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The simPhillies are off today, so let’s take a look at where they sit in the standings so far after today’s action.
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Being above .500 feels quite good, especially since it looks like the Braves might run away with this division. The Mets are surprisingly good this year, thanks to their pitching staff which has been awesome (3.35 team ERA). Looking around the league, the Reds are taking off, as well as the Twins in the AL. And while it’s early, it looks like the Giants made an “uh-oh” with their managerial hire.
Here the Phillies offensively.
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Bryce Harper has been heating up, earning Player of the Week honors last week by going 11 for 25 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI in seven games. Jay Bruce remains the surprising fulcrum of the offense, leadind MLB in home runs, RBI, OPS, OPS+, total bases, ISO, and wOBA. With Andrew McCutchen finally headed out on a rehab assignment, the playing time crunch is about to get interesting. Jean Segura has been a revelation at the top of the lineup and Didi Gregorius has been solid. With one of the expectations from team owner John Middleton to sign Gregorius to an extension, negotiations could begin soon.
You still have some strugglers in J.T. Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery, but it is still early and Realmuto has shown signs of life. This is how the pitching is going
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Zack Wheeler has been great....and that’s about it. The pitching staff has struggled as far as the rotation is concerned, but the bullpen has been a bright spot. Ranger Suarez has continued his 2019 magic into this year and Adam Morgan and Victor Arano have yet to allow a run. This staff is going to have to start showing improvement, or changes will be made.
Down on the farm
Lehigh Valley: 8-4, first in their division
Top hitter - Kyle Garlick (.293/.293/.610, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 148 OPS+ in 41 PA)
Top pitcher - Spencer Howard (18 1⁄3 IP, 6 BB, 15 K, 0.96 ERA)
Reading: 7-4, 2nd in their division
Top hitter - tie, Darick Hall (.308/.471/.564, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 187 OPS+) and Alec Bohm (.268/.392/.585, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 169 OPS+)
Top pitcher - Alejandro Requena (14 2⁄3 IP, 3 BB, 7 K, 1.23 ERA)
Clearwater: 3-7, last in their division
Top hitter - Rodolfo Duran (.353/.425/..618, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 207 OPS+ in 40 PA)
Top pitcher - no one. They’re bad right now
Lakewood: 8-4, 1st in their division
Top hitter - Matt Kroon (.467/.519/.822, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 273 OPS+ in 52 PA)
Top pitcher - Nick Lackney (12 1⁄3 IP, 2 BB, 9 K, 2.19 ERA)