Call to the pen
Fansided

Pivotal in-season decisions for embattled Phillies manager

By Tal Venada

CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 16: Newly acquired J. T. Realmuto (10) walks out onto the field before the Philadelphia Phillies spring training workout on February 16, 2019 at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 16: Newly acquired J. T. Realmuto (10) walks out onto the field before the Philadelphia Phillies spring training workout on February 16, 2019 at the Carpenter Complex in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Changing leagues will be an advantage for Robertson. Photo by Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images. /

Ball and glove:

Regarding the Phillies defense, the national media believes McCutchen is a left fielder because he can no longer play center. But he also was a strong right fielder last summer. Does Harper change that?

In the pen, Hector Neris, Seranthony Dominguez and David Robertson could have interchangeable roles. Normally, Neris will shut down rallies in the fifth through seventh innings, Dominguez will work the seventh and eighth frames, and Robertson will close out the eighth and ninth.

Aside from other relievers working lower-leveraged innings, Kapler may sit a struggling game-on-the-line fireman. Ergo, the other two who are getting the job done will handle bigger opportunities, and the same is true of some of last year’s setup men.

Nothing happens until the starter fires the contest’s first pitch. In Arrieta’s case, his performance suffered after May due to an injured knee, so he may be more of a two-slot arm if he’s healthy. And he’ll pitch behind Nola unless Klentak adds a rotation southpaw to start between them.

Arrieta’s stats:

  • April and May: 5-2 with a 2.16 ERA for 10 starts.
  • Injured knee in June.
  • June through September: 5-9 with a 5.35 ERA for 21 starts.
  • Final 9 starts: 1-5 with a 6.30 ERA.

Based on 2018’s results, two possible starters are Zach Eflin and Vince Velasquez. Eflin struggled after deviating from his routine or blisters, and Velasquez was solid through Aug. 4. Yes, his pre-2018 reputation will probably haunt him again in ’19. But many fans favor Nick Pivetta who finished with four bad months.

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