Phillies: Three more takeaways from the Pirates series

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 08: Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the dugout during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 8, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

#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.

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