Pat Burrell! Currently hitting coach for SF. Like the Phils - Braves, SF - LAD is always a rivalry, even when the talent/performance balance is heavily weighted. SF's Casey Schmitt has been slow to hit in the bigs, but yesterday he hit a grand slam off Yamamoto. Likely Burrell's proudest moment of the year. When the LAD won the Yamamoto competition, I worried he would be the next Valenzuela. Today he looks like a solid starter, but not quite the perennial All Star yet. Watching the LAD lose is the second best MLB TV experience. Some day soon Snell might be healthy and the LAD will be a level even stronger.
Rob may be rightfully wary of the Phils' pen, but, though Suarez was efficient, IMHO his pitch count should be limited to keep him healthy when he's needed most. After 6, he'd delivered control of the game to the Phils and should have been pulled. Perfect opportunity for the long closer, Walker. Yeah, gave up a HR last outing - the hitter guessed right - but looks capable, IMHO. "Capable" is a high mark in the Phils' pen.
Otto Kemp! Rooks are expected to take a few weeks to adjust to ML pitching, but Kemp arrived ready. HUGE difference getting hitting support down the Phils' order.
Bohm looks ready to stay at the top of the order. Turner, Bohm, Harper, Scharbs, Casty needs an audition. OTOH, yesterday's anything-works lineup supports the popular opinion that the order doesn't matter. But IMHO it establishes roles and gives hitters an identity to realize.
Toronto's Francis today - he was beneath awful last time.
