Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Phillies are starting to open some eyes across baseball. After a 5-0 homestand, they hit the West Coast in hopes to continue their winning ways. It may not be as easy as it has been over the last week.

The Phillies have won six in a row and are in sole possession of second place. Yes, you can re-read it if you want. And honestly, I do not think this team is overachieving, but that is an article for another day.

As of now, the focus needs to be placed on the next seven games. The first three of which begin on the West Coast against the Los Angeles Dodgers. First, we will take a look back at how that handled the previous roadblocks.

Giancarlo Stanton has not really had much luck recently against the Phillies. However, he was off to a good start in 2017, and I thought he deserved a look as our next opposition roadblock. The Phils handled him once again though. He was 1-7 with a run, a double, and two strikeouts over the two games. Phillies pitchers were able to contain the big righty and their successes enabled a two-game series sweep.

Phils Grade: A+

Edinson Volquez is the type of veteran who I thought could slow the roll of the Phillies offense. And, in ways, he did. They did not have the power surge they had the night previous. Over 5.2 innings, Volquez allowed six hits, four walks, and three runs (two earned). He was effective when he needed to be, but the Phils were able to scratch out enough off the scrappy righty to earn the win. Brock Stassi laced a triple that scored Michael Saunders and would end up being the winning run.

Phils Grade: A