The Show 20 Phranchise Episode 2

We’re back at it from Citi Field in Flushing, NY!

Flushing… There’s a joke to be had there. I’m sure it’s been told before. Something, something, 2007.

Anyways, no changes to the lineup or bullpen but there is one update before we get underway – from here on out we’ll be simming homestands and roadtrips in their entirety rather than each individual series. Gotta keep it fresh and lively!

3/30/2020: Mets 4, Phillies 3, W: Jeurys Familia (1-0), L: Hector Neris (0-1)

Please, please, PLEASE somebody tell me to get rid of Neris (I can’t do it unless you all tell me to). Spencer Howard had an incredible day in his first big-league start, going 7.1 innings and allowing only ONE hit and four walks. Robertson came in to set up Neris, who inherited a 3-0 lead which he promptly blew by giving up 4 runs on 4 hits in the bottom of the ninth. His ERA at the end of this game sits at 15.42. We’d be better off putting a JUGS machine out there than him at this point. Help.

3/31/2020: Phillies 6, Mets 2, W: Aaron Nola (1-0), L: Rick Porcello (0-1)

Back to .500 in a big win on the road to help right the ship. Nola allowed 1 run in 6 innings and the bullpen (VV, Robertson, and Dominguez) held the Mets scoreless. Cutch went yard (1) in a 2-hit day and, uh, Nola apparently went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Hoskins seems to have shaken the slump that haunted him at the end of the 2019 campaign as his bases-loaded double brought in 3 runs in the 6^th. Small note here, Robertson came out of the game after a brief appearance with an injury – a blister on his throwing hand. He won’t be taken off of active status but he will miss a few games.

4/1/2020: Mets 3, Phillies 2, W: Justin Wilson (1-0), L: Vince Velasquez (0-2)

For real, somebody please make a bullpen adjustment. This is painful to watch. It seems like a bad April Fool’s joke. Wheeler had his second quality start of the young season giving up 1 earned run in 6 innings before handing the game off to the bullpen, which promptly spoiled it. He got to sit in the dugout and watch Morgan blow the save with a run surrendered in the 8^th while VV took the loss giving up a game-winning single in the ninth. Did the bats show up? No. But the bullpen isn’t helping. If you’re not sick from Coronavirus, you’re gonna get sick watching this.

HIGH POINTS: I admit that I doubted Rujasu’s suggestion to bring Spencer Howard up from AA to put him in the starting rotation, and I was wrong. He had a great start in his first MLB showing, and he’ll get another start at home against the Brewers in the next series. Maybe it’s time to start tapping into the minor-leagues before their seasons even start.

LOW POINTS: For anyone keeping count at home, the Phillies end their first road trip at 3-4 with 3 of those losses coming by way of a really, really bad bullpen. Take a look at our most notorious arms:

V. Velasquez: 5.2 IP, 5 R, 5 ER, 7.94 ERA, 7.41 FIP

H. Neris: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 12.00 ERA, 6.67 FIP

I’m not going to sit here and say “who did’t see this coming” but... Fix. This. Now.

Please.

Here’s a look at the early N.L. East picture.

Next up, we break out the red pinstripes for the first time as we head back to CBP for a 3-game set with Milwaukee followed by a quick 2-gamer against Toronto.

Bullpen, guys. Bullpen.