The beginning of a baseball season is one that is full of unknown. How are all of the changes made over the offseason going to take? How will those new players take to their new surroundings in Philadelphia? Then the games are played and all of that goes out the window. Who made good impressions, who didn’t?
Three up
Cristopher Sanchez – Could it have gone better for Sanchez this past week? He gets the big money extension added to the end of his current contract (which is still a bargain), then he twirls
a gem on Opening Day for the Phillies.
We have talked about his ascension into the pantheon of pitchers in the game today, but this should have clinched it for whatever person still may have had a doubt in their mind: he’s an Ace.
Justin Crawford – Listen, there were other rookies this weekend that probably had better weekends from the stat perspective. Kevin McGonigle, Chase DeLauter and J.J. Wetherholt are just to name a few. Yet from the Phillies’ perspective, Crawford’s weekend was a pretty good success. He did pretty much what he has done his whole minor league career: he hit and got on base. Three for nine isn’t the craziest stat line, but if he can do that in a few more series this year, while also playing a good defense like he did, the Phillies will be more than pleased with that effort.
ABS system – It’s just so much better knowing that when it’s needed, the ABS system can make sure the umpires are getting it right. There wasn’t anything as game changing or entertaining as what happened in Cincinnati, but knowing that there is a system in place to make sure calls are right when they are called upon helps the game.
Three down
Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper – It’s always the stars of the lineup that receive the brunt of frustration when a series doesn’t go well and this one was no different. The trio, outside of Schwarber’s home run on Opening Day, just kind of stunk this weekend.
Again, it’s nothing really to worry about no matter what sports radio wants you to believe. It’s the first series of the season and there will be plenty more times this year when this trio flips that script and has fifteen hits in 37 at bats instead of five.
It just made for a rough weekend.
Zach Pop – Middle relief is not a glorious position. The more competent relievers have been rewarded better in the past decade or so, but it’s fungible guys that are still an issue. Pop is a fungible reliever that is already being looked at as the first to go when the injured pitchers return soon, this weekend a perfect example. He wasn’t able to keep a game scoreless on Thursday, he allowed the Rangers to scrape back the two runs the Phillies were able to get on Sunday, killing any momentum the team had.
He’s just not that good.
John Middleton – It’s arguable that the only multimillionaire in the sports world that had a worse week was Tiger Woods. First came the news that “Harry the K’s” had its name changed to something about ghosts and energy. Then came Middleton’s response to questions about the removal of the analog clock this season in favor of the huge sign for the upcoming All-Star Game.
Listen, sometimes, the owners just shouldn’t speak on topics.
Middleton has been a good owner for the Phillies. He’s opened up his wallet when needed, he’s been forthcoming about the team when needed.
But c’mon, man. Just pay the $20K and end this whole Harry Kalas thing. We can survive without napkins for a little bit.
