HOROSCOPES
Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training in Clearwater on Wednesday in preparation for their first Grapefruit League game Feb. 28 against the Detroit Tigers. With that in mind, here are 10 Phillies players to
Aries (March 21-April 19):
Although you embrace your personality with confidence, it’s possible that your inner self is not fully aligned with your outer self. If you find you are hiding how you really feel all the time, it might be time to bring it out into the open. You’ll feel much lighter afterwards.
The time has come to share your spiritual or creative notions with others without fear. You know what you believe, and your opinions are needed and worthy even if others try to make you feel small. Today, delve into your faith without the influence of others to hold you back.
Taurus (April 20-May 20): Gemini (May 21-June 20):
You have a lot of opportunities today that will all be beneficial and informative, but you need to discern what you give your time and effort to. Every excursion or educational experience sounds like it could better you in some way, but what areas do you actually need to improve?
Cancer (June 21-July 22):
You’ve been diligently studying and practicing something, and you now have acquired skills that will be useful to yourself and others. Don’t let the power go to your head. Instead, be ready to show people why they can safely put their faith in you.
The people you trust are also the ones who are able to break your heart. It can be difficult to wade through painful relationships to find quality ones, but you must have faith and maintain a gentle heart, for your own sake. To shut out others completely is a disservice.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
When the balance of work and play is off, something important is not getting the attention it deserves. Juggling family, friends, love, work and time for yourself is not easy, and it’s okay if you’ve faltered; what matters is that you try again and again until you find a lifestyle that fits.
You’ve got a winning edge today that could help you come out on top in whatever you attempt. You have a great chance to succeed in contests or competitions or to impress someone important with your skills. Show everyone what you’re made of, and don’t hide your light while others pass you by.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Great wisdom can come to you from your family now or from friends who feel like family. When others tell you stories from their past, listen and see what life advice you can gain from their actions and experiences. You might find that it keeps you out of trouble later.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Be open to generosity, because it looks like someone will surprise you with a gift or an act of service before the day is over. Take a beat and be thankful for how the little deviations from your normal routine can turn out to be the special parts of life that you remember most.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Something’s been shifting internally for you lately. This is a call to own your personal power and to use it to help get what you need to live happily. You will know when it’s something that you really want, and you’ll need to give it your all to prevent yourself from future regrets.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
You’re overflowing with good ideas, but are you directing this energy in the right direction? You have the potential to use your creativity to bring in new money right now. If you aren’t actively using these sparks of imagination, at least write down these ideas for the future.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):
You’ve been in a period of growth and change for a while, and while you may not be aware of the effects, you can probably look back at who you were a year ago and see. The people you surround yourself with have also changed. Knowing yourself allows you to create the future you.
Alec Bohm: He was the Phils’ most pleasant surprise during the disappointing 2020 season. Bohm hit .338 during a terrific first major-league campaign in which he batted .400 over the final 22 games and was very good at third base.
Bohm, the third overall pick in the 2018 draft, could increase the Phillies’ playoff chances if he’s able to duplicate the impact he had while finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year balloting.
Scott Kingery: He injured his shoulder and back after testing positive for COVID-19 and struggled mightily during the 60-game season. Kingery’s average dropped from .258 in 2019 to .159, and his slugging percentage went from .474 to .283.
With shortstop Didi Gregorius re-signing, the emergence of Bohm at third base and Jean Segura expected to start at second, Kingery should play a utility role in the infield and outfield. But even if that is the case, the Phillies are relying on him to be considerably more productive than he was a year ago.
“We’re looking for a healthy Scotty Kingery to make a huge impact all around the diamond because I really believe he’s capable of doing that,” said manager Joe Girardi on Wednesday.
Archie Bradley: The Phillies are counting on Bradley to solidify the back end of the bullpen as he’s expected to handle the closer role after signing a one-year, $6 million contract. Over the past four seasons, Bradley accumulated a 2.95 ERA and averaged more than a strikeout per inning.
The bullpen was historically bad in 2020, compiling the second-worst ERA (7.06) in major-league history. Bradley would help a great deal if he can consistently get outs in addition to allowing Hector Neris to switch to a seventh- or eighth-inning role for a ’pen with plenty of lingering questions.
Bryce Harper: The Phils’ franchise player enjoyed a terrific start in 2020, hitting .348 with six home runs and more RBIs
(16) than strikeouts (13) during the first 20 games. In his final 38, he batted .226 with seven homers and had nearly twice as many strikeouts (30) as RBIs (17).
But Harper continued to be a vocal leader, led by example and played solid defense in right field, which are givens for the $330 million free agent.
J.T. Realmuto: The Phillies, especially their pitchers, can breathe a big sigh of relief that Realmuto is back after agreeing to a five-year, $115.5 million contract. Any other catching alternative would’ve been a huge step backward if the goal is to qualify for the postseason.
Having said that, Realmuto, like Harper, was much more effective on offense during the first half of the season (.300 average, eight homers, 22 RBIs in his first 22 games) than in the second half (.237, three homers, 10 RBIs over the final 25). The Phillies weren’t and probably still aren’t good enough to win without Realmuto or Harper driving in runs.
Aaron Nola: At 27, the Phillies’ opening-day starter during the past three seasons should be in the prime of his career. Nola gave the Phillies an average of 5.92 innings in 2020, which was second to Zack Wheeler.
On the other hand, his numbers (5-5, 3.28 ERA, 96 strikeouts in 71 ⅓ innings) would’ve been even better if he hadn’t closed out the year with a 6.60 ERA in his final three starts. The Phillies lost each of those outings, when one win would’ve resulted in a playoff berth.
Zack Wheeler: He was the co-ace a year ago, when you can make the case that he had a slightly better season than Nola. The Phillies wouldn’t have been in the playoff hunt if not for Wheeler’s reliable starts after agreeing to a five-year, $118 million deal.
Another year like 2020 (2.92 ERA, 6.45 innings per start) would be fine with Phils fans and Girardi
Rhys Hoskins: He won’t be ready at the start of spring training after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow Oct. 2, though the Phillies are counting on Hoskins by the April 1 season opener against the Atlanta Braves. While he’s provided some pop with 91 home runs in 1,449 at bats and walked 269 times in 3 ½ seasons, Hoskins has struck out 412 times and only batted .239.
The Phils would benefit from more consistency at the plate by Hoskins, who tends to be streaky, and him upgrading his fielding at first base.
Zach Eflin: He is regarded as the No. 3 starter in a top three featuring Nola and Wheeler. While Eflin’s ERA was under 4 (3.97) for the first time in his fifth major-league season, he gave up three or more earned runs in seven of his 10 starts last season and went beyond six innings just three times.
Eflin can help minimize how much the Phillies must call upon the bullpen by being an inningseater, which would also prove he deserves to be called a core starting pitcher.
Spencer Howard: He went into 2020 rated as the No. 28-ranked prospect, according to mlb.com, and was the lone Phillie among the top 80. Harper raved about Howard and said he wanted Howard in the rotation right away, which didn’t occur, but Howard ended up with a 5.92 ERA in six starts covering 24 ⅓ innings.
Perhaps having a better sense of major-league hitters from last year’s experience will result in Howard rewarding Harper’s faith in him this season.