Five takeaways from Phillies opening series against Braves

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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 32: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a first inning single to knock in a run against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on March 31, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

While the opening series did not go as planned for the Philadelphia Phillies there season is far from over. What can we take away from these games?

Well, that did not go well. What is one of the most anticipated seasons in recent years for the Philadelphia Phillies did not start off too well. It started perfectly before horrific managing led to eight unanswered runs by the Atlanta Braves to win game one 8-5. A big game by Carlos Santana and a clutch challenge resulted in a 5-4 extra-inning victory. Then, the Braves proceeded to trample the Phillies, outscoring their season total in one game by a score of 15-2.

While the series did go poorly and there are plenty of bad takeaways, there are some good ones too as we move forward into the 2018 season. Here are five takeaways from series one of the 2018 season.

Gabe Kapler’s Managerial Style

Probably the biggest thing Phillies fans are looking at is how Gabe Kapler is managing this club. Kapler got criticism before the first game even started when he opted to leave star center fielder Odubel Herrera out of the Opening Day lineup. He claimed the decision was based on matchups, something that would not really matter as Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams would combine to go 1-7 with three strikeouts.

Then, in a 5-0 game, he decided to pull a cruising Aaron Nola after only 5.1 innings. He handed the ball to an injured bullpen which allowed seven runs in just three and a third to blow an Opening Day lead.

Kapler set a record for his number of pitchers used in the first two games of the season. The Phillies have already used 21 pitchers in their first three games. It appears to that Kapler will manage all 162 games as if it was game seven of the World Series. It seems nearly impossible that Kapler can continue this style over a season-long span. If he chooses to try, his tenure in Philly could be a lot shorter than expected.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 25: Starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff #48 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park on August 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Jerad Eickhoff and Jake Arrieta desperately needed

Coming into the season we knew starting pitching would be the team’s primary struggle. It showed in the last two games of the series. Nick Pivetta (4 IP 3 ER 5 H 2 BB) and Vince Velasquez (2.2 IP 7 R 4 ER 9 H 2 BB) both failed to surpass five innings.

Interestingly, this was Vince Velasquez’s 40th career start. He has failed to go past five innings 20 times. Many have suggested a bullpen move for Velasquez. If he continues to perform the way he has over the past two years the switch could be coming.

Jake Arrieta is set to make his debut April 8 against the Miami Marlins. Meanwhile, Eickhoff is still out for over a month. The Phillies desperately need pitching if they expect to be in any type of contention as they year progresses.

MIAMI, FL – JULY 09: Scott Kingery #25 of the Philadelphia Phillies and the U.S. Team swings at a pitch against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Marlins Park on July 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Scott Kingery is living up to the hype

It was expected that Kingery would start the year off in the minors so the Phillies would gain more years of control over the second base prospect. Instead, after a phenomenal spring training, general manager Matt Klentak decided to lock up Kingery, signing him to a contract extension and assigning him to the major-league roster.

After not starting Opening Day and questionably not pinch-hitting, Kingery made his debut Friday at third base. Batting sixth he succeeded immediately He went 2-5 and would have had a stolen base if not for a questionable decision calling it a wild pitch followed by an error allowing Kingery to advance to third.

Playing shortstop and left field in career game two, Kingery went two-for-four. His Rookie of the Year campaign has started off well. The question will now be how Kapler fits him into the lineup every day. Based on his first three games Kapler might decide to put Kingery in as a pitcher since all batters hit .000 off him.

ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 29: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on March 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Aaron Nola and Rhys Hoskins are thriving

It was unsure how the two cornerstone pieces of the franchise would play in 2018. Some thought 2017 was a fluke for the two young stars and that Rhys Hoskins could not maintain his success over a year-long span. So far so good.

This could still be a wild-card team

Don’t give up just yet. Yes, these games looked very unconvincing but the potential is still there. If Kapler does not attempt to prove he is the smartest man in the room in game one the Phillies would be 2-1.

More from That Balls Outta Here

Every series prior to a loaded June will be crucial for this team to get above .500. This upcoming series against the Mets will be important and if they can win the series we could be looking at a 5-3 team welcoming one of the top Pitchers in baseball one week from today. The offense has looked solid and the pitching staff has been slammed with injuries. Once Arrieta, Eickhoff, Neshek and Hunter return this could be poised for a playoff push.

Yes, the season did not start well. Yes, Kapler looks unprepared. Yes, it looks like Aaron Nola and four guys who can hopefully try to eat up five innings. But don’t forget. It’s been three games. We still have 159 games to get 84-86 more wins, which could be enough for a Wild Card berth.

Next: Phillies heavy bullpen use unsustainable

The season’s far from over. I still believe this will be a very good year. But if you are a completely depressed fan. Don’t forget, April 8 is coming.

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