Phillies All-Star Break Check-In: Bullpen Pitchers
The Philadelphia Phillies enter the MLB All-Star Break with the best record in baseball at 62-34 (.646). They lead the National League East by 8.5 games over the second-place Atlanta Braves.
97.5 The Fanatic will analyze the four key elements of the team at the All-Star Break, the unofficial midway point of the 2024 MLB season, and their chances to win a World Series.
- Phillies All-Star Break Check-In: Starting Pitchers
- Phillies All-Star Break Check-In: Position Players
- Phillies All-Star Break Check-In: Bench Players
- Bullpen Pitchers
Phillies Bullpen
The Braves smacked the Phillies bullpen around on Opening Day. A rough day to begin the season buried the relief corps in most major statistical categories. They climbed back toward the top and even sat third in the majors with a 3.35 ERA with one game remaining until the All-Star Break.
A disastrous 18-3 loss against the Oakland Athletics dropped them to 13th with a 3.79 ERA.
Outstanding individual performances during the first half define the Phillies bullpen much more than collective numbers can, however. Garrett Stubbs, Ricardo Pinto, or Connor Brogdon won’t inflate the bullpen numbers in October.
Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm earned unlikely All-Star selections as relievers who haven’t racked up saves because of their usage in Philadelphia. Orion Kerkering additionally reached the break with a sub-2.00 ERA.
The respective three relievers along with Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez have each averaged 10+ strikeouts per nine innings (SO/9). Matt Strahm boasts an otherworldly 9.4 strikeout to walk ratio good for second-best among qualified MLB relievers.
The impressive statistical output doesn’t include arguably their most intimidating reliever. Jose Alvarado has tripped up in a handful of bad outings, but he’s still holding onto one of the most trusted roles in a well-rested and poised bullpen capable of carrying the Phillies on a World Series run.
Second Half Question Marks
How will the Phillies bullpen take shape before Red October? It’ll be one of the most interesting and impactful storylines to follow during the second half of the season.
The organization has confidence in the ability of flamethrowers like Alvarado, Soto, and Dominguez. However, all three relievers will need to find a better rhythm to earn high-leverage innings during the postseason.
Rob Thomson hasn’t used one designated one closer during his tenure in Philadelphia. He might think differently if Dave Dombrowski landed an established closer before the MLB Trade Deadline.
Gregory Soto is a darkhorse to earn more save opportunities. The former Detroit Tigers closer caused legitimate concerns about his consistency with a rough outing in the MLB London Series on June 9.
He’s responded by allowing just one run in 14 outings since. He’s struck out 22 batters during the hot streak by showing off the power arm that earned him two All-Star appearances before joining the Phillies.
Related Content: MLB Trade Deadline: 11 Options For The Philadelphia Phillies
Matt Gelb spoke on Phillies Therapy about how Soto’s reaction to low-leverage usage earlier in the season caused some issues behind the scenes. If the bulking lefty can move past his disappointment, he could possibly emerge as the best option to close during the postseason.
Keep on eye on Soto, Alvarado, the bullpen stars of the first half, and possible trade acquisitions in one of the only Phillies storylines with significant uncertainty between the All-Star Break and the 2024 MLB Playoffs.