Michael Lorenzen Impacting Philadelphia Phillies Outlook
On a night when Michael Lorenzen starts his first game with the Philadelphia Phillies, we all got to enjoy history.
It was a no-hitter and an incredibly efficient, 124-pitch effort after struggling early in the game to get his footing. Local media will have to monitor whether his arm falls off in the next few days as the new era of baseball minds was contemplating whether he had to be removed as the count grew. Lorenzen answered that question in decisive fashion.
Michael Lorenzen is the top starting pitcher on the 2023 roster.
He has only been here for two starts, but he’s recorded a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings. He has a 3.23 ERA on the season. How do the 17 innings compare to the most by other Phillies starters in consecutive starts?
- Nola – 15 innings
- Wheeler – 14 innings
- Walker – 14 innings
- Suarez – 13.2 innings
- Sanchez – 12 innings
Lorenzen should get at least nine starts with the Phillies in the regular season. If the current trend continues, I don’t want to hear about Nola or any other pitcher “deserving” the playoff start. This is a storyline to watch moving forward.
HE DID IT!
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 10, 2023
Michael Lorenzen has thrown the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history! pic.twitter.com/MXnZy6WY48
Phillies Take Over Top Wild Card
This could be the launching point for this team. They lead the Giants by a game and are secured in a playoff spot by 3.5 games. The schedule is favorable for the next 10 days until the Giants come to Philadelphia. They could put this Wild Card race to bed before Labor Day.
The bats are coming alive.
We are seeing a glimpse of the power returning to the Phillies’ most critical hitter Bryce Harper. Even his flyouts are carrying deep and leaving the bat with a ferocity we were not seeing earlier after his return.
If the power truly comes back, it changes everything. Congratulations to Nick Castellanos on swatting his 200th home run in a two-homer effort last evening. What a year it has been except for a three-week slump after his MLB All-Star Game appearance. He is already way ahead of last year’s HR and RBI pace.
In six games since the first standing ovation, Trea Turner is hitting .391 with 6 RBI. It’s a start, and hopefully, it’s one that propels this team.
Home Field Advantage at Citizens Bank Park
The Phillies have climbed to 10 games over .500 at home in 2023, and they still hold a slim winning record on the road at 31-30.
Preparing for Red October
As of this morning the Phillies playoff probability is 85.5% according to Fan Graphs.
I’d suggest that in a few more weeks you can make plans for the Wild Card series in Philadelphia on Tuesday, October 3, Wednesday, October 4, and if necessary, Thursday, October 5.
Watch The John Kincade Show live on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
3 Things We Learned From the Phillies Quiet Trade Deadline
Brandon Marsh Will Be Playing More Left Field
Brandom Marsh has been a bright spot for the Phillies. Yes at times he has made boneheaded plays in the field and on the bases. But he has some of the best numbers at the plate on the team and is mostly good in the field. Not as good as Pache/ Rojas though. And we have seen them more and more mess around with putting Marsh in left, and Rojas in Center. And that may be for the best.
It is the position Marsh played with the Angels since he was not going to push Trout out of Center. But the Phillies needed a Center Fielder, so he was moved there when traded to Philly. But he just looks more comfortable, and instinctual, in left field. There are fewer of those mental errors we occasionally see from him in Center.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
That may be what we see going forward this season. Is it what is best for the lineup? That depends on how Rojas and Pache perform at the plate going forward. But what it will do is turn a weakness for the Phillies, fielding, into a major strength. Nick Castellanos would be the only weak link out there. But even he has improved a ton this season. You would be going from a bottom 5 glove in Left, Schwarber, to arguably a top 5, Marsh.
They Are Banking On Guys Already Here To Figure it Out
We would not be talking about the Phillies’ need for another bat if Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, JT Realmuto, and Bryce Harper were hitting the way they usually do. Those 5 players’ struggles, and the lack of Rhys Hoskins, are the reason there was any need for another hitter to begin with. Harper we can forgive because he is still hitting, just not for power, which probably comes down to his recovery from Tommy John’s. But the other 4 need to do better.
And that is what the Phillies are telling you will happen. By not making a move, they are saying they believe Turner will start hitting and Castellanos will break out of his July slump. Hopefully, they are right. because right now the lineup can be tough to watch some nights.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
