Post by Commissioner Erick on May 22, 2022 11:05:18 GMT -5
Philadelphia Phillies (4-0) @ New York Mets (2-1)
PHI: Joey Johnston (0-0, 0.00)
NYM: Liam Thomas (0-0, 0.00)
Phillies 5 Key Stats:
4: Isaiah High’s home run total to start the year: High terrorized the Marlins with a quartet of long balls, nine RBIs, and a .500 average opening weekend. He threw in a double and a pair of spectacular defensive plays leading to a 0.8 Zone Rating. High had a terrific rookie year and looks like a superstar.
.111: Mickey Moniak’s average: Moniak’s struggled out of the gates after his torn ACL last year. Missing three-quarters of the year must have thrown off his timing, but he did steal a base indicating that his leg is fully healed.
1: Career All-Star appearances for J.P. Crawford: The infielder made his only All-Star Game back in 2018 as a rookie with Philadelphia. He stole 46 bases and walked 99 times that year and is now back with the team he began his career with.
41: Combined starts last season for Michael Kopech and A.J. Masucci: Now the duo is working out of the bullpen. Both dominated the Marlins, with each pitching a scoreless series. Kopech worked a pair of innings allowing just a hit and striking out three, while Masucci whiffed five in 3 innings, allowing just a single hit.
4: Walk total for Bobby Witt Jr: The infielder didn’t hit for as much power last year, just 11 long balls. He had a homer in the Marlins series, and didn’t homer in WBC play. However, while his power has diminished, his patience has increased. He had a .379 OBP last year, that went up to .477 in WBC play. With five hits to match his four walks, he has a robust .450 mark thus far, helping fuel Philadelphia’s attack.
Mets 5 Key Stats:
4: Saves by Luis Ortiz in WBC Play: Ortiz has worked as a starter in the minors gearing for a potential role atop a rotation. His inability to develop his changeup has provided concerns that he can cut it as a starter. Nicaragua used him as their Closer and he allowed one run in 6 innings, walking one, and striking out 11. The Mets used him in similar fashion against Washington and he recorded a save in his only outing.
.364: Christian Arroyo’s average: Arroyo hasn’t hit above .300 for a full season since he batted .329 for the Giants in 2018 and led the league in doubles. The Mets have struggled for offense the past two years so if Arroyo can bang out hits, it would be a boon for them.
28: Prospect Ranking for Liam Thomas: The former eighth overall pick back in 2024, Thomas was an Eastern League All Star in 2026 and posted 3.3 WAR in a brutal run environment in Las Vegas last year. He throws three fastballs, a four seamer, a two-seamer with good sink, and a cutter with good late break. He also throws a splitter and a knuckle curve. With the depth of pitches and the movement, he’ll be a tough arm for Philadelphia to continue it’s home run barrage against.
.306: KeBryan Hayes’ slugging percentage last year: After a stellar 2026, Hayes was rough in 2027, hitting for a .577 OPS. He somehow managed positive WAR thanks to decent defense, but Third Base has changed. The NL East alone has Isiah High, Bob Beasley, and Juan Gestoso, fantastic young hitters at the hot corner. IF Hayes can’t produce, the Mets will be behind the pack.
1.670: Luis Morales’ OPS: Morales exploded last year for 38 Home Runs and 105 RBIs, looking like a fantastic mid-order run producer. He’s continuing that performance this year, with two home runs and four runs scored in the early going. When Morales goes against his namesake on the Philadelphia side, it leads to fun baseball.
Questions for the GMs:
For Matt Grubs, you recently signed J.P. Crawford and Kyle Hendriks. What do you expect out of them?
Why do you have Kopech and Masucci in the pen after they started much of last season?
What are you expecting from Joey Johnston tonight?
For Ryan Morneau, right now it appears you’re going with a six-man rotation. Why are you going with six starters?
Mookie Betts has been a solid Met for years, but you have him on the bench. Why?
Do you feel like you have enough offense with your infield to contend?
TRIVIA: J.P. Crawford was an All Star for the Phillies in 2018 as a Shortstop, but is mostly a Second Baseman now. Who is the only Phillie to make an All Star Game as the team’s primary Second Baseman that year?
PHI: Joey Johnston (0-0, 0.00)
NYM: Liam Thomas (0-0, 0.00)
Phillies 5 Key Stats:
4: Isaiah High’s home run total to start the year: High terrorized the Marlins with a quartet of long balls, nine RBIs, and a .500 average opening weekend. He threw in a double and a pair of spectacular defensive plays leading to a 0.8 Zone Rating. High had a terrific rookie year and looks like a superstar.
.111: Mickey Moniak’s average: Moniak’s struggled out of the gates after his torn ACL last year. Missing three-quarters of the year must have thrown off his timing, but he did steal a base indicating that his leg is fully healed.
1: Career All-Star appearances for J.P. Crawford: The infielder made his only All-Star Game back in 2018 as a rookie with Philadelphia. He stole 46 bases and walked 99 times that year and is now back with the team he began his career with.
41: Combined starts last season for Michael Kopech and A.J. Masucci: Now the duo is working out of the bullpen. Both dominated the Marlins, with each pitching a scoreless series. Kopech worked a pair of innings allowing just a hit and striking out three, while Masucci whiffed five in 3 innings, allowing just a single hit.
4: Walk total for Bobby Witt Jr: The infielder didn’t hit for as much power last year, just 11 long balls. He had a homer in the Marlins series, and didn’t homer in WBC play. However, while his power has diminished, his patience has increased. He had a .379 OBP last year, that went up to .477 in WBC play. With five hits to match his four walks, he has a robust .450 mark thus far, helping fuel Philadelphia’s attack.
Mets 5 Key Stats:
4: Saves by Luis Ortiz in WBC Play: Ortiz has worked as a starter in the minors gearing for a potential role atop a rotation. His inability to develop his changeup has provided concerns that he can cut it as a starter. Nicaragua used him as their Closer and he allowed one run in 6 innings, walking one, and striking out 11. The Mets used him in similar fashion against Washington and he recorded a save in his only outing.
.364: Christian Arroyo’s average: Arroyo hasn’t hit above .300 for a full season since he batted .329 for the Giants in 2018 and led the league in doubles. The Mets have struggled for offense the past two years so if Arroyo can bang out hits, it would be a boon for them.
28: Prospect Ranking for Liam Thomas: The former eighth overall pick back in 2024, Thomas was an Eastern League All Star in 2026 and posted 3.3 WAR in a brutal run environment in Las Vegas last year. He throws three fastballs, a four seamer, a two-seamer with good sink, and a cutter with good late break. He also throws a splitter and a knuckle curve. With the depth of pitches and the movement, he’ll be a tough arm for Philadelphia to continue it’s home run barrage against.
.306: KeBryan Hayes’ slugging percentage last year: After a stellar 2026, Hayes was rough in 2027, hitting for a .577 OPS. He somehow managed positive WAR thanks to decent defense, but Third Base has changed. The NL East alone has Isiah High, Bob Beasley, and Juan Gestoso, fantastic young hitters at the hot corner. IF Hayes can’t produce, the Mets will be behind the pack.
1.670: Luis Morales’ OPS: Morales exploded last year for 38 Home Runs and 105 RBIs, looking like a fantastic mid-order run producer. He’s continuing that performance this year, with two home runs and four runs scored in the early going. When Morales goes against his namesake on the Philadelphia side, it leads to fun baseball.
Questions for the GMs:
For Matt Grubs, you recently signed J.P. Crawford and Kyle Hendriks. What do you expect out of them?
Why do you have Kopech and Masucci in the pen after they started much of last season?
What are you expecting from Joey Johnston tonight?
For Ryan Morneau, right now it appears you’re going with a six-man rotation. Why are you going with six starters?
Mookie Betts has been a solid Met for years, but you have him on the bench. Why?
Do you feel like you have enough offense with your infield to contend?
TRIVIA: J.P. Crawford was an All Star for the Phillies in 2018 as a Shortstop, but is mostly a Second Baseman now. Who is the only Phillie to make an All Star Game as the team’s primary Second Baseman that year?
