Anthony Gargano’s Opening Diatribe- Phillies Are In This Thing
See What Anthony had to say about the matchup between the Phillies and Astros In his Opening Diatribe today…
It is a World Series Wednesday!
We are getting there. Only a couple of days. I can’t wait. I feel the itch, looking for a little ball. Last night it was like ew, there are no sports. Where is the World Series?
Today I want to move forward. Kind of match it up a little bit… I’m telling you, I don’t think the disparity between the two clubs is that far apart. If we are going to match it up, Verlander is the best pitcher in this series. But Wheeler is just a tick below him. And as great as Verlander is, he has been hit in the World Series, and he has been hit in the playoffs.
Here is the deal with Verlander. You have to hit him early before he locks in. If he locks you in, he is a problem. He will strike out 13. But early on, before he can locate, is when you can hit him. For these great pitchers, it is always the first inning that is a problem for them. It was that way with Roy Halladay. In the first inning he was the most vulnerable… That is how these great pitchers are.
Here is the deal, Wheeler is right there. Nola took the step. He is really good. Framber Valdez is good. He is a strikeout kid. Christain Javier is good, but so is the Ranger, especially at home. The Ranger only got in trouble in the Braves series because he couldn’t locate. That is a rarity for Ranger because he isn’t wild. I have good faith in Ranger.
The only advantage when we stack up their pitching is the 4th starter. They can go McCullers, who is legitimate, and we are looking at a bullpen game. If you look at how that matchup would be, it is kind of scary. That is the one game I go that is a distinct advantage for the Astros… You might go slight edge Astros game 1, slight edge Phillies game 2. If you can leave Houston with a split, that is the recipe. It was the recipe vs Atlanta, and it was the recipe vs San Diego.
And then you look at the lineup. They have Altuve who is a great great hitter. But he has kind of been quiet during these playoffs. So it is not like he is raking. Pena is the SS, he was the ALCS MVP. Then you’ve got the best player on the Astros, Yordan Alvarez. Left-hander, a big bat, and can crush the baseball. He won game 1 against Seattle, he won game 2 against Seattle. Like he is ridiculous. He’s a guy you have to pitch around. And then you have Bregman. Who is not the same Bregman from the trash can days. He is a tick lower than that. But he is still a veteran.
You keep going around and look at the rest of that lineup. Guriel who is a power guy. Tucker is ridiculous. He took that next stride. And then they have Chaz McCormick who is a local guy. Great kid, and he has had a good run. Behind the plate is Maldonado, a veteran guy, but no stick.
So obviously a formidable lineup. But then you matchup vs what the Phillies have done. Schwarber we know how dangerous he is. Look at the other night, the Schwarbomb leading off. He has looked great. The other night he looked like Reggie Jackson down on one knee. He is as dangerous as anyone in that lineup. Rhys had the weekend of his life. You know that Hoskins is a power threat. The 3 HRS that he hits over the weekend, he won game 4 for you, and he got you going in game 5. JT has been swinging a great stick for the last 3 months. Bryce is the MVP.
Now Castellanos obviously has struggled. But he looks more locked in at the plate than he has. He has looked pretty good. So that is something, I am hoping. He has hit the ball hard, so I am hoping that is a thing. Stott has had some great at bats man. I would start him every day righty or lefty. Bohm has been good, and he played a solid 3rd base. You got Segura, who had the big hit, he is clutch. Big hit against the Cardinals, and a big hit against the Padres. Marsh is in center, he is a guy I would platoon…
After I break down everybody, I come back and I go, this is more even than people realize. And the fact the Astros are a 2-1 favorite is way too high. This Phillies team is dangerous. Think about the biggest upsets in sports. This isn’t one of them. Phillies are in this thing. This isnt one of those can the Phillies beat this Juggernaut? The Phillies are live!
Listen to his full opening diatribe below…
