The Philadelphia Phillies' pitching staff is in all kinds of trouble after getting hammered by the Chicago Cubs to the tune of 28 runs over three games, so looking across the country at a former flameout may reek of throwing stones from a glass house.
But perhaps it's best to drown our sorrows in a nice, tall glass of Jordan Romano struggles.
Never back down, never what? pic.twitter.com/3qqKSteUOr
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 16, 2026
Romano had a doozy of a series against his longtime nemesis (the New York Yankees), allowing five earned runs and three walks while recording all of one out. His season ERA spiked from 0.00 to 8.44, and his once-perfect ledger now includes two blown saves in six opportunities.
That was the second blown save of the series for Jordan Romano pic.twitter.com/ZLajXxQtiT
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 16, 2026
Of course, Phillies fans know better than anyone about the hills and valleys that come with having Romano as your closer. Even if the team's bullpen (save for Jhoan Duran and Tim Mayza) has been varying shades of unwatchable this year, at least Cardiac Jordan is plying his trade elsewhere.
Jordan Romano's New York implosion should make Phillies fans extra greatful for Jhoan Duran
In fairness to Romano, he was looking lights out prior to those outings against the Yankees. He hadn't allowed a run while notching four saves in four tries, and even after these disasters, his season-long FIP sits at 2.22. Perhaps the turnaround the Angels were betting on is still on the table.
That's a bet the Phillies were glad not to take, though. The 32-year-old reliever blew three saves while pitching to an 8.23 ERA in Philadelphia, practically forcing the front office to swing a blockbuster deal for Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline. He was worth -1.7 bWAR in total last year and hasn't contributed postiive value in that regard since his last All-Star campaign in Toronto in 2023.
If there is a bright side to that tenure, it was the Duran trade he was partly responsible for facilitating. Even as Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait (the prospects sent to the Twins in the deal) tear it up in Minnesota, it's hard not to appreciate the thunder the 28-year-old has brought to the back-end of the bullpen.
Though he's been in town for less than a year, Duran is already climbing the franchise reliever power rankings. He's got 21 saves in 26 appearances and owns a scant 1.98 ERA in a Phillies uniform. His 1.7 WAR with the team conveniently offsets the "contributions" Romano offered in his time here.
The rest of the pitching staff needs to get their heads right ahead of a crucial 10-game stretch against the Braves and Cubs, but at least we have the knowledge that Duran will be there to protect any leads the team can give him.
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