The Phillies started the 2017 season 3-3 with an opening day win in Cincinnati and two wins at home against the hated Nationals.

It was kind of an uneven week.  Don’t get me wrong, I think 3 wins is an excellent outcome for the week.  But, some things gave me pause.

For instance, Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of April 10th →

The Phillies went 3-2-1 in the final week of spring training.  After thirty-six games, the Phillies had a 14-17-5 Grapefruit League record.  They posted wins of 7-1, 8-2, and 8-2 last week; and losses of 10-4 and 14-1.  They tied 7-7.  That’s 35 runs for, 36 against.  Could be an interesting season.  The Phillies open Monday in Cincinnati at 4:10 PM.  The Phillies opened against the Reds last season and blew saves in the 8th and 9th innings while dropping the first two games of the season. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of April 3rd →

The Phillies went 2-3-1 last week.  After thirty games, the Phillies have an 11-15-4 Grapefruit League record.  The Phillies play 6 games this week – night games Monday and Tuesday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin and at home, two split squad games on the road Wednesday, and home games Thursday and Friday. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of March 27th →

The Phillies managed to win just one game last week.  After twenty-four games, the Phillies have an 9-12-3 Grapefruit League record.  Their week of futility culminated in an 8-0 loss to the Rays where they faced a perfect game for 7.1 innings.   Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of March 20th →

The Phillies split six games this past week in Florida.  After seventeen games, the Phillies have an 8-7-2 Grapefruit League record.  But, record isn’t a legitimate indicator to measure the team’s progress.  After all, the Phillies posted a National League third best 15-11-3 record last spring and still managed to finish 20 games under .500 during the regular season. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of March 13th →

After eleven games, the Phillies have a 5-4-2 Grapefruit League record.  Scott Kingery has impressed with his glove and his bat.  Aaron Nola looked good in his return to the mound. And, Brock Stassi may have forced his name into the conversation for a spot on the 25-man roster.
Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of March 6th →

The first weekend of Grapefruit and Cactus League games is over.  Several young Phillies’ prospects have looked promising.  As major league games continue, early reports for minor league camp will continue to work out at the Complex.  Their first full work out is scheduled for Friday, March 3rd.
Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of February 27th →

String training is in full swing.  The Phillies reverted back to using just two fields for PFPs with the result being a lot of standing around by the pitchers after loosening up throwing their long toss.  Other drills are more fast-paced.  The best so far have been the “live” batting practice sessions.   Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of February 20th →

Finally!!!  Pitchers and catchers have their first official workout Tuesday.  The full squad starts on Friday.  As you may have seen in the ‘Clearwater Updates”, a lot of players are already in Clearwater.  Some as early as mid-January.  The Phillies will have 62 roster and non-roster players in town for spring training.  Three less than last year.  A lot of minor league players are among the early reports.   Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of February 13th →

Let the countdown begin.  Ten, nine, eight, … just a few more days until pitchers and catchers on February 14th!!!  The first full team workout is three days later.  Until then, here’s another open discussion for Phillies’ talk and other topics. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of February 6th →