Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Kapler’s plan gives Nola star treatment
NEW YORK » When Aaron Nola was selected to play in the All-Star Game, Gabe Kapler faced an eternal baseball dilemma: Do what’s right by the player … or best for his team?
The Phillies’ manager found a way to do both.
With a choice of when to start Nola in Miami this weekend, Kapler announced Wednesday that his 12-2 right hander would pitch Saturday, not Sunday. That will allow him to be sufficiently rested to pitch, and perhaps even start, the Tuesday All-Star Game in Washington.
Kapler said his decision was easy.
“One hundred percent,” the manager said before a 3-0, 10-inning loss to the Mets “There’s this balance of doing what’s best for Nola long-term, and obviously there’s no right answer for that, and what’s best for the Phillies long-term, and there’s no right answer for that. But you’re thinking about it. Ultimately, it’s what this guy has earned, which is to pitch in the middle of the summer in the All Star Game.”
That, Nola did by fashioning a 2.27 ERA, striking out 126 against 34 walks and limiting opposing hitters to a .200 average. That may or may not be enough for Dave Roberts to name Nola as his starting pitcher. But since he will be available, the Phillies’ only AllStar is all but certain to make an appearance.
“That happens maybe once in a lifetime,” Kapler said. “Maybe for him, it happens 15 times. But it’s at least worth noting that it’s an honor that you have to respect and to respect fully even if you have to switch things up a little to make sure that happens.”
Zach Eflin will draw the Sunday start in Miami before the Phils take the AllStar break.
Nola’s All-Star appearance could assist the Phillies in their continuing struggle to attract masses of fans despite a strong first half of the season.
“I can certainly put myself in the shoes of a fan and say I can’t wait to turn on the game and watch Aaron Nola, our All Star, pitch in that game,” Kapler said. “I think that means something. I think it’s a powerful thing to pitch in the AllStar Game.”
*** After running into the outfield wall Tuesday, Rhys Hoskins went through some concussion tests Wednesday. Cleared, he was in the lineup, going 0-for-3 with a walk.
Though Hoskins struggled famously at a newer position early in the season, he has shown improvement as a left fielder.
“We’re constantly working on it,” Kapler said. “It’s a work in progress for him. He works hard every single day to get better.”
Hoskins will compete for the National League in the Home Run Derby Monday during the All-Star Game festivities in Washington. He will be the first Phillie in the event since Ryan Howard in 2009.
“I think it’s a cool honor, just the fact that I would even be considered,” Hoskins said. “It’s obviously not the complete way I want to be involved in the week, but it should be fun. I get to be around a pretty cool group of guys. I grew up watching the Home Run Derby as a kid, so I think that full circle kind of moment is pretty cool.”
*** Vince Velasquez, who had 11 days between starts after taking a line drive to the pitching arm, was outstanding in his return Wednesday, pitching six scoreless innings, striking out three and walking one.
His main problem: Mets All-Star Jacob deGrom struck out seven in eight scoreless innings, with Jeurys Familia and Robert Gesllman adding a scoreless inning apiece.
“Personally, you make adjustments every day and I feel like I’m stepping in the right direction,” Velasquez said. “As a team in general, we have a lot of things to work on. But I think all the pieces of the puzzle are falling into play. We’re battling. I tip my cap to the offense and the defense. I’m pretty optimistic about the second half. We’re doing all the right things.”
Kapler was pleased with Velasquez’s effort.
“It was super tough loss, but I thought Vinny went toe to toe with one of the best pitchers in baseball and held his own and was simply dominant,” Kapler said. “There was not a lot of hard contract off Vinny and he did as good a job as we possibly could have asked of him coming off the down time and really giving us everything he had. I thought he did a tremendous job, and we are really proud of the work he did today.”
*** Luis Garcia, on the disabled list with a sprained right wrist, will pitch Friday and Sunday for Class AAA Lehigh Valley, and then be re-evaluated.
“Everything is right on track with him and he’s feeling really strong,” Kapler said. “We’re not going to make any decisions beyond that.”
Less cloudy has been the progress of J.P. Crawford, who has been disabled since June 20 due to a broken right hand.
“I don’t think there’s anything substantial to report at this time,” Kapler said. “He’s not that far from going to Florida and getting his work done down there. But other than that, there’s nothing notable.”
Crawford was expected to miss anywhere from four to six weeks. That could make him available as soon as the end of the All-Star break.
*** Though the Phillies maintain a share of first place in the N.L. East, they struggled to score in three of the four games against the Mets.
With that, there was the question: Do they need to add a bat before the trade deadline in order to maintain serious postseason thoughts?
“Everything we need is in this clubhouse right now,” Kapler said. “We know that Matt (Klentak) is looking under every stone to give us any possible advantage. And we trust that.”
The Phils will play a makeup game at 6:05 Thursday evening in Baltimore. Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.62 ERA) will pitch against right-hander Kevin Gausman (4-6, 4.11).