What a three-game series in Atlanta this week! The Phillies win the opener, 2-0, behind a dominating pitching performance by Aaron Nola and Hector Neris. The team moves to within 4 1/2 games of the NL East division leading Braves.
Game 2 went to Atlanta, as the Phillies could not solve the young Atlanta hurler who has an ERA over 8.00 going into the game. Nick Pivetta imploded after the Phils clawed back to only one run behind the braves. Pivetta again raises questions if he is a legitimate major league pitcher. Series tied at 1-1 and Atlanta goes up 5 1/2 games.
Last night the Phillies score 4 runs in the first inning, jumping on the first pitch by Braves sensational pitching rookie, Mike Siroka ( who is now 10-1 in his rookie season, and was named to the National League All-Star squad). But then starter Zach Eflin, who has been the most consistent of the Phillies' young hurlers ( other than Nola) proceeded to implode as well, and suddenly the young braves sored the next 9 runs en route to a frustrating 12-6 Phillies loss.
The Phils dropped to 6 1/2 games, but also dropped into third place behind the surging Washington nationals.
The first half wraps up with a weekend series with the Mets in New York. Revenge will be on the mind of the Mets, who were swept four games in Philadelphia last week. The Phillies missed both Jacob deGrome and Noah Synddergard in Philly. No such luck this time as the pair go Friday and Saturday nights against the Phils.
As the team limps into the break, someone needs to take the blame for their second collapse under Manager Gabe Kapler. Kapler may be fired at the end of the season but not now. Changing managers in mid-stream just isn't the Phillies' way of doing things. The players need a fresh voice, someone who isn't all positive, someone who will hold the players accountable.
GM Matt Klentek needs to be fired after the season. He has done a horrible job getitng reinforcements. The farm system is a disaster. Just compare the Phillies' organization with the braves and see how the Phillies pale in comparision.
Start with firing the pitching and hitting coaches. It may help a bit. Sadly, the Phillies are teaching their young prospects in the minors all about "launch-angle" nonsense, so it's an organizational flaw, not just in Philadelphia.
They let go of a fine pitching coach last season, who got the best out of Nola, and who is now guiding the Atlanta young staff, in favor of Chris Young, an obviously inept guy. The Phillies pitching staff are on a pace to give up the most home runs ever in the major league. Not just a team record but a baseball record.
Why is everyone of their young pitchers going bad? No improvement, no progress, in fact these guys are digressing.
Both the hitters and pitchers are being given too much information . They are thinking too much instead of just reacting.
If the team doesn't hit home runs they don't win. They can't play small ball or move runner son the bases, although they did just that in the first inning last night, scoring four runs before changing their plan of action for some reason.
So, they give up too many homers and don't hit enough. Simple.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a change of coaches over the break, but Kapler has said he won't change coaches now and will evaluate after the season.
As the Phils continue to slide will Klentek make any major moves on the trade front? They don't have the farm system to gut and should not give up prospects like Alex Bohn or Adam Heasley. In fact, I'm starting to have doubts on the J.T. Realmuto trade. Jorge Alfaro still has his defensive problems at catcher but is hitting well with power. And the Phillies' top pitching prospect, Sixto Sanchez, is playing in the futures Game this weekend.
This team was built to win in 2019. Why else trade for Realmuto? For the front office to say this was still a rebuilding year would be stupid and a lie. The truth is, the players have underperformed and the coaches and front office have failed the players and the fans.
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