- Nice bounce back by the Phillies last night, beating San Diego and going a game up on losing Atlanta in NL East. A win today over the Padres behind Arrieta would give the team a 3-3 road trip before returning home Tuesday to face the mighty Red Sox.
- Aaron Nola earned his 13th win of the season, pitching six shut-out innings. With better run support Nola easily could have 15 or 16 victories and continues to be a strong contender for the Cy Young Award.
- Newcomer Justin Bour is now with the club but did not play last night. He is a Braves-killer and will be a big part of the stretch drive when Philadelphia and Atlanta meet for seven crucial games in late September.
- I feel bad for pitcher Zach Eflin. He has a 8-4 record this season and . for the most part, has been a stud. But he was sent back to Lehigh Valley yesterday to open a spot for Bour on the roster. Eflin will be back on Thursday when he pitches one of the doubleheader games against the Mets. Eflin loses ten days of major league services and pay for the sake of the team. Obviously the organization doesn't want to demoted both Kingery or Crawford, so they will demote pitchers until the September 1 call-ups.
- The Phillies' outfield only has 11 assists so far this season, the lowest in the majors. Weak outfield arms, poor defense. Amazing that the tam is in 1st place on August 12.
- After today the Phils only leave the Eastern Time Zone one time for a four-game set in Colorado late in September.
- I get it that the wildly inconsistent Santana, making $20 million this season, won't sit on the bench in favor of Bour. But Bour should play first base at least two times a week. Santana hasn't gotten the job done and the stretch-run for the playoffs is coming. It would be ideal to unload Santana and his hefty contract in the off-season, so that Bour/ Hoskins can man first base.
- Catcher Wilson Ramos played his first rehab game in Clearwater on Saturday. He will be a major upgrade, both offensively and defensively, over the catching combo of Alfaro/ Knapp. Resigning him in the off-season and allowing Alfaro learn from the experienced, All-Star should be a priority for GM Klentak.
- Picking up one more pitcher for the bullpen would completed the upgrade for the division title. Because the team is in first place it won't be easy to claim an available reliever on waivers.
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