GDT 8/22/18 Philadelphia Phillies (Eflin) @ Washington Nationals (Strasburg)

[ButlerBulldog]

Kapler is probably too much the anti-Dallas Green. Too nice, just like Tito was when he was here. No culture of accountability back then or now. Tito seemed to learn from his mistakes here. Will Kapler?

Kapler does seem to want to befriend his players, a luxury I’m not sure he can afford with a group so young. Manuel held players accountable without alienating them by being honest with them while not embarrassing them. I’d like to see Kapler use a similar approach, as his “Officer Friendly” model isn’t cutting it.

[fish]

Kapler is probably too much the anti-Dallas Green. Too nice, just like Tito was when he was here. No culture of accountability back then or now. Tito seemed to learn from his mistakes here. Will Kapler?

An established team can afford to bench players that make mistakes. This has always been a flawed team- the only way to try to get past that is to keep giving them the opportunity to try again.

[Philsmania]

We need Nola to be an ace tomorrow or this could metastacize into an eight or nine game losing streak quick.

[zambonir]

Kapler was the manager of the year two weeks ago, and still might be. Doesn't mean some of what is being said isn't true but he's got 2-3 season to learn, just like the players.

[ButlerBulldog]

Kapler was the manager of the year two weeks ago, and still might be. Doesn't mean some of what is being said isn't true but he's got 2-3 season to learn, just like the players.

He’s definitely the NL Manager of the Year, but that doesn’t excuse some of what’s going on. To be clear, I don’t blame him for his starters’ seeming inability to work deeper into games, nor do I fault him for Dominguez’s numerous warning labels. I do, however, expect him to keep players who regularly commit mental errors on a short leash. Right now, the Phillies are their own worst enemy and don’t seem to realize it. Someone has to own that.

[gmwannabe]

i didn't see the beginning of the game but to me the play of the game was cabrera's pop up with the bases loaded. nationals on the ropes and they were let back in the game. same as alot of times this year. no big hit with men on base to break open the game. Seranthony's star has dimmed this year, but in the future he should be a good one. i'm just hoping they finish over .500. it would be a shame not to after where they were. too young and inexperienced. and as patch said above, there is no star player to carry them through the bad times. the big piece would put the team on his back in the olden days. no-one to do that now. how long until Viering makes not to the show. real tough loss.
gm

[EastFallowfield]

The 2008 Phils Twitter guy points out the records for the two seasons 10 years apart are exactly the same.

[Austinfan]

This is a young team, with a few veterans picked up at the trade deadline.
The young pitchers to me are showing the effects of a long season, not loss of velocity but loss of command as they start getting "tired arm" syndrome.

As SD showed, 98 MPH FBs that aren't located well get hit in today's game, hitters without bat speed have been selected off ML rosters, so velocity is relatively less important (because who can throw 100+ on a regular basis?).
Eflin, Pivetta and Velasquez throw 94+ and get hit when they can't locate their secondary pitches or put their FB where they want to.

It's pretty usual for young pitchers to struggle with command, as Schilling? mentioned, in AA pitchers have to stay out of the middle of the plate, in AAA they have to stay within 8" on either side of the plate, in the Show, 4" on either side of the plate. If you miss the plate, you fall behind in the count, if you miss the "safe zones" ML hitters will pound you.

[zambonir]

They are 10-12 since they got Asdrubal. The pre-deadline team was better! (I don't really think that. But there does seem to be a period of adjustment. Replacing 25% of your starting 8 - and also taking away playing time from two of your most veteran and proven players, the 1B and CF - is no small thing.)

Or the Braves just did better at the deadline.

[LoneStarPhan]

The team has over achieved this season and of late, has hit a little bit of a bump in the road. If they can string together some wins now they can be right back in the thick of things for winning the division. It will really come down to the head to head meetings with the NL East teams, especially those 7 with the Braves at the end of the season.