Jake Arrieta was brilliant in six innings, allowing just three singles and a walk while striking out six in 89 pitches. This version of Arrieta is what the Phils had in mind when they signed him to a three year, $75 million contract in 2018. But this being Arrieta's second start of the season, manager Joe Girardi decided his starter had thrown enough and turned to the bullpen.
Who else cringed last night at the thought of the Phillies bullpen trying to get nine outs to secure a win? But Jose Alvarez, Tommy Hunter (!), and Deolis Guerra combined to blank the Braves, giving up just one hit and striking out three. That's what bullpens are supposed to do.
Speaking of cringing, have you checked the stats for Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery? The two are off to absolutely terrible starts eight games into the season. Hoskins is 3-for-25 so far, with one double to his credit, and is batting .120. He's walked 10 times so his OBP is .371 and his OPS is an anemic .531. Since the All Star Break last year, Hoskins is hitting just .175 with 87 strikeouts in 280 at-bats.
During spring training, much was made of Hoskins adjusting his stance and holding his lands lower. His hands seem to be back where they were last season. Girardi might want to give the Big Fella the day off today to regroup, but I'm not sure that can happen with a doubleheader scheduled. Maybe JT Realmuto can play first in one game and Jay Bruce in the other.
And then there's Kingery, who has just two hits in 28 at-bats this season. He could also use a day off. Move Jean Segura to second for the day and let Phil Gosselin play third. Gosselin is 6-for-10 so far, with two homers and two doubles. He's earned the playing time.
The Phillies need to sign Realmuto to an extension IMMEDIATELY. He has four home runs and an OPS of 1.178. Arrieta's contract is off the books after this season, as is Didi Gregorius. Make JT the highest-paid catcher in MLB history. He's earned it and deserved it. He is the one guy this team cannot afford to lose.
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