Call to the pen
Fansided

Stock Up, Stock Down: Two teams rising, two falling post-trade deadline

By Scott Roche

Apr 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo (99) walks to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo (99) walks to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Apr 10, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski before game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski before game against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Philadelphia Phillies take over NL Wild Card lead

For the second straight season, it was a slow start for the Philadelphia Phillies. For the second straight season, they are putting together a second-half charge and have gone from the outside of the National League playoff picture to holding onto the first Wild Card spot.

Needing pitching at the trade deadline, Dave Dombrowski went out and got Michael Lorenzen from the Detroit Tigers and the All-Star could not have had a better start with his new team. In his first start against the Miami Marlins on August 3, he went eight innings and allowed two runs in a 4-2 win. Wednesday night in his first start at Citizens Bank Park, the right-hander threw a no-hitter in a 7-0 win over the Washington Nationals. He walked four in his 124-pitch masterpiece.

Catching the Braves is just about out of the question, but securing one of the three Wild Card spots is well within reach for the Philadelphia. They have a good offensive team that can put up runs with the best of them and their pitching has been shaky this season, but the addition of Lorenzen should help stabilize that.

Just like last fall, the Phillies are turning into a team that nobody is going to want to play come October, especially with Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos starting to turn things around slowly.

Home/Boston Red Sox