{"id":126485,"date":"2026-07-22T20:56:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T00:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=126485"},"modified":"2026-07-22T20:56:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T00:56:42","slug":"brian-keller-phillies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/07\/22\/brian-keller-phillies\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Brian Keller Could Be the Phillies\u2019 Ideal Fifth Starter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia Phillies have literally come halfway through this season with only four starters. Zack Wheeler<\/a>, Cristopher S\u00e1nchez<\/a>, and Jes\u00fas Luzardo<\/a> are the key pitchers holding the fort. Aaron Nola’s<\/a> terrible slump has not helped the team. That’s why Brian Keller<\/a> could be the ideal fifth starter for the team.<\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

The Phillies have major pitching issues. The starting rotation and their bullpen need another pitcher. With the trade deadline approaching, a few names have surfaced around the team. Michael Wacha<\/a> is one of those pitchers rumored to be linked to the club<\/a>, but the Phillies’ President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, might as well turn to a familiar face.<\/p>\n

Why the Phillies Need Brian Keller?<\/h2>\n

Keller is currently pitching for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Philadelphia could easily invite him to pitch in the big leagues. The club needs him now more than ever, and the time could not be more perfect.<\/p>\n

Brian Keller Could Ease the Pressure<\/h3>\n

There’s too much workload on the team’s current pitchers. Wheeler, Sanchez, Luzardo, and Nola are pitching more often than expected. Bringing in Brian Keller will help the team give the rest of the starting rotation an extra day’s rest. There is plenty of pressure on the team’s starting rotation currently. Keller is one of the best solutions.<\/p>\n

Brian Keller Could Help the Phillies Pursue Other Options<\/h3>\n

There’s still time before the trade deadline, allowing the Phillies to experiment with Keller in the big leagues. If the 32-year-old is exactly what they want, the Phillies could pursue other options. They can bring in another slugger or add another bullpen arm via trade.<\/p>\n

\n

AAA Lehigh Valley SP Brian Keller is in consideration for the 5th starter spot this weekend against the Yankees. Here are his stats since signing with the Phillies in May:<\/p>\n

10 GS | 39.1 IP | 27 H | 9 ER | 12 BB | 41 K
\n2.06 ERA | 0.99 WHIP | .188 BAA<\/p>\n

(8 games AAA, 2 games FCL) pic.twitter.com\/27Kff5R2qo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n