Phillies: Expected improvements
By Tal Venada
Being over .500 is a good start for the Phillies on their way to compete for the second National League Wild Card for 2018 because the inexperienced Phils don’t lack talent, energy and motivation.
Anticipated rebounds:
For the Philadelphia Phillies and 29 other MLB franchises in April, players at the extremes put up unsustainable numbers or are slow starters. Cold weather? Well, Carlos Santana has seven consecutive 162s with warm-climate success: hitting season.
"IN OTHER WORDS: “You are a success when you have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and are optimistic about your future.” – Zig Ziglar"
Like 2017, some regulars struggled in April, but the faithful have remedies: Trade them, bench them, or designate them for assignment. But the beauty of this annual ritual is only the names change.
A favorite here is the released journeyman who immediately produces for another organization. As for this campaign, the “award” goes to Ryan Flaherty: He had hit .351 in spring training and was batting .365 on April 18. But he averaged .254 for April, and the Atlanta Braves now have Jose Bautista at the hot corner.
In the right-on-schedule column, Cesar Hernandez had two consecutive .294 summers, and the underrated second sacker is currently at .273 with a .394 OBP. Additionally, he is cementing his reputation as a solid leadoff man.
The boobirds have 60 million reasons to criticize Santana. But if you remember the first baseman of the 2008 team, he was also notorious for his poor performances in chilly April. May forecast: slightly cloudy with frequent periods of sunshine.
Unlike a fan, a baseball man realizes the factors for hot and cold spells: the player’s history, the weather, and streaks to name three. To illustrate, Aaron Altherr is averaging .209 with four homers and 19 RBIs but is batting .326 with two bombs and 10 RBIs in his last 43 of 91 total at-bats. So, what did his first 48 ABs prove?
On the other hand, Rhys Hoskins has a .274 mark with five home runs and 23 RBIs but is averaging .119 with one long ball and three RBIs in his last 34 of 112 total at-bats. A manager must balance recent performance with getting a regular producing. Hitters are streaky!