That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies bullpen in need of legitimate upgrades – soon

By John Town

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 10: Seranthony Dominguez #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on June 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Brewers 4-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 10: Seranthony Dominguez #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on June 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Brewers 4-3. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Phillies bullpen has become one of the most unstable parts of the team. It needs a serious upgrade as soon as possible.

In the Phillies recent skid, the offense has suffered much of the blame. Their struggles have been glaring and have led to several losses. However, the bullpen also has to bear some of the blame.

In the last 30 days, Philadelphia’s bullpen has the eighth-highest ERA of all MLB teams (4.64). They sit around the middle of the league in several categories, including WHIP and fielding-independent pitching.

Much of the reason why the team has stayed in the middle of the pack is Seranthony Dominguez. Even though he has allowed runs in his last two outings, he still remains the team’s best reliever this year. In 18 innings, Dominguez has surrendered just three runs on six hits and one walk. He has racked up 21 strikeouts in that time.

More from That Balls Outta Here

Besides Dominguez, there are plenty of glaring holes in the bullpen. Adam Morgan, who was supposed to be the team’s go-to lefty, has a 5.29 ERA in 26 appearances. He has walked more batters per nine innings than any other reliever currently on the team. Morgan surrendered a walk-off grand slam to Jayson Heyward last Wednesday night to the Cubs.

Luis Garcia, who broke out alongside Morgan last year, has also struggled recently.

While he started the year off strong, he has a 4.66 ERA in the last month. He has given up 10 hits, including two home runs, in this time.

Hector Neris has had the closer role ripped away from him and any confidence in him late in games has vanished. His role has been diminished to pitching in mop-up situations. Neris has a 5.01 ERA and 3.86 walks per nine innings this season.

Edubray Ramos, Tommy Hunter, and Victor Arano all have had their struggles this season. When there is a close game, Dominguez is the only one manager Gabe Kapler has any faith in. That simply isn’t sustainable, as Dominguez has shown in his recent starts.

More from Phillies News

With the bullpen scrambling, the team needs a major upgrade as soon as possible. Pat Neshek should have been that upgrade at the end of the last month, but a forearm injury suffered during his rehab process will likely keep him out until the All-Star Break. There likely isn’t any relief coming from the minor leagues either.

The Phils trading for a reliever is not discussed nearly enough. Manny Machado is the talk of the town, but adding to the bullpen is both more likely and more needed.

Some of the top relievers on the market at the deadline this year will be Kansas City’s Kelvin Herrera, Baltimore’s Brad Bach and Zach Britton, and San Diego’s Brad Hand. If the team decides they want a full-blown closer, all of these guys could fill that role. Even if they don’t, these players would be much-needed upgrades.

Next: Grading the Phillies starters in 2018

The bullpen has been struggling recently and has had its issues keeping leads. If this a team that wants to contend for a playoff spot, they can’t afford to lose games late because their bullpen implodes.

Home/Phillies News