Overview
- Justin Crawford went 2-for-4 with a run in a 5-3 win over the Rangers, following Thursday's Opening Day start in center field as the Phillies' nine-hole hitter.
- Manager Rob Thomson called it a great start and said pitchers already paid attention to him on the bases, which can disrupt defenses even without a steal.
- The rookie set up Alec Bohm's three-run homer by singling ahead of Trea Turner in the fifth, then capped his day with a bases-loaded popup he called a learning moment.
- Teammates praised his speed and bat-to-ball skills, though evaluators question whether an extreme ground-ball rate and limited power will carry over after a .334 season in Triple A.
- At 22, he is the youngest Phillies position player to debut as an Opening Day starter since Richie Ashburn in 1948, with father and former All-Star Carl Crawford on hand.