Phillies split short 2-game series vs Toronto, still sit atop NL East
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
There’s a tale of 2 games and then there was this series. In one game the Phillies put up 8 ER against baseball’s top pitcher, the next they scored just 3 in what was a pitcher’s duel for a while.
We saw ejections, more good pitching, and Kody freaking Clemens.
“It’s The Schedule”
A common narrative around this team has been that they are simply feasting off an easy schedule. And while yes, the Phillies have been fortunate to play some lackluster teams early in the season, the team being this good is no stroke of luck. This was proven when Jose Berrios, who came into game 1 of the series leading the MLB in ERA, allowed 8 ER in just 3.2 IP. That’s not the schedule, that’s elite.
This isn’t the first time this has happened either! Not long ago the Phillies dropped 4 ER in 4 IP against another elite pitcher, Logan Webb.
The point? You should be sick of the media trying to put an asterisk on the Phillies’ success. Do even a little bit of research, and you’ll see immediately that saying this team is feasting off their schedule, couldn’t be further from the truth.
How ’bout Kody Clemens?
With Trea Turner out around 6 weeks, the Phillies were going to need some help off the bench. The 3 guys who are being called upon to help fill a Trea Turner-sized hole is Edmundo Sosa, Whit Merrifield, and Kody Clemens. Kody Clemens stole the show Tuesday, going 2-4, with 1 HR, and 4 RBIs.
This coincides with Whit Merrifield getting hot, and Edmundo Sosa having a great year off the bench. What just a week ago looked like it could be a major setback for 6 weeks, maybe more now looks like a problem solved as much as it can be without your All-Star shortstop.
Second Coming of The Four Aces?
Alright, I might be a little ahead of myself, but the pitching has been nothing short of elite for the Phillies early in the season. Cristopher Sanchez made his case to stay in the rotation Tuesday night, going 7 innings and allowing just 1 run. The FOURTH pitcher in the Phillies rotation has a 3.22 ERA.
Aaron Nola got the nod in the second game and all in all, was solid. For a while. Went 5 innings with just 1 ER, but was probably left in way too long. His final line was 5.2 IP with 4 ER. Whether this was Nola struggling or Rob Thomson waiting too long to go to the bullpen is really up to you, but nonetheless, Nola sits at a 3.67 ERA, so still a great start to the year for the veteran arm.
The sky is still the limit
The Phillies still get 3 more, extremely winnable series in a row before getting the defending champion Rangers. Coming up next is a trip to Miami, then a trip to New York to face the Mets, then a drive home to play the Mets 2 more times, and then a home series against the Nationals, who have proven to be one of the more fun young teams early in the year. After these easy stretches the schedule balances out before an absolute gauntlet before the All-Star break. From July 2nd to July 11th it’s at Chicago (22-16), at Atlanta (21-12), and then home against the Dodgers (26-13).
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