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Philadelphia Phillies: 3 players who need to step up for rest of the season

By Sam Wagman

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Scott Kingery #42 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with his teammates after hitting a walk-off three run home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Phillies defeated the Braves 7-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 28: Scott Kingery #42 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with his teammates after hitting a walk-off three run home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 28, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The day honoring Jackie Robinson, traditionally held on April 15, was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Phillies defeated the Braves 7-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 13: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on August 13, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Orioles won 11-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 13: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park on August 13, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Orioles won 11-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Jake Arrieta

It feels like it’s been a long time since Jake Arrieta signed a three-year, $75 million free agency deal with the Phils in the spring of 2018. In reality it’s only been a little over two years. However, in those two years, he really has not looked like the All Star and Cy Young award winner that we saw when he was the prize member of the Chicago Cubs rotation that won a World Series in 2016.

Since that deal, Jake has put up a paltry 20-22 win-loss record, with a 4.30 collective ERA over that three year span, which I think we can all agree on, is not what they are paying him $25 million a year for. In that time he has battled injuries consistently, called out some teammates, and has just overall not been worth his contract.

Arrieta has flashed some dominance at points during the 2020 season thus far, putting on really good outings against the Braves and the Nationals. However, his overall inconsistency has his ERA still sitting at a 4.32. Arrieta has also failed to get out of the fourth inning during two separate starts.

If the Philadelphia Phillies are going to cruise into the playoffs, they cannot just rely on Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. Arrieta is going to have to step up, show out, and perform like the absolute stud that we know he can be.

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