Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jerad Eickhoff continues incredibly odd 2017 season
The Philadelphia Phillies are already watching their season head towards a downward trend, and the curious case of Jerad Eickhoff is a prime example of that.
Jerad Eickhoff has never had an easy stretch for the Philadelphia Phillies. After a decent eight-strikeout performance last night, he still ended up with his fourth loss as Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers mowed past the Phillies. Eickhoff’s strange line had him finishing in 6.0 innings, eight strikeouts, two walks, and three runs allowed with two of them being earned.
It’s a continuation of the rest of the year, where Eickhoff finds himself 0-4 despite sprinkling in some stunning pitching performances. It’s not the first time pitchers’ have been the victim of the Philadelphia Phillies’ lack of offense, but Eickhoff’s case has been so strange and still leaves most wondering, “is he even good?”.
Eickhoff and his dominant curveball got off to a hot start this season, but has since waned off. The Philadelphia Phillies wasted a decent first start against the Reds, where Eickhoff gave up two runs in 6.2 innings pitched. The next start was even better.
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7.0 innings pitched with one earned run against the New York Mets was still not good enough to earn a win, as the curveball gave the righty six strikeouts. His next start against the Nationals was shaky, and he followed it with another decent one against Atlanta.
After that Atlanta start, Eickhoff hit a major wall. In the last four starts Eickhoff has given up 16 earned runs in 21.0 innings pitched. Lacking control of most his pitches, Eickhoff is looking like he’s in a dangerously hurtful slump. He has given up three home runs in the same stretch.
MLB.com’s season projections has him finishing the season 6-12, which would be a bit promising considering his 0-4 start. Eickhoff’s lack of consistency is what’s holding him back from becoming a solid early rotation option, and the rest of the season will have to be a bounce back to justify himself in his current role.
His next projected start would be against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 21st. A question of which Eickhoff will show up will be in play. Another question of whether he’ll get any semblance of run support would be next.
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The season has seen its ups and downs, and Eickhoff could be the spokesperson for that statement. The young righty will try to have a turnaround, and prove that he’s a better pitcher than his 0-4 start.