PHILLY (Loosely Related to The Philadelphia Phillies)

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All of their games seem to be 3 and a half hours+ long. Lots of walks, lots of guys batting under .250. Their approach at the plate has been fantastic but all of the deep counts have really stretched these games out so long.

Could be more exciting offensively, but I think Kapler's doing a good job of squeezing every ounce of talent out of these guys so far.

The Juggler said:

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All of their games seem to be 3 and a half hours long. Their approach at the plate has been fantastic but all of the deep counts have really stretched these games out so long.

Could be more exciting offensively, but I think Kapler's doing a good job of squeezing every ounce of talent out of these guys so far.

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

^

All of their games seem to be 3 and a half hours+ long. Lots of walks, lots of guys batting under .250. Their approach at the plate has been fantastic but all of the deep counts have really stretched these games out so long.

Could be more exciting offensively, but I think Kapler's doing a good job of squeezing every ounce of talent out of these guys so far.

Welcome to today's launch angle baseball.  Nothing but Ks, Walks and Home Runs. 

Not sure how this team is 1st place short of they just don't go on losing streaks.  Because of their starting pitching they manage to be in almost very game.  they can't really hit and they can't field a lick. bullpen numbers look good but they don't seem all that good outside of Dominguez.  Their catchers can't catch.  The bench as it is currently constituted is awful.  The amazing thing is they have a better record at this point than the 2008 World Series champs did and that team had way more talent.  They compete though and stay with games even when they get down.  Could do without the american league length of the games but winning is always good.  Hope they can keep it going.

still fairly lukewarm on Kapler.  It's not like anyone had a huge jump this season.

The Juggler said:

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

^

All of their games seem to be 3 and a half hours+ long. Lots of walks, lots of guys batting under .250. Their approach at the plate has been fantastic but all of the deep counts have really stretched these games out so long.

Could be more exciting offensively, but I think Kapler's doing a good job of squeezing every ounce of talent out of these guys so far.

Welcome to today's launch angle baseball.  Nothing but Ks, Walks and Home Runs. 

Not sure how this team is 1st place short of they just don't go on losing streaks.  Because of their starting pitching they manage to be in almost very game.  they can't really hit and they can't field a lick. bullpen numbers look good but they don't seem all that good outside of Dominguez.  Their catchers can't catch.  The bench as it is currently constituted is awful.  The amazing thing is they have a better record at this point than the 2008 World Series champs did and that team had way more talent.  They compete though and stay with games even when they get down.  Could do without the american league length of the games but winning is always good.  Hope they can keep it going.

still fairly lukewarm on Kapler.  It's not like anyone had a huge jump this season.

 Still lukewarm on the manager despite all the things you mentioned there?

He is pushing all the right buttons—like batting Knapp leadoff today. Unconventional, but if you look deeper, he’s been getting on base at a.380 clip his last 30 games. Moves like this have helped put guys in position to succeed. Obviously, Gabe is pushing their approach at the plate too and that’s getting a ton of production out of a team who really isn’t hitting the ball that well as a whole.  But good things happen when you get on base.

Imagine what things will be like next year with more pop in the lineup. 

Ledbetterman10 said:

I'm loving this team. Kinda has a feel of those first few years when Larry Bowa was the manager. Just finding ways to win. 

The Juggler said:

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

^

All of their games seem to be 3 and a half hours+ long. Lots of walks, lots of guys batting under .250. Their approach at the plate has been fantastic but all of the deep counts have really stretched these games out so long.

Could be more exciting offensively, but I think Kapler's doing a good job of squeezing every ounce of talent out of these guys so far.

Welcome to today's launch angle baseball.  Nothing but Ks, Walks and Home Runs. 

Not sure how this team is 1st place short of they just don't go on losing streaks.  Because of their starting pitching they manage to be in almost very game.  they can't really hit and they can't field a lick. bullpen numbers look good but they don't seem all that good outside of Dominguez.  Their catchers can't catch.  The bench as it is currently constituted is awful.  The amazing thing is they have a better record at this point than the 2008 World Series champs did and that team had way more talent.  They compete though and stay with games even when they get down.  Could do without the american league length of the games but winning is always good.  Hope they can keep it going.

still fairly lukewarm on Kapler.  It's not like anyone had a huge jump this season.

 Still lukewarm on the manager despite all the things you mentioned there?

He is pushing all the right buttons—like batting Knapp leadoff today. Unconventional, but if you look deeper, he’s been getting on base at a.380 clip his last 30 games. Moves like this have helped put guys in position to succeed. Obviously, Gabe is pushing their approach at the plate too and that’s getting a ton of production out of a team who really isn’t hitting the ball that well as a whole.  But good things happen when you get on base.

Imagine what things will be like next year with more pop in the lineup. 

Yes. they are winning because of the starting pitching mostly.  Other than Eflin and Pivetta has anyone had a year better than their norm under Kapler?  and those two guys have been hot at times and just so-so at other times.  Most of the offensive players have been worse.  The one thing I will give Kapler credit for is a positive attitude.  he is annoying positive but I think that has rubbed off on the team some.  so yes still lukewarm.  And remember your boy Chip Kelly even had one good year to start and we know how that turned out.

Well this is the youngest team in baseball so, with most of these guys, there isn't much of a track record to talk about career years and stuff but let's look at how the lineup is performing:

You've only got 2 veterans. 

Hernandez-having a typical year for him. OBP has been around career high all season.

Santana-- average is well below his norm but he's had a ton of bad luck...despite that he is among the league leaders in walks and is second on team in run scored. Guy gets on base with the best of them. Being able to still get that kind of production despite the avg speaks to the kind of approach at the plate Gabe is preaching. I'd expect ave comes up close to his career numbers by end of year.

But it's really about the development of the younger guys:

Odubel--having a typical good Odubel year so far. Best hr numbers for his young career.  

Rhys is mashing the ball and has a .360 OBP. Very happy with his development. I think he's going to be a stud for the next 10 plus years. Been better than expected in left too.

Nick Williams has shown improvement with his approach--walking more, striking out less. I don't want them to trade for another outfielder. Heard Adam Jones' name today. I'd rather they keep him out there to see how he does down the stretch in a pennant race.

Alfaro was extremely raw when they traded for him and was out of minor league options this year so they had no choice but to see him sink or swim at the major league level and I'm pretty happy with his progress so far. His throwing guys out at a good clip but still very raw back there. Some glimpses of what he can do offensively.

Kingery--still so young. Would've liked to have seen more offensively thus far and defense has been rough. He's in a tough spot not being able to play second. Hitting.256 last 30 games.

Franco--he's having his best season since his rookie year. Bad start but he's really come on the last 6 weeks or so.

Nola is an all star and clearly having a career year.

Velazquez is finally putting together long stretches of quality starts for the first time in his career, really.

Bullpen--I don't think he could have used them any better than he has. Sir Anthony's been a revelation. As a whole after a horrible month plus, they've really righted the ship. Gotta give manager some credit there.

I don't get the Chip comparison people like to make. Chip was trying out new and different techniques in football and it worked for a couple years. Things went south when he was given too much power in his third year. Difference here is Gabe is doing things most of baseball has been doing for years. And it's working so far. Probably will be in the manager of the year consideration if they keep this up.

Cliffy6745 said:

The Juggler said:

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

pjhawks said:

The Juggler said:

^

All of their games seem to be 3 and a half hours+ long. Lots of walks, lots of guys batting under .250. Their approach at the plate has been fantastic but all of the deep counts have really stretched these games out so long.

Could be more exciting offensively, but I think Kapler's doing a good job of squeezing every ounce of talent out of these guys so far.

Welcome to today's launch angle baseball.  Nothing but Ks, Walks and Home Runs. 

Not sure how this team is 1st place short of they just don't go on losing streaks.  Because of their starting pitching they manage to be in almost very game.  they can't really hit and they can't field a lick. bullpen numbers look good but they don't seem all that good outside of Dominguez.  Their catchers can't catch.  The bench as it is currently constituted is awful.  The amazing thing is they have a better record at this point than the 2008 World Series champs did and that team had way more talent.  They compete though and stay with games even when they get down.  Could do without the american league length of the games but winning is always good.  Hope they can keep it going.

still fairly lukewarm on Kapler.  It's not like anyone had a huge jump this season.

 Still lukewarm on the manager despite all the things you mentioned there?

He is pushing all the right buttons—like batting Knapp leadoff today. Unconventional, but if you look deeper, he’s been getting on base at a.380 clip his last 30 games. Moves like this have helped put guys in position to succeed. Obviously, Gabe is pushing their approach at the plate too and that’s getting a ton of production out of a team who really isn’t hitting the ball that well as a whole.  But good things happen when you get on base.

Imagine what things will be like next year with more pop in the lineup. 

Yes. they are winning because of the starting pitching mostly.  Other than Eflin and Pivetta has anyone had a year better than their norm under Kapler?  and those two guys have been hot at times and just so-so at other times.  Most of the offensive players have been worse.  The one thing I will give Kapler credit for is a positive attitude.  he is annoying positive but I think that has rubbed off on the team some.  so yes still lukewarm.  And remember your boy Chip Kelly even had one good year to start and we know how that turned out.

Well this is the youngest team in baseball so, with most of these guys, there isn't much of a track record to talk about career years and stuff but let's look at how the lineup is performing:

You've only got 2 veterans. 

Hernandez-having a typical year for him. OBP has been around career high all season.

Santana-- average is well below his norm but he's had a ton of bad luck...despite that he is among the league leaders in walks and is second on team in run scored. Guy gets on base with the best of them. Being able to still get that kind of production despite the avg speaks to the kind of approach at the plate Gabe is preaching. I'd expect ave comes up close to his career numbers by end of year.

But it's really about the development of the younger guys:

Odubel--having a typical good Odubel year so far. Best hr numbers for his young career.  

Rhys is mashing the ball and has a .360 OBP. Very happy with his development. I think he's going to be a stud for the next 10 plus years. Been better than expected in left too.

Nick Williams has shown improvement with his approach--walking more, striking out less. I don't want them to trade for another outfielder. Heard Adam Jones' name today. I'd rather they keep him out there to see how he does down the stretch in a pennant race.

Alfaro was extremely raw when they traded for him and was out of minor league options this year so they had no choice but to see him sink or swim at the major league level and I'm pretty happy with his progress so far. His throwing guys out at a good clip but still very raw back there. Some glimpses of what he can do offensively.

Kingery--still so young. Would've liked to have seen more offensively thus far and defense has been rough. He's in a tough spot not being able to play second. Hitting.256 last 30 games.

Franco--he's having his best season since his rookie year. Bad start but he's really come on the last 6 weeks or so.

Nola is an all star and clearly having a career year.

Velazquez is finally putting together long stretches of quality starts for the first time in his career, really.

Bullpen--I don't think he could have used them any better than he has. Sir Anthony's been a revelation. As a whole after a horrible month plus, they've really righted the ship. Gotta give manager some credit there.

I don't get the Chip comparison people like to make. Chip was trying out new and different techniques in football and it worked for a couple years. Things went south when he was given too much power in his third year. Difference here is Gabe is doing things most of baseball has been doing for years. And it's working so far. Probably will be in the manager of the year consideration if they keep this up.

Bold statement of Rhys. Chase Utley wasn't a stud for 10 plus years.