I’m sure the Phillies had this down as a get well series. And are wondering what the hell just happened. I hope all those Phillies fans in the stands are miserable right about now.
Wanted to add, it’s very encouraging to see Kelly stick with Ashcraft. He seems to be trying to get the best performance instead of sticking to some stupid book or follow a schedule that was filled out a month ago. Hell, I think he’s trying to win games. Damn!
It's so much more fun to see them win with contributions from guys like Davis, Nick G, Ashcraft and Burrows. Guys who may be part of winning teams, instead of deadenders who are just collecting another year of service time.
Agree. The guys you mentioned have talent, but more than anything, they are grinders. Add a legit bat in LF to go a long with these guys, Cruz, BRey....this team becomes really fun to watch and a pain in the ass to play against.
This is going to be interesting. I think we should be prepared for some challenges, but if he dominates there, the sky’s the limit. Huge moment for the organization.
If this team had any kind of offense at all they would be in the playoff hunt. I’m happy they won and swept the Phillies, but this lack of offense is driving me crazy.
A very well played game by the Pirates and well pitched by Skenes and Ashcraft. I thought that Ashcraft would be "trade bait" but he shows a lot more than that. Loved the lineup Kelly put out there - putting the people he thought were going to have the best chances of hitting at the front - Cruz, Cutch, Reynolds, Gonzales, and Davis! Turned out that Hayes and Triolo were also very key figures in the game. Hard to figure that ump calling such an excellent game and then blowing 2 calls on pitches from Ashcraft.
Aschcraft certainly seems to be one of the leverage relievers they have been missing. You put Mlod in this bullpen and suddenly you have something. They could then actually have enough bullpen depth to win consistently 2-1 and 3-2. So, of course, they won't do it.
Luzardo's last 2 starts are 5.2 innings, 21 hits 5 walks 20 earned runs. I know this because of me being a fantasy owner of his I suffered through that. Or should I say I was a fantasy owner of his.
Excellent point; it was not the Philly JV team, but they have a lot of talent on the injured list. These kids could learn how to win and there is enough talent to make that happen. However, if we hope to challenge for the playoffs in 2026, we need at least two or three more quality bats in the order. We did not see Horwitz today and we need a young OF who can field and hit like a MOTO player.
Will Taylor getting promoted too
my wishes have been granted!
They better promote Florentino, too, or the Marauders will get boring again.
You think Plaz may get to tag along?
https://www.mlb.com/video/will-taylor-s-three-hit-seven-rbi-game?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share
Taylor's 7 RBI's and 3 extra base hits
Both guys will get a long run in Greensboro this year... looks like the fast track might be heating up
I’m sure the Phillies had this down as a get well series. And are wondering what the hell just happened. I hope all those Phillies fans in the stands are miserable right about now.
i hope they do extra pressure washing after all that
Wanted to add, it’s very encouraging to see Kelly stick with Ashcraft. He seems to be trying to get the best performance instead of sticking to some stupid book or follow a schedule that was filled out a month ago. Hell, I think he’s trying to win games. Damn!
Yeah I generally agree that Kelly is not managing in the maddening robotic way of Shelton. It pains me just to say his name.
I'm not a real fan of USA Today's Bob Nightengale so FWIW, he wrote that IKF "Could be the best hitter available at the trade deadline."
Beat that drum, Bobbo!!
A few more 2-1 wins, and the FO is going to become convinced they're on the right track with this "pitching first" / "what's hitting?" roster design.
It's so much more fun to see them win with contributions from guys like Davis, Nick G, Ashcraft and Burrows. Guys who may be part of winning teams, instead of deadenders who are just collecting another year of service time.
Agree. The guys you mentioned have talent, but more than anything, they are grinders. Add a legit bat in LF to go a long with these guys, Cruz, BRey....this team becomes really fun to watch and a pain in the ass to play against.
They really need two OF bats, unless Canario comes around. They should be looking at Reynolds as a DH going forward.
Of course, "Cherington" and "OF bat" are mutually exclusive.
Agree.
Take 3 in Miami and suddenly they are 11 under and 3 over with Kelly in charge.
Keller for Tyler Soderstrom and lotto ticket. Who says no?
That would be our outfielder we need..
Plays 1b too.
I will drive to Pittsburgh to drive Keller to the airport for Soderstrom
The A’s need pitching badly and Kurtz is the heir apparent to 1b, could be a match, at least according to BTV.
Konnor Griffin to Greensboro
I have to think there'll be some other promotions.
Would make sense. Although Konnor Griffin and Javier Rivas on the left side of the infield would be super fun to watch.
This is going to be interesting. I think we should be prepared for some challenges, but if he dominates there, the sky’s the limit. Huge moment for the organization.
Yeah, it took him a second to get going in Bradenton, but when he got going, well....
I could see the same here. That power in Greensboro, though...
I have heard the jump to AA is the hardest other than the Majors itself. What kind of difference will he see from A to A+?
I talked to Robby Hammock when he was the Greensboro manager about this and he said the biggest thing is generally consistency.
Pitchers have their ‘good stuff’ more often, so ur less likely to capitalize on an off night.
So Griffin will be seeing opponents ‘A’ stuff more often than not.
ie: more breaking balls in zone/more strikes/sharper breaking pitches, etc.
Also, with the cut back on affiliates, don’t discount the jump from complex to low A.
Some kids are 18/19 and jump up to low A where they are facing more college pitchers because teams have less places to put them.
Huge!
If this team had any kind of offense at all they would be in the playoff hunt. I’m happy they won and swept the Phillies, but this lack of offense is driving me crazy.
Tossed some ribs on the grill today. Like the Pirates game, finished up RIGHT as it started pouring here.
It's all in the timing.
Skill on its own
A very well played game by the Pirates and well pitched by Skenes and Ashcraft. I thought that Ashcraft would be "trade bait" but he shows a lot more than that. Loved the lineup Kelly put out there - putting the people he thought were going to have the best chances of hitting at the front - Cruz, Cutch, Reynolds, Gonzales, and Davis! Turned out that Hayes and Triolo were also very key figures in the game. Hard to figure that ump calling such an excellent game and then blowing 2 calls on pitches from Ashcraft.
Or trade him now if other teams like him a lot for a 3rd baseman or good hitting outfielder. Never know with young guys
I know the scoreboard says 2 runs scored, but they probably deserved to score a couple more based on the quality of contact.
Especially Nick, hammered 3 right at people.
And Cutch’s fly out to wall is a HR if not for wind blowing in.
I think history might have been made today. Pirates win three in a row!!!
Aschcraft certainly seems to be one of the leverage relievers they have been missing. You put Mlod in this bullpen and suddenly you have something. They could then actually have enough bullpen depth to win consistently 2-1 and 3-2. So, of course, they won't do it.
They have to get more bats. Winning 2-1 and 3-2 is not sustainable.
14 more in a row to close June .500+
Why stop at 14? A’s won 20+ on the backs of a great rotation and timely hitting.
Missed Wheeler, Luzardo, Nola and Harper this series. Did what we needed to do, did just enough!
Luzardo's last 2 starts are 5.2 innings, 21 hits 5 walks 20 earned runs. I know this because of me being a fantasy owner of his I suffered through that. Or should I say I was a fantasy owner of his.
Excellent point; it was not the Philly JV team, but they have a lot of talent on the injured list. These kids could learn how to win and there is enough talent to make that happen. However, if we hope to challenge for the playoffs in 2026, we need at least two or three more quality bats in the order. We did not see Horwitz today and we need a young OF who can field and hit like a MOTO player.
And a 3rd baseman