Phillies-Rangers: Five things we learned from the series
By John Town
Nick Pivetta definitely needs some time in the minors
Nick Pivetta finished his start Thursday afternoon without giving up a single run – although a run was charged to him after he left the game – and he gave up just three hits while striking out five batters. However, he only lasted 4.2 innings as he threw 106 pitches by the time he left the game. Pivetta also walked four batters and induced ground balls just 18.2% of the time.
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With Aaron Nola set to come back from the disabled list this weekend against the Pirates, this is likely Pivetta’s last start in the majors for some time. In four starts, Pivetta posted a 5.12 ERA, 5.72 FIP, and 4.42 xFIP. While Pivetta struck out more than a batter per inning, he struggled with his control as he walked nine batters in 19.1 innings.
Pivetta struggled with his efficiency in all of his starts. He never went past the fifth inning and only got through 4.2 innings in his last two starts. Pivetta finished each start with at least 90 pitches and twice went above 100 despite not going deeper into games.
It’s an issue that many Phils pitchers, including Pivetta, have faced this season.
Home runs also plagued the rookie as he gave up a home run on 21.7% of the fly balls he allowed. He mercifully didn’t give up any home runs Thursday, but that rate is still well beyond acceptable.
Now that Pivetta has spent some time in the majors, he has a better grasp of what he needs to work on when he returns to Lehigh Valley. Hopefully, the righty uses that time productively and can fix those issues for when he comes back to the major leagues.