Originally Posted by
kewlJ
So, I am growing concerned about my Phillies. Not really about the wager I have for them to win the division. I think that is fairly safe because the Mets have starting pitching problems of their own which will prevent them from reeling off a bunch of wins in a row. And if it does tighten up in the final 6 weeks, I can hedge that wager and still make a nice profit.
What I am concerned about is the Phillies going very far in the playoffs. I don't have a wager on a deep run (pennant or WS), I am just a fan in that regard. The Phillies are currently the second lowest odds to win the WS behind only the Dodgers, @ +500, they are even lower than the Brewers, which I don't agree with.
The reason the Phillies are such a favorite, is because they were built for a deep playoff run with 3 good starting pitchers along with good hitting. But all of the sudden their starting pitchers have some cracks. Wheeler is on the IR with a blood clot. Who knows how long that will be. he wasn't dominating in his last few starts anyway as he was most of the year. Ranger Suarez, is also all of the sudden getting hit around. Only Christopher Sanchez seems sound at the moment. Lazardo is a decent #3 or #4 pitcher.
I think the Phillies were hoping Aaron Nola could get back in the mix contributing, but his first start back from a long IR stint today was a disaster. Gave up 6 runs in the top of the 3rd inning and only lasted 2 & 1/3. #5 starter, Taijuan Walker is decent one game, terrible the next (that is why he is a #5) and not the kind of guy you want to count on in the playoffs.
So we will see, but at the moment, one of their strengths, starting pitching has some big cracks. :(