Philadelphia Phillies critical inning for the 2018 campaign

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For now, Neris will be trying to keep the opposition from increasing their leads. Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. /

Since the Philadelphia Phillies front office traded their 100-mph closer for a rotation flamethrower, the faithful still clamor to fill the void the ninth inning is today, but general manager Matt Klentak will probably not address it externally.

Then and now:

In 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies were in the early stages of rebuilding after moving past-their-prime veterans from 2008’s glory days. But two years later, the team is making headway to recapture the magic diminished by time.

IN OTHER WORDS: “I’m in favor of progress; it’s change I don’t like.” – Mark Twain

While pitchers and hitters make adjustments to their competitor’s strategy, managers are also adapting to their counterparts in the other dugout. A skipper wanting more wins identifies weaknesses and tries possible solutions until some work.

To illustrate, the expansion of the original 16 franchises to today’s 30 deluded the talent pool. And, so, many starters weren’t successful for nine frames even when they were at their best. Ergo, more relievers.

With the addition of new clubs, solid hurlers who were only effective one time through the lineup worked three innings for a save. Generally speaking, the top moundsmen went the distance, average starters went six frames, and the best pen arm went three innings. Their number of quality pitches determined their roles.

In the next stage, organizations without a top fireman used two or three hurlers to complete the final frames. The best reliever retired the last three outs, and the others set up the prior inning or two. Specialists all.

But managers occasionally found out they didn’t need a closer if a setup man didn’t hold off the opposition’s heart of the order. Of course, this current problem requires a strong secondary fireman for the ninth inning.

However, if the top moundsman in the relief corps retires the most dangerous batters, his only credit is a hold, and the current financial system rewards saves. On the other hand, number crunchers will spot a deficiency and fix it with a new stat: a stop instead of a hold. And agents will find the dollars.

Giles has had his share of disappointments in Houston. Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images. /

100 Miles Giles:

In 2014, Ken Giles began that April with a promotion to the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils before quickly advancing to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Phillies. Early on, he drew a comparison to Craig Kimbrel because of his stuff: a four-seam fastball and a slider.

Giles recorded one save, 13 holds and no blown opportunities in ’14. As for 2015, he had 15 saves, and 12 holds out of 32 chances. And doing so increased his value for an offseason deal with the Houston Astros, who were willing to overpay for the young closer.

When Klentak took management’s reins, the aging veterans had departed for new teams, but he had Giles to swap for young pitching. Well, the GM still has Vince Velasquez and right-hander Tom Eshelman from that deal, but the IronPig’s campaign isn’t good: 1-5 for 11 starts with a 7.06 ERA for 51 innings through June 7.

Giles, 27.5: Chances are for saves and holds combined.

2014: 44 Gms., 45 2/3 Inn., 1.18 ERA, 1 Save, 13 Holds and 14 Chances (Phillies).
2015: 69 Gms., 70 Inn., 1.80 ERA, 15 Saves, 12 Holds and 32 Chances (Phillies).
2016: 69 Gms., 65 2/3 Inn., 4.11 ERA, 15 Saves, 18 Holds and 38 Chances.
2017: 63 Gms., 62 2/3 Inn., 2.30 ERA, 34 Saves, 2 Holds and 40 Chances.
*2018: 23 Gms., 20 Inn., 5.40 ERA, 10 Saves, 0 Holds and 10 Chances.
* All 2018 stats are through June 7.

Giles’ time in Houston has been a mixed bag. For instance, following his up-and-down ’16 was his solid ’17 until his postseason ineffectiveness produced December’s speculation for a replacement. Ergo, his ring came with an asterisk.

According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Giles not only had a blowup against the New York Yankees on May 1 but also punched himself in the face leading to a three-day MLB suspension. Say what you will about a Hector Neris‘ adventure, but he lost a game, not his cool. The grass isn’t greener!

Dominguez is a powerful weapon, not a perfect one. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images. /

Bottomless pit:

While the red pinstripes have had difficulty finding a closer since the Giles trade, Neris enjoyed the longest recent run in that role. Unfortunately, fans forgot 35 saves and three blown saves but can not forgive one blowup or three.

On the other hand, some locals were not happy when Neris received credit for a save because Seranthony Dominguez recorded the toughest outs. Now, Neris has to earn his way back to high-leverage innings after his current struggles. But will fans trust him again?

More from Call to the Pen

As expected, the competition eventually chased Dominguez. And Nick Williams, Odubel Herrera or Maikel Franco weren’t able to bail him out with a spectacular play. With time, though, expect the opposition to also improve their approach to the fireballer before the second half. Yes, but not all results.

In the other clubhouses, managers and coaches will review scouting reports and scrutinize film to hopefully solve Dominguez. Is he this season’s version of Rhys Hoskins? Well, some fans before his last outing believed Dominguez is the only dependable –their inadequate adjective– reliever.

WORTH REPEATING: “What is destructive is impatience, haste, expecting too much too fast.” – May Sarton

When the Phils finish a 42-game stretch through July 1, they hope to be victorious 22 times during the most challenging part of their schedule. Presently, they’re 8-12. But while this is a determining factor for them, which player, in particular, will face this test as well? Dominguez!

Next: Phillies: 3 Uncovered gems in 2018

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