Sometimes, winning a series against a team is a rich reward. Taking two of three, or three of four, from a division rival is always a little sweeter since there are long-term implications involved, but outside of the division, it’s always nice to beat a team that annoys you.
Take the Dodgers, A rivalry that was quite heated during the late seventies when the two teams were battling it out in playoff series, the “Beat LA” chants always resonate a little sweeter when the team actually follows through and beats the Dodgers. The same goes for the Cardinals. There is something about the Cardinals that just grates on the nerves. It could be the “best fans in the game” moniker the city has given themselves, or the strange devil magic they seem to sprinkle of any middling prospect that turns them into a stud during the biggest of moments, they’re just an annoying franchise.
So, when the Phillies manage to win the series in Philadelphia, it always hits home a little more. Rubbing their fanbase’s smug little noses in the dirt just feels good somehow. Aggressive? Perhaps. But who cares - the Phillies just took the series against the Cardinals. We can bask in that glow for a little while longer.
On to the links.
Phillies news:
- When your stars put in on a show and lead the team to victory, it helps alleviate some of the pressure that might be building all around.
- You may have missed it, but the Phillies’ taxi squad welcomed fans to the park over the weekend against the Yankees’ version.
- Some of the minor leaguers spoke of their eagerness to get back to the playing field in a few weeks.
- Gabe Kapler will return to Philadelphia for the first time as Giants manager. He’s bringing some of his lessons learned with him.
MLB news:
- If you want to play winning baseball, you have to exploit the shift.
- A true feel good story from Atlanta where utility infielder Sean Kazmar, Jr. has been called up to fill in. If you don’t know the story of Kazmar, read it. It’s worth your time.
- Jay Bruce, former Phillies great, has retired from the game. He was a good guy while here. He never quite lived up to his lofty prospect status, but he was a productive player. Good luck to him.
- Jimmy Rollins talks about the lack of Black players in the game today.
- The Twins have had some games postponed thanks to Covid positive tests on the team, and now their series opener against Oakland today is in doubt.
- Stephen Strasburg has been shut down for a few days thanks to inflammation in his pitching shoulder.