Only the Yankees and, less frequently, the Dodgers carry on a tradition that researchers believe dates to 1875. The Phillies haven’t hosted one since 1993.
Just before the Phillies began to pay veterans millions, they locked up their president, and just after their spending spree, they rewarded the GM. And it had to happen, for better or worse.
Gabe Kapler defended his way of handling things again following the Phillies' 16-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday night. This time, however, he did something different by sitting down third baseman Maikel Franco after he failed to run out a grounder in the third inning.
The Phillies are tied for the National League’s second wild-card spot, but it’s hard to see them staying there much longer. They are fading fast and there are six teams within three games of them. Reaching the postseason does not feel as close as it did in the middle of February.
Unlike some teammates, who haven't been removed from the lineup after incidents of not hustling, the third baseman took a seat on the bench Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
