The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to get back on track after struggling mightily for months now. The Phillies have been looking for ways to improve the roster including the upgrades of Austin Hays, Tanner Banks and Carlos Estévez.
The Phillies have needed the regulars, including the stars, to step up and deliver in their respective roles. Unfortunately many have fallen short of that goal recently. A portion of the players have collectively played at replacement level for stretches that have made the division lead in the NL East feel like an increasing worry. Beleaguered starting pitcher Taijuan Walker resurrected that worry again on Friday in Kansas City.
Taijuan Walker gives the lamest explanation possible for his latest implosion
The Phillies are in the middle of a gauntlet of a schedule, a four-series stretch without off-days built in. After the club dropped two of three from the reeling Atlanta Braves, they were looking to come out on the right foot and bounce back after an abysmal offensive output.
Friday's game was tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the third inning when the floodgates opened as Walker allowed six hits to go along with two home runs and five more runs to cross the plate. Walker finished the day with six earned runs on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts over three innings. The Phillies lost the opener 7-4.
There are bad outings, and then there are Taijaun Walker's starts. The seemingly routine type of outing we're getting out of Walker now adds to the growing frustration that Phillies fans have as soon as he throws his first pitch. The loss on Friday brings Walker's season numbers to a 3-5 record in 13 starts, 64 2/3 innings pitched, 53 strikeouts and a 6.26 ERA.
Yes, you read that right, 6.26. An absolute waste of $18 million a year. The Phillies have additionally lost eight consecutive games in Walker's starts.
Taijuan Walker had some comments on his most recent implosion on the mound, per Brooke Destra from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
"It just wasn't good," Walker said following the game, per Destra. "Not throwing the right pitches and the right counts, getting behind in counts still, giving up the home run ball."
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Walker this year. Whether it's about him having trouble locating, trouble staying healthy or the fact that his velocity lacks any sort of threat to major league talent. To say "it just wasn't good" is falling on deaf ears at this point.
Even when manager Rob Thomson was asked postgame if Walker would make his next start, Thomson explained that he wasn't sure at that time, per Alex Coffey from The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“We’re trying to figure it out,” Thomson said, per Coffey.
The Phillies could consider designating Walker for assignment and eating the remaining two years of his contract if there seems to be no solution. The same pitcher who could not be used in last year's postseason has somehow hit a new low point.
If Walker does take the mound again for the Phillies, maybe fans could have fun with it and "hit the over" on how many balls hit off Walker will be 100+ mph.