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The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen spoils an otherwise good opening week

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After the opening seven games of the season the Philadelphia Phillies sit with a 3-4 record, good for fourth in the NL East. Although a mediocre record accompanies the team, the Phillies showed signs of life from their pitchers and batters and could easily improve on their 71-91 record last season. Here, we’ll break down the key observations and events from opening week.

Bullpen Problems

The major news this Monday, was manager Pete Mackanin decided to replace Jeanmar Gomez with Joaquin Benoit at the closer role. Gomez has been awful since last September when he threw for a 19.13 ERA in the month, but was still given the closer role to start the season because of his 37 saves he collected on the season.

Worries began to spread through the fan base when Gomez gave up an opening day two-run home run to Scooter Gennett of the Reds, and Gomez did nothing to ease these thoughts of dread. Then in his mere third appearance of the year, Gomez blew his save opportunity against the Washington Nationals succeeding a three-run homer to Ryan Zimmerman. Mackanin made the absolute right decision replacing Gomez, even though Benoit doesn’t have much experience in the role. It’s inexcusable for a closer to give up five earned runs in three innings to open the year

Then the same day Mackanin fixes the closer position, reliever Joely Rodriguez gives up an eighth inning two-run homer to Jay Bruce after getting ahead in the count with two strikes. This home run would prove fatal, as the Phillies couldn’t recover in the bottom of the ninth. If the Phillies want to capitalize and improve their record this season, the pitching in the bullpen needs to improve and be capable of closing out games or keeping the team alive.

Jerad Eickhoff

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) fires a strike during the first inning against the New York Mets. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Jerad Eickhoff has picked up last season exactly where he left off, commanding the strike zone with excellent pitching against the Reds and Mets. Through his two starts he’s given up only four earned runs and five hits in 13.2 innings pitched. Unfortunately he was not given the win in either outing, as Brandon Finnegan shut down the Phillies and Jacob deGrom evenly dueled him against the Mets.

Still, the signs are there for Eickhoff to continue his strong start for the Phillies. At 26 years old he’s just beginning to hit his prime as a pitcher, and has remained healthy throughout his development unlike many of the young pitchers throughout the league. If he can work on minimizing his home runs and long fly balls, he could easily emerge at the top of the Phillies rotation this year and hold lots of trade value at the deadline.

An Awakened Offense

Numbers being placed on the scoreboard is certainly something Phillies fans are not used to seeing, at least in recent memory. Except for a poor showing against Brandon Finnegan and the Reds the Phillies have put runs across the plate in every game, highlighted by a 17 run statement against the Washington Nationals. This includes games against Jacob deGrom who the Phillies attacked early getting the bases loaded in the first, and the Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg who gave up three earned runs.

Scoring 37 runs in their first seven games, the Phillies rank second league wide. After coming in last in this category last season, this is certainly an optimistic sign going forward throughout the year. Whether they can keep this up for the entire season is hard to tell, but there are certainly reasons for optimism.


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