It’s a bit difficult to be objective about the team you follow most closely, and I have followed the Philadelphia Phillies for about 30 years now. They replaced the Pittsburgh Pirates as “my” team when it became clear — with Pittsburgh cutting ties to Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla — that the Bucs were becoming a farm team for the rest of MLB, much like the old Kansas City A’s.
So, you’re getting half-season grades here from a Phillies fan, but not one that still has unused, framed Phillies tickets from the 1964 World Series on his home office wall.
As a contender for a Wild Card, how do the Philadelphia Phillies shape up now?
The Phils are currently six games over .500 and hold a .001 “lead” over St. Louis for the last NL Wild Card, which basically means the Cardinals have played two more games than the Phillies, and the Phillies have lost one fewer.
We’ll start with the hurlers, in alphabetical order, with starters indicated (active roster, important others)…
Pitchers
Jose Alvarado: B-minus but improving. The fire-balling left-hander’s stint with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, begun late in May, seems to have improved his focus on a pitcher’s main task — throwing an occasional strike. This has been a problem for Alvarado his whole MLB career, and it’s reflected in his career WHIP (1.423). However, his FIP figure, which peaked at 4.40 June 12, has tumbled to 2.66 at the break.
Andrew Bellatti: A-minus. Basically, a career MiLB pitcher who has refused to accept that, Bellatti is working on a career year at the MLB level. He’s already thrown more innings (30.2) than in his two previous stints with the Rays and Marlins and his FIP is 3.50. His ERA is 3.52, and he has five holds and a save. The right-hander could be useful for a couple more years.
Conor Brogdon: Incomplete. Thought to be useful, Brogdon’s numbers in fewer than 20 innings are good. He missed three weeks on the COVID-19 list, however.
Seranthony Dominguez: A. Very likely the anointed Phillies closer before the end of the season, Dominguez has only four saves at this point, but a 1.85 ERA and a WHIP of 0.941.
Zach Eflin (starter, IL): Incomplete. Too long thought a promising starter, Eflin’s nagging right knee has kept him out of action for all of July. Possibly useful when healed, Eflin has a seemingly inflated WAR (6.8) in seven MLB years with only one winning season.
Jeurys Familia: D. The mistaken acquisition of the offseason – 4.80 ERA, 5.11 FIP, -0.8 WAR, 1.700 WHIP.
Kyle Gibson (starter): B-plus. Gibson is a career .494 MLB pitcher who can eat innings, a classic number five starter, and one-time All-Star. He shows some gumption, however, and may even his career record at .500 this year.