Kapler makes questionable decisions
This was the first time Gabe Kapler has managed a major-league game. He is quite different than any other manager the Phillies have had, with his own philosophies and strategies. After today’s game, he has some questions to answer.
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Leaving Odubel Herrera out of the lineup was certainly a surprise. His career numbers against Julio Teheran were just 5-for-27, but Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams were just 2-for-16 and 2-for-10 in their career. Williams and Altherr went a combined 1-for-7 today. Considering how Herrera has played the last three years, it was certainly a surprise.
It then continued with pulling Nola. He was shutting down the Braves and looked on his way to a tremendous start to open the season. Instead, Nola came out in favor of Milner to face Freeman. Kapler is expected to lean on his bullpen heavily this year, and he did so today. That decision burned him as it may be the main reason why they lost.
Despite all the things that went wrong, Kapler remains confident that his decision-making strategy will pan out in the end:
Gabe Kapler: Look, tonight, the decisions didn’t work out in our favor. But I’m very confident that over a long period of time that they will.
— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) March 30, 2018