7/9

They’re back! About time we get our big bats back. This series upcoming against LA is huge. Duh. Arguably the two best teams in baseball. Harper vs Ohtani is the marquee matchup. The last series against Atlanta was, although deflating and disappointing, not a huge deal. We’re still 7 1/2 games up, and we were without JT, Bryce, and Schwarber. Plus Mercado got lit up by the Braves and my most hated athlete in any sport, Austin Riley. More than Dak, more than Tatum, more than anyone. I cannot stand Austin Riley. Luckily the local kid, Tyler Phillips came in and K’s 7 in his big league debut. It makes the most sense to ride the hot arm, so put Phillips in the 5th slot and move Mercado to the pen. Scott Lauber just announced Phillips will start Saturday. Hopefully the kid does well. The man who they pitchers are throwing to has been a hot topic. It’s gonna be JT once he comes back but, unpopular opinion, I’d stick with Marchan. He’s been swinging a hot bat, hitting .267, allbeit in 45 at bats but he can hit. Stubbs has the Chief Vibes Officer and all that cute stuff but frankly I couldn’t care less. I need production at the plate and Marchans bring more of that. In terms of this series, I need at least 2/3.