Call to the pen
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Last-Minute Decision by the Phillies

By Tal Venada

Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws to the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws to the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lively Is at the Crossroads of Triple-A and the Majors. Photo by Jonathan Dyer – USA TODAY Sports.
Lively Is at the Crossroads of Triple-A and the Majors. Photo by Jonathan Dyer – USA TODAY Sports. /

Before this campaign, righty Nick Pivetta joined the IronPigs because of call-ups to the Philadelphia Phillies due to injuries. Well, he has thrived through seven appearances including two this season after earning the bottom rung of Lehigh Valley’s five-man staff. That stated, the league will catch up to him at April’s end, which is when you should begin watching his performances. The genuine article?

MiLB Pitching:

  • Pivetta for 2016: 22 AA Gms., 124 Inn., 11-6, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.
  • Pivetta for 2016: 5 AAA Gms., 24 2/3 Inn., 1-2, a 2.55 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.
  • Pivetta for 2017: 2 AAA Gms., 13 Inn., 2-0, a 0.69 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP.
  • Lively for 2016: 19 AAA Gms., 117 2/3 Inn., 11-5, a 3.06 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP.
  • Lively for 2017: 2 AAA Gms., 11 Inn., 1-1, a 4.09 ERA, a 3.51 FIP and a 0.82 WHIP.

After a spring training of six appearances including three poor outings, right-hander Ben Lively gave management doubts because the last two were disappointing: five earned runs for 5 1/3 frames. And, then, he had another debacle in his second start for ’17. For now, however, the only Ben in Philly is Franklin. And if we see Lively with the parent club, he’ll appear after the All-Star break, unless the starting staff experiences a rash of injuries.

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT:         “The only time I really try for a strikeout is when I’m in a jam. If the bases are loaded with none out, for example, then I’ll go for a strikeout. But most of the time I try to throw to spots. I try to get them to pop up or ground out. On a strikeout I might have to throw five or six pitches, sometimes more if there are foul-offs. That tires me. So I just try to get outs. That’s what counts – outs. You win with outs, not strikeouts.” – Sanford “Sandy” Koufax"

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