Welcome to the weekend you guys! The good news is that the IronPigs are alone in first place in the International League East! The bad news is that it doesn’t matter one bit, because a team we never play and have very few common opponents with, is in the actual first place. We’re two games behind Springfield in the standings that count.
And, everyone is plenty motivated to play well because they can see that the parent club is in full panic mode, and could call up anyone at any time to play any position. It’s time for the Phillies to go out to the infield dirt at midnight with a gas can, some ghost energy drink and a ouija board. Burn the energy drink and summon the spirit of Harry K while singing High Hopes and apologize for the whole ‘Harry The K’ thing, in an effort to get the baseball gods to allow winning in Philadelphia again.
Durham, So Far
It’s true that the Bulls aren’t very good. But, the IronPigs have gotten some starting pitching going despite roster shenanigans (see below), and the bats have been just solid. All of the 40-man relievers have been called up, but we’ve got some other guys who can do it and it hasn’t burned us yet.
Tuesday Jean Cabrera got the start and gave up some runs, but the ‘pen held things mostly in check and Caleb Ricketts had a day, including a walk-off homer in the ninth. Wednesday saw Bryse Wilson have his best start as an IronPig, Trevor Richards with a two-inning save, and just enough hitting to cruise to a 4-1 win. Thursday night, Chuck King gets the call from Reading to make a spot start and he seized the opportunity: It was neither pretty nor efficient but he made it through 6 innings with two runs, and the ‘Pigs got a 4-for-4 night from Bryan De La Cruz en route to a 5-3 win. Three and oh headed to the weekend you guys.
One more note: Last night was kind of the start of the baseball season, in our opinion. Just nice to sit out in the seats and watch the game and not worry about being hot or cold or windy or uncomfortable in any way. Either that, or Happy Hour was just really successful.
Roster Update
‘Transaction Tuesday’ happened again, after the series preview went to press. You can review those transactions HERE. Since then:
- C Garrett Stubbs got called up to the Phillies when JT Realmuto went on the Injured List
- OF Cade “Clutch” Fergus got called back to the IronPigs from Reading
- RHP Chuck King got called up from Reading to make last night’s start. Despite the return of Rangel, with Gillispie on the shelf we think King earned the opportunity to remain at Triple-A for at least one more start. We look for him to be with the team in Syracuse next week.
- RHP Nolan Hoffman got called up the Phillies
- RHP Alan Rangel got sent back from the Phillies via option after pitching Wednesday night in Chicago.
- RHP Taijuan Walker got released from the Phillies, opening a roster spot which will be needed for Zack Wheeler this weekend. This isn’t an IronPigs move, but notable because it demonstrates the mindset in Philadelphia right now: Perform or be gone.
Most Recent Printable Roster:
Working For The Weekend
Friday: RHP Ryan Cusick (0-1, 5.09) vs. RHP Jon Heasley (0-1 3.00) in a 6:35PM start. It’s Super Hero Night, and the Phillie Phanatic is in town. Fireworks, of course! The weather should be nice, around 69° at game time with minimal wind.
Saturday: This could be a wash. 93% chance of rain at game time with no let up. ‘Caturday’ and the lint roller giveaway might need to wait until Sunday. We’ll see how it goes, but it could be an opportunity for the team to do the rare early bang, and not drag the stadium personnel in for nothing. We’re at a point in the season where there’s plenty of time to reschedule the groups.
Sunday: Could be a double-header. The 1:15PM start could move up a bit, perhaps 12:45. Recently, most teams like to start the first game such that the second game starts around the original start time, but with the already-early Sunday starts, they likely won’t move too much. They’ll have LHP Tucker Davidson, RHP Jean Cabrera and perhaps RHP Alan Rangel available to help cover the 14 innings. It’ll be post-game Kids Run Bases and mabye Caturday and Bluey will be in town. Expect temps in the mid-50s with some chance that showers have continued.
See you at the park,
@Kram207
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