hope he adjusts.
Franco- lounging a the ball again. Sure, he got two hits last night, and it's great he is trying to hit the ball the opposite way, but it looks like he is trying to pull the ball and is flailing at pitches low and outside. Franco has overall played well this season. He is a streaky player and let's hope he is not getting into bad habits again.
Albies- young second baseman for Atlanta has power ( he is tied with the National League lead in homers at 14 with Bryce Harper).and lightning speed. He will be a thorn in the Phillies' side for years to come.
McCarthy- an average pitcher who happens to be 4-0 this year against the Phils. Luckily they won't see McCarthy until late September.
Hoskins- Needs to take a day off as he continues to struggle at the plate. Is it a sophomore slump? He is 3rd in the NL in strike-outs. That stat says a lot about his woes. Hoskins always seems to be behind in the count. He rarely swings at the first pitch, even a fastball in his wheelhouse. Yet he is also swinging at low and away pitches out of the strike zone. He has been a disappointment. He needs to adjust and hasn't so far. Kapler should take him out of the key No. 2 spot in the batting order, at least until he gets hot.
- Basically, the Phillies beat themselves with their shoddy defense, the pitchers issuing too many walks and the hitters striking out in key situations.
- Tommy Greene on Phillies Post-game Live is no Ricky Bottalico. Greene has no strong opinions and comes across wishy-washy. I'll take Ricky Bo and his honesty any day.
- Tonight is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season. Win and you are still on Atlanta's ass. Lose and the Braves have some breathing room. With Jake Arrieta pitching tonight, at home, I'll take my chances with the Phils.
- The Eagles opened OTAs yesterday and made major news all day:
* The team released linebacker Mychal Kendricks. They save over $ 7 million on the salary cap. His release leaves the club a little thin at linebacker, as new LB Paul Worrilow hurt his knee during work-outs
* A report came out that Cleveland offered the overall No. 35 pick in the NFL draft for QB Nick Foles. Foles turned down the deal. I don't blame him. Who wants to play for the Browns? I wonder who the Birds would've picked in that spot? No, if they do want to trade Foles down the road they can get a better deal.
* Brian Dawkins left the organization. He will remain a consultant but wants to move to Florida and do other things in life. Good for him. I can see Dawk being a General Manager someday.
* Carson Wentz looked great in workouts. Still a long way til Labor Day but is it possible that Wentz may play in the season opener against the Falcons? Seems like Wentz has a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove a point. Hopefully he listens to the doctors and remembers the big picture.
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