News: Phillies outscored 28-13 since Friday
A BUNCH OF LOSSES: On Friday the Phils lost to the Blue Jays, 7-5. Saturday they lost to the Pirates, 13-8. And Sunday they lost to the Rays, 8-0.
The pitching? Not great from Cesar Ramos (six runs in one inning), Jeremy Hellickson (eight runs [five earned] in five innings), Joaquin Benoit (three runs in one inning), Joely Rodriguez (two runs in one inning), Aaron Nola (four runs in four innings) and Ben Lively (three runs in two innings).
As we near the end of spring training, we can start to see the staff take shape. Ramos and Lively aren’t strong bets to make it, and Rodriguez is on the bubble with switch pitcher Pat Venditte proving more than capable.
The hitting has been a little stronger, with Maikel Franco hitting a grand slam on Saturday, Aaron Altherr collecting four hits over the weekend, and Chris Coghlan staying above water. The bench battle continues to be tight, with Coghlan, Brock Stassi, Daniel Nava and Hector Gomez battling for two spots. Hard to say still who gets it, but I’d right now put my money on Coghlan and Stassi.
And then the Phils would have to drop two players from the 40-man roster.
DOLLAR FINE: Before Franco hit a grand slam Saturday, he lost a ball in the sun because he forgot to put on his sunglasses. Yeesh. So Pete Mackanin fined him and the clubhouse each $1, reports Matt Breen.
NO GAME: There is no Phillies game today, the guys getting the rare spring off day.
It’s not an off day for us, as we’ll give you our roster breakdown starting today.
