Well, despite losing two series in a row prior to starting this series in San Diego, the Phillies pretty much proved what I sort of expected. They aren't as cold as they were to start the year, but they are sort of simply in a bit of a lull after all the events that transpired in the opening weeks of the season. They've sort of come back to earth and can hopefully just take it one series at a time here on out. The pressure of getting out of a slump, or keeping up their hot streak feels sort of behind them in my opinion. Hopefully they're in a healthier place mentally I guess. I guess it feels like the season has officially started in a way.
I am far from declaring the Phillies as 'back' but with their win yesterday they are once again at the .500 mark.
It's sort of an adventure for me as a fan. I'm curious to see how they handle this adversity, how they handle the unknown. The Phils have shown glimmers of their old selves, but the uncertainty is definitely intriguing.
I want the Phillies to be dominant of course, but if they can't be dominant, it's curious to see how they compete the rest of the way. Maybe this whole situation will benefit them come playoff time, if they make the playoffs!
It's easy for the roster to think fans overreact, but I think it's also easy for the roster to assume the playoffs will be automatic! I think this sense of urgency they have now in May could be a good thing. Sometimes when a team is on cruise control for the majority of the season, they end up lacking an edge come October!
But yes as I said, the Phillies actually shutout the Padres yesterday which was excellent. Jesús Luzardo looked really strong against a good Padres lineup! It seems that Luzardo is improving his consistency at the moment! Hopefully he keeps it up! He improved to 4-4 on the season and his ERA is at a much more respectable place at 4.38! Good stuff!
The Phillies weren't exactly amazing offensively. They scored three runs, all of which came from the homer. Kyle Schwarber hit a solo homer. It was his 21st, and that leads the MLB! It's pretty impressive that he still leads baseball in homers after missing a few games due to his illness. Brandon Marsh hit a two run shot also, it was his 5th. Marsh continues to excel! Marsh is really on pace for a career year and we're fairly deep into the season now. The Phillies only recorded three hits though, and I am still a bit concerned by the lack of consistent offense.
Aaron Nola is on the mound tonight. With Andrew Painter and Jesús Luzardo stepping up their game recently, it would be cool to see Nola do the same. Nola is kind of all of a sudden the weakest pitcher in the rotation it seems like. Tough to see. But if he did turn it around, and Painter and Luzardo continue to improve too, the Phillies pitching staff could be all of a sudden excellent. A lot of what ifs though.
Let's see how game two goes!
