The Phillies’ Decent Reality

Heading into the second month of the campaign, the team playing as one unit with a never-quit attitude has overcome obstacles that would have stopped the 2016 Philadelphia Phillies.

May’s Time Capsule:

When you successfully negotiate one hurdle, the next one is waiting for you even if it’s tomorrow, not today.

Despite a new month, Double D, a poster from another site, has complained about the disappointments so far. And some of his friends there believe Tommy Joseph and Cameron Rupp have let them down, and they wrote that replacements are a no-brainer because those players are reserves here or regulars for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Well, Double D, so was the outfielder who whacked 12 May homers in 2013. Remember, fans had previously demanded Brown’s promotion too.

In the rotation, Jeremy Hellickson, Jerad Eickhoff and Vince Velasquez will provide four or five good starts each, while Aaron Nola is a wild card health-wise. On the other hand, Hellickson either had a spectacular April – 4-0, 1.80 ERA – or he’s becoming an ace. Any guesses on his May? Meanwhile, Zach Eflin will be an improvement over the injured veteran he replaced, and he’ll cement the bottom slot of the five-man staff.

Double D also questioned why Hector Neris doesn’t pitch the toughest inning. Well, the seventh frame is too early to employ the bullpen stud because an opponent can bring five men to the plate and change the dynamics in the final innings. But while the skipper sees a more difficult eighth at times, he doesn’t want one reliever getting only hard saves and the other having the easier ones. In other words, Neris and Joaquin Benoit will have some of both and succeed when they have their stuff. Yes, the relief corps will have its ups and downs in May, but the results will be much more positive than negative.

WHAT TO EXPECT: 11/23/16: REVISITED     

• The second slot in the rotation will be Eickhoff in April. 
• The fifth starter in April will be Eflin.  
• Appel will have an excellent April at Triple-A. 
• (All expectations are barring injury, trade and/or any unforeseen events.)    

WHAT TO EXPECT: 3/31/17  

• Gomez will still be the closer on May 1. 

Right:

On April 5, Eickhoff slotted second behind Hellickson at the front of the rotation.

Toss-up:

Both recovery from knee surgery and the Buchholz trade stopped Eflin from making the club for Opening Day.

However, the veteran is on the 60-day disabled list and Eflin is the fifth starter.

Wrong:  

Despite an excellent spring, Gomez’s poor outings in early April led to his current status after being on a short leash.

Without his one disastrous appearance, Appel had a 4.30 ERA for his other three opportunities.