Oct 8, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering (50) pitches in the sixth inning against the New York Mets during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta
NEW YORK — If you're wondering how the Phillies got to a point where they are facing elimination and there's a legitimate argument for using Cristopher Sánchez or Zack Wheeler in relief in NLDS Game 4, this is how.
Virtually the entire bullpen for Rob Thomson has disappointed to some degree across the first three games against the Mets.
- Jeff Hoffman came into Game 1 of the NLDS with a 1-0 lead, which he inherited from Wheeler. He ultimately failed to record an out, and was charged with three earned runs in the eventual loss.
- Matt Strahm inherited runners on second and third with no one out in the eighth inning of Game 1 from Hoffman. It may not have been fair to expect him to escape unscathed, but he allowed those two inherited runs to score, along with two more of his own. In total, Strahm gave up two hits and was charged with two earned runs in Game 1.
MARK TIES THIS GAME!!! pic.twitter.com/saXeu9LuAw
In Game 2, Strahm gave up a game-tying home run to the red-hot Mark Vientos in the top of the ninth inning, a blown save. The Phillies would eventually win on a walk-off single by Nick Castellanos in the home half of the frame.
- Orion Kerkering came on in the top of the eighth inning of Game 1 after neither Hoffman or Strahm could get through the inning. He needed just eight pitches to get the final two outs of the inning, but that included two more inherited runners scoring on an RBI single by J.D. Martinez and sacrifice fly by Starling Marte.
Kerkering pitched the top of the seventh inning in Game 2 of the series, recording three strikeouts. But he also let up what at the time was a go-ahead solo shot by Brandon Nimmo. Mind you, Kerkering gave up just two home runs across 64 regular season games.
LASER. LEAD.@You_Found_Nimmo | #LGM pic.twitter.com/NYKNNSAwpF
Then in Game 3, Kerkering tried to get out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam that he inherited from Aaron Nola in the bottom of the sixth inning. In fairness to him, he may have done so if not for an Edmundo Sosa bobble that kept the Phillies from possibly doubling up Jose Iglesias. After a one-out pop up to left field by Jesse Winker, Kerkering probably should have been out of the inning. But because of the bobble by Sosa, Kerkering had to get an extra out, and was unable to do so, with Marte plating two with an RBI single.
- José Ruiz has been a favorite of Thomson after he posted a 1.99 ERA over 25 games in the second half of the season. So far, he hasn't rewarded Thomson for his trust.
He was the first reliever out of the bullpen in Game 2 after Sánchez pitched five innings. Pete Alonso greeted Ruiz with an opposite-field home run. Ruiz would give up two more hits in the inning.
YEAH PETE! 🎃💪 pic.twitter.com/0hWHBMiRpJ
Ruiz came on with two outs and a pair of runners in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 3. He gave up a single to Iglesias that scored Harrison Bader. The only reason he escaped more damage is that Alonso was thrown out at home trying to score after the relay home got by J.T. Realmuto.
- José Alvarado didn't pitch in the first two games of the series, and retired the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 3. However, after an Iglesias infield single went off his foot, he couldn't get out of the inning. Alvarado walked Nimmo and Alonso before being replaced by Ruiz.
- Tanner Banks' lone appearance of the series so far came in Game 1. With the Phillies trailing 5-1, Banks took the mound for the ninth. He allowed the Mets to tack on an insurance run, as Nimmo drove in Bader with an RBI single.
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During the regular season, the Phillies' bullpen was largely effective. Hoffman and Strahm were All-Stars. Kerkering posted a 2.29 ERA. There were some concerning appearances from Estévez late in the season, but he still posted a 2.57 ERA in 20 games for the Phillies after being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels. There was no reason to think this bullpen would turn into a liability in the postseason.
Perhaps the craziest part about it all is that this isn't a group who have been taxed like the Mets bullpen has. The Phillies had a first-round bye. Wheeler went seven innings in Game 1. Neither Sánchez or Nola was dominant in their starts, but they recorded 15 outs.
And yet, the Phillies are down 2-1.
To get the ball back to Wheeler in Philadelphia on Friday, the Phillies will likely need quite a few innings from their bullpen in Game 4 in relief of Ranger Suárez. Nothing that's happened in the first three games of this series leads you to believe that will be a recipe for success.
