How Much Longer Can Philadelphia Phillies Afford Bullpen Games?

The Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff is on life support and exhausting the bullpen is a matter of not if but when.

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Since the Philadelphia Phillies optioned Bailey Falter back down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 16, their bullpen has gotten a workout. 

The two days following Falter going back to the minors, the Phillies were beaten up in back-to-back games. 

On May 17 against the San Francisco Giants, right-hander Taijuan Walker allowed four hits, two walks, and four runs in the first inning before manager Rob Thomson pulled him after 40 pitches. 

Against the Cubs on May 19th, lefty Ranger Suárez lasted only two innings while allowing five hits and four earned runs on 66 pitches.

Now into June, bullpen pitchers are being put through their paces. 

For example, Philadelphia needed a total of 13.1 innings of work out of their bullpen in their recent series in Washington. This was largely due to Zack Wheeler being ineffective in one game and having one game, June 3, be a bullpen game where the Phillies used seven pitchers en route to a 4-2 win.

Matt Strahm, Andrew Vasquez, Dylan Covey, Yunior Marte, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez, and Craig Kimbrel all saw the mound in that game.

Thomson has admitted that managing bullpen games when a bullpen has been as reliable as the Phillies’ has, is a tricky balance to strike. As a whole, the bullpen is averaging a 3.89 ERA. 

With Falter in the minors, the Phillies bullpen is running the risk of being exhausted from overuse. Strahm is one reliever in particular who has seen his usage increase, throwing more than one inning in five of his last seven appearances.

Philadelphia would prefer Strahm pitches more than an inning whenever he appears. But he’s been so effective and Alvarado’s absence might prompt Thomson to want to use Strahm in shorter bursts more often.

Kimbrel has become Thomson’s most-trusted righty reliever. The Phillies like the adjustments Soto has made with his slider and mechanics. 

Plus, there are some rookies and injuries to the pen. 

Left-hander José Alvarado has yet to walk a batter this season and should return to Philadelphia within the next couple of games. He is scheduled to throw two rehab assignments for Triple-A Lehigh Valley before coming back to the big league club.

Righty Jeff Hoffman has proved to be a diamond in the rough for the team. Philadelphia called him up on May 4 as someone who could help out a bit with a beleaguered bullpen. His slider is a redeeming feature for the Phillies and likely will keep him from being sent back down.

Despite all of this, sustaining this through the rest of the season is not possible. Further injuries to reliable relievers can mean there will be some guys plucked from the minors. 

The MLB trade deadline is a chance for a reprieve. Philadelphia trading for the Cleveland Guardians' Shane Bieber or Chicago Cubs' Marcus Stroman or Drew Smyly would take pressure off the bullpen arms. 

It would solidify a five-man rotation and allow their relievers to rest. If they plan to make a serious push for the postseason, health will be wealth. 

For now, the Phillies are a little low on pitching funds.

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