Categories: 2022 Postgame Recaps

Wheeler struggles, Phillies drop two-game set in Toronto

Didi Gregorius went 0-for-3 in Wednesday’s game against Toronto. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)

Final Score: Blue Jays 8, Phillies 2

When the Phillies’ 2022 schedule was released, many figured that a two-game set against the Blue Jays was going to be trouble for many reasons. For starters, the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) will forever be a house of horrors for the Phillies franchise until it isn’t. Canada, just like the United States, also has a law requiring non-citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to cross the border. Some Phillies players feel very strongly about not getting the shot, so you figured the team was going to be missing a few key players.

Toronto was also widely expected to be one of the best teams in MLB and while the Blue Jays (47-42) just fired manager Charlie Montoyo despite holding a playoff spot, they looked like the team many thought they were going to be in a quick two-game set against the shorthanded Phillies.

The most concerning, but unsurprising trend for Philadelphia (46-43) is that they are not hitting. They’ve scored more than three runs in a game once in a span of a week and have now lost four straight. The best pitcher in the National League, Sandy Alcantara, awaits them in Miami.

Bryson Stott was the only plus on the offensive side for the Phillies in this series. His two-run shot prevented the Phillies from getting shut out.

How did he do that?

It’s rare to see a hitter smack a ball over the fence when they are a bit out in front of a pitch, but that’s the kind of rare power that Vlad Guerrero Jr. possesses. On a 2-2 count, Guerrero was able to land the barrel on a slider for his 20th home run of the season. In just 11 career games against the Phillies, Guerrero has four home runs.

Wednesday was one of the rougher games of the season for Zack Wheeler. After two quick frames, he threw 51 pitches in innings three to four. Santiago Espinal fouled off 11 pitches in a laborious 14-pitch at-bat against Wheeler in the fourth.

The shorthanded Phillies offense struggled to work out at-bats against the opposing starter Ross Stripling. Through seven plus innings, Stripling threw only 81 pitches.

Welcome to the Show

The only positive that comes with the Phillies’ COVID absences plus the lack of healthy replacements on the 40-man roster is that some players who are not on the radar for a major league call-up could get a chance to be a big leaguer for a day or two. Nick Duron and Bubby Rossman, two non-roster players, made their MLB debuts out of the bullpen. Duron, a hard-throwing right hander, threw a scoreless sixth inning.

Rossman allowed a two-run home run, but was able to get his first MLB strikeout in an inning of work. Both players will be returned to the minors once the series is over, but they were able to say that they made it to the top. And who knows, maybe an extended opportunity for Duron or Rossman could open up in the future.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes