The Philadelphia Phillies aren’t dead yet. It may have taken 10 innings and a Herculean effort, but they managed to sneak out a victory in the second game of their best-of-three Wild Card Series matchup against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. A bullpen meltdown cost the Phils in the series opener, and given the sorry state of affairs their relief corps is, there aren’t many trustworthy options to go to. Let’s break down that bullpen and see who can be counted on with the season hanging in the balance.
José Alvarado: Untrustworthy
What a fall from grace it’s been for José Alvarado. The hefty lefty was arguably the club’s most reliable reliever during the 2022 pennant run with a 3.18 ERA, and was lights out the following season with a superb 1.74 mark. Unfortunately, it’s been all downhill from there, as he posted a 4.09 ERA in 2024 before being popped for performance-enhancing drugs in 2025.
This season has been by far the worst of Alvarado's decade-long big league career, as he’s been torched for a 5.86 ERA across 68 outings with an absurd 31 walks in just 58 ⅓ innings. The 31-year-old shouldn’t even bother putting on his cleats tomorrow, and he certainly won’t be on the 2027 Phillies’ roster.
Tanner Banks: Untrustworthy
Similarly to Alvarado, soft-tossing lefty Tanner Banks had some success in previous years before completely bottoming out this season. The former Chicago White Sox hurler tossed 67 ⅓ frames of 3.07 ERA work in 2025, but limped to a tragic 6.19 mark over 32 appearances this season sandwiched around a demotion to Triple-A in June. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly shouldn’t even consider giving the ball to Banks on Thursday unless it’s a complete laugher.
Chase Shugart: Untrustworthy
Nothing against Chase Shugart, but he’s just not anything special. The 29-year-old did a fine job in between stints at Triple-A, firing 53 ⅔ innings of 4.02 ERA ball in 46 appearances for the Phils. Shugart’s fine for what he is: a low-leverage arm suited to mop-up work, but he shouldn’t be on the hill when it matters most.
Tim Mayza: Semi-trustworthy
Phillies fans owe Tim Mayza a debt of gratitude. The journeyman southpaw was brought in at the tail end of last season as little more than roster filler, and was kept around this year in the same capacity. Coming into the season with ostensibly-solid lefties in Banks and Alvarado, it was assumed Mayza would be the first one off the roster when the time came to add a new arm.
That plan crashed and burned as both Banks and Alvarado (as well as trade acquisition Kyle Backhus) routinely lit winnable games on fire. Thankfully, Mayza stuck around and proved to be the only competent one of the bunch. The Allentown native made his way into 60 contests for the Phils, working to a solid 3.48 ERA in that span. Mayza doesn’t have the sexiest peripherals, and probably shouldn’t be asked to take on elite hitters like Ronald Acuña Jr. or Matt Olson, but if Mattingly needs to go to a lefty, this is probably his best option.
Jonathan Bowlan: Semi-trustworthy
If this game was being played two months ago, Jonathan Bowlan would be without a doubt the second-best option at Mattingly’s disposal. The 29-year-old was acquired from the Kansas City Royals this past winter in a trade for Matt Strahm and has been a revelation ever since. In 59 contests with the Phils, Bowlan has posted an excellent 3.36 ERA and punched out 73 batters in just 56 ⅓ innings of work.
Unfortunately, the burly Texan suffered a groin strain on September 17th and has not pitched in a game since. There’s a decent chance Bowlan could be back to his old self if called upon against the Braves, but after a two-week layoff is that a risk Mattingly wants to take in a close game?
Alex McFarlane: Trustworthy
Where would the Phillies be without Alex McFarlane? The flame-throwing rookie was inexplicably kept in the minors until the end of July, but has been gangbusters ever since coming up. The Virgin Islander immediately became Mattingly’s most trusted set-up man, and for good reason, as he racked up 20 strikeouts in 19 frames, posting a 2.84 ERA in the process. McFarlane might not have tons of experience yet, but if Mattingly needs someone to get a key strikeout late in the game, McFarlane is his guy.
Jhoan Duran: Trustworthy
Mere words don’t do Jhoan Duran justice. A Phillies bullpen that has melted down year after year in October was crying out desperately for someone to save them. For eons it felt like no ninth-inning lead was safe in Philadelphia, but then he arrived. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski swung a deal with the Minnesota Twins last summer for Duran and he’s been this team’s version of 2008 Brad Lidge ever since.
Duran has pitched 80 innings over his season-and-a-half in red pinstripes, working to a microscopic 1.91 ERA in that span with a whopping 111 strikeouts and 49 saves. The 28-year-old has been every bit the lights out closer his team so desperately needed (despite his unfortunate blown save on Tuesday) and will undoubtedly be the man Don Mattingly hands the ball to for the last three outs before the Phillies pop champagne in the clubhouse.
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