Aug 25, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay (34) delivers to the plate during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies had a season to forget in 2013 with the team going 73-89 and finishing 4th in the National League East division. One reason for the struggles has to do with their pitching, as they gave up the second most runs in the NL at 749.
This is a surprise considering the pitchers they have in their rotation and over the past couple of seasons pitching has been a strength for the team.
The one pitcher that has to perform better for them is Roy Halladay. Halladay was one of the best right-handed pitchers in baseball before these last two seasons that were plagued by injury. He was a pitcher that when he started a game could go the distance and you would not have to provide him with much run support.
The injury has impacted his ability to keep his team in games and has also limited the amount of innings he has been able to throw. The right-hander has just thrown a combined 218.1 innings over the last two seasons for the Phillies.
This is not what we normally see from him, where he averaged at least 220 innings pitched from 2006-2011. He also threw 46 complete games within that period, but has thrown just one the last two seasons.
While the decrease in innings is a concern so is the ERA for him. Halladay did not have his ERA over three from 2008-2001, but has it at 5.65 over his last 38 starts.
It looks like his stuff has decreased over time and this could be one reason he’s having a tough time getting the opposition out.
The key for Philadelphia is that they need to get him healthy and they may to have him throw less innings to be effective. Another thing they could do is have him throw out of the bullpen and this would be way to build up his arm strength.