Phillies Fall to D-Backs 3-2: Gabe Kapler’s Only Flaw
Did the Phillies make a mistake by taking Jake Arrieta out last night?
On Monday night, the Philadelphia Phillies began a six-game road trip in Phoenix against the now-NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.
It was everything a fan like me could have asked for – a well-pitched, fast-paced 2-0 game headed to the bottom of the ninth inning. That was, until, Gabe Kapler pinch hit for Jake Arrieta with 110 pitches after eight innings and following with Seranthony Dominguez.
I pride myself in old school thinking while also carrying an analytical mindset. After watching for most of the season, it is evident that Gabe Kapler does not prefer to bring old school thinking into the game, which I believe is his biggest letdown.
When you’re hot, you’re hot.
Sure, Arrieta had 110 pitches, but the intangibles go beyond that. He had come off a 12-pitch seventh and an 11-pitch eighth while surrendering only one infield hit after the fourth inning.
Not to mention, Arrieta has previously thrown more than 110 pitches plenty of times in his career, with his highest-pitch performance going as high as 122 in a four-hit shutout on June 21, 2015 as a member of the Cubs.
On May 18, 2010, the Phillies played host to the Pittsburgh Pirates and lost 2-1. Why am I recalling this event? Roy Halladay went all nine innings and threw 132 pitches. Why? Because Charlie Manuel felt that “he had more in him,” and “wanted to give him a chance to win the game,” as reported in ESPN’s game recap.
Why would Charlie leave a guy like Halladay in the game? It’s simple. He was the best pitcher on that team. Now, Jake Arrieta is not Roy Halladay, but he is still a terrific pitcher who has been around for quite some time now.
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The way Arrieta finished out those previous two innings should have been his ticket onto the mound in the ninth. Who else, other than Aaron Nola, would you want on the mound with the game on the line?
I am not condoning Gabe Kapler because Seranthony Dominguez blew the game in the ninth. That would be naïve of me. Not only do I think he has done a terrific job, but he also has his Phillies team outperforming its Pythagorean W-L of 60-52 by three games. I just believe that he has one flaw, and that’s his refusal to put trust in a guy who is on fire regardless of pitch count.
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Could Arrieta have blown the game in the ninth? It is certainly possible. But he had given up just two hits that left the infield all night. He is one of the team’s two or (if you are generous) three best pitchers. I know that if I’m the manager, I give him the nod to trot back out there with the game on the line any day.