3 reasons why Phillies will snap postseason drought
The top half of the Phillies starting rotation could be dangerous for opponents.
Before the signing of Zack Wheeler ahead of the 2020 season, the Phillies did not have any dependable pitchers beyond Aaron Nola in the rotation. Now, entering 2021, it seems like the 1-2-3 combo of Nola-Wheeler-Eflin should be dangerous for opposing hitters.
Despite a disappointing merry-go-round of Jake Arrieta, Vince Velasquez, and Spencer Howard in the fourth and fifth spots last year, the starting pitching was second in WAR and fifth in Quality Starts.
The additions of Matt Moore and Chase Anderson could prove to be vital for a “Red October” run. It cannot get much worse than the combination of Jake Arrieta and Vince Velasquez. It’s laughable, but if Anderson and Moore had ERAs better than 5.00 it would be a massive improvement.
Moore, who flourished in Japan, has been successful in the majors. In his spring debut, he flashed a lethal breaking ball and was throwing north of 95 miles per hour, according to Joe Girardi. If Moore can find that mix throughout the season, he will have a very impressive 2021. Moore also has postseason experience, reaching it three times in his career. During a recent in-game interview, Moore said he is “more comfortable” with his offspeed pitches, and throwing them in different counts. He also gave a nod to Caleb Cotham, the new Phillies pitching coach.
Anderson, a consistent pitcher throughout his career, looked impressive in his first spring training outing. He was much better as a starter than a reliever for Toronto in 2020, while boasting a career-high strikeout percentage and second his lowest walk rate.
If the Phillies can have even one of Moore and Anderson turn in a solid season, it will only take them that much further.
The Phillies lineup is among the best in Major League Baseball.
To be short and sweet: this lineup is top five in baseball. Last season, the Phillies were tied fifth in runs per game, tied third in on-base percentage, tied eighth in average, ninth in slugging percentage, and were the most walked intentionally team in baseball. Not to mention, Alec Bohm will be around for a full season in 2021.
Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, J.T. Realmuto, and Didi Gregorius are all very capable of 25 home runs or more in a full year. Plus, Andrew McCutchen and Bohm could certainly add 20 or more themselves. The power is there as well as protection for each hitter. It is going to be difficult for an opposing team to pitch around players.
With various lineup options, the team can flat out hit. A potential lineup could look like this:
- Andrew McCutchen, LF
- Rhys Hoskins, 1B
- Bryce Harper, RF
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Alec Bohm, 3B
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Jean Segura, 2B
- Scott Kingery, CF
Of course, McCutchen and Hoskins excel at getting on base. Harper and J.T. batted third and fourth for the majority of last season. Bohm was incredibly clutch in 2020, batting .452 and tallying 18 RBIs with RISP. Didi and Jean Segura are both very solid hitters, and Scott Kingery could finally reach his full potential.
Thanks to Dave Dombrowski, there is some solid depth off the bench too. Fan-favorite Brad Miller is back, and provides much-needed pop off the bench. Andrew Knapp had a strong 2020 and Kingery could see 120 games at six different positions. Fringe players, like Matt Joyce, Odubel Herrera, Travis Jankowski, and Mickey Moniak, have all had strong springs so far. One could fill the weak spot in centerfield — as Adam Haseley is out to start the season.
Phillies leaders have World Series championship pedigree.
The Phillies have the right people for the job with manager Joe Girardi and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski.
Entering the 2020 offseason, many fans were uncertain about the direction of the franchise. With J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius on the market, and glaring holes at the backend of the rotation and within the bullpen, many rumors seemed to indicate the Phillies were not going to afford anyone in free agency.
Enter Dombrowski. Taking over the team’s front office, Dombrowski swiftly added multiple, reliable, veteran arm-talents for the bullpen, as well as two stable rotation candidates in Matt Moore and Chase Anderson, all the while retaining both J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius. Dombrowski also inked a few bench options who could prove to be valuable, including Matt Joyce, Brad Miller, and trading for C.J. Chatham. With an already budding rotation and a significantly increased bullpen, there is no reason why this team shouldn’t be playing in October and beyond.
Dombrowski is not afraid to make a move that takes his team over the top. In 2011, he traded for Doug Fister the day before the deadline. In 2014, Dombrowski acquired David Price from the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31. Most recently, in 2018, he traded for Nathan Eovaldi right before the deadline, a move that propelled the Red Sox to a World Series championship.
Girardi, an experienced manager, should also get the chance to show his managerial skills in 2021. It’s tough to do so when you have the league’s worst bullpen and a weak bench as he did last year. Now, with a practically brand new bullpen, and what looks to be a stronger bench, he should be able to win a lot more games come 2021.
As of September 12 of last season, the Phillies blew leads in an absurd 65 percent of their losses. Let’s not forget; the only team in the National League who got out to more leads than the Phillies in 2020 were the Los Angeles Dodgers — the eventual champions.
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