Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies’ Race with Miami for Third Place

By Tal Venada

Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) reacts with center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) and right fielder Aaron Altherr (23) after hitting a walk off game winning RBI single in the twelfth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the twelfth inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) reacts with center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) and right fielder Aaron Altherr (23) after hitting a walk off game winning RBI single in the twelfth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-4 in the twelfth inning. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Fans Will Be Expecting More Walk-Off Hits This Year from Franco. Photo by Bill Streicher - USA TODAY Sports.
Fans Will Be Expecting More Clutch Hits This Year from Franco. Photo by Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports. /

Leaning on the dugout railing in late April, Buchholz and pitching coach Bob McClure will be watching Giancarlo Stanton during batting practice. And as he bashes the ball to Ashburn Alley, they’ll discuss his weaknesses: striking out with regularity and not completely controlling his emotions. And if they spot even the smallest detail on the field, they’ll make a mental note for future reference. Meanwhile, Stanton will be paying close attention to Buchholz as well.

"IN OTHER WORDS:     “You have to be confident, but there are no easy at bats. There are no lay ups; there is no wide open pass. There is a guy on the mound who is trying to feed his family.” – Giancarlo Stanton"

Stanton had 27 homers in each of the last two summers, but he only played in 193 of 324 games due to injuries. Also, he missed time and struggled in 2017’s second half, which is why the Fish scored only two more runs than the Phils after the All-Star break. In other words, the Marlins are one extended absence away from the basement of the NL East. And keep in mind, Miami made no major changes to their offense during the offseason. However, they will be able to play left-side hitter Justin Bour in every contest against the Phillies and their right-handed rotation: Bour saw only limited action against lefties last season.

Runs:

  • First Half: Phillies: 328 (14th). Marlins: 371 (11th). Braves: 307 (15th).
  • Second Half: Phillies: 282 (15th). Marlins: 284 (14th). Braves: 342 (5th).

Hitters:

  • Kendrick: 543 PA, a .255 Avg., 8 HR, 40 RBI, a .691 OPS and a 0.9 fWAR.
  • Saunders: 558 PA, a .253 Avg., 24 HR, 57 RBI, an .815 OPS and a 1.4 fWAR.

Behind the batting cage, Matt Stairs, the new hitting coach, will study Maikel Franco’s swing and watch the ball flying over the right-field fence. Stairs will be preaching to hit to the opposite field, which will force the opposition to work the young slugger differently. Yes, coach will remind him every day between practice cuts in the cage and during film-watching sessions before the game. Don’t pull everything!

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