Call to the pen
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Phillies: Healthy mysteries ahead for 2020’s NL East

By Tal Venada

After his first three outings, Robertson was finally getting big outs before his season-ending injury. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images.
After his first three outings, Robertson was finally getting big outs before his season-ending injury. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images. /
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Without Turner in the two-hole for six weeks, the Nationals had another obstacle to overcome. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images. /

Braves and Nationals:       

While the Phillies suffered through 40.5 months with missing pieces, the Braves were without three players for four months. However, they swapped their injured closer to the Seattle Mariners on May 20 for an ineffective –but healthy– reliever as part of the AL franchise’s salary dumps in ’19.

Even though Atlanta had picked up three back end relievers in July, they still struggled. Basically, the former AL closer they acquired had good stats for a last-place club under no pressure. So the Braves spent $40 million this winter for the top fireman in the free-agent market.

For 2019, shortstop Dansby Swanson hit .251 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs despite being out for a month. And Nick Markakis despite losing six weeks batted .285 with nine home runs and 61 RBIs. Ergo, they survived the four missing months and their questionable relief corps.

Braves IL:

  • Vizcaino: 1.5 months (traded only due to injury).
  • Markakis: 1.5 months.
  • Swanson: 1 month.
  • Total: 4 months.

Nationals IL:

  • Zimmerman: 3.5 months.
  • Turner: 1.5 months.
  • Total: 5 months.

The Nats were 17-22 without Trea Turner and 76-47 with him in the two hole partly because he averaged .298 with 19 bombs and 57 RBIs. Unfortunately, Washington’s offense couldn’t save them from the worst bullpen in the majors with a 5.66 ERA: 30th to the Phils’ 4.36 ERA despite seven key injuries. They were 16th!

On the diamond’s right side, Ryan Zimmerman only played 10 weeks to Turner’s 4.5 months. But the aging star hit .257 with six long balls and 27 RBIs, plus he is back for another full summer in 2020 as well. So, will he be in the heart of the lineup again?

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