Philadelphia Baseball History

The Phillies ended the 2017 season with a bang, defeating the Mets 11-0. In winning their final game, the Phillies have given their fans several storylines to follow going into 2018.  One of the biggest questions for 2017 was whether Maikel Franco would step up his game, living up to his potential and the fans' expectations. For most of the season, that question was answered in the negative. But General Manager Matt Klentak refused to give up on Franco, asserting that he has too much talent.  Franco's late season surge may have proven Klentak right. After hovering at a little over .200 for most of the season, Franco increased his average to .275 for the month of September. In his last five games, he hit 4 home runs and drove in 7 runs, which included a three-run blast in the last game of the season. Franco ended the season leading the team in home runs, with 24.  If nothing else, Franco's late season performance has made a statement that he is not ready to fade ...

Bucking a trend for the 2017 season, the Phillies beat the Mets last night in a resounding way, posting 6 runs to the Mets' 2. With two games left in the season, both of them at home against the Mets, the Phils have gone a total of 6-11 against New York. Up until yesterday, only one of those wins had come at Citizens Bank Park, due to the Mets sweeping the Phillies in a CBP series in April, and taking 3 out of 4 in August. While in general, the Phillies have a better record at home than on the road, the Mets just seemed to have the Phillies number.  Many Phillies contributed to last night's win. Ben Lively pitched six innings, giving up six hits, including two solo home runs which accounted for the only runs the Mets scored. Lively showed good control, walking no one. Maikel Franco got the Phillies offense off to its start in the second inning, hitting a two-run blast that scored Odubel Herrera. Herrera joined the offensive punch, with a sacrifice fly in the third, sc...