Altherr a Bright Spot

Phils 2017 CF?

Aaron Samuel Altherr hit his 3rd HR in 12 games Tuesday, a 2-run shot to right center that put the Phils up 2-0 in the 2nd inning.  It was a lead that crumbled quick, as they surrendered 4 in the bottom half, then went on to be obliterated at Dodger Stadium for the second straight night (9-4 Monday, 9-3 Tuesday).  

Altherr appears to have some pop at the plate and is as good as advertised in the field, where he is a natural center-fielder.  It might've been a different season had he been healthy from the outset.

"You know, Altherr still has to prove himself offensively," Mackanin said. "I like what I see and I think he's going to. But he's a darn good center-fielder. He plays anywhere well. He glides to the ball. It's fun watching him play. There's a good chance he'll be the center-fielder, and we'll move Odubel. But we're not doing anything right now."

"At some point, the thought crossed my mind to make that switch this year," Mackanin said. "Maybe in September, just to get Odubel familiarized with a corner. But he adapted to center field so well last year. This year, he's not quite the same guy. If I have what I consider a better defender in center field, that's what I'd like to do."

Tuesday, Vince Velasquez encouraged fans that want him to stay in Philadelphia when he continued to squelch his trade value by surrendering a staggering 11 hits, 9 runs, 2 BB and 3 HR in just 4 2/3 innings of work wherein he managed to throw 100 pitches.  He left the game with a 2.79 WHIP and a 17.36 ERA.  Not too plausible.

The day before, Zach Eflin, who fans were already calling the Second Coming after 1 decent start in June and an even better one in July, got smacked around like a bad-mitten birdie to the tune of 7 runs on 7 hits, 2 walks and 3 HR  in just 3 innings.  Eflin is now winless in August with an ERA of 14.63.  

When you pair those performances with fallen ace Aaron Nola's 10.42 June and 6.30 July ERA, it becomes crystal clear why young arms are a double-edged sword.  A lot of potential and at least as much to grow on.

Nola is currently on the 15-Day DL.  Manager Pete Mackanin acknowledged Wednesday that Nola (elbow) could miss the rest of the season.

CY Young Candidates include former Phils

Hamels shows his 'I think I need glasses' squint.

Cole Hamels: 

32 year-old Hamels is 12-3 with a 2.89 ERA (#2 in AL) leading the charge for the Rangers, who are running away with the AL West and currently have the best record in the entire AL.

J.A. Happ: 

Happ is enjoying a career year with Toronto at age 33.  He was traded to Toronto in 2012, then got mostly smacked around there until 2015 when he pitched for both Seattle and Pittsburgh before returning to the Blue Jays before this season.  He leads MLB in wins at 15-3 during his second tenure in Toronto with an ERA of 3.09 (7th in AL) and his 1.15 WHIP is a career high.

A closer look reveals Happ appearing somewhat constipated.

Happ is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA since June.

Trivia: Baseball History

Rangers 3rd Baseman Adrian Beltre's .400 lifetime batting average at Colorado's Coors Field is the best batting ave. at a single venue (min. 200 AB) since Mel Ott (a.k.a.  "Master Melvin" of the N.Y. Giants) hit .415 from '26-'47 at the Baker Bowl, the former home of the Phillies.