The Show 20 Phranchise Episode 8

Settle in, we’ve got a 9-game mega-recap just for you!

Before we dive into it, just a reminder that we’ll be getting back on Twitch to stream a full game this coming Sunday, April 12^th at 7 PM Eastern. It’ll be Aaron Nola taking on Ben Bowden and the Rockies from Coors Field. We hope you’ll join us for some fun!

5/8/2020: Pirates 3, Phillies 2; W: Joe Musgrove (2-2), L: Jake Arrieta (2-4)

The Phillies jumped out to an early lead with a two-run 2^nd inning thanks to a Gregorius (11) solo shot and a Haseley RBI single but couldn’t capitalize on opportunities late in the game. All 3 of the Pirates’ runs came off of Arrieta, who exited after 5 innings. The bullpen held, but the bats couldn’t strike back as the Phils drop the first of a 3-game set.

5/9/2020: Phillies 7, Pirates 5 (F/12); W: David Robertson (2-0), L: Kyle Crick (1-1), S: Morgan

It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. The Phillies fell behind early but began to chip away with runs in the 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th innings to push the game into extras. A McCutchen (5) home run in the top of the 10^th put the Phils out in front but Osuna couldn’t lock down the save. It took a Roman Quinn 2-run double in the top of the 12^th to make the difference in this one as the Phillies even the series.

5/10/2020: Phillies 5, Pirates 4 (F/13); W: David Robertson (3-0), L: Michael Feliz (1-2), S: Osuna

Well, the series was won, but at what cost? There are going to be some tired arms as we move to L.A. to face the Dodgers. It looked like this one was out of reach as the Phillies entered the ninth trailing by 3 runs, but a 2-out bases loaded triple from Jean Segura took this one to extras. Neither team could push across a run until a Rhys Hoskins (9) solo shot in the top of the 13^th to secure the win and snatch the series.

5/12/2020: Phillies 6, Dodgers 5; W: Aaron Nola (3-2), L: Alex Wood (4-1), S: Osuna

Not only did the Phillies beat arguably the best team in the National League in this one, but they didn’t even need extras! The Phillies knocked around Alex Wood early and often, chasing him after just 4 innings and having pushed across 5 earned runs. A dinger from Realmuto (6) expanded the lead, but the Dodgers fought back with a 3-run shot from Bellinger that chased Nola in the seventh. The bullped held strong and Osuna closed it out for save number 12 on the year.

5/13/2020: Dodgers 2, Phillies 1 (F/11); W: Blake Treinen (4-1), L: Victor Arano (2-1)

This one hurts. It was a pitcher’s duel as Wheeler pitched 8 innings of shutout ball, giving Osuna a 1-run lead in the bottom of the ninth which was quickly lost to a Corey Seager solo shot. Arano would take over in extras and surrender a blast to Bellinger, wasting an incredible outing from Wheeler and setting up an interesting matchup in the final game of the series.

5/14/2020: Phillies 3, Dodgers 2; W: Adam Morgan (2-0), L: Pedro Baez (1-1), S: Osuna

These nailbiters are getting a little bit old, but hey, a W is a W. Arrieta pitched 6 strong innings and tacked on an RBI of his own which, along with an RBI single from Hoskins and an RBI double from Alec Bohm, gave the bullpen just enough breathing room to hold on. Osuna picks up his 13^th save to cap off a scoreless showing from the bullpen arms. Did we just take a series from the N.L. best Dodgers? Not only that, but we’re in sole control of the N.L. East once again.

5/15/2020: Phillies 6, Cardinals 3; W: Zach Eflin (3-1), L: Dakota Hudson (1-3), S: Arano

The bats were alive in this one! Cutch (6), Hoskins (10), and Kingery (3) each had two-run home runs while Eflin thwarted the Cardinals lineup allowing just 1 run in 8 innings. Of note, David Robertson still holds an ERA of 0.00, so that’s fun, and Arano gets his first save as Osuna seemingly got the evening off.

5/16/2020: Phillies 6, Cardinals 5; W: Seranthony Dominguez (1-2), L: John Brebbia (3-2)

Spencer Howard lasted only 4.1 innings and allowed 4 earned runs, leaving the game with a 4-0 deficit. The bullpen held strong, however, and the Phillies chipped away with Quinn registering 3 RBIs on 2 doubles in addition to RBIs from Harper and Didi. After Seranthony Dominguez shut down the Cards in the top of the ninth, Scott Kingery doubled in Adam Haseley to complete the comeback.

5/17/2020: Phillies 7, Cardinals 2: W: Aaron Nola (4-2), L: Carlos Martinez (2-5)

Finally, one that was never in question. Aaron Nola tossed 8 scoreless seven different Phillies (including Nola, whose batting average sits at .347) registered hits. Cutch (7) and Haseley (1) each launched souvenirs into the stands to cap off a sweep of the series. With the win the Phils hold a 3.5 game lead in the N.L. East over the Braves, while no other team in the division sits above .500 on the season.

As we move into the latter part of May, here’s some up-to-date numbers for the statheads among us:

We hit the road for a trip out west as we visit the Dodgers (32-13) and the Rockies (21-25) before returning home to host the Mets and the Nationals in a set of division showdowns – should be a fun few weeks!

As always, thank you for reading, chime up in the comments, go Phils, and most importantly – stay healthy!