Phillies News: Craig Kimbrel nearing big save mark, Darick Hall injury update

The Philadelphia Phillies won their second game in a row, this time 2-1, to take the series against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. The Phillies won an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel as both teams’ pitchers that appeared in the game made very few mistakes. The Cubs made one more as Bryson Stott’s pinch-hit two-run home run in the seventh inning. Craig Kimbrel made it a little scary in the ninth inning by allowing a solo shot. 

The Phillies continue their homestand against the Arizona Diamonbacks today. It is the first of a three-game series. Zack Wheeler (3-3, 4.06 ERA) starts for the Phillies and Tommy Henry (1-1, 5.00 ERA) is on the mound for the D-Backs. 

Phillies News

• The save recorded by Craig Kimbrel was a historic one. Kimbrel saved his 399th game and is one save away from joining the pretty exclusive 400-save club. 

• Sunday’s game marked another sellout for the Phillies this season. The Phillies are second in the attendance behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and sold out their thirteenth game of the season.

• The Phillies have yet to decide the team’s starting pitcher on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. New acquisition Dylan Covey appears to be the leading candidate to take the ball.

• Slugging first baseman Darick Hall is on the right track to returning from his injury. Hall has made great progress in his recovery from a torn UCL in his right thumb. Manager Rob Thomson envisions a rehab assignment in the minors in the distant future for Hall. 

• Left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado is still working his way back as he deals with left elbow inflammation. He is currently on the 15-day injured list and is throwing from 75 feet. Alvarado is not going to be rushed back as the Phillies are being careful with him. 

MLB News

• The Baltimore Orioles are legit so far this season. As of today, Baltimores posts a record of 31-16 and sit two and a half games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. Their three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays had a small footnote in Orioles history and a bizarre team effort for the sweep.

• Chicago Cubs outfielder Christopher Morel is on a historic start to his career. He’s done something no other Cub has done since 1901. 

• New York Mets starter Justin Verlander and Cleveland Guardians starter Shane Bieber both had dominant starts on Sunday night. This is the first time both starters went 8 innings in a game this season. 

• Another day and there’s another stat that compliments as well as emphasize Shohei Ohtani’s aberration of talents. Ohtani has three games this season with nine strikeouts and two hits or fewer. Ohtani rounds out a talented top three.