Updated on Monday, August 3.
The Yankees and Phillies were originally supposed to play their 4-game series last week, but the Yankees instead went to Baltimore after Philly was shut down due to the Marlins COVID outbreak. Instead of starting the home and home series on the road, the Yankees will host the Phillies for the first two in the Bronx starting Monday night.Β To prep for the series we talked to Joe Giglio of Sports Radio 94WIP (Note: This podcast was recorded shortly before the season began.)
New Manager, High Expectations
After two seasons on the sidelines, Joe Girardi was hired by the Phillies this past winter. Philly fans have high expectations for their new skipper. There’s no arguing they upgraded from Gabe Kapler, but how much can a manager really do in a 60-game shortened season? Joe gave his thoughts on why expectations might be unrealistic for Girardi’s first season.
Yes in-Didi
If you told me after the 2018 season that Didi would be in Philly on a 1-year deal in 2020, I’d have called you crazy. But here we are.
So far, so good for Didi down the turnpike. He smacked two home runs in the opening series and tweeted about his new squad’s first win.
ππ … Ring on: 7 strong innings by πΈ 4kβs…. π₯ π₯ offense π₯ π₯ π¦Ώ with 3run homerun, π₯ with 2 homeruns with 3rbi…. π€«to close it what a game!!!….
— Sir Didi Gregorius (@DidiG18) July 25, 2020
Rub it in Didi… Rub it in.
Overall Outlook
The Phillies are in a weird spot. They have a ton of top-end talent (Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, J. T. Realmuto, etc.) but also have glaring holes (starting rotation depth and the bullpen). Their division is really difficult but the Mets and Nationals have already suffered injuries that might open the door for the Phillies, and the expanded playoffs might be their ticket to October. Check out the interview to hear what Joe wants to see from the Phillies this season.
Expected Pitching Matchups
Monday @ New York: Gerrit Cole vs Jake Arrieta
Tuesday @ New York: JA Happ vs TBD
Wednesday @ Philadelphia: Jordan Montgomery vs TBD
Thursday @ Philadelphia: Masahiro Tanaka vs TBD
*damn, TBD is going to be tired by the end of this series