Matt Gelb- The Phillies Can Overcome Early Pitching Issues
Things have not gone the Phillies way early in the season. Their pitching has been tested early, and they have not graded out very well. Part of that problem is…
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 01: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Houston Astros during the first inning in Game Three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 01, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Things have not gone the Phillies way early in the season. Their pitching has been tested early, and they have not graded out very well. Part of that problem is injuries across their pitching staff, testing their depth. Specifically Ranger Suarez starting the season on the IL. Which means Matt Strahm has to start today and has not been able to be used out of the pen. Matt Gelb discussed that issue with The Best Show Ever when he joined them today. And while he acknowledged it is a problem, he does think it is something they can overcome
"Do they have a robust pitching staff early on? They really don't. But you are seeing a lot of teams dealing with this right now. Especially teams in the division. The Mets and the Braves are. They both lost starters. Fried and then Verlander. Both of them lost their closer. This is an excuse that I think a lot of teams have early on. And it is a long season. I don't think they should rush him back. If that means Strahm makes 2 or 3 more starts, and Suarez gets ready in the minors, so be it.
You need Suarez in July and August. Yea it would be great to have him the whole season, but they don't. And I think you need to think about the bigger picture here. Is their depth being tested? No question. They need some guys to step up here. But it is something that they can overcome."
The Phillies will eventually get Ranger back. And then eventually Andrew Painter will join the team. So pitching depth should not be an issue all season long, barring further injury. Which is wy Gelb is saying the Phillies should not be panicking too much about pitching depth issues early.
Matt Gelb also discussed the Phillies' slow start as a team, and how impressive Alec Bohm has been in the first 4 games.
