- After sweeping the Braves this weekend, the Phillies are the only undefeated team in baseball at 3-0. They send Atlanta home 0-3, and even though it's only April, getting a lead on the defending National League East champs is big.
- What an exciting summer it will be! The Phillies are winning and they're not boring anymore. They are blasting home runs and putting the ball in play. Their defense is vastly improved. The starting pitching, other than Aaron Nola, has been somewhat shaky but the hitting has overcome any pitching mistakes so far.
- The weekend series showed a continued flaw in the Braves- their bullpen.Their young starters may eventually blossom into something great ( like the Glavine, Smoltz days) but for now they will struggle until they get their feet wet. Walks also killed Atlanta, and after Rhys Hoskins was hit by a pitch ( after another long Bryce Harper home run),the summer with Atlanta should be interesting. The Phillies can't forget that beaning, and I'm sure they will seek to exact revenge the next time the two teams meet (June 14-16 in Atlanta).
- Even on a frosty night 41,000 fans packed Citizens Bank Park on Sunday night. The fans watching on ESPN had to endure their awful announcing crew. For a major sports network, they sure have terrible play-by-play and color people. Not only is Alex Rodriguez out of touch, but Jessica Mendoza doesn't have a clue ( about baseball or cheesesteaks).
-With this lineup you have the feeling that Phillies ar never out of a game. So far, 3-0 has been their biggest deficit. I like the fact that Manager Gabe Kapler is not totally managing like he is in the American League, waiting for three-run homers. Kapler has been aggressive on the base paths, as well as using the hit-and-run and moving runners along. Keeping the other team on their toes and putting pressure on the opposition is key.
- Odubel Herrera will never get a clue. After loading the bases with walks in the first inning, Braves' rookie starter Kyle Wright was set to implode. His first big league game and already in first inning trouble. Would he crack? Up steps Herrera. Instead of taking at least one pitch tpo see if Wrights' wildness continues, crazy Odulbal stupidly and wildly swings at the first pitch, a ball in the dirt no less. Then he takes a called second strike which was right over the plate. The at-bat screamed strike out, and, sure enough, Herrera went down on strikes.
Herrera continues to make dumb mistakes, both mentally and physically. He will never be loved in Philly. He should've been traded during the off-season and may still be dealt in July. It's a shame that center fielder Roman Quinn can't stay healthy enough to replace Herrera. Quinn would bring speed and energy to the lineup. Aaron Altherr can play center field if needed. It will be interesting to see how far Kapler sticks with Herrera if he doesn't hit and keeps making bone-headed mistakes. All it would take is an episode of laziness, not hustling for the fans to turn on him.
- I get my first real taste of this new Phillies club and improved Citizens Bank Park this Sunday vs the Twins. With only two road games ( against Washington) coming up this week, home games with Minnesota and Washington, along with a short weekend trek to Miami should get the Phils off to a fast start. Building a lead should snowball the momentum and love for this team before the schedule gets tougher and the weather gets warmer.
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