Phillies Mid Season Report- Guest Hitters Count
Best Team in Baseball
This teammmmmmmmm!!!!!!
The Phillies enter the All Star Break as the best team in baseball. The 1st half has had his
share of everything, except losing. The most complete team in baseball has been able to
overcome injuries and questions in the bullpen to cruise to a 62-34 record with the largest
divisional lead in baseball.
You can never have enough pitching… the takeaway from the 1st half of the Phillies season for
myself. Zach Wheeler (Currently sitting on the board of directors for Bald Men United) has
provided his typical ace performance. Aaron Nola has been a reliable fixture in the rotation and
has not missed a start since 2017. He has 11 wins on the season. The real stars of the first half
have been Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchise who have been outstanding with sub 3.00
eras. No team in baseball boasts a rotation with this much depth.
The lineup is the most well rounded in all of baseball. If you continue to cry about Johan Rojas
and his .220 average you should probably watch his defense a little more closely and get bent.
The Phillies have been able to overcome the struggles of Castellanos and Stott, the inability of
Brandon Marsh to hit LH pitching, and Trea Turner missing 6 weeks to rank 4th in Runs, 4th in
steals, and 6th in home runs. Despite many Phillies fans lamenting the loss of franchise legend
Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper has played a better 1st base and has continued to show his MVP
form at the plate.
The greatest surprise strength of the season has been the depth and performance of the
bullpen. Jeff Hoffman and Matt Straham (Kruk calls him everyday Matty and he really doesnt do
it that often) are All Stars. Jose Alvarado, Gregory Soto, and Orion Kerkering have been solid
and even Seranthony, The Italian Fella, has put it together at times.
Now to hand out a few awards for the 1st half….
The “Architect award”- Matt Klentak. Thanks for spending daddy’s money on Bryce Harper
hehe. Just kidding. You got Wheels, thank you. The award goes to Dave Dombrowski who has
put together this dominant squad by using their own home grown talent (Yes I know Klentak did
acquire a few players) like Nola, Ranger, Stott, Bohm but more importantly finding gems that
were cast off from other organizations. Jose Alvarado, Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman, Edmundo
Sosa (remember JoJo Romero?) Christopher Sanchez and Brandon Marsh. The Phillies roster
is the deepest in baseball and that is why they have the best record. Thanks for the memories
Klentak!!!!
The “Surprise of the year award”- Christopher Sanchise. Last fall the Phillies were terrified to
use any starter outside of Wheeler, Nola, and Ranger in the playoffs. Christopher Sanchez has
become an all star as the 4th starter on the Phillies. As the top 3 starters will most likely remain
the same in the playoffs. Sanchez and his ability to throw ground balls will be a key weapon in
the playoffs facing lefties such as Ohtani Son, Freeman, Olson, and Yelich.
The “I still know everything about baseball but I was wrong award”- Kyle Schwarber.
.249/.376/.455 slash line with 19 homers and 54 RBI’s. I doubted Topper for continuing to bat
him leadoff but I dont think you can argue against production at this point. Hes not quite the
catalyst Jimmy Rollins was for the 2008 Phillies but his ability to grind a pitcher from the 1st
pitch makes the whole lineup better.
The “Wont see him No Mo award”- Whit Merrifield. Guy stinks. Go enjoy retirement, I hope the
Phils dont give him a World Series ring.
As we approach the trade deadline the biggest need for the Phillies is a Right Handed bat that
can play LF. Brandon Marsh has not been able to become an everyday player hitting just .143
vs Left Handers. Marsh had 5 home runs and 15 rbis in April. Since then just 3 home runs and
18 RBIs total. Brent Rooker, Taylor Ward, Luis Robert, Lane Thomas have been mentioned
among others. My 2 favorites of the group would be Ward and Thomas because of their ability
to hit left handed pitching. With JT Realmuto and Nick Castellanos declining it is the perfect time
to add another offensive weapon with club control.
You cannot build a perfect team for the playoffs in baseball as in other sports. You can always
run into a hot bullpen like last year vs the Arizona Diamondbacks but this Phils team is loaded.
As you look forward to the playoffs, I cannot envision a scenario where you do not run into the
hated Braves in the NLDS. The difference between this year and last is that you will be able to
lineup your starters in Games 1-2-3 and have a fully rested bullpen. The Braves will be without
all world players Ronald Acuna and Spencer Strider but will still have enough to give you
problems with Max Fried, Chris Sale, and Alex Riley.
So where will this team end up?? I believe The Phillies will beat the Baltimore Orioles in the
world series 3-2. Aaron Nola will be the World Series MVP and lead the parade down Broad
Street with Cole Hamels right next to him!!!
