Call to the pen
Fansided

Phillies GM Revisited

By Tal Venada

May 23, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Brock Stassi (L) and left fielder Howie Kendrick (M) and right fielder Michael Saunders (R) during batting practice before action against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Brock Stassi (L) and left fielder Howie Kendrick (M) and right fielder Michael Saunders (R) during batting practice before action against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Neshek Keeps Putting Zeros on the Scoreboard. Photo by Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports.
Neshek Keeps Putting Zeros on the Scoreboard. Photo by Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports. /

When you look at Joaquin Benoit‘s 3.86 ERA, it doesn’t impress you. And the reason is his May 10 debacle of five earned runs for one third of an inning. Since then, however, he has fired seven one-frame performances and allowed two hits, one walk and no runs. And how many scoreless outings has the ageless wonder produced? Nineteen.

Benoit’s stats:

  • Total: 22 gms., 21 Inn., 9 ER for a 3.86 ERA.
  • Without May 10: 21 gms., 20 2/3 inn., 4 ER for a 1.74 ERA.

"FOOD FOR THOUGHT:   “Things could be worse. Suppose your errors were counted and published everyday, like those of a baseball player.” – William Alexander"

While Benoit has settled into the eighth-inning setup role, Pat Neshek has solidified the seventh. He’s had 19 excellent performances out of 20 and is comfortable setting up Benoit and Hector Neris. And since he toiled in his lone clunker, he has hurled 4 2/3 scoreless frames and given up only three knocks. So, when the rotation begins to eat more innings, the back end of the bullpen will have adequate rest.

To conclude, Buchholz is a miss, Saunders is a maybe, Hellickson and Kendrick are incomplete, but so far Benoit and Neshek are hits. In other words, if Kendrick can average .290, Kentak will probably have – at least – three successful acquisitions. Ergo, 50 percent.

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