That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies Opposition Roadblock: St. Louis Cardinals

By Mike Azzalina

Jun 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) leans on the outfield wall after watching a solo home run by Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Reymond Fuentes (not pictured) during the tenth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies 5-4 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) leans on the outfield wall after watching a solo home run by Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Reymond Fuentes (not pictured) during the tenth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies 5-4 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Jun 14, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) hits a one run double off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Matt Garza (not pictured) during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) hits a one run double off of Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Matt Garza (not pictured) during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

The Position Player: Matt Carpenter

I think I am going to take Matt Carpenter this time around in Philly. As I mentioned above, he is one of the players who has started to get hot over the last week. His ten hits over the last seven days are only behind those of Fowler, but are still extremely impressive and noteworthy.

Carpenter’s recent hot streak has elevated his average to .246 for the season. However, it is his on-base skills that have my attention. He currently holds a .377 on-base percentage with 45 walks through 64 games. The first baseman has also slugged his way to a .482 mark thus far. Both of these marks are aligned to his career numbers.

More from That Balls Outta Here

His power numbers have declined since his 2015 power surge. He hit 28 during that season before last season’s 21-homer output. This season, he has knocked 13 to this point, which has him on pace to possibly break his career high.

The TCU grad has three hits against Jeremy Hellickson, one against Aaron Nola, and none against Nick Pivetta (but did strike out twice against him). At Citizen’s Bank Park, Carpenter has played in 15 games. In those appearances, he has been quite pedestrian (.250/.373/.354 with only one homer).

What I did find interesting about the three-time All-Star was his numbers with runners in scoring position. Over his career, he has slashed an extremely impressive .309/.411/.497 with 16 bombs. In 2017, he is hitting .275/.458/.575 in those opportunities. He continues to be productive in that area, but hits leadoff for the current Cards with less opportunities to do so.

In order to get the lefty out, pitches have to be in the strike zone. He does not chase. And if they are going to be in the zone, they have to be well-located pitches. Fastballs on the outer part of the plate are a danger zone to Carpenter. He has such strong plate coverage that he can reach out and get fastballs off the outer edge as well. Right-handers have been able to get him with breaking balls more often when they are located down and in rather than out over the plate.

With Carpenter red hot, the Cards are more dangerous than they were about a week ago. The Phillies are hopeful that they are able to cool him off once again.

Home/Phillies News