Phillies’ Test: Before and After Results

Understanding the importance of July, Jeremy Hellickson wanted to demonstrate his trade value because contenders are in the market for five-slot pitchers who can give their club a chance to win. Of course, general manager Matt Klentak will cover most of his remaining salary because postseason hopefuls who need more than one piece will have payroll space as a motivation to acquire Hellickson.

Stats for two series before and after the break:

• Hellickson: 2 Gms., 11 Inn., 5 ER and 1-0 with a 4.09 ERA.
• Nola: 3 Gms., 21 Inn., 4 ER and 1-1 with a 1.71 ERA.
• Pivetta: 3 Gms., 17 1/3 Inn., 15 ER and 1-1 with a 7.79 ERA.

Aaron Nola is atop the rotation and confidence is the driver behind his current success. But if he can remain healthy, he’ll only have difficulty if he cannot overcome adversity. On the other hand, Nick Pivetta will have dominant performances and debacles until season’s end. For instance, he has a 4.38 ERA for the two games not including his disaster in Milwaukee.

Stats for two series before and after the break:

• Neris: 6 Gms., 5 2/3 Inn., 2 ER and a 3.18 ERA with 2 Saves.
• Benoit: 7 Gms., 6 2/3 Inn., 4 ER and a 5.40 ERA.
• Garcia: 8 Gms., 9 Inn., 0 ER and a 0.00 ERA.
• No blown saves, holds and blown holds.

With franchises in the mix for serious October baseball, setup men are a priority to go deep into the playoffs. And Joaquin Benoit is an experienced arm who is worth the gamble because last year he had recorded basically a poor first half with a 5.13 ERA for the Seattle Mariners, but he bounced back with a 0.38 ERA during the stretch run for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Neris is inconsistent in high-leverage situations, and Mackanin would move him back to the eighth frame if another reliever could handle save opportunities. But Luis Garcia has limited experience past the seventh inning in one-run games; ergo, the skipper will probably ease him into tougher spots in August.