Philadelphia Phillies: Bullpen struggles in season opener

The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen struggled during the team’s season opener against Miami.

When looking at WAR (wins above replacement), the Philadelphia Phillies had the eighth worst bullpen in 2019. It was a constant point of complaint amongst Phillies fans and it regularly cost the team wins. With the 2020 MLB season now officially underway, it’s entirely likely the Phillies bullpen actually got even worse.

Prior to Friday night’s season opener against the Miami Marlins, I actually published an article detailing a few “last second predictions” for the new season. In that set of predictions, I included an entire section dedicated solely to the concept that the Phillies bullpen would seriously struggle in 2020. While we may just be one game into the season, every single match-up matters during a shortened schedule, and it appears that my concerns regarding the ‘pen are already coming to light.

Despite pitching at a pretty high level for the majority of the game, Aaron Nola got knocked around a little bit midway through the sixth inning, giving up a two-run homer and then a double. Seeing as he was already creeping up on his pitch count limit, Joe Girardi opted to turn to the bullpen.

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Girardi called in 24 year old rookie Ramon Rosso. The hard throwing righty walked a batter, threw two wild pitches, and then allowed an RBI double. Within just mere minutes, the Marlins lead had jumped up to four runs.

Fans were quick to point out that bringing in a rookie during a high leverage situation was a bit of a “Kapler move”, but what choice did Giradi truly have? Hector Neris and Jose Alvarez needed to be saved for later in the game, and Girardi’s next two go-to options are equally as unproven. Handicapped to an extremely weak and inexperienced bullpen, Giardi simply called on the guy who had looked the best during Spring Training.

Austin Davis and Trevor Kelley both pitched later in the game, allowing two baserunners each (Reggie McClain did come in and record three straight outs after Rosso).

Just to put things into perspective on how disastrous this bullpen could turn out for the Phillies in 2019, the team’s top four middle relief options on Opening Day were: Rosso (4.46 ERA in AAA last year), McClain (6.00 ERA last year), Davis (6.53 ERA in 2019), and Kelley (8.64 ERA last year)

Ultimately, the Phillies need some of these young guys to pan out this year, mainly because they don’t have any other options. The front office added zero legit bullpen help during the offseason, and a handful of their “go-to” options in the past are still injured.

While it’s obviously still early in the season, seeing some of the team’s “top” bullpen options struggle against the Marlins of all teams is quite concerning. While I rarely like to toot my own horn, this is simply a problem I saw coming from miles away. Don’t be surprised if in a few days the team is already shuffling around who’s in their ‘pen.

The Phillies get their rematch with the Marlins on Saturday afternoon (4:05 PM), as newly acquired Zack Wheeler makes his first start as a Philadelphia Phillie.