GDT 4/3/17: OPENING DAY - Phillies (Hellickson) @ Reds (Feldman)

[julio]

Game Time: 4:10 PM
Video: CSP-HD
Audio: 94 WIP

Philadelphia Phillies (0-0)

1	2B	Cesar Hernandez	(S)
2	LF	Howie Kendrick	(R)
3	CF	Odubel Herrera	(L)
4	3B	Maikel Franco	(R)
5	RF	Michael Saunders	(L)
6	1B	Tommy Joseph	(R)
7	C	Cameron Rupp	(R)
8	SS	Freddy Galvis	(S)
9	P	Jeremy Hellickson	(R)	(0-0, -.--)

Cincinnati Reds (0-0)

1	CF	Billy Hamilton	(S)
2	2B	Jose Peraza	(R)
3	1B	Joey Votto	(L)
4	LF	Adam Duvall	(R)
5	3B	Eugenio Suarez	(R)
6	RF	Scott Schebler	(L)
7	SS	Zack Cozart	(R)
8	C	Tucker Barnhart	(S)
9	P	Scott Feldman	(R)	(0-0, -.--)

[rbm-de]

Here's hoping all goes better than expected. This team outperformed its runs scored/allowed differential last season and won about 10 more than that stat indicates that they should have. I see no significant improvement in the team thru Florida. My on the record feeling is that we see a record of 54-108. I hope come 1 October to eat much crow on that. Geaux Phillies.

[el-pietro]

Baseball is back!

[Patchmk88]

I understand your points but we had a young team last year and have a young team this year. I think you'll see some improvement from our younger players, you'll see some prospects come up from the minors, and Saunders will help out by providing protection for Franco. I'm guessing we will win 20 more games than you have predicted.

[zambonir]

Damn, rbm! And I thought Sheehan's prediction of 62 was bad! (I still think 71-75, not 80).

Kruk on Kendrick, who has apparently been talking to Franco about plate discipline. "It means more when it's coming from another player, not a coach or manager."

[Lawman]

Cesar Hernandez with an Opening Day Leadoff HR.

Great start to the 2017 Season.

[el-pietro]

Cesar Hernandez is gonna win MVP and the Phillies are gonna win the World Series. I'm not overreacting.

[el-pietro]

Odubel Herrera is going back to the minors and the Phillies are only gonna win 80 games.

[el-pietro]

I thought Franco was out by a mile there, how did he beat that throw!?

[zambonir]

Well this is fun.

[LoneStarPhan]

Herrera cost them at least one run but I'm not ready to demote him. Yet.

Good start. Two runs on four hits in the first inning.

[el-pietro]

Golden gloves for Cesar and Freddy, Cy Young for Hellickson. Calling it.

[LoneStarPhan]

Hellickson gives up a one out hit but gets Votto to GIDP to post a scoreless first inning, facing only 3 batters.

[el-pietro]

FREDDY! Silver Slugger for him as well!

[LoneStarPhan]

Galvis solo HR in top of the second.
Hellickson 1-2-3 bottom of the second.

Feldman pitch count for 2 innings: 44

[bkeich]

Matt Stairs has been awarded a $12M contract for next season, Phils management states it is a bargain.

No surprise at all, but I am going to greatly enjoy Kruk as an announcer this year. He has a rare combination of personality, humor and huge baseball knowledge. He is also just a "good guy" and always has been. His "get a hit, get PR for and retire" years ago still makes me laugh, every player should do it the way he did.

[el-pietro]

Reds have them loaded.

[LoneStarPhan]

Reds started the bottom of the third with two singles. Feldman bunted a n 0-2 pitch to Hellickson, who went to third, way late to load the bases. A sac fly scored a run and a DP followed.

End of 3, 3-1 Phillies.

Phillies fail to score in the 4th; rain starting in bottom of the inning.

[el-pietro]

Bottom of the 4th, Phillies up by 3-1. One on, onw out - Hellickson hits Suarez so two on, one out. Rain is heavy now

[LoneStarPhan]

Follows the HBP with a walk to load the bases with one out.

Rain picking up.