The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen has been delivering lately. After a rough start to the season, the bullpen has been excellent lately. Since August 13, Phillies relief pitchers have a 2.66 ERA, which ranks second in baseball. Additionally, Phillies relievers have a major league-leading 87.4% left-on-base percentage in that span. The Phillies bullpen has a 64 ERA, which ranks second-best in that span. A 2.75-win probability added in that span sees Phillies relief pitchers lead the majors. Getting José Alvarado back will also help moving forward. This stretch correlates with the Phillies expanding division lead. On August 13 the Phillies held a six-game lead in the NL East. Now that NL East lead is seven games.
Phillies Bullpen Clutch Performers Key To Stretch Run
José Ruiz
While José Ruiz is rarely used in high-leverage situations, he can significantly impact the stretch run. Since the All-Star break, Ruiz has been one of the more reliable pitchers for the Phillies. Ruiz has a 1.32 ERA and a 2.44 FIP in that span. For comparison, Ruiz had a 5.08 ERA and a 5.01 FIP in the first half. One reason Ruiz has improved is his strikeout rate. In the first half, Ruiz had a 20.3% strikeout rate. Ruiz has a 35.2% strikeout rate in the second half. 94.3% of the runners Ruiz has allowed on base in the second half have been stranded. Ruiz has a 32 ERA- and a 0.88 WHIP since the All-Star break.
His walk rate is one thing holding Ruiz back from being used in more high-leverage situations. In the first half, Ruiz had a 5.7% walk rate. Meanwhile, in the second half, Ruiz has a 9.3% walk rate. Ruiz has not been as effective with his sinker as he has been with other pitches. Using that pitch this season, Ruiz has a 13.3% walk rate compared to an 8.9% strikeout rate. One pitch Ruiz should throw more is his changeup. Ruiz has a 40.0% strikeout rate and a 0.0% walk rate with that pitch this season. While Ruiz has thrown that pitch 22 times this season, opposing batters have a 67 wRC+ against it.
Matt Strahm
After a slow start to the second half Matt Strahm is returning to early season form. Strahm has a 1.17 ERA and a 2.65 FIP since August 13. Additionally, Strahm has a 0.77 ERA and a 2.66 FIP since the start of August. 11 of the last 12 outings for Strahm have been scoreless. Strahm has an 18 ERA- and a 0.69 WHIP in that span. 90.0% of the runners Strahm has allowed to reach base in that span have not scored. Strahm has a 1.10 win probability added since August 1, ranking as the eighth-best among qualified relief pitchers.
Overall, Strahm has been one of the most effective relief pitchers this season. Strahm has a 2.05 ERA and a 2.32 FIP this season. That FIP is even with Emmanuel Clase and Raisel Iglesias. Strahm has a 1.8 fWAR, which ranks tied for the fifth-best among qualified relief pitchers. Interestingly Strahm has reverse splits. Strahm has been more effective against right-handed batters than left-handed batters this season. That will most certainly impact his postseason usage. Strahm also has six blown saves this season. Having Strahm in a setup role down the stretch is more effective than having him close when possible.
Jeff Hoffman
Since August 13, Jeff Hoffman has been dominant. Hoffman has a 0.96 ERA and a 2.53 FIP in that span. In addition, Hoffman has not allowed a runner he allowed to reach base to score in that stretch. Hoffman has a 23 ERA- and a 0.75 WHIP since August 13. To add, Hoffman had a 33.3% strikeout rate and a 3.0% walk rate during that span. Hoffman has had the best ERA among Phillies relief pitchers since August 13. Carrying this effectiveness into October will be key to a successful postseason run. Hoffman gives Phillies manager Rob Thomson flexibility with closer options.
Hoffman has a 1.85 ERA and a 2.49 FIP this season. Both are improvements over his 2023 breakout season. Hoffman has already surpassed his fWAR total from last season as well. This season Hoffman has 10 saves and 18 holds. Hoffman has a career-best 5.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season. Among qualified relief pitchers, Hoffman is tied for fourth place in fWAR and ninth place in ERA. Hoffman and Clase have the same fWAR this season. If Hoffman continues to use his slider and splitter effectively, it may mitigate his struggles with runners in scoring positions. Extending Hoffman needs to be a priority as well.
Carlos Estévez
Carlos Estévez has solidified himself as the Phillies primary closer. Acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline, Estévez improved his numbers. Estévez has a 1.84 ERA and a 2.97 FIP with the Phillies. Since joining the Phillies, Estévez has recorded three saves. This acquisition has helped the Phillies bullpen clutch performers continue to excel. Estévez gives the Phillies another reliable closing option that they were previously lacking. Signing Estévez to a contract extension should be an offseason priority.
This season, Estévez has the sixth-best WHIP among qualified relief pitchers. Estévez has a better WHIP than Mason Miller this season. To add, Estévez has a 53 ERA- this season. In the postseason, there is a good chance that both Estévez and Hoffman will close out games. Estévez has 23 saves this season. Since joining the Phillies, Estévez has seen his strikeout-to-walk ratio decrease from 6.40 with the Angels to 4.67 with the Phillies. However, Estévez has increased the velocity of his fastball, slider, and changeup with the Phillies. Continuing the increased use of the slider, which has been great for Estévez this season, is key to continuing success.
Main Photos Credits: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
