Simply put, the Atlanta braves are better than the Phillies. The Braves, with young stars and a deep farm system, may be better than the Phils for a long time. It was a pipe dream to believe the Phillies might sweep Atlanta this weekend. Playing three games at Citizens Bank Park, behind Atlanta by 5 1/2 games, it was important to get off to a good start.
The match-up didn't favor Philadelphia: sore-armed Jake Arrieta vs young All-Star Mike Soroka. The Phils needed to play good, mistake-free baseball. Beginning in the very first inning, they choked.
Shortstop Jean Segura failed to execute a swipe tag on potential base-stealer Ronald Acuna Jr. Acuna Jr, was called safe and he soon scored on a Freddie Freeman hit. 1-0 Braves, a score that should not have been.
More mistakes, more lackadaisical play. Cesar Hernandez, a slacker all season, failed to go after a ball which trickled into center field after he booted a sharp grounder, allowed another Atlanta run. Arrita could only go four innings before he completely lost it, surrendering four runs to Atlanta in the 5th inning.
It tells you much about the Phillies' poor farm system and the ineptitude of General Manager Matt Klentek when the team settles for an "80%" Arrieta opposed to another pitcher on the staff or in the minors, he "being our best option", per Manager Gabe Kapler.
Kapler then brings in Cole Irvin, who promptly walks two batters with the bases loaded and also gives up four runs. Not only does Kapler keep him in too long, wanting to "save" his bullpen for the rest of the series ( even though the club had a day off on Thursday, with another day off this Monday) Worse, he allowed Irvin to bat in the bottom of the 6th inning with two men on base and the Phils down 9-1.
Maybe the goofy analytics said the win probability was not good. But Kapler sent a message of giving up to the team, and the fans- with four innings to do. Imagine sitting in the stands Friday night, not only down 8 runs, but knowing the team was waving the white flag?
Maybe the manager is taking on the attitude of the team president, who has the view of "If we don't, we don't" when it comes to making the playoffs this year.
The loyal fans, after signing free agents like Bryce Harper, were excited that this would be the season the club wins the NL East and moves on to the post-season. And after getting out of the gate with a three-game sweep of the Braves, and holding down 1st place until after Memorial Day, most fans dreamed that this was finally the year of contention.
How can the Phillies sleep-walk through the first game of the most important series of the season/ No spark, no life, no excitement, no enthusiasm. Robots. The players took on the persona of the analytical manager and general manager.
The Phillies can win tonight behind Zach Eflin, and tomorrow behind Aaron Nola, take 2 of 3 and end the weekend only down 4 1/2 games and still be in the hunt. Anything less would be a failure and a huge disappointment.
Losing this weekend may mean that Klentek does little before the upcoming trade deadline on Wednesday. Why trade a prospect or two ( what prospects?) to improve the team now? It's almost as if the team is losing to satisfy the front offices' desire to keep rebuilding.
Odd, since the owner decided to go for it before the season by signing Harper and trading for Realmuto. Where is John Middleton now?
One thing that must be done after the season, no matter what happens this summer, is either a change of coaches ( namely the pitching coach and hitting coach) or a complete restructure of philosophy in the organization.
Stop with silly nonsense like "launch-angle_ and "exit velocity." So far that crap is not working.
Unless Klentek and Kapler re-evaluate their analytics, they should be out of jobs soon. Sadly, it seems like Middleton has bought into the analytics and seems reluctant to make changes.
I'll be a the ballpark tonight for Game 2 of this huge series. It will be Photo Night when the team wears the God-awful Burgundy uniforms of the 1970s. Hopefully the game will be more entertaining then the pre-game activity.
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