The Phillies need to get off to a good start for the simple reason to keep the Padres from making a run! The Padres have underachieved, but many think they still have a run in them. The best deal would be for the Phillies to flat-out take care of business on their own. Good fundamentals are obviously huge for this team and could only benefit them in this 4 game series…. Bottom line: win the series!
Here are Ricky Botallico’s 5 Notes on the Padres series:
Get Another Good Outing from Christopher Sanchez
Cristopher Sanchez starts the first game after the break, he has pitched well since moving into the number-five spot for the Phillies. He pitched six innings in his last start against the Rays giving up just a solo home run. Can he continue his run? As long as he sticks to his plan, which is similar to Ranger Suarez, showing a good fastball into right-handed hitters and using his change and breaking ball on both sides. Sanchez has shown good poise and good command, just 4 walks this season. He will have to be on top of his game against a team that has some guys that can change the game with one swing.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Need to Get Back to Hitting Balls Out of the Park
The Phillies starters had carried the team through most of the last month, but this team was built to hit balls out of the park, we have not seen the tip of the iceberg with the offense. There are players who have been a bit quiet recently, first, Bryce Harper, we are waiting for the power surge, will it happen? Take this into consideration, he came back early from a serious surgery and now should be just getting into the swing of things. I look for Harper to turn it up starting this weekend. Trea Turner has had his moments, maybe a bit of rest and relaxation has put him in a spot to be more consistent.
Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on June 23, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Padres Were Starting to Get Hot
You have to think the Padres are due to pick up the pace, before the break, they had won 4 of their last 5 games. Fernando Tatis Jr. is one to watch. He has a .288 average with 16 Homers and 44 RBIs. He is always a threat and should be pitched to in that manner. Manny Machado is still a threat, he comes in with 15 Homers and 49 RBI. This team can hit, so it puts more importance on the middle of the Phillies lineup.
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Pitching MAtchups
Looking at the matchups, you have Yu Darvish, who hasn’t been fantastic but has a track record in the bigs, he can put up a monster on any given day. He will be followed by Blake Snell Saturday and a TBA, in game 2 of the doubleheader. The Phillies have Sanchez Friday followed by Taijuan Walker in game 1 on Saturday, and Ranger Suarez in game 2. Zach Wheeler battles Seth Lugo on Sunday.
(Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images)
Phillies Dealing With Injuries
The Phillies bullpen is a bit short right now, as well as some bench injuries to start the second half. For the Pen, Gregory Soto will have to be good to start the second half, he may be the most important piece until they get Alvarado and Dominguez back. The Phillies just had Josh Harrison and Christian Pache go down with injuries, in their place the Phillies have brought in Drew Ellis and Johan Rojas. Ellis did well in his previous stint and Rojas is someone the Phillies could count on defensively.
Johan Rojas #84 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait during media day at BayCare Ballpark on February 23, 2023 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
