Rhys of My Heart

(Music Pun #11. And Janis helps me set a new consecutive record)

The Philadelphia Phillies are a game and a half out of first, and have spent the last few days kicking the shit out of the Nationals. And yes, the last time I checked it is, in fact, 2018, and not 2007.

This...feels really good. I don't know how this is happening, but I love it.

...Okay, I sort of do. All of the prospects and young kids we've been stockpiling since 2015 have all started playing really well. Aaron Nola and Odubel Herrera have been on fire, Maikel Franco is more on than he's ever been, Rhys Hoskins is back to hitting home runs, and even the new recruits, like Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta, are beginning to subscribe to the Philly way, and are starting to supplant the youth movement.

Also, the Nola-Pivetta-Arrieta-Velasquez-Elfin rotation, while slightly laughable in concept, has been working like clockwork for Philly, as all four have had positive numbers coming their way this year. Which is pretty surprising, because, last I checked, Vince 'What Do You Mean I'm Supposed to Keep Down Runs' Velasquez was a part of that rotation. Hell, even the BULLPEN, which was truly atrocious last year, is surging, with rookies Victor Arano and Seranthony Dominguez, the latter of which is doing a bang-up job closing games, and veteran Edubray Ramos all surging in relief work. After a season of people blowing leads in the eighth, this is very refreshing.

The goal has to be catching the Braves, and said goal will be tough, because the lineup is a bit more well-rounded, and they do have a few more tricks up their sleeve on the bench and such, but...if the Phillies keep playing as well as they are this week, complete with Nat-bashing, they might be a formidable match for Atlanta.

Coming Tonight- Middle infielder for an insanely dire AL Central team.