Phillies Week in Review: Opening Day and Beyond

The Phillies hammered their way to a sweep of the Atlanta Braves, and are baseball’s only unbeaten team. Some memorable moments from the opening series.

Opening Day always brings excitement and feelings of optimism, and this year was especially exciting for the Phillies. Andrew McCutchen set the tone for the opening series (and hopefully the year) when he hit a leadoff home run in Thursday’s opener. The team never looked back from there, as they hit seven more home runs, hung 23 runs on the board and won all three games from the Braves.

Results

3/28 vs. ATL: Win 10-4 (W: Nola, L: Teheran)
3/30 vs. ATL: Win 8-6 (W: Morgan, L: Parsons)
3/31 vs. ATL: Win 5-1 (W: Arrieta, L: Wright)

Standings Check

The Phillies are currently atop the NL East with a 3-0 record and are the last unbeaten team in baseball. The Mets are a game back of the Phils at 2-1.

Quick Stats

+11: Run differential
20: Walks take
16: Walks issued
0: Errors committed (J.T. Realmuto did have a passed ball)
37: Runners left on base (23 scored)
465: Distance Bryce Harper‘s first home run went

Highlights

McCutchen’s aforementioned leadoff home run
Bryce Harper launching his first homer as Phillie into low-earth orbit
Rhys Hoskins‘ Opening Day slam
The Opening Day lineup introduction

Player of the Week

Harper. The 330 million dollar man made a great first impression on his new fans. He went hitless with a walk and two strikeouts in his first game but hit a mammoth home run in each of his next two. He finished the week three of nine with two homers and three runs scored to go with four walks and three strikeouts. He also announced Monday that he is expecting his first child.

Takeaways

Guys, this could be a really fun season! This offense looks like one of the best in baseball, and that’s no April Fools joke. The pitching was inconsistent at best, but Jake Arrieta (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 6 BB) and Aaron Nola (6 IP, 2H, 1 ER, 8 K, 5 BB) did a great job battling through their lack of command to allow one run each in their starts.

The biggest number for me is the 0 they put up in the “E” column.

Errors and defensive miscues killed the Phillies all last year, and although they had some base running mistakes, and potential double-play balls that only resulted in one out, the little mistakes seem to be happening less. They’ll need to continue the solid defensive play if they want to win in October.

Gabe Kapler also deserves some credit. His pitching changes were horrendous in last year’s opening series, but he put a little more faith in his pitchers this year and knew when to give them the hook. All his pitchers were warm before he called them too, so that’s good.

Next. 5 things learned about Phillies from opening sweep. dark

Harper was cheered all weekend (except for that small group of idiots who booed. I’m still convinced they were Nats fans), and even received chants of “M-V-P” on Sunday night. The ballpark was packed all weekend, and the energy around Philly is palpable. Baseball is back in Philadelphia, and the fans know it.

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Phillies week in review: Opening Day and beyond

By Seth Humeniuk | Apr 1, 2019