Apr 28, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (28) hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
What have we learned about the Phillies during their sweep of the Rockies?
On Thursday afternoon, the Philadelphia Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies to become a .500 team once again at 10-10. In front of a home crowd at Citizens Bank Park this week, they outscored the visiting Rockies 32-9, propelling them ahead of the Atlanta Braves for third place in the NL East.
As they head to Queens to face the first-place 14-6 New York Mets, here are three key takeaways as the Rockies series fades into the rearview mirror.
1. Alec Bohm has figured it out
20 games into the season, Alec Bohm is one of the best hitters on the Phillies, which I’m sure we all saw coming.
Maybe not so much defensively, but Alec Bohm is tearing the cover off the ball, and his resurgence has proven crucial to the Phillies’ success. As of the series finale, Bohm is hitting .326 with a team-leading 14 RBI. His one hit in Thursday’s game was a home run, his second of the year.
While it’s unfortunate that the overcrowded infield pushed Bryson Stott back down to Triple-A, getting Bohm back in his rookie form is huge for him and the club’s collective chances.
Apr 28, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
2. Zack Wheeler is on his way back
After getting off to a slow start in his throwing routine and missing the honor of being the Phillies’ Opening Day starter, Wheeler was excellent against the Rockies on Thursday.
The 2021 NL Cy Young runner-up pitched six shutout innings, only allowing one hit, and striking out seven. He did issue four walks, and his velocity is still a bit lower than usual (sitting mid-90s instead of high 90s), but it was a serious improvement from his first three starts of the season.
This was Wheeler’s first start of more than five innings, first scoreless outing, and highest strikeout count, all encouraging signs.
Apr 24, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Corey Knebel (23) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
3. The bullpen is… lights out?
Almost one month into the season, the Phillies bullpen has exactly one blown save to its name.
This stands in stark, very welcome contrast to their collective failure in 2021 when they blew 34 saves to tie the all-time record set by none other than the Colorado Rockies in 2004.
Corey Knebel has a 1.13 ERA over eight appearances (all games finished) and has earned three saves. He’s faced 30 batters and only allowed one earned run.
Seranthony Dominguez finally looks healthy after two years of injuries and rehabbing. He has a 3.52 ERA over eight appearances.
Most impressive of the bullpen, Brad Hand has made seven appearances and has yet to allow a run. He’s finished two games, earned a save, and has only given up one hit to 16 batters faced.
