“They’re broadcasting Tom McCarthy over the loudspeakers from the Phillies telecast, and the players are all looking up at us as if we don’t understand that there’s something wrong,” Phillies radio announcer Scott Franzke said over WIP Sportsradio. “We’re clearly aware of the fact that there’s something wrong, but they’ve now stopped. Andrew McCutchen has stepped out.”
“The interesting thing is it feels fairly normal now, what we’re doing,” Girardi said postgame. “I don’t think it’s like something that’s totally strange to us because we’ve been doing this for two weeks.”
This was the first Major League Baseball game in South Philadelphia since September 2019 — 294 days. The Phils lost 4-1, if you chose to end this exhibition after nine innings. But, if you prefer to include the top of 10th, which happened for extra work, the Phils fell 5-1.
But, it didn’t count — so no big deal.
Last week’s intrasquad scrimmages and the three exhibition games — which end Monday night at the New York Yankees — were intended to tune-up for the season and get used to the different 2020 conditions.
A notable condition: no fans.
At least one — maybe a few more — tried to get a peek of the game through the centerfield gate. Instead of spectators in seats, some players occupied them to practice social distancing.
Artificial crowd noise was pumped into the ballpark, which Girardi has explained is important, so the other team doesn’t hear coaching and pick up on strategy.
“When you’re at a ballpark, you don’t notice normal, authentic crowd noise,” he said. “But when you’re at the ballpark now, you notice piped-in crowd noise.”
Girardi acknowledges that no noise will ever replace what the Philadelphia fans bring.
Related
While Sunday was unofficially the first time Girardi managed a game in a Phillies uniform at Citizens Bank Park, the same distinction will be applied Monday at Yankee Stadium.
The Phillies will visit the Yankees in their final of three exhibition games against other teams. It will not only be Girardi’s first time at the new Yankee Stadium as an opponent, but also his first time in the Bronx since his very successful days as the Yanks manager from 2008 to 2017.
“Obviously I’ll be going into a different clubhouse, which will be different than what I’m used to, but I had a lot of good years there, so I’m very thankful for my time there and it’ll be just a little bit different being a visiting manager,” said Girardi.
Wheeler’s final dress rehearsal
Zack Wheeler allowed two runs over 4 ⅓ innings in Sunday’s exhibition loss to Baltimore. It wasn’t his best outing, but — assuming his wife Dominique doesn’t go into labor by Saturday — Wheeler could make his first official start against the Marlins in the second game of the season.
Vince Velasquez is facing the Yankees Monday night, which may line him up as the third starter — or potentially a back-up option if Wheeler needs to be with his wife.
Girardi hinted the configuration of the rotation could change. At the start of summer camp, it was expected to be Aaron Nola, Wheeler, Jake Arrieta, Zach Eflin, and either Velasquez or Nick Pivetta.
“We might do something a little bit different” than have Arrieta pitch Sunday in the third game of the season versus the Marlins, said Girardi. “Vinny wouldn’t have pitched for a long time, so we’re just going to play with the rotation maybe a little bit. Stay tuned.”
Arrieta is scheduled to pitch in Wednesday’s intrasquad scrimmage, and Eflin in simulated action on Thursday. Eflin has been easing back into things after experiencing back spasms.
With only Girardi’s brief comment to go off of, it appears Velasquez could be part of the rotation at the start of the season after competing for the fifth starters spot with Pivetta, dating back to spring training. Velasquez has impressed during summer camp.
But again, like Girardi said: “Stay tuned.”