Phillies: Double-edged surprises
By Tal Venada
While the Phillies’ season is brand-new, the first answers are in the offing for roster usage and the numerical-based approach of general manager Matt Klentak.
Consequential revelations:
For the Philadelphia Phillies, the steps from the front office to the dugout are the shortest distance in the majors. But this campaign designed by the GM with his skipper’s input will produce outcomes, good and bad, and some will hopefully be infrequent.
"IN OTHER WORDS: “The future can ever promise but one thing and one thing only: surprises.” – Steven Erikson"
As the franchise welcomes the numerical future, they now have amassed one of the largest analytical departments in the major leagues. But keep in mind, execs point to the success of the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers as proof of their statistical faith: a positive.
Early on, Kapler floated the idea of nine relievers with three alternate hurlers from the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In other words, fresh arms would replace the overused pitchers. The manager’s approach, however, is one without defined bullpen roles — asking for trouble?
Supposedly, three starters won’t face the opposition more than two turns through the lineup: Vince Velasquez, Nick Pivetta, and Ben Lively. Ergo, matchup baseball.
Offensively, the infield is Carlos Santana and competition for playing time between Cesar Hernandez, J.P. Crawford, Maikel Franco and Scott Kingery. And while Rhys Hoskins is the primary outfield regular, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams will share center and right field: Production equals stats for more at-bats.
On the bench, the red pinstripes will frequently employ a left-right combination for pinch-hitting from an outfielder and an infielder, and they’ll have a backup catcher plus one defensive replacement. So, the club with 13 moundsmen, eight regulars, and a reserve backstop has only three other players who can come off the pine.
On a Phillies site, the Opening Day disappointment was basically the only topic of conversation. To illustrate, the faithful were unhappy about Kapler’s decision to take out Aaron Nola in the sixth after only 68 pitches. Nola was dominating the Atlanta Braves, and his early removal will add pressure to the other starters.