Can IronPigs Stem The Tide of Losing at Home? [Series Preview]

“The tide is high, but I’m holding on…”

-Original lyrics by John Holt, Tyrone Evans, Howard Barrett

Home Woes

As we approach the mid-point of the season, the IronPigs have played 30 games at Coca Cola Park in Allentown, and 36 out on the road–this prior to the Tides home-stand which will even things up.  The Precious Porkers are 13-17 at home, but 23-13 on the road.  The home woes continued during the just-completed second Buffalo series of the season, as they dropped the set 2-4, needing some heroics from 1B Darick Hall (2 HR) to take the final game on Sunday afternoon.  Three of the games were 2-3 losses.

The IronPigs are 36-30 overall, and now in fourth place in the division, 1.5 games behind now-first-place Buffalo.  They are 4-6 over their past 10 games.

Some additional home/road stats:  (note 7 more road games vs home)

Batting Average

Home: .228  –  Road: .256

Doubles

Home: 51  –  Road: 72

Triples

Home: 5  –  Road: 5

Home Runs

Home: 19  –  Road: 38

RBI

Home: 112  –  Road: 183

Walks

Home: 135  –  Road: 153

Strikeouts

Home: 239  –  Road: 313

Roster/Transactions

The IronPigs currently have 26 pitchers on the roster (5 Injured; 1 Rehab); 4 Catchers (1 Injured); 7 Infielders (1 Injured, 1 Rehab); 5 Outfielders (1 Injured).  13 healthy position players and 20 healthy pitchers.  

Since last week’s preview, here’s a list of the most significant transactions impacting the IronPigs roster:

C Rafael Marchan was removed from the 60-day Injured List and optioned to the IronPigs roster.

RHP Michael Kelly was selected by the Phillies.  He’s been optioned back, but that means he remains on the 40-man roster which is good for him.

CF Mickey Moniak was optioned to the IronPigs from the Phillies

INF Yairo Munoz was selected by the Phillies

LHP Bailey Falter was called up to the Phillies as expected for the doubleheader last Friday in Washington.  He was subsequently optioned back, but might be needed again due to the potential injury to Zach Eflin‘s knee.  There’s also the matter of the new limit on how many times you can get optioned back-and-forth within a season.

INF/OF Ali Castillo was sent to Double-A Reading

3B Johan Camargo and LHP Ryan Sherriff were sent to the IronPigs on Rehabilitation Assignment.

INF Daniel Robertson was acquired via trade with the Twins for cash, and assigned to IronPigs.  I believe he’ll be wearing #2.

RHP Francisco Morales, who has been struggling with his command and I think getting spooked by runners on base, has been sent to Double-A Reading.

Expect INF Johan Camargo to join the Phillies in Texas for their series starting Tuesday.  The corresponding move is difficult to predict.

LINK to IronPigs roster

LINK to IronPigs transactions

The Tide Rolls In

Welcome Norfolk, whom we haven’t seen in a couple years.  They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.  The Tides are currently in sixth place in the division, and are also 4-6 in the past 10.

By way of familiar faces, we’ll once again meet former Phillies farm hand and Woo-Sock INF Jonathan Arauz, who just got claimed off waivers by Baltimore.

As for prospects, #2 prospect RHP Grayson Rodriguez is on the 7-day injured list, #3 prospect INF Gunnar Henderson should play in this series, #5 prospect RHP DL Hall should appear as well.  #6 prospect 3B Jordan Westburg is on the team, as is #8 prospect OF Kyle Stowers, #12 prospect RHP Mike Bauman, #13 INF Terrin Vavra and #17 LHP Kevin Smith.

Rotation, Role or Roll?

Looking back at last week, last series, makes it really difficult to predict rotation for either team at this juncture of the season.  We’ve got prospect DL Hall listed as Tuesday’s starter for Norfolk, but that throws the rest of their rotation off?  Force me to bet and I’ve got Szapucki Wednesday, Reyes Thursday, Watkins Friday and Sedlock or Bishop Saturday with a possible bullpen game in there for Sunday–or they go back to Hall.  The prospect Smith could start one, too, I suppose.

Here’s what I’m guessing–purely guessing–for the IronPigs.  Eflin’s balky knee keeps Bailey Falter out of the mix here, probably.  I think they get him back up even as a long man or piggyback if Eflin stays in the rotation.  Or, as mentioned above, they could keep him down if they’re concerned about waiver moves and have him start Wednesday or Thursday.  It’s also not been completely clear who is to be stretched out and who has been relegated (?) to the bullpen.  Here’s what I’ve got:

Tue: Ricardo Sanchez

Wed: Plassmeyer

Thu: Newberry/Bullpen (Falter??)

Fri: Cristopher Sanchez (or, Emanuel or Oswalt)

Sat: Oswalt or C Sanchez or Marvel

Sun: Ricardo Sanchez

What’s Going On at the Park?

Tuesday

Game Highlight (4): Tail Waggin’ Tuesdays

Looking Ahead

After this second week in a row at home, the IronPigs will head back out on the road-sweet-road to Syracuse.  Our stadium will host a “Fourth on the Field” celebration on next Saturday night while the team is away.  No mention about whether the fireworks will be the real ones or the little cart that comes out.  The team will play a night game in Syracuse on Sunday the third of July–no doubt their fireworks game–then return to play the rare MONDAY game on July, 4 at 6:35.  They’ll take Tuesday off on the 5th, then finish the series as planned, with the caveat that the Sunday game will be 5:35.  This series is with Rochester.

Season Tickets Notes

1. Did you pick up your STH gift yet?  Check in with your rep.
2. Sunday’s game this series is the last day for Loaded Credit on your tickets.  It means the home schedule (and, indeed the season) is half over.
3. Saturday’s game has on-field batting practice viewing (Norfolk batting).  RSVP with your rep–invites might depend on which plan you have.

See you at the park,

@Kram207

Featured Image (Camargo) by Jack Mitroka