Post by tadontask on Aug 30, 2017 13:40:07 GMT -5
It has been a very slow start for the Phillies this season, who had hoped to build on their 87 win season a year ago. The problem has largely been on the hitting side. As a team the Phillies are batting .211. This is 44 points below the league average and 20 points below the next lowest team. Meanwhile the pitching has been solid, posting a 3.94 ERA. Tensions got a little heated this past week when veteran pitcher Jim Bethke saw third baseman Ron Cey's new order of bats come in, and asked if they came with instructions this time. Cey, of course, is one of the hitters off to a terrible start, batting .181/.267/.259 over 34 games this season.
New manager Nick Kolupanowich isn't quite sure what to do. "There are a lot of veterans on this team with good track records. All we can do is keep giving them chances and we're confident that they'll turn things around. Obviously this isn't the start we would have liked to have, but the bottom line is that it's August 30th, 2017 and we've still got some games to play." Mike Schmidt, upon hearing this quote, took some responsibility for the error. "Yeah, he's been a little fuzzy since the bat flew out of my hand and struck him in the head during my latest 2 strikeout game. Everyone is aware that it's still only May, 1977 of course, and we've got a ways to go."
The team has tried to give the roster a spark by calling up prospects Mike Norris and Al Holland. Norris had a solid debut, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) in 9 innings at St. Louis, but in typical Phillie fashion this year, lost the game as the offense struggled to produce. There isn't as much help in the system on the hitting side of things, however, so the club has to remain hopeful that their current hitters can start heating up. Preferably without instructions.
New manager Nick Kolupanowich isn't quite sure what to do. "There are a lot of veterans on this team with good track records. All we can do is keep giving them chances and we're confident that they'll turn things around. Obviously this isn't the start we would have liked to have, but the bottom line is that it's August 30th, 2017 and we've still got some games to play." Mike Schmidt, upon hearing this quote, took some responsibility for the error. "Yeah, he's been a little fuzzy since the bat flew out of my hand and struck him in the head during my latest 2 strikeout game. Everyone is aware that it's still only May, 1977 of course, and we've got a ways to go."
The team has tried to give the roster a spark by calling up prospects Mike Norris and Al Holland. Norris had a solid debut, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) in 9 innings at St. Louis, but in typical Phillie fashion this year, lost the game as the offense struggled to produce. There isn't as much help in the system on the hitting side of things, however, so the club has to remain hopeful that their current hitters can start heating up. Preferably without instructions.
