Phillies: Five Takeaways from the Season Split with Boston

The Phillies just played their two biggest games of the season, facing the juggernaut Boston Red Sox without having Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta available to take the mound.

After splitting two games against Boston this week, there are a number of points that Phillies fans should keep in mind when looking back at the overall season series.

Sure, the Phillies did not face Chris Sale, but there are a number of accomplishments and a number of reminders to recognize. Keep this in mind as you read: Boston has lost three games since July 31, and two of those three games they lost were against the Phillies.

Here are five takeaways from the two-games series in Philadelphia.

Nick Pivetta was Quite Impressive

In six innings on Tuesday, starting pitcher Nick Pivetta gave up three hits. More impressive? Only three total bases to Boston’s top five in Betts (walk), Andrew Benintendi, Mitch Moreland, J.D. Martinez (single), and Xander Bogaerts (reached on an error).

After a rocky July Pivetta has a 1.50 ERA in August and has pitched at least six innings in five of his last six starts.

Pivetta showed that he can get the big guy out in a big game, and that could be huge as a possible fourth starter in the playoffs.

Mookie Betts Left the Infield One Time in Four games

In the season series, Mookie Betts, with an OPS of 1.108, an offensive WAR of 8.2, 27 HR, 60 RBI, and fourth in baseball in total bases with 266 in just 102 games played, went 2 for 10 with one walk and one RBI.

What is perhaps even more impressive is that only one of his two hits left the infield. Stalwart pitching that kept one of the league’s most productive hitters quiet proves that the Phillies have both a clear game plan and an ability to execute against anyone who did not previously for the team (see Galvis, Freddy).

Sure, Betts did not start two of the games, but he appeared in all four. Nonetheless, the pitchers’ collective ability to keep him at bay was quite impressive.

The Bench and Bullpen Came to Play on Wednesday

In my previous post, I suggested that manager Gabe Kapler not be shy when it comes to using his bench and bullpen. Well, last night, he certainly was not. Pulling starter Vince Velasquez after just 2.1 innings, Kapler used seven members of his bullpen to get the win on Wednesday.

Philadelphia Phillies

The presence of the bench was very evident last night. Kapler pinch hit four times in hope for some offense last night, and he got it twice. Carlos Santana’s pinch hit single in the fourth tied the game, and Scott Kingery’s critical pinch-hit sacrifice fly in the sixth gave Philadelphia the lead.

With the trade deadline additions to the team, the Phillies have more reliable options available to them at all points in the game. Not only did Justin Bour go 2-5 with a walk last night, but it presented the opportunity to pinch-hit Carlos Santana, who is much more reliable than, say, Dylan Cozens. No Asdrubal Cabrera? Scott Kingery doesn’t make that pinch-hit appearance.

Kapler used 20 of the 21 players available (not counting the four starters) on Wednesday night, saving Jorge Alfaro for the doubleheader on Thursday.  It was one of the biggest wins of the year, and hopefully one that will spark this team down the stretch.

Wilson Ramos will be Crucial to the Team’s Success

Jorge Alfaro, as much as I want him to be great, will not have a successful career if he continues to have no command of the strike zone. As a spectator at the game on Tuesday, his plate discipline showed that he was completely overmatched by a good-not-great Rick Porcello.

My evidence? Two strikeouts looking, despite having multiple hitable pitches (fastballs, nonetheless) out over the plate and middle-in, situations in which most hitters are able to take full advantage.

Wilson Ramos had three extra-base hits last night and had full command of the strike zone. NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman had an interesting statistic showing just how important his performance was, noting that Phillies catchers had just three multi-extra-base hit games this year.

Ramos will not have three extra-base hits in every game throughout the remainder of the season, but his plate discipline and defensive ability show why he was named to the all-star team. His presence in the starting lineup makes the collective Phillies offense much tougher.