Game of the Week: June 19: STL @ PHI

[Commissioner Erick]

St. Louis Cardinals (46-23) @ Philadelphia Phillies (41-31)


STL: Alex Reyes (6-3, 3.03)
PHI: Franklyn Kilome (9-1, 2.84)


The top of the National League is stacked in 2023. The Philadelphia Phillies are up there, which isn't a surprise to anybody. They're joined by a St. Louis Cardinals team that has ascended to the best record in the league, which is a major surprise. The two clubs could finish the year with the best records in the league, or miss the playoffs entirely, making this Game of the Week a contest with real consequences.

The Phillies are 41-31, and that they're not better is shocking. The team is second in home runs, walks at the third best rate in the NL, and strikes out at the second lowest rate. As a team though, they have the lowest BABIP in baseball, which is almost unimaginable. The team has some fly ball hitters, a type of hitter that may carry a lower than average BABIP, but not too many. Even then, Seth Beer has the highest BABIP on the team! The ground ball hitters and players who don't have specific tendencies are the ones unable to find holes in the defense. Largely governed by luck, it's unknown whether adding a different type of player to the lineup will reverse the trend, if sheer chance will turn the trend around, or if nothing will stop this.

The Phillies, despite their inability to get hits on balls in play, still are tied for second in the league in runs scored. Their pitching could be better though as its middle of the pack. Their starter today, Franklyn Kilome got off to a wonderful start with a 9-0 record and a 2.09 ERA through June 2. He gave up five runs in 4.1 innings on three home runs in Wrigley Field though, before the Rockies clubbed eight hits and three walks in 4 innings, scratching four runs off him. Those are two of the best offenses in the game, but that class includes a Cardinals team that is the club tied in runs with the Phillies.

Despite another down year from Josh Donaldson, the Cardinals offense has taken off. Addison Russell, after a lost 2022, has rebounded to Silver Slugger levels, as he's hitting .282 with 11 home runs, five triples, and a .362 on-base percentage. With Daniel Brito hitting .280 with 10 steals at the top of the order, the Cardinals are getting their guys on base and Nick Pratto is lashing them in. Pratto's power numbers, already questionable for a First Baseman, have actually declined from last year as he's only had six home runs and 15 doubles. Last year he led the NL with 50 doubles, this year, he's on pace for only 35. Still, Pratto's bat speed is remarkable, and an easy swing allows him to get a good swing on almost anything. He's hitting .326 with a .404 on-base percentage ahead of sluggers like Donaldson and Joc Pederson. Even though Pederson's average is down, he has 15 home runs, which is important with all the times he's batting with men on base. His 47 RBIs are tied for seventh in the league behind a bunch of superstars.


Questions for the GMs:


For Steve Bennett, your team is playing great baseball this season. In your eyes, what's been the main reason your team has played so well this year?

Joerlin De Los Santos hasn't hit at all this year, while Jose Adolis Garcia has been a little better with the bat but doesn't have the ability to play a good Center Field. How will you handle Center Field going forward?

You drafted Nestor Miranda in the First Round, but haven't signed him yet. What do you see in him and how are negotiations going?

For Matt Grubs, will you do anything proactively to try to rectify the BABIP issue?

What do you think will be the key to beating this Cardinals team?

You just drafted and signed Barrett Suggs in the First Round. What are your thoughts on his future?


TRIVIA: Which First Baseman in history has the highest Batting Average?

[dbackhon]

Trivia: That would be former Pirate and current Giant Josh Bell

[Commissioner Erick]

Mar 26, 2020 12:33:50 GMT -5 dbackhon said:

Trivia: That would be former Pirate and current Giant Josh Bell

Correct!

[Commissioner Erick]

Phillies 13 - Cardinals 2


WP: F. Kilome (10-1)
LP: A. Reyes (6-4)



The Philadelphia Phillies knocked off the St. Louis Cardinals, 13-2, at Citizens Bank Park. Seth Beer, who captured player of the game honors, was a big reason Philadelphia won. The right fielder was 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 2 walks, while scoring 3 times and driving in 5. Philadelphia starter Franklyn Kilome was credited with the win after throwing 112 pitches over 7.2 innings. His record now stands at 10-1. The Phillies bumped their record to 42-31 with this latest triumph.

Max Schrock had a big run-scoring single for the Phillies in the bottom of the fourth inning. With Philadelphia leading 1-0 and the bases loaded, he got a fastball from Alex Reyes and stroked the single to left-center. It was his 56th hit of the season, and more importantly, it put the Phillies ahead, 2-0.

"We'll relax tonight and get back after it tomorrow," Beer said after the game.


Game of the Week:


For Steve Bennett, Alex Reyes and Sandy Alcantara both walk hitters at a high pace and that really hurt you today with six walks coming in a two-inning span. How concerned are you by those pitcher and their predilection for walks?

Juan B. Garcia got the start for Josh Donaldson. How did he look in the cleanup spot?

Why was your staff so aggressive in pitching to Beer?

For Matt Grubs, how encouraging was it to see your offense come through with a 10-25 performance on balls-in-play?

Brian C. Miller hit leadoff for you and came through with two hits. What's the theory of your lineup with Miller hitting leadoff?

Kilome had another excellent start, not allowing a run in 7.2 innings. What's allowed him to turn the corner?



TRIVIA: Of the players with the most Home Runs as a Right Fielder All-Time, how many have played in the NL East?

[Grubs - Philly]

For Matt Grubs, how encouraging was it to see your offense come through with a 10-25 performance on balls-in-play?

It felt like spring after a long winter! We've really been hurting with finding a lineup that's consistently getting on base, as you've pinpointed. When we're locked in, this is the result. Against a quality team like St. Louis, it really meant something. Despite recent moves to bolster our pitching, Philly is built around offense. When that's stumbling, we're in trouble. I'm not sure it's a crisis yet, but I'm going to start looking and trades that might work. We have a number of guys who are just underperforming and could use a change of scenery.

Brian C. Miller hit leadoff for you and came through with two hits. What's the theory of your lineup with Miller hitting leadoff?

We love Miller's tools and think he should be much better than he's been. He can get on base by hit or walk, and that's why he's up there. I think it's safe to say he was overperforming in Cleveland, but we think he's better than what his numbers have shown in Philly. Mickey Moniak's new swing is interesting. We're not sure that it's the best use of his skill set, but with the way he's clubbing the ball right now, we thought we'd shake things up and let Seth hit second, drop Mickey to a more productive slot, and hopefully either Hall or Franco can clear the decks. Beyond that, 6-9 is really hurting. There are some quality guys in those slots -- Schrock can easily hit .310 or better and Yordan Alvarez has a 35/110 season in him without much trouble. We've started slotting in Kyle Higashioka more often at catcher to give Hedges a chance to clear his head. Honestly, it's a bit of a mystery down there.

Kilome had another excellent start, not allowing a run in 7.2 innings. What's allowed him to turn the corner?

We are so excited about this kid! He spent the offseason working on the grip for his curve, and it's become a devastating pitch for him. He's always had a fastball-changeup combo that's been near elite when it's on, but the curve gives him three legitimate out pitches against same-handed batters. That's helped him boost his strikeout rate to 28 percent against righties (paired with a sub-5% walk rate). Those strikeouts let him strand more guys, and we're simply thrilled with the result.

BONUS RESPONSE: RF Barrett Suggs. Yes, you're all thinking, "Wow, a left-handed hitting outfielder for Philly. Fills a real hole..." We hear you. But we can't ignore that talent so far down in the first round. We love Barrett's tools. The power projects to be there, and his gap numbers are already inching up in Rookie League ball. He's a curious kid and we think elite power combined with an elite eye could be a devastating combination once he arrives. His contact numbers are solid, and given how much he hangs around the cage and talks to coaches, he's likely to add to those projections. It might not be long before he gets an invite to Spring Training to see what he can learn about himself and the game.

[dbackhon]

Can you explain what you mean with the trivia question?

[Commissioner Erick]

Basically how many of the Top 10 Right Field Home Runs Leaders have played in the NL East in their careers?

[dbackhon]

In which case 3: Bryce Harper, Seth Beer, Mookie Betts ... Possibly 4 but I don't think that Stanton ever actually played with the Marlins in the PBA but he was on the Marlins Roster at some point

[Commissioner Erick]

Not counting Stanton. Don't think he played a game for the Marlins, so you're correct

[Commissioner Erick]

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