Fansided

Which of these MLB teams can keep their hot streaks going?

By Joshua Sadlock

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 13: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 13: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 08: Manager Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout after a pitching change against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on April 8, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 08: Manager Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout after a pitching change against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on April 8, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

4. Philadelphia Phillies, 9-6

The season definitely could not have gotten off to a worse start for rookie manager Gabe Kapler and the Philadelphia Phillies. Kapler endured multiple bullpen gaffes in the first week of the season. He lifted his starter on Opening Day after only 68 pitches and watched his relievers collapse, made a call to the ‘pen in the middle of a 15-2 blowout and was forced to bring in an ice-cold Hoby Milner and started 1-4.

Phillies fans, always known for their grace and patience, were not feeling Kapler after a week. Luckily, he’s turned things around and the team is playing solid baseball.

Philadelphia followed up their 1-4 start by winning eight of nine. The young boppers in the lineup, namely Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams and Scott Kingery have been ripping the ball while Carlos Santana and Maikel Franco attempt to dig out of early-season funks. Odubel Herrera has been flashy in center field, hitting .340/.397/.491. Hoskins is an early contender for NL MVP (yes, even with Bryce Harper doing what he’s doing). He is hitting .341/.508/.614 with six doubles, two home runs, 11 RBI, three steals, 14 walks and only 12 strikeouts. Hoskins has an uncanny grasp of the strike zone for a second-year player.

The quality of pitching the Phillies have received so far has also been surprising. Aaron Nola has a 2.22 ERA through four starts, while Jake Arrieta bounced back from a rocky first outing. More importantly, Vince Velasquez has looked electric again. Right-hander Nick Pivetta may be the biggest surprise of all. He sports a 2.70 ERA after three starts and has struck out 10.3 per nine.

Conclusion:  Literally everything that might possibly go right has gone right for sports teams in the City of Philadelphia this year. The Philies do need a little more out of Franco and Santana to keep the offense going, but the pitching staff looks strong enough to keep the team above .500 all year.

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