3 Phillies players who fans should be concerned about

3. Matt Moore

When the Phillies signed southpaw Matt Moore this past offseason to a one-year deal, there was much talk about how he would have led the majors in innings pitched last season, given he saw ample playing time overseas in Japan.

Also, much discussion surrounded how he would be the team’s first starting pitcher in the rotation to start a season since 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels six seasons ago. Between the 2016 and 2020 seasons, only six different left-handed Phillies pitchers started a game — Adam Morgan (21 starts), Drew Smyly (12), Jason Vargas (11), Ranger Suarez (3), Cole Irvin (3), and Jose Alvarez (1). Only Suarez remains with the organization out of the list.

Moore joined the above names with his April 5 debut in red pinstripes opposite the New York Mets. Early on, the left-hander appeared dominant — holding the Mets scoreless through three innings with four strikeouts. Things unraveled in the fourth, however, with Moore allowing a RBI single to both James McCann and ace Jacob deGrom.

Moore went on to receive a no-decision thanks to the team’s thrilling 5-3 comeback win. Also, during his most recent start down in Atlanta, Moore benefited from the Phillies offense rallying back from a 3-0, first-inning deficit on Sunday Night Baseball to eventually score the winning run in the ninth thanks to Alec Bohm … and much help from the umpires.

Taking a deeper dive into the numbers, Moore has allowed 13 hits and four walks through 8 1/3 innings so far with the Phillies. Opposing batters are hitting .361/.415/.611 against him, good for a 1.026 OPS. A 7.56 ERA and 2.040 WHIP ratio out of their No. 4 starter is not exactly ideal. The season is still early for Moore to turn things around.