Grapefruit Game 27 - 2018 Topps 1983 Topps Baseball #83-30 Rhys Hoskins

Phillies 7, Blue Jays 7
Spring Training Game 27 - Wednesday Afternoon, March 21st in Dunedin
Record - 10-15-2

One Sentence Summary:  Rhys Hoskins hit two home runs in a 7-7 tie with the Blue Jays.

What It Means:  This game was played while we were getting pummeled with more snow.  Enough already.

What Happened:  Hoskins has found a groove.  Jayson Stark Tweeted during the game that Hoskins has now reached 9 times in his last 16 plate appearances.  The equally hot Scott Kingery hit his 4th home run of the spring and Aaron Altherr added his third home run for good measure.  Nick Pivetta pitched two scoreless innings in one of his final starts before the regular season.

Featured Card:  We're going to be completely inundated with Hoskins cards in the 2018 Topps releases, and this 1983 Topps-inspired card is an insert from Topps Series One.

2018 Chachi Almost #1

2018 Chachi Almost #2

Camp Head Count:  44 - 2 = 42.  Reliever Fernando Abad was released prior to the game and outfielder Danny Ortiz was reassigned to minor league camp.  In 1 2/3 innings this spring, Abad allowed six runs on six hits and three walks.  Two of the six hits were home runs.  Abad becomes the first member of the 2018 Chachi Almost insert set, followed by Eliezer Alvarez.

Alvarez was designated for assignment when the team added Pedro Florimon to the 40-man roster.  On Wednesday, he was traded to the Rangers for cash considerations.

2017 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-274 Cesar Hernandez

Mets 6, Phillies 3 (6)
Game 139 - Wednesday Night, September 6th in Flushing
Record - 53-86, 5th place, 32 games behind the Nationals

One Sentence Summary:  The Phils dropped a rain-shortened game, as the Mets scored early and often against Nick Pivetta.

What It Means:  If the Phillies had more depth in starting pitching, I have to believe that Pivetta would have been shut down at this point.  His ERA continues to grow, as it's now up to 6.49 after allowing six more runs in five innings.

What Happened:  On the bright side, Nick Williams hit a two-run home run (9) in the sixth.

Featured Card:  Cesar Hernandez has quietly had another nice season, and he had three hits in this game.  It will be interesting to see what the starting infield looks like in 2018 with Hernandez, J.P. Crawford, Freddy Galvis, Maikel Franco and Scott Kingery all battling for three spots.  Hernandez doesn't receive much cardboard appreciation, with his only mainstream baseball card appearances this season coming in the Topps flagship and Topps Heritage sets.  This is his card from the Topps Now Road to Opening Day set.

Transaction:  Juan Nicasio, we hardly knew you.  Selected off waivers from the Pirates on Thursday, Nicasio appeared in two games for the Phillies, pitching a perfect 1 1/3 innings with one strikeout.  Less than a week later, on Wednesday afternoon, he was dealt to the Cardinals for infield prospect Eliezer Alvarez.  Alvarez appered in 54 games this season for the Double-A Springfield Cardinals.  His baseball card appearances so far have been limited to minor league sets.