OT: Phillies win 7 straight. Lead division.

XtremeDunkz · Post #1 » by **XtremeDunkz** » Sun Aug 8, 2021 5:52 am

Finally a team that is out performing expectations.

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Kobblehead · Post #2 » by **Kobblehead** » Sun Aug 8, 2021 12:35 pm

Now if only Aaron Nola remembers how to pitch, they could potentially have 3 good starters and have a real shot to compete in the playoffs. Can't be successful with only two starting pitches with a sub-4 ERA, though. Nola needs to get back to his career norm.

okboomer · Post #3 » by **okboomer** » Sun Aug 8, 2021 4:33 pm

They cant field and their bullpen is always an adventure but this has been fun. Think it will come down between them and the Braves. See the mets fading.

youngcrev · Post #4 » by **youngcrev** » Sun Aug 8, 2021 4:41 pm

Are they outperforming expectations or simply finally on a winning streak? I feel like I've heard talk radio trash this team all year long.

Either way, yeah, they're fun at the moment

Post #5 » by **sixers hoops** » Sun Aug 8, 2021 6:29 pm

Kobblehead wrote:Now if only Aaron Nola remembers how to pitch, they could potentially have 3 good starters and have a real shot to compete in the playoffs. Can't be successful with only two starting pitches with a sub-4 ERA, though. Nola needs to get back to his career norm.

I’m not confident Nola figured it out. It seems like he might need an offseason to fix it. I hope so tho.

Sixersftw · Post #6 » by **Sixersftw** » Sun Aug 8, 2021 7:38 pm

Is it possible to be romantically involved with Zack Wheeler's fastball? Asking for a friend.

Post #7 » by **Sixerscan** » Mon Aug 9, 2021 12:39 am

sixers hoops wrote:
Kobblehead wrote:Now if only Aaron Nola remembers how to pitch, they could potentially have 3 good starters and have a real shot to compete in the playoffs. Can't be successful with only two starting pitches with a sub-4 ERA, though. Nola needs to get back to his career norm.

I’m not confident Nola figured it out. It seems like he might need an offseason to fix it. I hope so tho.

There's this weird 2020 Sixers Home/Road thing going on with him. He's thrown some absolute gems this year but also gets randomly roughed up by the AAAA Nationals. It just seems like depending on the day he won't be feeling certain pitches and just not throw them.

Post #8 » by **sixers hoops** » Mon Aug 9, 2021 10:03 pm

Sixerscan wrote:
sixers hoops wrote:
Kobblehead wrote:Now if only Aaron Nola remembers how to pitch, they could potentially have 3 good starters and have a real shot to compete in the playoffs. Can't be successful with only two starting pitches with a sub-4 ERA, though. Nola needs to get back to his career norm.

I’m not confident Nola figured it out. It seems like he might need an offseason to fix it. I hope so tho.

There's this weird 2020 Sixers Home/Road thing going on with him. He's thrown some absolute gems this year but also gets randomly roughed up by the AAAA Nationals. It just seems like depending on the day he won't be feeling certain pitches and just not throw them.

Not a perfect stat, but I do think quality starts gives you a nice picture of how many good starts a picture has. And looking at the percentage of starts that are quality, Nola really trails Wheeler, Eflin, and Gibson.

Wheeler 16 of 23
Gibson 15 of 21
Eflin 11 of 18

Nola only has 9 of 22 quality starts, with a few gems mixed in.

I don’t know much about his specific performances, but he is really struggling to string together good games. From the games I watched closely, as you said, he just can’t locate certain pitches so he stops using them. You think him and a pitching coach could make some adjustments and save his season.

Kobblehead · Post #9 » by **Kobblehead** » Mon Aug 9, 2021 10:14 pm

It sucks because before he got roughed up by Washington, he was trending in the correct direction. Pretty strong outings against Atlanta and Pittsburgh. I wonder if it will come out after the year that he's been dealing with a nagging injury all year. I'd feel much better about it then. As opposed to him just not figuring it out mentally and failing to locate pitches all year.

SixthStreet · Post #10 » by **SixthStreet** » Tue Aug 10, 2021 2:59 am

I'd like to believe but the defense places a ton of downward pressure on the teams ceiling. However there isn't much of a ceiling needed in this division. The offense and Wheeler should be able to power them to the division if they get some help from the rest of the rotation and pen.

okboomer · Post #11 » by **okboomer** » Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:07 pm

Tough stretch now with the Dodgers and Reds. The last 13 games they have 3 against Baltimore and 4 Pittsburgh at home, then head to Atlanta and Miami to finish the season. Pretty favorable stretch. If they are within a game or two either way I like their chances.

They have the easiest schedule remaining in baseball with SOS of opponents at .457. The Braves are 6th easiest at .487, and the Mets are the 8th hardest at .514. It is all setup for them.

Post #12 » by **sixers hoops** » Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:36 pm

Nola looked great before the rain came.