On a three-game losing streak while trying to lock in a first-half championship and all of the playoff glory that will eventually come with that, the IronPigs returned home last night with their “ace” on the mound, top prospect RHP Andrew Painter.
Painter Truther: Look, I’ve got a whole column with that title already written in my head. It’s not fair, of course, but what we hear coming from Philadelphia (fans, beat reporters, bloggers) is akin to a conquering hero who is due to arrive in Philadelphia and save the Phoundering Phillies™. If we learned anything from the Mick Abel experience, it’s that sometimes these things take time. I mean, unless your name rhymes with Paul Skenes. There’s bound to be some disappointment on the horizon when it comes to fans and the young Andy Painter. Perhaps I got a taste of it myself as I kept one eye on the box score watching the game down in Reading last night.
Not Fair: It’s not. Partially because we don’t know the Painter game plan last night. He said it was his slider getting hit but reports have him throwing mostly fastballs and cutters and very few secondary offerings. He wasn’t walking guys. Was the plan to try to miss bats in the zone? Well, he didn’t, but he did fill up the zone. I remember a start late in Aaron Nola’s time with the IronPigs where they had him throw exclusively fastballs. Of course it was a recipe for failure, but they were trying to refine some things and prepare, and the results of the Triple-A contest were not part of the consideration.
The Real Reason: Yes, it’s easy to blame those Phoundering Phillies™ for this recent IronPigs losing streak. They have absconded with our MVP candidate position player (Otto Kemp) and performed roster chicanery with two of our most reliable starters (Rangel call up and demotion; Tyler DFA) and made off with our ‘Pitcher of the Month’ as well (Abel). But still, a four-game skid is also perfectly in synch with the leadoff hitter getting hurt. Justin Crawford remains on the shelf with a balky quad, and I still maintain that the Phillies will call him up before he’s ready–especially considering how desperate they currently appear. But that dude came to Triple-A with only 40 games above Single-A under his belt, and did nothing other than become the #2 batting average guy in the International League (.349), lead the league in hits, fourth in runs scored and third in stolen bases. Missing that kind of talent and production up top in the lineup is perhaps the straw that broke…
Playoffs
Despite the loss, the Kram Kalculations Magic Number goes down to 7. The maths? Nashville lost in Norfolk and remain with 38 wins with 11 games remaining. If they win out they can get to 49 wins. The IronPigs have 43 wins. They can get past 49, to 50, despite the Nashville cancelled game, with 7 wins. Thus 7.
Jacksonville won and can also get to 49 wins, but that’s still a 7. An underrated factor here is that Worcester has not been eliminated. Given their current 8-game win streak, if they continue that way they could pass the ‘Pigs if they continue to beat us and we falter next week against the Nationals affiliate. Sheesh.
Let’s just get the 7.
Resources
Massive roster summary from the two week road-trip: HERE
Series preview for this Worcester series: HERE
More Roster Moves
The lion share of the moves were made late in the road trip and on Monday before this series began. Click those links above to review. However, there were a couple fine-tuning-type things done yesterday:
RHP Gabe Mosser activated from Development List
RHP Austin Schulfer to the Injured List (shoulder)
Printable Roster: 061025 LHV Roster
UPDATE: Wednesday move: RHP Michael Mercado called up to Phillies. RHP Carlos Hernandez DFA. Mercado was already on the 40-man, so that opens a spot.
Injury Report
- RHP Austin Schulfer 7-day IL with a shoulder
- OF Justin Crawford day-to-day with a quad
- INF Christian Arroyo 7-day IL with a back
- C Garrett Stubbs day-to-day with a groin
Worcester Roster
You’ll see below, and as the week goes on perhaps, that the Red Sox affiliate is shuffling pitchers around for a variety of reasons and hasn’t settled on starters. These moves could be part of the reason.
LHP Chris Murphy from Boston, rehab assignment
LHP Jovani Moran to Greenville, rehab assignement
RHP Gabriel Jackson to Worcester from AA-Portland
RF Corey Rosier to Worcester from AA-Portland
Game Day!
First Pitch: 6:45PM
Main/East Gates, Center Field Gates: 5:30PM
Club/West Gates: 5:15PM
Promotions:
- Tacos and Tallboys: Taco and Beer specials in the plaza, 16-oz can specials throughout the park
- Strike Out Cancer night
- Pre-game check presentation
- Pre-game dance performance
Weather: 79° and sunny at game time, with a light breeze.
Pitching:
IronPigs: RHP Alan Rangel (4-0, 5.02) fresh off his MLB debut last week.
Worcester: TBA. It could be an opener or a rehab appearance or both. See above.
Final Thoughts and What To Watch
- Watch to see if Crawford is in the lineup. Stubbs as well.
- Watch to see if the ‘Pigs can jump on the Sox early
- Watch to see how Rangel responds after his call to Philly
- Watch for any news that RHP Kyle Tyler might return. We probably won’t hear until it’s done, whatever it is.
- Watch for a Home Run by Rincones. I think he’s due for a big one at home.
- Wear your purple jerseys and hats for Strike Out Cancer
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image of RHP Kyle Tyler by Jack Mitroka. Hope we see him back here. Tyler. But also Jack.
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