Phillies Begin Final Road Trip in Atlanta
By Matt Veasey
Sep 6, 2015; Boston, MA, USA;
With Braves starting a trio of righties, Rule 5 rookie Herrera could be a key for Phils.
(Photo Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
SERIES KEYS
Just lose, baby! – legendary Oakland Raiders owner/coach Al Davis famously coined the “Just win, baby!” saying that has been co-opted in regards to the idea that, in pro sports in particular, it doesn’t matter how you do it, you just need to win the game. Well perhaps for the first time in my entire life, I can honestly say that I am not actively rooting for the Phillies to win.
Unlike some, I am not on board with the idea that there is nothing to play for on a positive note. With their three current best starting pitchers going, all of them rookies, getting wins behind solid performances from those pitchers will do a great deal for both the players and the team’s psyche as the 2015 campaign winds down. But there is a great deal to be said for controlling the 2016 MLB Draft top overall pick. Losing this series would go a long way towards securing that slot.
Get to the Braves rookie arms – okay, so you actually want to WIN these games? Well then, getting to both Perez and Weber in the first two games may be the best shot. These are two inexperienced arms, and the Phillies need to find a way to score and put pressure on each of them. Of course, the Phillies hitters are largely inexperienced as well, so that could prove a wash. All three are righthanders, so this would be a spot for Cody Asche and Odubel Herrera to come up big.
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