The Show 20 Phranchise Episode 9

It’s been an up-and-down sort of week for the N.L. East-leading Phranchise, and we’re set to dig into some of the highlights!

But first, it’s time to announce the next Twitch stream. We’ll be simming live on Sunday, April 19^th at 7 PM Eastern as the Phillies get set to host the Nationals in their first matchup of the season. It’s looking to be a pitcher’s duel as Zack Wheeler (5-0, 3.65 ERA) takes the hill against Stephen Strasburg (6-3, 3.42 ERA). Tune in to join the fun!

Also, some news on the trade front: we have acquired SP Robbie Ray from the Diamondbacks in exchange for Nick Williams! The trading block is now clear, but the question remains – what to do with the new arm? Ray sports a 4.79 ERA and a W/L of 3-4 on the season in his first 10 starts, but has been much more efficient lately after recovering from a tough start to the campaign, winning 3 of his last 4 starts. Do we put him in place of the struggling Spencer Howard (3-3, 4.48 ERA) or do we send him down to AAA for some work? Remember, most popular comments get the nod!

5/18/2020: Phillies 6, Dodgers 2; W: Zack Wheeler (4-0), L: Clayton Kershaw (3-5)

Harper (8) started the scoring early with a 2-run home run in the first to give the Phils room to breathe from the very start. Hitting is fun and all, but the real story here was Zack Wheeler staying perfect by striking out 9 batters in 7 innings of work. If he continues to stay strong on the mound the Phillies rotation will be one of the toughest in the league.

5/19/2020: Dodgers 4, Phillies 3; W: Ross Stripling (3-1), L: Roberto Osuna (1-2)

For every day that you miss baseball just keep in mind that games like this happen (for us, it seems, a lot more than others). The Phillies took a 3-2 lead into the top of the ninth thanks to a Jean Segura 2-run single, but the usually solid Osuna surrendered a 2-run walk-off home run to Max Muncy without recording an out.

5/20/2020: Dodgers 2, Phillies 1; W: Joe Kelly (1-1), L: Zach Eflin (3-2)

This matchup had me reminding myself that it wasn’t worth getting upset over – it’s not even real. Still, we’re going to pull this junk two nights in a row? The bullpen didn’t spoil a late lead, but Eflin was left out one inning too long as he gave up a string of hits capped off with RBIs from Turner and Betts to ruin his own outing. We were two good innings from sweeping the Dodgers on the road! A series with a struggling Rockies squad is just what the doctor ordered.

5/22/2020: Phillies 7, Rockies 3; W: Adam Morgan (3-0), L: James Pazos (0-2)

The bats showed up late as the Phillies entered the eighth with a 3-2 deficit, but once this game started to snowball out of control there was no stopping it. Segura (6), Gregorius (12), and Hoskins (11) each sent shots into the high-altitude Rocky Mountain air as the Phillies pushed across five in the last two innings to halt the skid at two games.

5/23/2020: Phillies 8, Rockies 4; W: Aaron Nola (5-2), L: Yency Almonte (0-1), S: Osuna (15)

It was a slugfest from the start as Harper (9) and Hoskins (12) each sent balls over the wall to power Nola to his fifth win on the season. Nola only lasted 5.1 innings but the bullpen held strong, allowing only four hits in as many innings and allowing Osuna to earn his 15^th save on the year. He is now tied for third most saves in baseball.

5/24/2020: Phillies 15, Rockies 7; W: Zach Wheeler (5-0), L: German Marquez (3-5)

When you score 15 runs, does it really matter who is on the hill for your team? Put a JUGS machine out there and let ‘em fly, nobody was catching up to the Phils offense today. Wheeler wasn’t exactly lights out, giving up 5 earned in 5.1 innings, but with dingers from Segura (7), Realmuto (9), Hoskins (13, third in as many games), Kingery (5), and Haseley (2) (with none of them being solo shots) there was nothing the Rockies could do to keep the Phillies’ lineup at bay.

The Good Phight’s Phranchise will continue after Sunday’s sim with more digital action to satisfy your baseball needs! Stay safe, be healthy, and GO PHILS!