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Observations: Phillies Pound Sloppy Rockies for Second Straight Win

April 27, 2022
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Zach Eflin was dealing it, the Rockies couldn’t catch it, and the Phillies look like they are finally starting to swing it.

That’s the short story of a Phillies’ 10-3 blowout win over the Rockies, one that sets up a shot at their first three-game winning streak of the season. It also sets up a chance for the Phillies to pick up their first series victory since taking two out of three games over the A’s to open the season.

There’s a lot to get to, so let’s jump right into some observations, numbers and other thoughts from a rare laugher.

Thank You, You’re Far Too Kind

The Phillies may not be firing on all cylinders right now, but they’ve at least proven themselves capable of scoring runs if an opposing defense simply hands them over.

That’s exactly what they did in the second inning when the Rockies played what was arguably the worst half-inning of defense at Citizens Bank Park this season, which, as you know, is saying something.

The three-run inning began with a one-out walk by Kyle Schwarber and escalated when Colorado third baseman Ryan McMahon chucked a dead double play ball into right field, setting the Phillies with up two runners in scoring position.

In his first plate appearance since April 19, Didi Gregorius scorched a 42.8 mph excuse-me roller down the third-base line to get the Phillies on the board.

Two batters later, things quickly shifted into a full shit show for the Rockies when starting pitcher German Marquez uncorked a wild pitch that led to a pair of runs.

Now, I’d love to say something positive about the Phillies here. Something about taking advantage of extra outs, making it hurt. Something like that. But they didn’t really do anything.

That said, maybe the Phillies’ luck is starting to change.

According to the pregame notes issued by the team’s communications staff, the Phillies have put the third-most baseballs in play with a 95 mph+ exit velocity and lead the National League in expected batting average.

In other words, they’ve been making a ton of hard contact, which you probably wouldn’t expect given the eight games they’ve scored three or fewer runs this month.

Hell, even tonight, the Phillies began the game in the first two innings by putting three balls in play with a 96 mph+ exit velocity that resulted in outs. And yet, it was Gregorius’ dribbler that resulted in the lone RBI, one that seemingly changed their fortunes at the plate.

Fuckin’ baseball, huh? Funny game.

Pouring It On

Unlike Saturday, when the Phillies failed to score over the final six innings after building an early 3-0 lead, they dropped the hammer this time around with a four-run fourth inning to open up a 7-0 lead.

Some quick notes from the sequence:

  • The Phillies have been a bit more aggressive on the bases lately. Following a leadoff single, J.T. Realmuto swiped second base and would score two batters later when Alec Bohm singled to right.
  • Speaking of Bohm’s hit, he lined the other way an 0-2 95 mph sinker located on the outer-third of the plate. He didn’t try to do too much, didn’t roll over or get beat. He was right on it — looked like a 2020 Bohm swing. Not to be overlooked, he made a few nice plays in the field, too.

  • Odúbel Herrera, who’s off to a good start since making his season debut last weekend, kept the inning rolling by turning on an elevated sinker and sending it into the gap for his second extra-base hit of the season. He would later pick up his third when he launched his first homer of the season over the right field out-of-town scoreboard.
  • As I wrote the other night, 120+ games of Herrera, especially anywhere near the top of the order, probably isn’t going to bode well for this lineup. But Herrera hitting against right-handed pitchers while slotted in the bottom-third of the order could provide some serious juice and lengthen things out. That was the case in this one with the 7-8-9 combo of Bohm, Gregorius and Herrera combining for six total runs.
  • I liked third base coach Dusty Wathan’s send of Jean Segura on Rhys Hoskins’ double that made it 7-0. Left fielder Connor Joe’s throw beat Segura to the plate, but the Rockies had been struggling to make plays. With a six-run cushion and two away, roll the dice and make a struggling defense make a tough play.

Bold Strategy

Notice J.T. Realmuto playing first base late in a blowout tonight?

Not sure there was a need to have him out there late in the game, twice involved in hold-your-breath plays.

In the ninth inning, Realmuto chased after a bloop single in shallow right field, narrowly avoiding a collision. Earlier, he went up against the rail in foul territory.

No harm, no foul, I guess. Still, the juice doesn’t seem worth the squeeze. I’m surprised Joe Girardi had him out there.

Quality, with Quantity

After a slow start for Phillies starting pitchers, they’re finally starting to pick things up.

The group recorded just one quality start over the first 15 games of the season, but they’ve added two in the last three days, missing a third by just one out in Kyle Gibson’s Monday outing.

Dating back to Sunday, Aaron Nola, Gibson and Zach Eflin have combined for 18 2/3 innings pitched while allowing just three total earned runs.

Eflin navigated a season-high six innings on 91 pitches, allowing just two hits and one run. His lone mistake of the night came in the sixth inning when a 1-2 fastball to Charlie Blackmon got too much of the plate.

After the game, Girardi said he liked “everything” about Eflin’s outing.

“His fastball had life, his cutter was well-placed. His slider was good, his changeup, his curveball — everything was working,” he said.

Take Your Defensive Runs Saved and…

Noted glove specialist Nick Castellanos, who entered the night in a seven-way tie with the third worst defensive runs saved among all qualified outfielders, robbed Dom Nunez of a double.

It was the GMC Precision Play of the Game, so you know it’s good.

A Positive Difference

By virtue of the outscoring the Rockies by seven runs, the Phillies have a positive run differential for the first time since April 12. They’ve scored 82 runs while allowing 80.

The post Observations: Phillies Pound Sloppy Rockies for Second Straight Win appeared first on Crossing Broad.

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