Seventh-Inning Stretch
The Phillies will now get a welcome breather during the All-Star break, but this is well beyond the halfway point of the season. They are 55-41 at the break, with 66 games remaining. That puts the Phillies a half game ahead of the New York Mets in the National League East.
Could this be the year they are a big player by the July 31 trade deadline?
Here is a look at the Phillies at the break:
Best unit: This one is easy, it’s starting pitching. The Phillies first three starters—Zack Wheeler (9-3, 2.36 ERA), Cristopher Sanchez (8-2, 2.50) and Ranger Suarez (7-3, 1.94)---can compare to any trio in baseball.
Fourth starter Jesus Luzardo started out on fire and then had disastrous outings but still managed to throw seven shutout innings in his last start before the All-Star break. Overall, he is 8-5 with a 4.14 ERA. Most people would take that in a heartbeat from a No. 4 starter, but how consistent will he be over the second half of the season?
Then there is Aaron Nola, who has experienced a terrible season (1-7, 6.16) before suffering two different injuries. He could return sometime in August and what Nola will the Phillies get? He certainly could be a factor in making an already strong group even better.
There is talk about having top prospect Andrew Painter join the rotation, but he has been getting hit hard in Triple-A in his first season following Tommy John surgery. Painter is 3-3 with a 5.01 ERA in 55.2 innings. That doesn’t suggest he is ready to help the Phillies, at least at this point.
Biggest disappointment: The bullpen. That is why when the Phillies drafted pitcher Gage Wood from Arkansas in the first round, there was immediate speculation that he could help them in the bullpen in September.
Jordan Romano was signed to be the closer and he has been a major disappointment, with a 7.29 ERA. The best reliever has been Orion Kerkering (2.78 ERA).
Matt Strahm (3.29 ERA) has been inconsistent. He has blown four saves in 10 opportunities. Tanner Banks (3.29 ERA) has been better than Strahm despite a similar ERA. In fact, Banks has been the second-best reliever. Having Jose Alvarado suspended for 80 games after failing a performance-enhancement drug test, has been a major blow. Even when he returns, Alvarado is ineligible to pitch in the postseason. There is no question the Phillies will be adding relief help at the trade deadline. The only question is how many relievers will be added.
Position players who need to step it up
Bryce Harper leads the way. Through no fault of his, he has suffered a wrist injury that was likely bothering him well before he went on the injured list. Harper has come back and has had his moments, but he has still been inconsistent. He is capable of carrying the Phillies in the postseason, but he’ll need to hit for them to get there. His slash line is .261/.374/451, with 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 253 at-bats. Those aren’t bad figures, but Harper is judged on a higher curve. He needs to stay healthy and not chase so many pitches out of the strike zone.
Bryson Stott: His slash line of .234/.303/.333 is part of a second straight down year.
Max Kepler: Like Romano, he has been a disappointing offseason addition. He looks lost at the plate at .210/.307/.371. The Phillies should consider calling up Justin Crawford, who is hitting .331 at Triple-A and put him in centerfield and have Brandon Marsh in left.
Good recent development
JT Realmuto (.268/.324/.381) has picked things up lately. His defense is also first rate and now he is adding more offensively If only he and his teammates (minus Kyle Schwarber) can add a few more home runs, but seeing Realmuto pick things up has been a positive sign leading into the second half.
Photo: J.T. Realmuto / Marc Narducci
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Author: Marc Narducci
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