The Philadelphia Phillies fell short of World Series expectations in 2024. Their notorious boom or bust offense took on heavy criticism after their National League Division Series loss against the New York Mets.

However, a sudden bullpen implosion actually crushed the Phillies more drastically during the four-game series. They entered the postseason with a poised back end, but ultimately exited with a cringy bullpen 11.37 ERA.

Phillies Bullpen

Dave Dombrowski has rotated different casts of relievers in multiple cycles during his tenure with the Phillies. Bullpen blowups in October have haunted the future Hall of Fame executive throughout his career.

He’s inserted Jordan Romano as a primary right-handed option complementing high-leverage arms Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, and Matt Strahm to begin the 2025 season.

Rob Thomson looks for relievers to earn trust throughout the regular season to take the mound in critical situations in Red October.

He’s used the closer by committee situation to optimize his bullpen situationally during his first three seasons as a major league manager. How will the trust tree come together in 2025?

If the Phillies earn a fourth consecutive bid to the MLB Playoffs, who will fill the closer’s role (if it’s designated)? While Romano will likely get the bulk of the save opportunities during the early months, the door is open for another pitcher to steal an opportunity.

Phillies Opening Day bullpen pitchers ranked based on unofficial predictions of the likeliest to record a save during the 2025 MLB Playoffs