Phillies are currently in the midst of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals. Zack Wheeler, who was supposed to restore order to the realm after a really rough weekend of Philly sports, got off to a rough start. Wheeler threw 36 pitches in the first inning, allowing two runs. As I’m writing this, he just coughed up yet another run. The Phillies are currently losing 3-1.

Bryce Harper did crush a baseball 431 feet to the upper deck in right field to briefly cut the lead in half which was great to watch. But that’s not really the point of this article.

The MLB instituted umpires to act like cops checking for drugs on teenagers and check for substances on pitchers hands, hands, gloves etc. due to their new rule on foreign substances. Nationals’ pitcher Max Scherzer, who struck out the side in the first inning on 17 pitches, was also checked for foreign substances following his half of the inning.

Rightfully so, Scherzer wasn’t happy.

The entire thing slows down the game and is extremely annoying. If I was a pitcher I would be pissed too. Hell, Wheeler just threw his worst inning of the season and the umpires patted him down too. The entire thing is stupid, especially since the rules came nearly 50% through the MLB regular season.

Rhys Hoskins just hit a double, his first hit ever off Max Scherzer. Bryce Harper just struck out to end the inning. Scherzer checked yet again. Still pissed. I get it.

Phillies need to get a comeback rolling here and take two games against the Nationals before heading to New York to face the Mets for a four game series this weekend.

More after the game. Go Phils.

4th Inning Update:

Aaaand Scherzer is trying to take his pants off. This is chaos. lol.

5th Inning Update:

Listen to The Misery Report