Best Sports Picks Phillies

Instant Observations: Lineup, Bullpen Woes Continue as Phils Drop Series to Marlins

April 13, 2023
financialfreedomllc20

The Phillies appeared poised to earn a rubber match win over the Marlins on their way to securing a second straight series victory, one that would bring their record to 5-7 on the young season.

Appeared.

Instead, a big day from Bryson Stott and a stellar start by Zack Wheeler were spoiled in a dismal late-inning loss.

With a lineup that again failed to cash in on key scoring opportunities and an underperforming bullpen continuing to rage like dumpster fires of years past, the Phillies now hold a 4-8 record through 12 games.

Is it panic time? No, probably not. But the general product is sure as hell ugly right now, so let’s get to some instant observations from an ugly loss.

Not This Again

Remember the historically bad bullpen of the 2020 Phillies?

Well, that group finished a disjointed 60-game sprint with an unthinkably awful 7.06 ERA. Fast forward three seasons to a group that is littered with high-velo, high-upside arms, many of which have significant late-inning experience, and the early returns have been similarly awful.

Despite both big-time financial investments and big-time expectations for this bullpen, the 2023 version has struggled to a 6.65 ERA following its latest disappointment.

It’s a surprising result that isn’t terribly unsurprising when you consider Phillies relievers began the day by issuing 32 walks while also surrendering the fourth most homers.

Of the slow starting bullpen, the only unblemished arm was that of Jose Alvarado, whose first four appearances saw him record a staggering 11 strikeouts. So, naturally, it was Alvarado, on in his second inning of work to protect a 2-1 lead (a questionable decision), that stumbled for the first time this season, at the completely wrong time.

An ill-fated 99.9 mph sinker rocketed off the bat of Jorge Soler over the left-center wall.

Soler’s homer was something of a stunner, but the Marlins’ third run — the game-winner — was more predictable. A nightmarish start for Craig Kimbrel continued when he came on in the 10th inning and promptly yielded a game-winning RBI single to Bryan De La Cruz.

In time, a seemingly talented Phillies bullpen should be able to figure this out. There are too many good arms out there for them not to figure it out, but right now?

Man.

Stay Hot, Bryson Stott

It’s probably time to switch up the talk about Bryson Stott’s game.

Before this season, his average numbers were talked up by intangibles like having a feel for the moment. Having an it quality. Being a grinder. Stuff like that. And while all those things remain true, it may be easier to simplify it like this: Stott is just plain good.

Back in the leadoff spot Wednesday, he wasted no time extending his season-opening hitting streak to 12 games. A leadoff single marked his 20th hit of the season.

With it, Stott reached the mark in just 12 games and 46 at-bats. Impressive, no doubt, but the feat is even more ridiculous when you consider that he didn’t record his 20th hit last season until his 33rd game on June 11th. For more context, it came in his 104th at-bat of the season.

Stott would later add a go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning on his way to registering an outrageous ninth multi-hit game this month.

The man is on a heater right now, which, by the way…

975 The Fanatic Twitter Asks the Tough Questions

Two absolute gems from the 975 The Fanatic Twitter account Wednesday. A Philly sports Twitter Hall of Fame-worthy effort.

A+ stuff here. Makes you think.

Whenever you can bench one of baseball’s hottest hitters with a series win on the line, you have to at least consider it. You know?

Only critique on the second poll would be that I would have added “I fucking love it” to fully commit to the bit.

Maybe next time.

The Struggle Is Real

The Phillies entered play Wednesday boasting a .288 team batting average and .807 OPS, both of which stood up as third-best in all of baseball. That’s very good! The only problem is their run production hasn’t been nearly as prolific.

The Phillies began the day averaging just 4.45 runs per game, tied for 22nd overall. Part of the problem has been the absence of consistent home run pop from a lineup down both Rhys Hoskins and Bryce Harper, but situational hitting has also been an issue. The issue quickly showed up again right from the jump when a pair of first inning singles by Stott and Turner were wasted.

Kyle Schwarber failed to bring home Stott from third after popping out, while Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto each followed with strikeouts.

It showed up again in the bottom of the 10th inning when the Phillies failed to move ghost runner Edmundo Sosa from second base after three poor at-bats from Cristian Pache (pop out), Stott (strikeout), and Trea Turner (flyout).

We’ve Seen This Before

Speaking of offensive woes, Realmuto had a big moment last week with a late-inning two run shot that helped the Phillies to a win in their home opener.

The rest of his homestand, however, was dismal.

After an 0-for-4 Wednesday, Realmuto is now 1-for-17 over his last four games.

Through his first 10 games played, he is hitting just .200 with a .595 OPS.

While his start has been anything but inspiring, it’s probably also not a huge cause for concern, at least not yet.

Last season, Realmuto was hitting just .238 with a .655 OPS through his first 39 games before surging to a Silver Slugger Award.

Deep breaths.

The Martingale System

If you’re a degenerate bettor or know someone who is, perhaps you are familiar with the Martingale System.

Basically, a bettor just doubles their stake after each loss until they eventually win and turn a profit. Of course, the player could go on an unrelenting cold streak and lose all of their money before a win ever comes, but that’s not really the point.

I bring this up because I know some people are going full Martingale with the Turner home run prop. In fact, I personally know a few such people, and their latest “L” was particularly brutal.

Turner barely missed his first homer with the Phillies when he sent a shot out to right field during the bottom of the third inning:

He had to settle for a double — still good enough to lock in his seventh multi-hit effort in just 12 games, but not good enough to end the chase for the legion of losing fans chasing this prop bet.

Another Day, Another Double

Castellanos led off the bottom of the fourth inning with his MLB-leading eighth double of the season. He still hasn’t homered since Aug. 27th of last season, a span of more than 135 at-bats, but his hot start has arguably been the Phillies’ best early-season storyline.

On pace for 107 doubles, Castellanos has rebounded from a disappointing 2022 with a promising .295 average and .869 OPS through 12 games.

Other Observations

It was an encouraging start for Zack Wheeler.

As you’ve probably heard by now, Phillies starting pitchers had recorded just one start of at least six innings this season before Wheeler turned in six innings of one-run baseball against the Marlins. Beyond his final line, Wheeler averaged a season-best 96.5 mph with his fastball and often flashed a tight slider.

He did walk three batters and ran into some trouble when he loaded the bases in the fifth, but he was able to work out of the jam.

If there were any lingering concerns over Wheeler’s uncharacteristically poor start against the Rangers earlier this month, and there probably shouldn’t be, they can now be put fully to rest.

The post Instant Observations: Lineup, Bullpen Woes Continue as Phils Drop Series to Marlins appeared first on Crossing Broad.

https://www.crossingbroad.com/2023/04/instant-observations-lineup-bullpen-woes-continue-as-phils-drop-series-to-marlins.html

#fantasyfootball #Sports #Betting #sportsbetting #sportsbettingadvice #freepick #freepicks #sportsbettingtips #handicapping #predictions #sportspredictions #NFL #esports #espn #NBA #NHL #sportsprediction #ncaa #mlb #WNBA #prediction #nhl #nhlplayoffs #nhlpicks #nbapicks #NBAPlayoffs #NFLPlayoffs #espnsports #bettingsports #bettingtips #bettingonline #bettingexpert #basketball #football #soccer #hockey #sportspicks #ncaabasketball #foxsports #cbssports #soccerpredictions #sportingbet