Phillies rotation concerns for 2019 vs. 1980 and 2008

Bottom rungs:   

Based on availability, left-hander Randy Lerch, 25, was the Phillies fourth starter because Christenson missed three months of ’80. But Lerch had produced only a 4-14 record with a 5.16 ERA, and he didn’t pitch in the postseason because of Christenson’s August return.

As for Kyle Kendrick, 23, he was in the four slot during ’08 and had an 11-9 mark with a 5.49 ERA while making only regular-season appearances due to the acquisition of Joe Blanton from the Oakland A’s. Blanton was the fourth arm of the four-man October rotation.

For now, Vince Velasquez, 26, is not pitching in relief like Jerad Eickhoff. But management is also keeping him on a slower path to readiness because of his injury history, plus he appeared to run out of gas after Aug. 4 and limped to the finish line. Also, he will be more relaxed on the mound with strong offensive support.

Christenson, 26, had elbow surgery for bone spurs after going 3-0 with a 6.31 ERA for April and May. However, he returned in August to finish the last two months of 1980 with a 2-1 record plus a 2.81 ERA and the three slot in the NLCS.

When the ’08 campaign began, Adam Eaton was at the bottom of the five-man staff before struggling in most outings to go 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA. But the Phils traded for Blanton to replace Eaton in the rotation. Yes, the fix worked!

Regarding the bottom rung of the starting staff, Nick Pivetta will probably slot there with Eickhoff remaining in Clearwater for a couple of weeks due to missing almost all of ’18. Or If Eickhoff is ready, Pivetta will be in the pen or the rotation for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.