Five setup pieces:
In the seventh inning, Adam Morgan is the top option because he only allowed two earned runs for August and September until the three in his last outing. He threw 26 frames before that for a 0.69 ERA with a 95- to-97-mph heater and a devastating 82- to-84-mph slider he had finally developed.
Phillies:
- Morgan: Final 21 Gms., 26 2/3 Inn. and a 1.69 ERA.
- Ramos (2nd half): 24 Gms., 26 2/3 Inn. and a 2.70 ERA.
- Neris (2nd half): 35 Gms., 36 1/3 Inn., a 2.70 ERA and 19 for 19 save chances.
Neshek:
- Phillies: 43 Gms., 40 1/3 Inn., a 1.12 ERA and 10 Holds.
Even though he can only work consecutive days occasionally, Neshek’s unorthodox delivery and his 84-mph slider led to a string of scoreless performances. Hitters have difficulty adjusting to his approach after facing most hurlers.
Regarding Edubray Ramos, he has the mid-90’s smoke of a ninth-inning fireman, and he also had success with his 84-mph slider. In fact, his second above-average pitch was the improvement management wanted after last June’s demotion to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
As for the three-out bridge to Hector Neris, Luis Garcia has impressed his new skipper with his 84-mph changeup and 97-mph fastball to keep batters off-balance. So, when Kapler praised Garcia, it indicated the reliever would probably be the top eighth-inning weapon on Opening Day.
Sharing the eighth with Garcia, right-hander Tommy Hunter has a four-pitch arsenal. He has a 94-mph cutter, an 84-mph curveball, a 96-mph two-seamer and an upper-90’s four-seamer.