Phillies: Three more takeaways from the Pirates series
The Phillies took two out of three over the weekend in Pittsburgh and have moved into a share of first place with Atlanta.
For the second time this season, the Phillies have managed to grab a hold of first place in the NL East. Only this time, it has lasted more than one day. The Phillies are in New York to play a doubleheader against the Mets on Monday as part of a four-game series.
The Mets are an abysmal 8-24 in their last 32 home games, so let’s look for the Phils to get some wins and keep the pace with the Braves. Atlanta will begin a short, two-game series against the Blue Jays at home.
For now, let’s turn our attention back to the series against the Pirates. There was a lot to be taken from those three, very different games. Some good and some bad.
The Phillies were able to win the first two games of the series before dropping the third one in a disappointing manner. It was the kind of series that partially made you believe that the Phillies can contend this season but also reminded you that they need help to do so.
Site expert John Town has already given five of his own takeaways from the series. We can take a look at three more things that we think we learned over the weekend.
#1: The Phillies are in First Place
It is July 9, 2018, and your Philadelphia Phillies are in first place in the National League East once again. The more exciting part about it is that they have the opportunity to stay there. Before the All-Star Break (congratulations Aaron Nola), the Phils will play these four games against New York, a quick makeup game against Baltimore, and a three-game series against Miami. They will all be played on the road. Those three teams are a combined 96-171 on the year.
Conversely, The Braves will play their series against the Blue Jays in Atlanta followed by a three-game series against the Diamondbacks. Their combined record is 91-89. As long as the Phillies take care of their own business, they will be sitting in a great spot for the second half.
The Mets and Phils haven’t played since the first week of the season when #FireKapler really took off for some strange reason. Give the guy a shot, people. At that time, the Mets were off to an incredibly hot start and it looked as if they may take early control in the division. Now, this series against the Mets presents itself in a very different manner. This is looked at as a time to stack wins, beginning with Monday’s double-header in which we will see Zach Eflin and Aaron Nola.
This is a day to watch some pitching folks. Let’s see Philadelphia start to build some cushion.
#2: The Offense: The Good and the Bad
As mentioned in the introduction, this series offered a variety in the offensive department. It was the basic microcosm of this team. As a fan, you go from thinking that they have it figured out and the hits just keep coming to being incredibly frustrated that they can’t seem to string two hits together from one day to the next.
More from That Balls Outta Here
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
- 11 Free-agent deals the Philadelphia Phillies wish fell through
- Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal
- Could Rich Hill become ‘Jamie Moyer 2.0’ in Phillies rotation?
This series offered the three offensive scenarios that we see most often with this team. In game one, Nick Pivetta got the start and did what he has done lately. He gave up some hits and didn’t look sharp. Luckily, the offense had his back and then some. The bullpen came to play as well (more on that later).
The Phillies scored 17 runs on 18 hits. Five different players had multiple hits. Scott Kingery went 4-5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored. Seven of the runs were scored with two outs. This was the type of offensive game that you love to see and know that it is too good to be true.
Game two offered a different, but also positive, look at the 2018 Phillies and how they win games.
The Pirates sent Jameson Taillon (5-7, 4.05 ERA) to the mound, and he dominated the Phillies lineup for six innings. It looked as if it would be a day where the offense couldn’t get going.
Then, the Phillies got to Taillon and scored three runs in the seventh inning to take the lead for good. They are 19-7 in one-run games this season, the best mark in baseball. Seeing the lineup rally in the seventh and flex some muscle on a lesser team was very encouraging. It reminded you of the grit that this team has and that they just don’t seem to give up.
Which brings us to the final game of the series. Drew Anderson was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make the start on short notice, so the team knew that they may have to really have some good at-bats to keep the game competitive.
Anderson (5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 K) pitched decently enough for his first MLB start, but the offense did not help him out. The Phils’ bats were stifled by rookie Nick Kingham. They couldn’t get solid contact, as Kingham got 17 of his 22 outs via groundballs or fly-outs. The Phillies went 0-8 with runners in scoring position. It was the final type of offensive game that the Phillies play: when it doesn’t look like they can buy a hit.
What this all says, in my opinion, is that a trade for a bat should continue to be considered.
#3: Let’s give the bullpen a hand
Don’t look now, but one of the biggest issues with this team has seemingly began to fix itself over the past two weeks. The bullpen is all of a sudden solid. Possibly more than solid. This could partially be due to the teams that they have played lately, but it is a trend nonetheless.
Over the weekend, the bullpen went 11.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs. They have been downright impressive lately. Pat Neshek has gotten himself involved, which is an extremely encouraging sign coming off of his injury. Austin Davis and Edubray Ramos have looked solid, as well.
More from Phillies News
- What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?
- 3 Reasons to get excited for Phillies’ Craig Kimbrel signing
- Phillies-Mets owners’ rivalry grows after shocking Carlos Correa deal
- Could Rich Hill become ‘Jamie Moyer 2.0’ in Phillies rotation?
- Does Bailey Falter have a future in Phillies’ rotation?
It looks as if the Phillies have found their ideal formula for the setup-closer roles with Seranthony Dominguez pitching the eighth and Victor Arano closing out the ninth. Arano has continued to impress in the later-innings role and Seranthony is our knight in shining armor. It feels good to start to see some consistency in the bullpen and to feel somewhat confident when some of these guys go into the game.
If the consistency can continue, then the Phillies will be sitting in a much better spot at the trade deadline. They may even be able to cross relievers off the list. As NBC Sports Philadelphia reported, the Phillies should only make a trade for bullpen help if it is an elite arm. An eye on the future would also be helpful rather than a rental player.
Opinions about this Phillies team can change in a day’s notice, so let’s enjoy the good play of the bullpen now before they switch back to getting shelled every night.