May 19th Gameday Thread

[brian4state]

Almost the weekend!

[Deadheadz]

Almost the weekend!

Can't hardly wait (as the saying goes).
Looking forward to benching Granderson and getting Rajai Davis active while he's still hot.

And what does the weekend hold for you?

Dexter Fowler just hit a jack to leadoff today's Cubs domination of the Brewers.
Awesome!
.

[Philly High Hopes]

While I'm a fan of all of baseball, I always feel empty on days where my team (Phillies) is off. With 24 wins, the Phils are tied with Washington, San Francisco, Baltimore and the White Sox for third most wins in MLB behind the Cubs (28) and Red Sox (25).

After 3 games at home this weekend vs. Atlanta, the schedule quickly becomes more challenging:

@ Detroit (3) @ Cubs (3) Wash (3) Mil (4) Cubs (4) @ Wash (3) @ Tor (2) Tor (2)

While I can't truly say they are playing great baseball,
1. They are winning
2. Pitchers are keeping them in almost every game
3. It's fun to watch the young guys develop and with some success

I think the hitting will improve a little bit, especially with the recent addition of Tommy Joseph over Ruf. Hopefully he can continue to hit that he forces his way into the lineup against more RHPs over Howard. Asche will coming back shortly, though that upgrade at corner OF is moderate if anything at all. The real upgrade can come later in the year with J.P. Crawford and Nick Williams and their pending callups.

The starters have kept them in games and I think there is still room for improvement. I don't expect the bullpen to continue what they've been doing but to get 16 saves out of Jeanmar Gomez is unbelievable. He's getting the job done, but simply doesn't have closer type stuff. Hernandez and Bailey have been solid but Hector Neris is the real surprise. To think they'd lose Papelbon and Giles and improve significantly.

And finally, the farm system has some solid prospects and currently Lehigh Valley, Reading and Clearwater are all in first place. So there's help on the way. Add in the fact that guaranteed payroll next year sits at only $30 million and they also have a ton of payroll room. Yes, they are still a few years away, but I'm at least going to enjoy it this year while it lasts.

[Edwards Kings]

After 3 games at home this weekend vs. Atlanta, the schedule quickly becomes more challenging:

@ Detroit (3) @ Cubs (3) Wash (3) Mil (4) Cubs (4) @ Wash (3) @ Tor (2) Tor (2)

Damn...after the Braves sweep, you have to wait for Milwaukee to get any break at all!

[Edwards Kings]

Hammel...screwed himself with the long-ball....

[DOUGHBOYS]

Bautista leading off tonight....

10. Tulo said it was cool...
9. Looking to add more 'punch' to the lineup...
8. Heard that leadoff hitters are a little quicker with their hands...
7. Like Simon of Simon and Garfunkel, Tired of seeing Bautista/Encarnacion...
6. Wants his nickname changed from Joey Bats to 'Sparky'...
5. Toronta Manager thinks he's good at getting hbp...
4. Doesn't mind being called the leading lady...
3. Killer B's...Barney/Bautista
2. Makes alphabetical sense...Bautista, Donaldson, Encarnacion...
1. Odor wannabe...

[Bronx Yankees]

Matt Harvey just does not look right. His owners probably wish he was DL'ed before tonight. So much for the night's premier pitching matchup.

Mike

[Donacion]

I don't have him on any teams wish I did, Hunter Pence is a ball player quietly having a great year.

[Bronx Yankees]

My man-crush for Chris Sale grows with every start.

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

This...

'Josh Reddick went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a steal in Thursday's loss to the Yankees.
Reddick was the breadwinner on the evening, with his one-out solo homer against Yankees starter Ivan Nova in the fourth inning proving to be the only run of the game for the home team. The 29-year-old outfielder is working on a little baby five-game hitting streak. He is slashing a hearty .322/.394/.466 with five homers, 18 RBI and four steals in 41 games. So far, so good on the health front for the oft-injured Reddick.'

While not knowing this.....

'Oakland A's injury: Josh Reddick fractures left thumb, could be out 4-6 weeks'

[TOXIC ASSETS]

Bautista leading off tonight....

10. Tulo said it was cool...
9. Looking to add more 'punch' to the lineup...
8. Heard that leadoff hitters are a little quicker with their hands...
7. Like Simon of Simon and Garfunkel, Tired of seeing Bautista/Encarnacion...
6. Wants his nickname changed from Joey Bats to 'Sparky'...
5. Toronta Manager thinks he's good at getting hbp...
4. Doesn't mind being called the leading lady...
3. Killer B's...Barney/Bautista
2. Makes alphabetical sense...Bautista, Donaldson, Encarnacion...
1. Odor wannabe...

What's next..... Joey Votto leading off? I heard he draws a lot of walks.

[TOXIC ASSETS]

While I'm a fan of all of baseball, I always feel empty on days where my team (Phillies) is off. With 24 wins, the Phils are tied with Washington, San Francisco, Baltimore and the White Sox for third most wins in MLB behind the Cubs (28) and Red Sox (25).

After 3 games at home this weekend vs. Atlanta, the schedule quickly becomes more challenging:

@ Detroit (3) @ Cubs (3) Wash (3) Mil (4) Cubs (4) @ Wash (3) @ Tor (2) Tor (2)

While I can't truly say they are playing great baseball,
1. They are winning
2. Pitchers are keeping them in almost every game
3. It's fun to watch the young guys develop and with some success

I think the hitting will improve a little bit, especially with the recent addition of Tommy Joseph over Ruf. Hopefully he can continue to hit that he forces his way into the lineup against more RHPs over Howard. Asche will coming back shortly, though that upgrade at corner OF is moderate if anything at all. The real upgrade can come later in the year with J.P. Crawford and Nick Williams and their pending callups.

The starters have kept them in games and I think there is still room for improvement. I don't expect the bullpen to continue what they've been doing but to get 16 saves out of Jeanmar Gomez is unbelievable. He's getting the job done, but simply doesn't have closer type stuff. Hernandez and Bailey have been solid but Hector Neris is the real surprise. To think they'd lose Papelbon and Giles and improve significantly.

And finally, the farm system has some solid prospects and currently Lehigh Valley, Reading and Clearwater are all in first place. So there's help on the way. Add in the fact that guaranteed payroll next year sits at only $30 million and they also have a ton of payroll room. Yes, they are still a few years away, but I'm at least going to enjoy it this year while it lasts.

Yep it's been a surprisingly good start for the Phils. Pete M is hell of a manager. Need a big bat to be signed in the offseason -- and then the team is firmly pointed in the right direction. You can't get by with the guys you have in LF and RF currently. One of them needs to go.

[Edwards Kings]

'Oakland A's injury: Josh Reddick fractures left thumb, could be out 4-6 weeks'

One of those guys I kicked myself for not getting. This just sucks....he is from the rural Georgia county my family is from.