Post by Commissioner Erick on Apr 20, 2019 2:29:56 GMT -5
Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) @ Cincinnati Reds (0-0)
PHI: A. Nola (0-0, 0.00)
CIN: M. Andreise (0-0, 0.00)
The Philadelphia Phillies made it to the World Series last year, with a young team that should only continue to get better.
They also may be only the third best team in their division.
The Philadelphia Phillies look to defend their National League pennant when they kick off their season in Cincinnati against the Reds.
The Phillies won 99 games last season despite two of their best hitters starting the year in the minor leagues. Seth Beer and Mickey Moniak are here to stay though, meaning the Sixers won't have to spend two months without them.
Last year, Moniak had the most hits and most runs in a single postseason, and he accomplished the feat as a rookie. Seth Beer had the most home runs in a single postseason, and he accomplished the feat as a rookie. Combined with Yordan Alvarez, who had 26 home runs last year and is just 23 years old, the Phillies have a special core of young talent.
They'll throw Aaron Nola out as the starter against the Reds. Nola's an extreme command artist who has the best walk rate of any major league pitcher who has thrown at least 400 innings. His curveball serves as a strikeout pitch, so he's more than a pitch-to-contact righty. However, Nola has trouble going deep into games and 5 innings is often the best the Phillies can hope for.
The Phillies return a terrific bullpen so short outings aren't a death knell for the team. Tony Watson will serve as the squad's closer to begin the year after taking over the role last postseason. Watson walked just eight batters and allowed only four home runs in 59.2 innings, and produced a 2.11 ERA. After three playoff saves, he'll have a chance to rack up a few more this year.
The Reds will look to pick up a few more wins than last year as they build for the future. Many baseball fans are keen on seeing Ronald Acuna in action after he was acquired from Arizona. Acuna only played in 58 games in the majors last year, hitting .190 with a .636 OPS as a 22-year-old. Acuna has been in the majors since he was 19-years-old, and has put up a negative WAR in three of his four seasons. He strikes out a bunch, though scouts have noticed a better approach this Spring than in years past.
Corey Seager and Wilmer Difo will split time at shortstop, but it appears Difo will get the start tonight. Both players are subpar defensively, but Difo is a little better at making contact and avoiding strikeouts and will get the nod it appears. Still, what those players aren't is Isan Diaz. The Reds traded Diaz to get prospects this year, saving some money and earning Acuna plus other assets. It's an interesting bet, on Acuna and quantity over Diaz.
Matt Andreise will be on the mound for the Reds. He had an injury-filled season last year, but did some nice things his first two years in Cincinnati. He's similar to Nola in that he's control-oriented, but he lacks the put-away stuff that makes Nola so difficult. Still, if Andreise can avoid walks, he won't be beating himself, despite facing a dynamic offense in Philadelphia's. Andreise had a 3.53 ERA in 2019. If that number is repeated, Andreise may have a blueprint for leading the Reds to victory.
Questions for the GMs:
For Matt Grubs, Andrew Pullin appears to have locked down a spot in the starting lineup. With a full year from Moniak and Beer expected this season, why Pullin over other options?
What will Scott Kingery's role be for you?
Catcher was a real weak spot last season. How come you didn't upgrade the position this year?
For Creig McBride, Aaron Nola throws strikes, but doesn't go deep into games. What approach would you like to see your team take against him?
The Phillies have a lineup the skews heavily to the left side of the plate. How often do you see Andreise working when the Phillies have such a platoon advantage?
Dan Jennings had an ERA of 5.73 last year. Why is he the closer this year?
TRIVIA: Who is the only Reds pitcher to have won more than 10 games in a single season?
PHI: A. Nola (0-0, 0.00)
CIN: M. Andreise (0-0, 0.00)
The Philadelphia Phillies made it to the World Series last year, with a young team that should only continue to get better.
They also may be only the third best team in their division.
The Philadelphia Phillies look to defend their National League pennant when they kick off their season in Cincinnati against the Reds.
The Phillies won 99 games last season despite two of their best hitters starting the year in the minor leagues. Seth Beer and Mickey Moniak are here to stay though, meaning the Sixers won't have to spend two months without them.
Last year, Moniak had the most hits and most runs in a single postseason, and he accomplished the feat as a rookie. Seth Beer had the most home runs in a single postseason, and he accomplished the feat as a rookie. Combined with Yordan Alvarez, who had 26 home runs last year and is just 23 years old, the Phillies have a special core of young talent.
They'll throw Aaron Nola out as the starter against the Reds. Nola's an extreme command artist who has the best walk rate of any major league pitcher who has thrown at least 400 innings. His curveball serves as a strikeout pitch, so he's more than a pitch-to-contact righty. However, Nola has trouble going deep into games and 5 innings is often the best the Phillies can hope for.
The Phillies return a terrific bullpen so short outings aren't a death knell for the team. Tony Watson will serve as the squad's closer to begin the year after taking over the role last postseason. Watson walked just eight batters and allowed only four home runs in 59.2 innings, and produced a 2.11 ERA. After three playoff saves, he'll have a chance to rack up a few more this year.
The Reds will look to pick up a few more wins than last year as they build for the future. Many baseball fans are keen on seeing Ronald Acuna in action after he was acquired from Arizona. Acuna only played in 58 games in the majors last year, hitting .190 with a .636 OPS as a 22-year-old. Acuna has been in the majors since he was 19-years-old, and has put up a negative WAR in three of his four seasons. He strikes out a bunch, though scouts have noticed a better approach this Spring than in years past.
Corey Seager and Wilmer Difo will split time at shortstop, but it appears Difo will get the start tonight. Both players are subpar defensively, but Difo is a little better at making contact and avoiding strikeouts and will get the nod it appears. Still, what those players aren't is Isan Diaz. The Reds traded Diaz to get prospects this year, saving some money and earning Acuna plus other assets. It's an interesting bet, on Acuna and quantity over Diaz.
Matt Andreise will be on the mound for the Reds. He had an injury-filled season last year, but did some nice things his first two years in Cincinnati. He's similar to Nola in that he's control-oriented, but he lacks the put-away stuff that makes Nola so difficult. Still, if Andreise can avoid walks, he won't be beating himself, despite facing a dynamic offense in Philadelphia's. Andreise had a 3.53 ERA in 2019. If that number is repeated, Andreise may have a blueprint for leading the Reds to victory.
Questions for the GMs:
For Matt Grubs, Andrew Pullin appears to have locked down a spot in the starting lineup. With a full year from Moniak and Beer expected this season, why Pullin over other options?
What will Scott Kingery's role be for you?
Catcher was a real weak spot last season. How come you didn't upgrade the position this year?
For Creig McBride, Aaron Nola throws strikes, but doesn't go deep into games. What approach would you like to see your team take against him?
The Phillies have a lineup the skews heavily to the left side of the plate. How often do you see Andreise working when the Phillies have such a platoon advantage?
Dan Jennings had an ERA of 5.73 last year. Why is he the closer this year?
TRIVIA: Who is the only Reds pitcher to have won more than 10 games in a single season?
