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  6. article_body => "<p>Before we begin, it\u2019s understood that it\u2019s ridiculously early in the season. But after the Phillies\u2019 4-1&nbsp;start to the season, averaging nearly eight runs a game in the process, the possibilities for this offense are certainly fun to think about.<\/p>\n<p>Case in point: Maikel Franco. He was a fixture in the middle of the order in his career entering this season. But he struggled early last season, and when Matt Klentak injected four All-Stars into the starting lineup over the winter, Franco found himself not only out of the middle of the order, but fighting for a spot in the starting eight.<\/p>\n<p>Back in mid-February, manager<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/phillies\/maikel-franco-ready-battle-phillies-third-base-job)\" target=\"_blank\"> Gabe Kapler said<\/a> Franco would go head-to-head in spring training with Scott Kingery for the starting third base job. Franco seems to have won the job, and he doesn\u2019t look like he has any plans of surrendering it.<\/p>\n<p>He has stormed out of the gate with three&nbsp;homers, a team-high eight&nbsp;RBI, and an eye-popping .591&nbsp;on-base percentage in the first five&nbsp;games of the season. Considering Kapler has sent the same starting lineup out for the opening five games, Franco may be a regular in the 8-hole this season.<\/p>\n<p>Looking back through history, with the help of baseball-reference.com, we checked on the superlatives in a handful of categories for full-time 8-hole hitters. Knowing what Franco is capable of in an average season, it\u2019s safe to say that Franco could have an historic season for an 8-hole hitter.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the top marks for players hitting eighth in a season:<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"media media-element-container media-default\"><div id=\"file-1502091\" class=\"file file-image file-image-jpeg\">\r\n\r\n <h2 class=\"element-invisible\"><a href=\"\/files\/eightholechartjpg\">eight_hole_chart.jpg<\/a><\/h2>\r\n \r\n \r\n <div class=\"content\">\r\n <img class=\"media-element file-default\" data-delta=\"1\" src=\"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/philadelphia\/2019\/04\/04\/eight_hole_chart.jpg\" width=\"600\" height=\"268\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/div>\r\n\r\n \r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n<p>The names don\u2019t read out like baseball royalty, but consider this: the teams represented by the six seasons in the table above averaged 94 wins, most of which came in 154-game seasons. If he settles into his role, Franco\u2019s late-lineup power could go a long way this season (pun intended).<br><br><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb788a3d5b83?site_id=Web_NBCS_Philly&amp;creative_id=nbcsphi1356&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcsphi1356\">Click here<\/a> to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">More on the Phillies<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/phillies\/bryce-harper-receives-mvp-chants-phillies-mvp-might-be-maikel-franco-4-0-start\">Harper hears MVP chants, but 4-0 Phillies' MVP might be the 8-hole hitter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/phillies\/bryce-harper-drops-mic-his-return-dc-gives-phillies-fans-chills\">Harper drops the mic in his return to D.C., gives Phillies fans chills<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/phillies\/phillies-8-nationals-2-bryce-harper-blasts-another-long-home-run-in-return-dc\">How do you like me now? Harper with 3 hits, another long homer in return to D.C.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/phillies\/tuesday-nights-loss-phillies-nightmare-nationals-so-many-ways\">Tuesday night a nightmare for the Nationals in so many ways<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/phillies\/nationals-fans-show-true-colors-give-after-6-innings-bryce-harper-return\">Nationals fans show true colors, give up after 6 innings<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Phillies

Phillies

Before we begin, it’s understood that it’s ridiculously early in the season. But after the Phillies’ 4-1 start to the season, averaging nearly eight runs a game in the process, the possibilities for this offense are certainly fun to think about.

Case in point: Maikel Franco. He was a fixture in the middle of the order in his career entering this season. But he struggled early last season, and when Matt Klentak injected four All-Stars into the starting lineup over the winter, Franco found himself not only out of the middle of the order, but fighting for a spot in the starting eight.

Back in mid-February, manager Gabe Kapler said Franco would go head-to-head in spring training with Scott Kingery for the starting third base job. Franco seems to have won the job, and he doesn’t look like he has any plans of surrendering it.

He has stormed out of the gate with three homers, a team-high eight RBI, and an eye-popping .591 on-base percentage in the first five games of the season. Considering Kapler has sent the same starting lineup out for the opening five games, Franco may be a regular in the 8-hole this season.

Looking back through history, with the help of baseball-reference.com, we checked on the superlatives in a handful of categories for full-time 8-hole hitters. Knowing what Franco is capable of in an average season, it’s safe to say that Franco could have an historic season for an 8-hole hitter.

 

Here are the top marks for players hitting eighth in a season:

The names don’t read out like baseball royalty, but consider this: the teams represented by the six seasons in the table above averaged 94 wins, most of which came in 154-game seasons. If he settles into his role, Franco’s late-lineup power could go a long way this season (pun intended).

Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Phillies