Man, this is really going to be fun.
I caught most of today’s Phillies on the radio and then got home in time to turn on the TV to see Bryce Harper absolutely destroy his first homer in Philadelphia pinstripes.
Even earlier in the game, when Harper flew out to the warning track, Rhys Hoskins followed with a hard-fought walk and JT Realmuto brought him home with his first homer as a Phillie.
This lineup is ruthless, one through eight, where Maikel Franco has two hit two homers and driven in six already this season.
I know I picked this team to finish runner-up to the Nationals, and by no means am I trying to have one of that first-couple-games overreaction, but if this is what we’re going to see more often than not, my goodness, this team could take this division.
I had great hope for this lineup, but oftentimes, when you see a mish-mosh of players come from different locations, there’s a bit of a learning curve and an adjustment period. It takes time for them to jell. It takes time for the manager to find the right order.
Right now, there doesn’t seem to be a need for any of that.
Even my initial thoughts on the lineup three days ago was to not have Franco eighth behind Hernandez, but I can’t complain about that whatsoever.
All I can do is sit back and enjoy the show.
SPEAKING OF ENJOYING THE SHOW...
My goodness, Josh Hader.
Nine pitches, three outs, second save of the season.
With the Brewers in need of a new closer with Corey Knebel opting for Tommy John, Hader appears to have been handed the reins.
And his dominance is unbelievable.
He recorded his first save on Opening Day, striking out four over 2 innings on 21 pitches.
Crox has to love this. Hader is continuing to provide the numbers he’s used to — strikeouts, ERA and WHIP — but the added saves category is quite the unexpected boost.
It’s certainly enough saves to win that category against JV, who has no closers.
10TH-ROUND GEM?
Is Joc Pederson one of this year’s steals of the draft?
Right now (with an inning and a half to go in the game — I’m going to bed and not waiting to finish this) he’s among the top players drafted in the 10th round and later having started 6-for-11 with three homers, five RBIs and six runs scored.
Steroid.ERA is the happy owner right now having snagged him in the 29th round (aka, the 10th round).
With Steroid losing Justin Upton to a long-term injury, this emergence of Pederson is crucial.
And with the Dodgers failing to get Bryce Harper and having traded Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig in one deal, it’s even bigger to have the long-time platoon outfielder start so strong.
Comments