3 Phillies on Thin Ice Heading Into Opening Day
The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to make their third-straight postseason appearance this season. However, there are a few players who are on thin ice ahead of Opening Day.
By Jovan Alford
Opening Day will get underway on Thursday afternoon as all 30 MLB teams will be in action across the country. The Philadelphia Phillies, who lost in the NLCS last season to the Arizona Diamondbacks, will open up the 2024 campaign against the Atlanta Braves.
The Phillies have had the Braves’ numbers in the last two postseasons, defeating them in the NLCS. The Phillies have expectations heading into this season, as fans expect nothing short of another deep run in the playoffs.
However, for the Phillies to return to the playoffs, they’ll need a few players to step their game up this year, or it might be their last in the city of Brotherly Love.
1. Connor Brogdon
The Phillies hope that the veteran relief pitcher can find some consistency on the mound, as they will need him with Orion Kerkering on the IL to start the season.
Last season, Brogdon bounced back and forth between the big league club and Triple-A (Lehigh Valley IronPigs). The 29-year-old reliever posted a career-worst 4.03 ERA with a 2-1 record in 27 appearances.
Brogdon allowed 29 hits, 13 earned runs (five home runs), 13 walks, and struck out 26 batters across 29 innings. The right-handed relief pitcher had a 5.15 FIP, which wasn’t great, and a .264 opponent batting average (career-worst).
In Spring Training, Brogdon got hit around a little bit as he allowed 10 hits and four earned runs (two home runs) in seven appearances. He also gave up six free passes but struck out seven with a 4.15 ERA.
The Phillies couldn’t send Brogdon down to the minor leagues, as he’s out of options. The next step would be designating him for assignment. Philly hopes they don’t have to go that route, as Brogdon has been a solid late-innings reliever for most of his career.