The 2018 Phillies’ Whiz Kids

In ’49, the Brooklyn Dodgers were first with 97 wins, and the St. Louis Cardinals had a second-place campaign with 96 victories. But before they finished behind those two, the 1948 Philadelphia Phillies were sixth with a 66-88 record.

"IN OTHER WORDS:     “Being optimistic is like a muscle that gets stronger with use. Makes it easier when the tough times arrive. You have to change the way you think in order to change the way you feel.” –  Robin Roberts"

By comparison, the 2016 Phils were fourth at 71-91, the Washington Nationals had 96 wins, and the New York Mets notched 87. However, Washington defers some contract money because their TV rights dispute with the Baltimore Orioles over territorial issues affects them dollar-wise, which means they have difficulty keeping deadline acquisitions and signing free agents. On the other hand, New York (NL) continues having fireballers with arm problems, and their medical staff – in my opinion – has communication issues because their business end doesn’t want to lose attendance revenue due to an injured star. Money talks.

In Roberts’ day, starters learned how to pitch, to set up hitters, and to rely on their defense. They paced themselves to go nine innings or more for complete games. Now, unfortunately, max-effort hurlers with elbow surgeries are commonplace. But while each projected member of the Mets’ five-man staff has been on the DL, the locals aside from Aaron Nola have been healthy: Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, Jake Thompson, Nick Pivetta and Ben Lively. Meanwhile, Velasquez is becoming a pitcher.