The Phillies fell to the Tigers on Saturday afternoon 14-8 in another spring training game mysteriously not broadcast by NBC Sports Philadelphia.

I’m struggling to understand why MLB and NBC aren’t interested in having a home broadcast for the idiots like me who want to watch exhibition baseball and W.B Mason commercials on a beautiful afternoon. Unlike the Pirates game on Thursday, you couldn’t access today’s game free through MLBtv.

… And it was a good thing that most Philadelphians couldn’t watch because the Phillies pitching today was downright brutal. It started with Connor Brogdon walking the bases loaded in the 3rd inning and continued throughout the 3.5-hour long affair.

Look at all these walks:

Tigers announcers frequently mentioned the Phillies’ inability to throw strikes in the second half of this game. I actually enjoyed the broadcast but these guys wouldn’t shut up about it.

None of the pitchers above are projected to be on the Opening Day roster but it’s not exactly comforting knowing this is the list of the ‘next guy up’ should the bullpen suffer an injury.

Now for the highlights

Spring Training: Yankees @ Phillies

• Phillies lose 14-8
• Winning Pitcher Michael Fulmer
• Losing Pitcher Jeff Singer

Big beefy boy Zach Eflin opened the game today in his first outing since undergoing surgery on his knee in early September. This is a great sign for a Phillies rotation that has multiple question marks entering the season. Zack Wheeler has already dealt with general soreness in his throwing arm followed by flu-like symptoms and Ranger Suarez was late arriving to camp as he was dealing with visa issues in Colombia.

Eflin looked calm and in command over 2 hitless innings. He allowed one walk and added one strikeout while showing no noticeable signs that he was favoring his repaired knee.

Ladies and gentlemen — your Phillies Opening Day starting centerfielder Matt Vierling. The former 5th round pick from Notre Dame is having a stellar spring training slashing .286/.375/.429 with 5 RBI in five games. Yesterday he shined in a win over the Yankees crushing a 3 RBI double with the bases loaded. If he provides league average production that will be a huge win for the Phillies who have no discernible plan at CF outside of bringing back the universally loathed Odubel Herrera.

I’m still seeing a ton of hate directed toward Mickey Moniak…

Well, James, that’s a home run in the SIXTH exhibition game of the year too! Moniak is clearly struggling and no longer projects to be an impact major leaguer, but he is still only 23 years old. He is actually two years younger than Alec Bohm and almost a year younger than Bryson Stott.

Moniak absolutely crushed this fastball off Matt Manning to deep center. He has clearly demonstrated that he has major league power this spring. If he can develop a consistent swing by playing every day in the minors he could contribute in the coming seasons.

Not to be outdone, Rhys Hoskins absolutely crushed this offering by Matt Manning 447 feet to centerfield. 447 FEET!!!

Jakob Hernandez came in after Connor Brogdon walked the bases loaded and got Javier Baez to chase a pitch way upstairs. Hernandez is a 25-year old former 21st round pick that bounced between Reading and Lehigh Valley in 2021. Hernandez has posted an impressive 2.86 ERA in over 200 minor league innings and could provide vital left-handed reliever depth for a team in short supply.

Didi Gregorius got in on the action by blistering this pitch onto the right-field terrace roof to put the Phillies up 6-2.

Jean Segura finished off this triple with an interesting slide in the 7th inning after neither of the Tigers defenders seemed interested in catching the fly ball.

… And that was sort of the last positive play for the Phillies in the game.

Up Next for the Phillies

The Phillies take on the Blue Jays in Dunedin Sunday at 1:07 p.m.

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Mandatory Credit: Phillies.com