Phillies arms waiting in the wings

First in line:  

Evaluating the five-man staff, armchair GMs usually decide after a recent start or two on borderline moundsman. But the difference to management is three excellent performances by, for example, Pivetta reveals confidence, but the first poor outing can dim his self-assuredness and temporarily head him in the wrong direction.

Since a 12-day layoff might have influenced two trying appearances by Eflin after May 19, he has bounced back in June with a 3-0 record and a 1.93 ERA. However, he is still 4-2 with a 3.43 ERA overall. On the other hand, the righty has inflated his ERA in past campaigns by trying to pitch through injuries.

As for Velasquez, he’s had nine good performances out of 14: four bad and one so-so. In fact, he has only had one poor outing out of his last eight and allowed 10 of the 20 earned runs in that one start. But his detractors have that failed appearance as a reason to move him to the pen, minors or another organization.

Recently, Pivetta has dropped to the rotation’s bottom rung, as he went from a 3.26 ERA to a 4.25 ERA. He has allowed 13 earned runs in 14 innings for an 8.36 June ERA. Granted, he has vastly improved with more good performances (eight) to now six clunkers.

Before you look to the Allentown affiliate for his replacement, Pivetta could have until Eickhoff is ready to return. But the finesse hurler might need a month to rehab and will probably be back near July’s end.

If the Phillies have six starters for five spots, one could play a critical role in the relief corps. In other words, Dominguez can’t pitch the tough frames, the ninth inning and every day. A surprise is possible!