The Good Phight - 2016 Phillies Season PreviewSmall victories, large defeats.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/33221/favicon.ico2016-04-03T22:21:24-04:00http://www.thegoodphight.com/rss/stream/111194252016-04-03T22:21:24-04:002016-04-03T22:21:24-04:00The good and bad of Phillies Opening Day pasts
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qsf5vfhTGJR9jUCnQwMEGAda1F8=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828229/large_thegoodphight.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>You know, there really is no such thing as Opening Day anymore.</p>
<p>Back in the day, every team in the Majors started their season on the same day, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> were always the team that had the honor of hosting the very first game of the season. It was tradition, and while I tend to be open to changing tradition when it comes to baseball, this is one tradition I wish hadn't gone away.</p>
<p>When the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> open their season against the Reds in Cincinnati today, they won't be the first team starting the season. In fact, the season didn't even start today. It started on Sunday, with three games taking place, culminating in a rematch of last year's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> match-up.</p>
<p>Hey look, I get it. Major League Baseball doesn't want to butt heads with the NCAA National Title game, and getting the stage to themselves on Sunday night, with a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> rematch, is pretty darn cool. But it still feels like the "national holiday" aspect of Opening Day has gone by the wayside.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the Phillies and Reds, two of the worst teams in baseball, will take the field. And even though Opening Day has lost a bit of its luster in recent years, it still brings back memories.</p>
<p>The Phillies have a 63-68-2 record on Opening Days, <a href="http://www.nj.com/phillies/index.ssf/2015/04/phillies_opening_day_shutout_loss_a_fitting_openin.html">losing last year's season opener to the Boston Red Sox at Citizens Bank Park 8-0</a>. It was a sign of things to come, and not the first time the Phils had their lunch handed to them in the first game of the season.</p>
<p>But before we depress ourselves with the numerous Opening Day defeats, let's focus on the positive. Perhaps their most unexpected and surprising Opening Day victory came in 2011, thanks to a miracle comeback against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> in which they singled closer <span>Brandon Lyon</span> to death.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=13368141&topic_id=6479266&width=400&height=224&property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p>Death by a thousand paper cuts.</p>
<p>One of the most memorable Opening Days in team history took place at the start of one of the most memorable seasons the city has ever seen. The Phils opened their season against the Astros in Houston in 1993, with <span>Terry Mulholland</span> taking the mound.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1-nwQVhck7s" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>If you have a few hours to kill, re-watch this classic from '93, when Mulholland emphatically shut down the Astros 3-1. The Phils would go on to sweep that series, start the season 17-5 and, well, you know.</p>
<p>And who can forget 2014 as the Phils, a team that came into the season with very little hope and clearly on the downslope of their glory years, somehow waxed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> in Texas 14-10?</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2bueekkfDPU" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Man, John Mayberry Jr. played for this team for a long time.</p>
<p>Of course, there were many years in which the Phillies, much like this one, entered a season in which they had no hope of going to the postseason. But most of those seasons had an impending sense of dread surrounding it, with no real rebuilding plan, or young talent on the farm ready to hit the Majors anytime soon.</p>
<p>For a while there, all we had was <span>Curt Schilling</span> on Opening Day, like in 1997 when he blanked the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in a shutout, 3-0. That was the highlight of the season, as the team finished 68-94 that year.</p>
<p>There were also so many bad, long, seemingly unending Opening Days. Like in 2006 when <span>Jon Lieber</span> made the second of his two Opening Day starts and got blasted by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> 13-5. In fact, the list of Phils recent Opening Day starters offers some good trivia.</p>
<p>In 2001, <span>Omar Daal</span> started Opening Day for the Phils. Andy Ashby opened the season the year before. <span>Cole Hamels</span> did not make an Opening Day start for the Phillies until 2013. In 1996, it was the revived corpse of Sid Fernandez.</p>
<p>And Bruce Ruffin, Floyd Youmans, and Shane Rawley all started Opening Days for the Phillies in the post-Steve Carlton era. You would not be blamed if you had blocked those events from your mind.</p>
<p>This year, you get <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span>, who almost certainly will be a name to add to this list a decade from now. He goes up against another name you wouldn't expect to make an Opening Day start, <span>Raisel Iglesias</span>.</p>
<p>Will it be a slugfest? Will it be a pitcher's duel? Will the Phils find a way to bank the first of what is likely to be few victories this season? Or will they get their hats handed to them?</p>
<p>We've seen it all on Opening Day as Phillies fans. Even if today isn't technically "Opening Day."</p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/4/3/11358418/the-good-and-bad-of-phillies-opening-day-pastsJohn Stolnis2016-04-03T11:44:41-04:002016-04-03T11:44:41-04:00New-look Phillies sporting literal new look
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WCKN312LVjSv_QB8uZXnFaJW6yI=/0x78:1871x1325/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49225233/usa-today-9217548.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who is ready for some SLIGHTLY ALTERED CLOTHING to start the season?!</p> <p>Two months ago, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> unveiled that along with their red pinstripes for home games, classic greys for away games, and cream-colored, blue-fringed home day game garments, they will also wear something else for some other reason.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the first time since 1979, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phillies?src=hash">#Phillies</a> will wear red jerseys during regular season: <a href="https://t.co/cuV0dGsja2">https://t.co/cuV0dGsja2</a> <a href="https://t.co/qYat445TVg">pic.twitter.com/qYat445TVg</a></p>
— Phillies (@Phillies) <a href="https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/694217533520384000">February 1, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>The fan response was <a href="https://twitter.com/sharpalright/status/694218340114550784" target="_blank">undeniable</a>, and experts have agreed across the board that the uniforms are indeed red. Six games meet whatever the qualifications the Phillies have selected for the wearing of the new threads. It's a thrilling addition to an anticipated season at Citizens Bank Park.</p>
<p>But the keen eye of other fans led to Paul Lukas at ESPN's Uni Watch account pointing out that there's a difference in the Phillies' <i>everyday </i>uniforms as well.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A few people have noticed that the Phillies' script looks a bit bolder/wider. Old version on left, new on right. <a href="https://t.co/5NyR9sUo2n">pic.twitter.com/5NyR9sUo2n</a></p>
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) <a href="https://twitter.com/UniWatch/status/716085938980589568">April 2, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Most recent Phillies uniforms alterations have involved the addition and subtraction of various patches to memorialize iconic figures within the organization. Despite the jarring nature of the change, <i>this </i>shocking development has yet to leave people as rattled as the red uniforms, but perhaps this is due to the mystery as to what the Phillies are really trying to say by fattening their letters.</p>
<p>Is this a statement to the rest of baseball? "<i>Gone are the days of our withered, feeble attempts at baseball; join us in welcoming a corpulent age of reckoning in the NL East</i>." Or perhaps, "<i>Brighter days are ahead and no symbol embodies that more than the abandonment of our older, faded uni-font in favor of this calligraphy, bursting with life!</i>" Better still, "<i>The letters take up more of the blank white space on the uniforms, which of course means that we are telling you the blank, ambiguous future we once imagined is now slightly fuller of new Phillies baseball.</i>"</p>
<p>When pressed for comment, the Phillies probably just shrugged and read magazine while Lukas moved on to more <a href="https://twitter.com/dwiech1027/status/716079324055474176" target="_blank">important matters</a>.</p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/4/3/11355268/new-look-phillies-sporting-literal-new-lookJustin Klugh2016-04-02T23:12:43-04:002016-04-02T23:12:43-04:00Analyzing the Phillies 2016 25-man roster
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C-TJIKpv9o1d34_5oIn_kT26B1w=/0x180:2080x1567/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49223709/usa-today-9203107.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Phillies have officially announced their Opening Day roster for 2016.</p> <p>After weeks of speculation, hordes of prospects, and lots of <span>Cedric Hunter</span>, the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> have announced who will be on their 25-man roster for Opening Day this season.</p>
<p>The Phillies placed two players, outfielder <span>Cody Asche</span> and reliever Michael Mariot, on the 15-day disabled list, while three players, starter <span>Matt Harrison</span>, reliever <span>Mario Hollands</span> and outfielder <span>Aaron Altherr</span> have been placed on the 60-day DL.</p>
<p>The placement of those three players on the 60-day DL opened up three roster spots on the team's 40-man, allowing them to select the contracts of left-handed reliever <span>James Russell</span>, infielder <span>Emmanuel Burriss</span> and Hunter.</p>
<p>Here's how it all breaks down:</p>
<p><b>PITCHERS (12):</b></p>
<p><span>Aaron Nola</span>, <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span>, Charlie Morton, <span>Jerad Eickhoff</span> and Vince Velasquez are the team's starters. The Phils announced Saturday that Eickhoff will pitch the team's fourth game of the season and Velasquez will pitch the fifth game, even though Eickhoff made only two official Grapefruit League starts.</p>
<p>The bullpen will consist of <span>Jeanmar Gomez</span>, the only pitcher left over from last year's Opening Day roster, <span>David Hernandez</span>, <span>Dalier Hinojosa</span>, Hector Neris, Brett Oberholtzer, Russell, and Rule 5 pick Daniel Stumpf.</p>
<p>The starters are no surprise, as Velasquez beat out <span>Adam Morgan</span> for the final starter's job last week. The bullpen features three left-handers, which is probably a good idea seeing as how the starting rotation consists of all right-handed pitchers.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most interesting selection is Stumpf, who beat out 2009 AL Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey for a roster spot. Stumpf must stay on the team's 25-man all season or else he must be returned back to his original team, per Rule 5 rules. Bailey has an opt-out clause in his contract that triggers on May 1 if he's not yet in the Majors. So the Phils have a little time before they have to make a decision on him.</p>
<p>Stumpf compiled the most innings of any reliever this spring, pitching 12 1/3 innings and giving up 13 hits, five earned runs with an impressive 14 strikeouts and four walks, posting an ERA of 3.65.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=547581383&topic_id=6479266&width=400&height=224&property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p>Bailey, who many thought had the closer's job locked up until he struggled late in spring, gave up five earned runs in 10 innings with eight strikeouts and one walk.</p>
<p>It's still unclear who the team's closer will be, although it's likely <span>David Hernandez</span> will get the first crack at it. He pitched only four innings this spring due to injury and gave up just one run. Hinojosa could also get some save opportunities as well.</p>
<p><b>CATCHER (2):</b></p>
<p>No surprises here, as Cameron Rupp and Carlos Ruiz both made the team. Rupp had a very good spring, blasting three homers and slashing .343/.425/.714 in 35 ABs, while Ruiz hit .200/.294/.200 in 30 spring at bats. It remains to be seen who will start a majority of games.</p>
<p><b>INFIELD (7):</b></p>
<p><span>Ryan Howard</span> and Darin Ruf will open the season in a strict platoon at first base, with Howard starting against right-handers and Ruf against left-handers. However, don't expect that platoon to hold if either player struggles. Manager Pete Mackanin has said that if one guy isn't performing and the other is, that player will get the bulk of the playing time.</p>
<p>Ruf had a terrific spring, second on the team in homers with five in 56 ABs. He hit .286/.385/.643, walking eight times and striking out only 11. Howard hit three homers but struck out 16 times in 50 at bats.</p>
<p><span>Cesar Hernandez</span> and <span>Freddy Galvis</span> compose the team's middle infield. Hernandez had a magnificent spring, leading the team in hits. Galvis struggled, but there really are no other options for the team, as <span>J.P. Crawford</span> is starting the year in Double-A.</p>
<p>Third base will be manned by budding superstar <span>Maikel Franco</span>, who led all of baseball with nine dingers this spring, and had a 1.054 OPS in 68 spring at bats.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=570265883&topic_id=69972428&width=400&height=224&property=mlb" width="400" height="224" frameborder="0">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p>He was a monster, and could be an All-Star this year in the National League.</p>
<p>The other two infielders are Emmanuel Burriss (who also plays outfield) and <span>Andres Blanco</span>.</p>
<p><b>OUTFIELD (4):</b></p>
<p>This is where the most intrigue was happening among position players. <span>Odubel Herrera</span> and <span>Peter Bourjos</span> were locks to make the team and will hold down center and left field, respectively.</p>
<p>The biggest surprise this spring was the play of Cedric Hunter, who will start the season as the team's third outfielder, with Rule 5 pick <span>Tyler Goeddel</span> as the first outfielder off the bench. Goeddel will likely start against many left-handers, but looked overmatched most of the spring, understandable given he's never played above Double-A.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Hunter is expected to get a lion's share of the starts.</p>
<p>Cedric is essentially a 28-year-old rookie, with just five career Major League plate appearances under his belt, all with the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Padres</a> in 2011. The Philles are his fifth pro organization, and while he hasn't been dynamic in 448 career games at the Triple-A level, his .717 OPS is respectable.</p>
<p>This spring, Hunter has done nothing but hit line drives and show good power from the left-hand side of the plate, hitting .262 in 65 ABs with three homers and a slugging percentage of .508. He certainly forced the Phillies' hands.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=546457383&topic_id=69972428&width=400&height=224&property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
<p>Not making the team was defensive specialist <span>David Lough</span> or the recently-signed <span>Will Venable</span>, both of whom were assigned to the minors.</p>
<p>This ain't a playoff roster, but it's one that should be about five-to-seven wins better than last year's group. And with reinforcements waiting in the wings in the high minors, this is a baseball team that is much more watchable than last year's squad.</p>
<h3>Subscribe to The Felske Files!!!</h3>
<p><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256778049&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe></p>
<h4>Click <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tgp-radio/id1015394113">here to subscribe on iTunes</a>. - don't forget to leave a review!</h4>
<h4>Click <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tgp-radio?refid=stpr">here to subscribe on Stitcher.</a>
</h4>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/4/2/11354250/analyzing-the-phillies-2016-25-man-rosterJohn Stolnis2016-04-01T14:57:00-04:002016-04-01T14:57:00-04:00PODCAST: Felske Files Ep 42: 2016 Phils preview!
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gfKfOCYdN1Yzh5ztPWB3HOolLLg=/157x0:2857x1800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49214485/usa-today-8790980.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On this week's episode of The Felske Files, host John Stolnis previews the 2016 Phillies and MLB seasons with The Good Phight's Justin Klugh and The Sporting News' Jesse Spector. It's a huge baseball extravaganza!
</p> <p>It's finally here.</p>
<p>No, the Phillies won't have a parade down Broad Street this year. Heck, they won't even sniff .500 most likely. But the 2016 Phillies season is going to be a huckuvalot more fun than last year's brain-sapping, eye-gouging monstrosity.</p>
<p>Joining me this week to break down the 2016 Phils is The Good Phight's Justin Klugh, and Jesse Spector, national baseball writer for The Sporting News, stops by as well to talk a little Phils and discuss our predictions for the rest of Major League Baseball.</p>
<p>In addition, Bovada in Las Vegas has some interesting prop bets featuring Phillies players, I'll take a look at those, and we'll have TWO Stats of the Week this week!</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Subscribe to The Felske Files!!!</h3>
<p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256778049&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" height="166" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<h4>Click <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tgp-radio/id1015394113">here to subscribe on iTunes</a>. - don't forget to leave a review!</h4>
<h4>Click <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tgp-radio?refid=stpr" style="background-color: #ffffff;">here to subscribe on Stitcher.</a>
</h4>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/4/1/11347590/podcast-felske-files-episode-42-2016-phillies-mlb-preview-spectacularJohn Stolnis2016-04-01T13:53:29-04:002016-04-01T13:53:29-04:00TGP Predicts the 2016 Playoffs and Awards
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jtdum4HG1fygCUTk-M0d2GAHBwU=/0x0:4344x2896/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49214557/usa-today-9216006.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Get ready to laugh now, or in 6 months, at the collective TGP Nostradamus-like predictions.</p> <p>I'm excited to announce that we were actually able to put this together <a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/2015/4/6/8354429/the-good-phights-2015-mlb-season-predictions" target="_blank">before the season started</a> this year. With that, please feel free to call your local bookie and profit off our collective genius. One of us has to be right? We couldn't be that <a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/2015/7/15/8969803/revisiting-the-good-phights-preseason-predictions" target="_blank">bad at what we</a> do...</p>
<p><b>Playoff Teams</b></p>
<p> </p>
<table style="table-layout:fixed;font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans,sans-serif;border-collapse:collapse;border:1px solid #ccc" border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="100"> <col width="147"> <col width="100"> <col width="137"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="139"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jay Polinsky"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Jay Polinsky</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Eric Chesterton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Eric Chesterton</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"John Stolnis"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>John Stolnis</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Stephen Hesson"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>TGK</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"David S. Cohen"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>David S. Cohen</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Victor Filoromo"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Victor Filoromo</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Henry/Phrozen"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Phrozen</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Justin Klugh"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Justin Klugh</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cormican"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Cormican</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"dajafi"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>dajafi</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Wet Luzinski"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Wet Luzinski</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL East"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL East</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Marlins"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Marlins</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nationals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Nationals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nationals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Nationals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL Central"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL Central</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL West"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL West</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Diamondbacks"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">D-Backs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dodgers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Dodgers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Diamondbacks"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">D-Backs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Giants"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Giants</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Diamondbacks"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">D-Backs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Diamondbacks"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">D-Backs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Giants"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Giants</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Diamondbacks"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">D-Backs</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2," style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Giants (it's an even year)</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Giants"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Giants</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Giants"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Giants</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL Wild Card"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL Wild Card</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cardinals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cardinals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nationals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Nationals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dodgers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Dodgers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL Wild Card"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL Wild Card</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nationals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Nationals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cardinals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cardinals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Diamondbacks"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">D-Backs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dodgers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Dodgers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dodgers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Dodgers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Giants"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Giants</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nationals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Nationals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cardinals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cardinals</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL East"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL East</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Red Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Red Sox</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Red Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Red Sox</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Red Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Red Sox</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL Central"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL Central</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Tigers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Tigers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Royals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Royals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Royals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Royals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Tigers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Tigers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Royals</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL West"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL West</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL Wild Card"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL Wild Card</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Red Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Red Sox</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Royals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Orioles"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Orioles</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Yankees"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Yankees</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"White Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">White Sox</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL Wild Card"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL Wild Card</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Red Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Red Sox</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Tigers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Tigers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mariners"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mariners</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"White Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">White Sox</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Royals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><b><br><br>Playoff Outcomes<br><br><br></b></p>
<h3></h3>
<table style="table-layout:fixed;font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans,sans-serif;border-collapse:collapse;border:1px solid #ccc" border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jay Polinsky"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Jay<br>Polinsky</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Eric Chesterton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Eric Chesterton</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"John Stolnis"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>John Stolnis</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Stephen Hesson"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>TGK</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"David S. Cohen"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>David S. Cohen</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Victor Filoromo"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Victor Filoromo</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Henry/Phrozen"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Phrozen</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Justin Klugh"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Justin Klugh</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cormican"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Cormican</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"dajafi"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>dajafi</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Wet Luzinski"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Wet Luzinski</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NLCS"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NLCS</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs over Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs over Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Nationals over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Nationals over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs over Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs over Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates over Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates over Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs over Mets"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs over Mets</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dodgers over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Dodgers over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs over Diamondbacks"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs over Diamondbacks</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs over Giants"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs over Giants</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs over Giants"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs over Giants</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates over Cubs</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"ALCS"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">ALCS</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians over Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians over Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians over Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians over Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers over Red Sox"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers over Red Sox</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros over Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros over Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers over Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers over Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays over Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays over Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays over Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays over Royals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays over Orioles"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays over Orioles</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers over Indians"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers over Indians</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays over Astros"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays over Astros</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"White Sox over Royals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">White Sox over Royals</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"World Series"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">World Series</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Indians over Pirates"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Indians over Pirates</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers over Nationals"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers over Nationals</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Astros over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Astros over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Pirates over Rangers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Pirates over Rangers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays over Dodgers"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays over Dodgers</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cubs over Blue Jays"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Cubs over Blue Jays</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Rangers over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Rangers over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Blue Jays over Cubs"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Blue Jays over Cubs</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"White Sox over Cubs (Rollins gm 7 HR)"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">White Sox over Cubs***</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br>**Boldly predicts that Jimmy Rollins will hit the game-winning HR in Game 7</p>
<p><b><br><br>End of Season Awards<br><br><br></b></p>
<table style="table-layout:fixed;font-size:13px;font-family:arial,sans,sans-serif;border-collapse:collapse;border:1px solid #ccc" border="1" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> <col width="100"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jay Polinsky"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Jay Polinsky</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Eric Chesterton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Eric Chesterton</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"John Stolnis"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>John Stolnis</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Stephen Hesson"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>TGK</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"David S. Cohen"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>David S. Cohen</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Victor Filoromo"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Victor Filoromo</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Henry/Phrozen"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Phrozen</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Justin Klugh"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Justin Klugh</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Cormican"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Cormican</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"dajafi"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>dajafi</b></td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Wet Luzinski"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;"><b>Wet Luzinski</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL MVP"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL MVP</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Bryce Harper"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Bryce Harper</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Bryce Harper"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Bryce Harper</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Anthony Rizzo"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Anthony Rizzo</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Anthony Rizzo"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Anthony Rizzo</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Andrew McCutchen"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Andrew McCutchen</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Bryce Harper"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Bryce Harper</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Bryce Harper"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Bryce Harper</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Giancarlo Stanton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Giancarlo Stanton</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Bryce Harper"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Bryce Harper</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Starling Marte"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Starling Marte</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Andrew McCutcheon"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Andrew McCutcheon</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL Cy Young"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL Cy Young</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jose Fernandez"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Jose Fernandez</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clayton Kershaw"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Stephen Strasburg"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Stephen Strasburg</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clayton Kershaw"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clayton Kershaw"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jake Arrieta"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Jake Arrieta</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clayton Kershaw"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Clayton Kershaw"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Clayton Kershaw</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jake Arrieta"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Jake Arrieta</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Matt Harvey"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Matt Harvey</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Noah Snydergaard"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Noah Snydergaard</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"NL ROY"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">NL ROY</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Trea Turner"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Trea Turner</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Tyler Goeddel"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Tyler Goeddel</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Seager"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Seager</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Tyler Goeddel"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Tyler Goeddel</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL MVP"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL MVP</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mike Trout"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mike Trout</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mike Trout"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mike Trout</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mookie Betts"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mookie Betts</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mike Trout"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mike Trout</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mike Trout"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mike Trout</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Carlos Correa"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Carlos Correa</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mike Trout"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mike Trout</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Manny Machado"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Manny Machado</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Mike Trout"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Mike Trout</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Miguel Cabrera"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Miguel Cabrera</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Lorenzo Cain"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Lorenzo Cain</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL Cy Young"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL Cy Young</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Carlos Carrasco"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Carlos Carrasco</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"David Price"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">David Price</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Chris Sale"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Chris Sale</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dallas Keuchel"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Dallas Keuchel</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Dallas Keuchel"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Dallas Keuchel</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Chris Sale"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Chris Sale</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Felix Hernandez"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Felix Hernandez</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Corey Kluber"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Corey Kluber</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Chris Sale"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Chris Sale</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Chris Archer"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Chris Archer</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Chris Sale"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Chris Sale</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21px;">
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"AL ROY"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;font-weight:bold;">AL ROY</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byung-ho Park"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byung-ho Park</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byron Buxton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byron Buxton</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byung-ho Park"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byung-ho Park</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byron Buxton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byron Buxton</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byron Buxton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byron Buxton</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byron Buxton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byron Buxton</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Joey Gallo"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Joey Gallo</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Jose Berrios"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Jose Berrios</td>
<td data-sheets-value="[null,2," style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Nomar Mazara</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byron Buxton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byron Buxton</td>
<td data-sheets-value='[null,2,"Byron Buxton"]' style="padding:2px 3px 2px 3px;vertical-align:bottom;">Byron Buxton</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br><br><br>Are these #good or #bad? Let us know! In fact, provide your insight in the comment sections if don't agree. I dare you to find better predictions. No, I DOUBLE DARE YOU!</p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/4/1/11347530/the-good-phight-predicts-the-2016-playoffs-and-awardsThe Good Phight Staff2016-03-31T18:09:21-04:002016-03-31T18:09:21-04:00Why sending J.P. Crawford to AA is AA-OK.
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EQkG-MLT0CwbePRf3oDPfWlGuRo=/0x165:1762x1340/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49206905/usa-today-9182004.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Phillies have announced where six of their top prospects will start the 2016 season, including super prospect J.P. Crawford.</p> <p><span>J.P. Crawford</span> is generally considered a top-five prospect in baseball, and during his brief time in spring training with the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a> gave no one any reason to doubt that he won't day become a fixture at shortstop for the Phillies.</p>
<p>Which is why you shouldn't read too much into the fact that Crawford will start the season for Double-A Reading.</p>
<p>While many assumed Crawford would begin the 2016 season in Lehigh with the Triple-A Iron Pigs, the team's director of player development Joe Jordan said the team will start Crawford where he finished last year.</p>
<p>The decision makes sense. The Phillies are in no rush to push Crawford to the Majors. The most likely timeline for him to arrive in Philadelphia is as a September call-up, so that gives the team plenty of time to move him to Triple-A during the course of the season.</p>
<p>Remember, Crawford is just now 21 years old, playing against guys two or three years older than him. And while he had a decent season in 86 games in Reading, slashing .265/.354/.407 with a wOBA of .348 and a wRC+ of 121, seeing Double-A pitching some more could give him a ton of confidence before heading to the more advanced pitching of Triple-A.</p>
<p>All in all, this doesn't push back Crawford's timeline at all, and he doesn't seem perturbed by it, either (quote courtesy of CSN Philly's Corey Seidman).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Not disappointed at at all," Crawford said. "Double A, Triple A, it's basically the same thing."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Jordan also announced outfielder <span>Roman Quinn</span> and catcher <span>Jorge Alfaro</span> will start the season in Reading, both of those assignments were expected. And Nick Williams, <span>Andrew Knapp</span> and <span>Tommy Joseph</span> will all start the season at Triple-A, again, as expected.</p>
<p>Don't worry fans, it won't be long until Crawford is doing things like this at Lehigh Valley, and the Philadelphia.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="224" width="400" src="http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=549619783&topic_id=69972428&width=400&height=224&property=mlb">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe></p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/3/31/11340198/why-sending-j-p-crawford-to-aa-is-aa-okJohn Stolnis2016-03-29T17:07:14-04:002016-03-29T17:07:14-04:002016 Phillies Season Preview
<figure>
<img alt="Houston Astros v Philadelphia Phillies" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gleauKALPImp5PXnOUcoF4yGMyo=/4x0:3000x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49191237/513611872.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/a/mlb-preview-2016"><img src="https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6265545/banner-mlb-season-preview-2016.0.png" style="width:100%;"></a></p>
<p>2016 isn't 2015. At the very least, we can start there. And the good news is that there's a lot more to be excited about than there was this time last year.</p> <h1>The Offseason</h1>
<p>The biggest story of the offseason was the hiring of Matt Klentak as the Phillies new general manager. That happened in late October, which should tell you everything you need to know about the rest of the offseason. Not that anyone had high expectations, of course. Spending a lot of money on free agents or a lot of prospects in trades made no sense for a team that could quite possibly be just as bad as 2015's 99-loss squad. So they focused on small moves to fill out their roster and create some depth. While they'll certainly have enough dudes to field a team, depth is another question entirely. But we'll get to that.</p>
<p>In November, they acquired Jeremy Hellickson from the Diamondbacks in exchange for Sam McWilliams, adding another body to their starting rotation. In December, a busy busy month for the Phillies, they traded pitchers with the Pirates, sending David Whitehead to Pittsburgh and receiving Charlie Morton, who would take up another rotation spot. They claimed Peter Bourjos from the Cardinals, a move that I personally hated because it made signing Jeff Francoeur redundant, and I wanted to see Francoeur back with the Phillies.</p>
<p>And since we're talking about moves I hated for mostly non-baseball reasons, I can't omit the biggest trade of the winter, the jettisoning of Ken Giles. The passionate, flame-throwing closer was traded to Houston, and three months later I'm still not over it. It's true that of all the things the Phillies need right now, a closer isn't one of them. But seeing him leave felt like a tiny little flame of hope being extinguished. Many fans hoped that Giles would be part of the next good (or even semi-decent) Phillies team. It reminded me that despite the strides that have been made, the team still has a long way to go. The haul for Giles (and shortstop Jonathan Arauz) was considerable: five pitchers, including starter/long man Brett Oberholtzer, 2013 first round draft pick Mark Appel, and Vincent Velasquez, who would be in competition for the Phillies final rotation spot this spring.</p>
<h1>The Rotation</h1>
<p>RHP Aaron Nola<br>RHP Jeremy Hellickson<br>RHP Charlie Morton<br>RHP Jerad Eickhoff<br>RHP Vincent Velasquez</p>
<p>The rotation was just decided this past weekend, and Vinny from Philly won the final spot. Adam Morgan, the loser in this scenario, stands at the ready to pop in when needed. If Eickhoff isn't quite ready for his first start (he came back from a fractured thumb just last week), we could see Morgan sub in until Eickhoff has shaken off the rust.</p>
<p>This isn't supposed to be a rotation that blows anyone away. 2016 will be Nola and Eickhoff's first full year in a major league rotation, and while they're both good, they still have work to do. Jeremy Hellickson's breakout years are far behind him now, and while there's hope he can find the player with the low 3 ERA, I'm just hoping he can keep it below five. Charlie Morton's had some good years and some bad years, and it's a coin toss as to which kind 2016 will be. But thankfully, the goal here isn't to blow anyone away. The goal is to try and not lose as many games as they did last year. To bide time until other young pitchers are ready to play with the big guys. To help Nola and Eickhoff grow and improve. I think those are attainable, accomplish-able goals for the 2016 Phillies.</p>
<p>There is one thing missing in this rotation that we've seen the past few years: a veteran. Ruben Amaro Jr. had a habit of signing an aged, grizzled veteran to the rotation. Two years ago it was A.J. Burnett. Last year it was Aaron Harang. I wondered who it would be this year, but it never came to be. Matt Klentak doesn't have that particular tic. The oldest guy in the Phillies rotation this year is Charlie Morton, who is 32.</p>
<h1>The Bullpen</h1>
<p>Over the last few seasons, despite how crappy the rest of the team was doing, the bullpen was a source of hope. They weren't always good (and were in fact bad numerous times), but you could see the future. Ken Giles, Jake Diekman, Mario Hollands, Justin De Fratus, in those young pitchers you could almost make out a decent bullpen. Give them a few years and they'd get there. And despite being an enormous pain in the collective rear of the fanbase, Jonathan Papelbon was very good at his job, handling a drop in velocity and adjusting his arsenal like it was no big deal. The young pitchers liked him, and he seemed to like mentoring them.</p>
<p>But now let's come back to the present day. [record scratch] Things are different. Giles was traded to Houston. Diekman was sent to the Rangers in the Cole Hamels trade. Hollands missed all of 2015 after having Tommy John surgery. De Fratus is with the Mariners now. THE DREAM IS DEAD.</p>
<p>Not really. Anyone worried about the bullpen of the next great Phillies team should remember back to the bullpen of the 2008 Phillies. And 2009 Phillies. And... you get the picture. You can buy yourself a closer. The just Astros did. The Phillies did before the 2008 season. And they can do it again!</p>
<p>There are approximately elevendy trillion relief pitchers out there, and finding a combination that works is part luck, part skill, and part who-the-hell-knows.</p>
<h1>The Infield</h1>
<p>If you're wondering who all those bullpen guys are, never fear. The infield is still full of guys you know!</p>
<p>Carlos Ruiz, in the twilight of his career, is still manning the backstop, though not as much as he once was. In 2015 he struggled mightily, and saw Cameron Rupp getting more starts. Chooch handled it with the grace we all knew he would, knowing that the Phillies will exist after he's gone and making way for the next generation. Rupp is probably not The Catcher we've all been waiting for to take Chooch's place, but the Phillies have young receivers in the system that will hopefully take after Chooch and nurse the rotation of the future through every pitch. Until then, Rupp will be a fine bridge catcher. He has less pop with the bat than you'd think for a guy built like a brick shithouse, but his arm is better than decent.</p>
<p>At first base, our old friend Ryan Howard will be spending the last year of his contract with the Phillies trying to figure out... something. He desperately wants to avoid being platooned with Darin Ruf, but unless his numbers against lefties improve, there is zero chance of that happening. Though on the bright side, we finally get to see what a first base platoon will look like, since somehow no one has done that with Ryan Howard yet. I want Howard to do well. I want him to start mashing the ball against pitchers of both handedness so we don't have to see too much of Darin Ruf, the 29-year old perpetual rookie who JUST NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A CHANCE. But what I want to happen and what will happen are two different things. Ruf is the other side of the first base platoon, and if he can hit lefties as well as he did in 2015, we'll all wonder why someone didn't force Howard into a platoon a few years ago. I'm already wondering that, because it could have saved us from watching Darin Ruf cough up runs while playing the outfield. Woof.</p>
<p>There isn't much contention over second base, shortstop, and third base. Cesar Hernandez, who played second when Chase Utley (sob) was injured last season, now owns the position outright. I am definitely not expecting repeat of his .272/.339/.348 performance in 2015, but the Phillies could do a whole lot worse than Hernandez until they figure out what's next at second base.</p>
<p>Shortstop currently belongs to Freddy Galvis, the operative word being "currently." Galvis isn't a long term solution at shortstop (or at second, or at third), and when J.P. Crawford is ready for the majors, there won't be a battle for playing time. Galvis will be out of a starting job, because Crawford is, very simply, the future of the franchise. (Or at least a major part of it.) When Galvis was the young kid on the squad, starting at second on opening day 2012, it was his defense that got him there. The bat, they said, would come, but it didn't (though he found some offensive success in the first month and a half of 2015), and even his sparkling D started to fade. This year, he's got a cool beard and a smashed windshield courtesy of Maikel Franco, and under the severe tutelage of former shortstop Larry Bowa, he's been diagnosed with what theoretically ailed him last season - a lack of concentration from his hitting struggles and positioning himself too deep at short. Now it's just a matter of making adjustments. We all know how simple that is.</p>
<p>The current outlook at third base is much rosier than any other infield position, and that's thanks to Maikel Franco. 2016 will be his first full year in the majors, and his power and increasing defensive skills secured him a starting job at third with no risk of sharing playing time with Cody "Why Is He Still On This Team" Asche. Franco came to camp ready to play, and his eight spring training homers lead all of baseball. I have nothing else to say about him except that I want the regular season to start immediately because I can't wait to watch him play.</p>
<h1>The Outfield</h1>
<p>Oy vey.</p>
<p>The best place to start is to say that the Phillies' outfield depth is treacherously thin. Aaron Altherr, who had a short but surprising campaign in 2015, is out 3-6 months after having surgery on his left wrist. So he won't appear in the outfield until midseason at the very least, if at all in 2016. It's deeply disappointing, because it was going to be exciting to see what Altherr could do over a whole season. Cody Asche, who has lost his starting job at third base to the far superior Maikel Franco, is having a hard time pretending to be an outfielder due to an oblique strain that leaves him questionable for opening day. Odubel Herrera, who was the biggest and most welcome surprise of the entire 2015 squad, just returned from nearly two weeks out of action due to a bruised finger.</p>
<p>Who does that leave us with? A rusty Odubel Herrera, Tyler Goeddel, and offseason pickup "Gorgeous" Peter Bourjos.</p>
<p>More experimenting. More tinkering. More "let's just see what we have"-ing. Which is fine, because the Phillies have a lot to learn about some of these guys. Goeddel was among the team leaders in at-bats (54) this spring because the Phillies wanted to see what new sorcery they may have discovered in the rule 5 draft. Nothing fantastic happened - he struck out 12 times, hit a home run, and went .241 with a .650 OPS - but there's nothing to lose in letting him hang around to see if he can turn those numbers into something more Herrera-like. Bourjos is there to be a guy who has played an outfield position for more than one or two years, and to presumably help the Phillies develop a startlingly effective new defense. That he's hit .304 with six XBH in 46 AB is just sort of... nice.</p>
<p>As long as Herrera keeps that middle finger healthy, the center field job will stay his. The 24-year-old is trending upward - the labyrinthine routes will slim down and the plate discipline will tighten up. Then it's just a matter of keeping the good numbers up - there's a reason we call him O"double" Herrera, and it's not just because his name already basically sounds like it is pronounced like that.</p>
<h1>The Bench</h1>
<p>Cedric Hunter, Emmanuel Burriss and David Lough have all made cases for the honor of sitting on the Phillies' bench this season. Wil Venable has been brought in to fill space as well, and with the idea of two sets of best friends platooning at two positions to at least start the season in Ryan Howard/Darin Ruf and Carlos Ruiz/Cameron Rupp, the bench will fill up quickly.</p>
<p>And this is all before mentioning the ultimate bench player, 31-year-old Andres Blanco, who probably had made the team before he had even zipped his luggage shut. Blanco can play any infield position, has had a notably positive influence on young players, and hit .292 with 22 doubles in 106 games last season. This spring, he's hit .257 in 35 AB, which is more than enough to convince management that he's ready to resume his role.</p>
<p>In the mean time, the Phillies can hope for the best case scenario in a lot of cases: They can hope Rupp taps into that simmering power source below the surface; they can hope Burriss' slap-happy success (.313 BA, 3 2B, 1 3B) this spring continues; they can hope Cedric Hunter's Grapefruit League power surge (3 HR, .536 SLG) will stay with him up north.</p>
<p>And Howard... poor, sweet Ryan Howard. They can hope something happens to him that isn't terrible or unfortunate or tragic and start with that. Howard views the platoon with Ruf as a worst case scenario, and to an extent, Ruf must feel that way, too. Neither one has lurched forward powerfully enough to resoundingly earn a job, so until there's a better, or at least more exhilarating, option (Brock Stassi? Andrew Knapp?) the conclusion seems to be that they can be mashed together to create some kind of four-armed stopgap between right field and home plate.</p>
<h1>The Big Picture</h1>
<p>The big picture for the 2016 Phillies can be summed up in two words: improvement and growth. If they can win a few more games than they did in 2015, if Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco and Jerad Eickhoff and Aaron Nola can all grow and improve as baseball players, this season will be a success. Hell, they don't even have to win more games. I hope that would be a byproduct of the maturation of their young players, but it doesn't have to be. Until more pieces of that future team are in place, until the front office sees enough growth from their young guys to drop some money on free agency, I don't expect vast improvements in their win totals. 2016, just like 2015, is about preparing for the future. Winning games doesn't necessarily help a rebuilding team do that.</p>
<p>What helps a rebuilding team actually rebuild is a plan, which the front office seems to have, and a great manager, which they also have. Pete Mackanin, denied the chance to manage his own squad for so long, has been exactly what the Phillies need. As excited as I am about Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera, I'm more excited to see what Pete Mackanin can do over a full season.</p>
<p>The Phillies have a long way to go before they even break through to mediocre. But only focusing on that obscures how far they've come in a short time. Ruben Amaro, for all his flaws, helped build the foundation for what's to come. (The man got the Nationals to take Jonathan Papelbon, for God's sake!) Now it's up to Andy MacPhail and Matt Klentak to expand on that foundation and start building upwards.</p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/3/29/11327052/2016-phillies-season-previewLiz RoscherJustin Klugh2016-03-28T23:34:58-04:002016-03-28T23:34:58-04:002016 TGP Over/Under/Never Kickoff and Events
<figure>
<img alt="Over/under on how many autographs Howard will sign this year at 200?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WY31q10424CeuFR7UXPSeI19CvA=/0x95:4753x3264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49185709/usa-today-9215958.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Over/under on how many autographs Howard will sign this year at 200? | Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Good Phight's annual season-long cavalcade of bad guesses and pointless hypotheses known as Over/Under/Never, begins now. </p> <p>In years past, we have combined this event with a chili cookoff* and a tractor festival,* and have awarded prizes both great^ and small`. This year is no different: behold, The Good Phight's 2016 Over/Under/Never Precognitive Trivia Challenge, Chili Race and Tractor Cookoff! Something like that.</p>
<p>*no chili or tractors are involved</p>
<p>^no great prizes were awarded</p>
<p>`no small prizes either</p>
<p>Anyway, if you've done this before, you know the drill, so skip ahead to thee figurative meat of this meal. If not, here's the quick version: below are a list of events or occurrences, each presented with a date. Your task is to predict whether the event will occur before (under) or after (over) the listed date; or whether The Good Phight's annual season-long cavalcade of bad guesses and pointless hypotheses known as Over/Under/Never, begins now. it will not occur at all (never). If it happens <i>on</i> the listed date, that counts as an over. Some events are based on season totals or other totals rather than dates. As always, feel free to ask any questions you may have, and in the event of a conflict, all judgements of The Good Phight's poorly trained monkey are binding and final. Seriously, don't get a monkey for this stuff. What were we thinking. Monkeys are horrible.</p>
<p><b>On to the events!</b></p>
<p>1. <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a>' first win of the season - <b>April 6</b></p>
<p>2. Phillies' first walkoff loss of the season - <b>May 1</b></p>
<p>3. Phillies' first walkoff win of the seson - <b>May 1</b></p>
<p>4. Odubel Herrera's 10th career home run (needs 2) - <b>May 20</b></p>
<p>5. Maikel Franco's first multi-home run game - <b>June 1</b></p>
<p>6. <span>Freddy Galvis</span>' 69th career base on balls (needs 11) - <b>June 9</b></p>
<p>7. Aaron Nola's 100th career strikeout (needs 32) - <b>June 10</b></p>
<p>8. Vincent Velasquez's 100th career strikeout (needs 42) - <b>July 1</b></p>
<p>9. Jerad Eickhoff's 100th career strikeout (needs 51) - <b>July 15</b></p>
<p>10. Charlie Morton's 4th career run scored (as a hitter, needs 1) - <b>August 1</b></p>
<p>11. "Now batting for the Phillies, Shortstop <span>J.P. Crawford</span>!" Crawford's first plate appearance as a Phillie - <b>August 31</b></p>
<p>12. <span>Aaron Altherr</span> makes his season debut - <b>September 10</b></p>
<p>13. Andres Blanco's seventh career position played (needs 1, has previously played at 2B, SS, 3B, DH, RF and 1B) - <b>September 15</b></p>
<p>14. Ryan Howard's 1,500th career base hit (needs 90) - <b>September 20</b></p>
<p>15. "Now pitching for the Phillies, <span>Matt Harrison</span>!" Harrison's first appearance - <b>September 30</b></p>
<p><b>Phormer Phillies Bonus Round</b></p>
<p>16. <span>Jimmy Rollins</span>' 9,000th combined out recorded (putouts and assists, needs 12) - <b>May 1</b></p>
<p>17. <span>Cole Hamels</span>' 2,000th career strikeout (needs 78) - <b>July 15</b></p>
<p>18. Chase Utley's 250th career home run (needs 14) - <b>September 30</b></p>
<p><b>Season Total Bonus Round</b></p>
<p>19. Total number of complete games pitched by Phillies pitchers (last year: 1)</p>
<p>20. Which comes first: Phillies' 70th season victory or confirmation of the next United States Supreme Court Justice? (h/t to Wet Luzinski)</p>
<p>21. Total number of players at all positions used by the Phillies (last year: 50)</p>
<p>22. Total number of pitchers with one or more game started (last year: 14)</p>
<p>23. Number of months with a winning percentage of .500 or greater (last year: 2)</p>
<p>24. Regular season total attendance at Citizen's Bank Park (last year: 1,831,080)</p>
<p>25. Phillies' final regular season record (last year: 63-99)</p>
<p>There you are, folks. Entries will be accepted up until first pitch of the first home game of the season on April 11, but you won't get credit for any events that occur prior to your entry, so get them in soon, and good luck!</p>
https://www.thegoodphight.com/2016/3/28/11322176/2016-tgp-over-under-never-kickoff-and-eventsPhrozen