GDT 7/31/17 Braves (Foltynewicz) @ Phillies (Pivetta)

[LoneStarPhan]

Glad the Braves broadcast team is happy with the comeback loss.

Pivetta 6IP, 3H, 1R, 1BB, 5K
Bullpen 3IP, 7H, 5R, 3BB, 1K (+ HBP)

In spite of the horrendous pitching from the bullpen, the Phillies hang on to win, sweep the Braves in 4 game set, and now have won 5 in a row.

I have to hang the tired pen and 3 days in a row use of some on the manager. They have 7 in the pen and if they are afraid to use any of them, make a change.
Fun to get the 5 wins in a row and the offense today again put up the runs that should win almost every time.

[EastFallowfield]

SF Giants have the worst record in MLB.

[bkox]

Todd Zolecki (ToddZolecki)

Todd Zolecki (ToddZolecki)

[California_Dreamin]

Speaking of bullpen, Benoit was not used either yesterday or today which might indicate the Phils think they can move him. My gosh, I think he is the only reliever other than Britton who has not moved today, relievers are changing teams like athletes change uniforms.

[EastFallowfield]

Benoit to PGH? Probably in the trade thread.

[zambonir]

I have to hang the tired pen and 3 days in a row use of some on the manager. They have 7 in the pen and if they are afraid to use any of them, make a change.

Yeah I think that was about Benoit. Beato's injury probably didn't help either. But he will have to give some new people a chance in new roles now that the 7th and 8th inning guys are gone.

[LoneStarPhan]

I have to hang the tired pen and 3 days in a row use of some on the manager. They have 7 in the pen and if they are afraid to use any of them, make a change.

Yeah I think that was about Benoit. Beato's injury probably didn't help either. But he will have to give some new people a chance in new roles now that the 7th and 8th inning guys are gone.

Yes, there were some unusual things happening with the pen these past few days. Clearly, Benoit was off the table waiting to be traded. Good news is that even with the bullpen struggling today, the Phillies get the win.

[Austinfan]

Herrera is the most frustrating hitter I can remember.
First time up, looks like the stuff my dog used to drop in the yard, chasing junk.
Second time up, one bad swing, otherwise battles, runs up a full count then wham!
Third time up, same old Odubel.

Guy has great bat speed, if he ever cleans up his mechanics, learns to work an AB, lays off really bad pitches he has no chance of hitting, he could win a batting title.
Until he decides to learn how to hit, he's gonna be this streaky guy who tears it up for a month and stinks out the joint for a month.
Which is fine as a top defensive OF hitting 6th or 7th in the batting order.

On the other hand, Franco looks like he's turning it around, being patient, taking the ball to RF, but still able to turn on a ball in his power zone and pull it out of the park.

[tom81]

Lol, Dubbie has put up 10 WAR in 2.66 years by the age of 25, playing a new position, and skipping AAA. Watching him is the biggest reason for me to watch the games this year.

[julio]

Herrera is the most frustrating hitter I can remember.
First time up, looks like the stuff my dog used to drop in the yard, chasing junk.
Second time up, one bad swing, otherwise battles, runs up a full count then wham!
Third time up, same old Odubel.

Guy has great bat speed, if he ever cleans up his mechanics, learns to work an AB, lays off really bad pitches he has no chance of hitting, he could win a batting title.
Until he decides to learn how to hit, he's gonna be this streaky guy who tears it up for a month and stinks out the joint for a month.
Which is fine as a top defensive OF hitting 6th or 7th in the batting order.

So I went to baseball-reference.com, and I looked at Herrera's splits, by month, for 2015 through July 2017. A total of 16 months; he's had 4 months with OPS less than .700, and seasonal OPS of .762, .781, and .768, to an overall OPS of .772. And he does this while providing good (if unorthodox) defense in center field.

Herrera's production is fine for a center fielder. Now, if Aaron Altherr can hit at a .900 OPS clip and play center field, and we can find two corner outfielders who hit at an OPS of .800 or better, then Herrera is redundant. That's a big if, though.

[Austinfan]

I think the guy closest to Herrera as a Philly was Garry Maddox.
Maddox hit his stride after he came to Philly, from age 25-30, great defensive OF who was an erratic hitter.
1975: .291/.359/.433/.792 dWar 0.9
1976: .330/.377/.456/.833 dWar 2.2
1977: .292/.323/.448/.772 dWar 1.4
1978: .288/.332/.410/.741 dWar 2.1
1979: .281/.304/.425/.729 dWar 2.8
1980: .259/.278/.386/.664 dWar 1.2

2015: .297/.344/.418/.762 dWar 1.3
2016: .286/.361/.420/.781 dWar 0.9
2017: .278/.322/.446/.768 dWar 0.9

While Herrera is not the CF Maddox was in his prime, he has room to improve given his relative lack of experience (converted from 2B in 2014).
I think his career will follow a similar trajectory if he doesn't become more disciplined, peaking around 26 or so then a steady decline as his bat slows.