Phillies: Three more takeaways from the Pirates series
By Sean Resch
#3: Let’s give the bullpen a hand
Don’t look now, but one of the biggest issues with this team has seemingly began to fix itself over the past two weeks. The bullpen is all of a sudden solid. Possibly more than solid. This could partially be due to the teams that they have played lately, but it is a trend nonetheless.
Over the weekend, the bullpen went 11.1 innings and allowed just two earned runs. They have been downright impressive lately. Pat Neshek has gotten himself involved, which is an extremely encouraging sign coming off of his injury. Austin Davis and Edubray Ramos have looked solid, as well.
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It looks as if the Phillies have found their ideal formula for the setup-closer roles with Seranthony Dominguez pitching the eighth and Victor Arano closing out the ninth. Arano has continued to impress in the later-innings role and Seranthony is our knight in shining armor. It feels good to start to see some consistency in the bullpen and to feel somewhat confident when some of these guys go into the game.
If the consistency can continue, then the Phillies will be sitting in a much better spot at the trade deadline. They may even be able to cross relievers off the list. As NBC Sports Philadelphia reported, the Phillies should only make a trade for bullpen help if it is an elite arm. An eye on the future would also be helpful rather than a rental player.
Opinions about this Phillies team can change in a day’s notice, so let’s enjoy the good play of the bullpen now before they switch back to getting shelled every night.