The Philadelphia Phillies pitching is already becoming a concern four games into the season. This comes after Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com ranked the Phillies bullpen as the best in baseball coming into the 2024 season. During the offseason, Craig Kimbrel, who closed for the Phillies last season, left to join the Baltimore Orioles, and the team did not sign anyone to fill the closer role. When the opportunity presented itself during the offseason, the Phillies should have signed Josh Hader to be their closer. Hader ended up signing with the Houston Astros instead. This area has been a problem for the Phillies so far this season. Having a formally named closer would be helpful for the Phillies bullpen compared to the closer-by-committee approach.
In the season opener on Friday against the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies blew a 3-0 lead, allowing nine runs over the course of two innings. Matt Strahm recorded a blown save, allowing two of those nine runs. Additionally, José Alvarado allowed five runs, getting credited with the loss. This came after Zack Wheeler pitched six scoreless innings in his first Opening Day start. Wheeler also recorded six strikeouts. Strahm and Alvarado allowed a combined six hits in a combined one inning while Wheeler allowed only five hits. This game served as another instance of a Phillies starter being let down by the bullpen. This is a problem that has existed for some time.
Phillies Pitching Is A Concern
After his performance against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, Connor Brogdon will likely be designated for assignment. In the top of the 10th inning, Brogdon allowed a grand slam that gave the Reds the lead. The Reds won 6-3 after the Phillies got one of the runs back in the bottom of the tenth inning. Brogdon has no minor league options remaining, so he cannot be sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley without clearing waivers first. Options to replace Brogdon on the 26-man roster, based on the Phillies’ current 40-man roster would be Kolby Allard, Max Castillo, and Michael Mercado. If it were not for injuries, Brogdon probably would not have made the Phillies’ Opening Day roster.
Connor Brogdon explains what he thinks has been going wrong over his recent outings: pic.twitter.com/swFdTh0N2k
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 2, 2024
The concern is not limited to the Phillies bullpen. Aaron Nola allowed 12 hits and seven runs during his season debut against the Braves on Saturday. Nola also allowed two home runs in the game, which has been an issue for him in the past. Last season, he allowed 32 home runs, a career worst. Furthermore, Nola has allowed at least 20 home runs in two other seasons, having given up 27 in 2019 and 26 in 2021. This came in the first regular-season start for the veteran after re-signing with the Phillies this offseason on a seven-year deal. Hopefully, Nola can rebound in his next start. Based on how the rotation lines up that will probably come against the Washington Nationals this Friday. Manager Rob Thomson has not announced any scheduled starts beyond Wednesday.
What Can Be Done
The Phillies bullpen showed signs of improvement last season. So far, those improvements have not carried over into the 2024 season. It is important to note that the Phillies tend to start the season off slow. With the NL East expected to be very competitive between the Phillies and the Braves, this needed to change. However, the Phillies now sit at 1-3, which includes a series loss against the Braves. Luckily for the Phillies, the other teams in the NL East besides the Braves have also been slow out of the gates. Patience at the start of the regular season is needed, as the first few games are an adjustment from spring training. With that being said, more established roles on the pitching staff would help. Improving the roster would also help greatly. If all goes well, improvements will come as the season goes on.
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