Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 24, 2019 22:20:46 GMT -5
Washington Nationals (81-49) @ Philadelphia Phillies (74-54)
WAS: Max Scherzer (8-9, 5.15)
PHI: Edgar E. Garcia (6-7, 4.25)
The Philadelphia Phillies had a lot of time off last week, getting set for a stretch run to lock down a wild card spot or hunt down the division leader. The Washington Nationals are that division leader, and with a six-game lead, a series win would essentially hand the Nationals the division.
In a series that could wrap up the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies host the Washington Nationals in the Game of the Week.
The Nationals come into the game with the best two players in the National League, and the hottest two players in the NL East.
Over his last three weeks or so, Bryce Harper has had perhaps his best stretch of the season. He's 26-68 with 24 walks over that span, for more than a .500 on-base percentage. He has 21 RBIs and six home runs during that span, including four home runs in his last six games and a walk-off last Wednesday against the Orioles.
Mike Trout, meanwhile, is hitting .478 over the last two weeks, with seven home runs during the span. He's laying waste to the NL, leading the league in all triple slash categories, with only Bryce Harper's 2017 and 2020 seasons ahead of Trout in terms of best OPS marks in a season.
The two players who hit ahead of the duo in the lineup, Victor Robles and Raul Mondesi Jr., lead the league in stolen bases, so the Nationals get a ton of batters on base and in scoring position with their top four players. That kind of extreme pressure is why the Nationals lead the league in runs scored. In fact, Trout, Harper, and Robles are on pace to combine for 23.1 WAR, which is generationally spectacular for an outfield.
This makes Eric Thames' production so critical. Thames is hitting .252 with 25 home runs so far. It's resulted in 91 driven in with a month to play. That level of production is good, as Thames' average is good enough to keep the wheels moving, and is power will result in a lot of three-run home runs when pitchers get scared of the big boys in the middle. He'll be a key player in today's game.
The Phillies will need the offense to keep up with Washington, and fortunately for them, they're the number two offense in the league. The Phillies have all nine full strength starters with double-digit home runs.
Seth Beer and Mickey Moniak debuted last season and led Philadelphia's surge into the postseason and they're repeating the process this year. However, Philadelphia will be at a disadvantage this game as Moniak is on the disabled list with some knee inflammation. Moniak has expanded on his playoff breakthrough last season, and is hitting over .302 with 13 home runs.
His loss will mean extra pressure on Beer as the one star hitter on the team. Beer's second season has been remarkably similar to his first, though he's slightly ticked up the power, and he's running more often. He has the third best walk rate in baseball, behind only Trout and Harper, plus he has 37 home runs to punish pitchers who throw strikes. Beer's presence will give the Phillies' lineup a star they can rely on if their supporting cast struggles.
Fortunately, despite Moniak being hurt, they can rely on a bench player to step up as a part of that supporting cast. Andrew Pullin is one of the best fourth outfielders in baseball and has thrived in that role this year. After a 26-bomb campaign in 2020, Pullin has 14 in about 60% of the plate appearances. He has a .508 slugging mark, a .286 average, and an .876 OPS against right-handers. Many teams have had trouble fielding three outfielders—the Phillies have been so deep they can field four that can do damage to opposing pitchers.
Questions for the GM's:
For Jake Pennel, Anthony Rendon has some knee inflammation, will he go on the disabled list with the injury or play through it?
Trea Turner will likely miss two weeks with a back injury. How will you tweak your roster as a result?
Max Scherzer has been better of late after a brutal start. How important will it be for him to finish strong to be a starter in the playoffs, or is he penciled in?
For Matt Grubs, how do you want your pitchers dealing with Harper and Trout today?
Edgar E. Garcia has stepped in nicely in the rotation. He can't really go very deep in games, but he doesn't walk anybody and misses bats. Will he be a starter should you make it to the NLDS and further?
Tony Watson was terrific in the postseason last year, but it's been a rough ride for him this year. Do you still have confidence in him heading into the postseason?
TRIVIA: How many non-outfielders have had a season with an OPS above 1.000?
WAS: Max Scherzer (8-9, 5.15)
PHI: Edgar E. Garcia (6-7, 4.25)
The Philadelphia Phillies had a lot of time off last week, getting set for a stretch run to lock down a wild card spot or hunt down the division leader. The Washington Nationals are that division leader, and with a six-game lead, a series win would essentially hand the Nationals the division.
In a series that could wrap up the National League East, the Philadelphia Phillies host the Washington Nationals in the Game of the Week.
The Nationals come into the game with the best two players in the National League, and the hottest two players in the NL East.
Over his last three weeks or so, Bryce Harper has had perhaps his best stretch of the season. He's 26-68 with 24 walks over that span, for more than a .500 on-base percentage. He has 21 RBIs and six home runs during that span, including four home runs in his last six games and a walk-off last Wednesday against the Orioles.
Mike Trout, meanwhile, is hitting .478 over the last two weeks, with seven home runs during the span. He's laying waste to the NL, leading the league in all triple slash categories, with only Bryce Harper's 2017 and 2020 seasons ahead of Trout in terms of best OPS marks in a season.
The two players who hit ahead of the duo in the lineup, Victor Robles and Raul Mondesi Jr., lead the league in stolen bases, so the Nationals get a ton of batters on base and in scoring position with their top four players. That kind of extreme pressure is why the Nationals lead the league in runs scored. In fact, Trout, Harper, and Robles are on pace to combine for 23.1 WAR, which is generationally spectacular for an outfield.
This makes Eric Thames' production so critical. Thames is hitting .252 with 25 home runs so far. It's resulted in 91 driven in with a month to play. That level of production is good, as Thames' average is good enough to keep the wheels moving, and is power will result in a lot of three-run home runs when pitchers get scared of the big boys in the middle. He'll be a key player in today's game.
The Phillies will need the offense to keep up with Washington, and fortunately for them, they're the number two offense in the league. The Phillies have all nine full strength starters with double-digit home runs.
Seth Beer and Mickey Moniak debuted last season and led Philadelphia's surge into the postseason and they're repeating the process this year. However, Philadelphia will be at a disadvantage this game as Moniak is on the disabled list with some knee inflammation. Moniak has expanded on his playoff breakthrough last season, and is hitting over .302 with 13 home runs.
His loss will mean extra pressure on Beer as the one star hitter on the team. Beer's second season has been remarkably similar to his first, though he's slightly ticked up the power, and he's running more often. He has the third best walk rate in baseball, behind only Trout and Harper, plus he has 37 home runs to punish pitchers who throw strikes. Beer's presence will give the Phillies' lineup a star they can rely on if their supporting cast struggles.
Fortunately, despite Moniak being hurt, they can rely on a bench player to step up as a part of that supporting cast. Andrew Pullin is one of the best fourth outfielders in baseball and has thrived in that role this year. After a 26-bomb campaign in 2020, Pullin has 14 in about 60% of the plate appearances. He has a .508 slugging mark, a .286 average, and an .876 OPS against right-handers. Many teams have had trouble fielding three outfielders—the Phillies have been so deep they can field four that can do damage to opposing pitchers.
Questions for the GM's:
For Jake Pennel, Anthony Rendon has some knee inflammation, will he go on the disabled list with the injury or play through it?
Trea Turner will likely miss two weeks with a back injury. How will you tweak your roster as a result?
Max Scherzer has been better of late after a brutal start. How important will it be for him to finish strong to be a starter in the playoffs, or is he penciled in?
For Matt Grubs, how do you want your pitchers dealing with Harper and Trout today?
Edgar E. Garcia has stepped in nicely in the rotation. He can't really go very deep in games, but he doesn't walk anybody and misses bats. Will he be a starter should you make it to the NLDS and further?
Tony Watson was terrific in the postseason last year, but it's been a rough ride for him this year. Do you still have confidence in him heading into the postseason?
TRIVIA: How many non-outfielders have had a season with an OPS above 1.000?
