This one stat shows how dominant Phillies’ starting rotation has been
If you need an idea of why many view the Philadelphia Phillies as having the best starting rotation in baseball, here’s a statistic that puts in perspective how strong Rob Thomson’s staff has been:
It should be pointed out that Atlanta Braves righty Reynaldo López has a 1.57 ERA, but his 74 1/3 innings pitched are just short of being enough to qualify for the NL lead in ERA. When López starts Tuesday, he’ll likely pitch enough innings to once again qualify for the leaderboard.
Nonetheless, for Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Wheeler to currently be top three in ERA in the senior circuit is pretty remarkable.
Suárez is all-but certain to be an All-Star, and could start the midsummer classic for the NL. Each team being required to have a representative might make it hard for both Sánchez and Wheeler to be All-Stars in addition to Suárez, because Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman also have strong cases to be in Arlington next month. But if the All-Star roster was just picked on merit, the Phillies would likely have three starting pitchers on the NL squad.
Aaron Nola probably isn’t going to be an All-Star for the second time in his career, but he’s fourth among NL pitchers in innings pitched (94), while having a 3.54 ERA and 3.95 FIP. There are many teams where Nola’s production in 2024 would make him their ace. In Philadelphia, he’s been the fourth-best pitcher in his own rotation, which isn’t an indictment on him, but rather a sign of how special this rotation is.
With Taijuan Walker being placed on the injured list Sunday, Spencer Turnbull will rejoin the rotation this week, with Thomson saying he will probably throw around 70 pitches when he starts Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. It will take Turnbull a little time to build back up as a starter, but he is 2-0 with a 1.67 ERA in six starts this season. So with Turnbull returning to the rotation, at least on an interim basis, the rich might be about to get even richer.
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If Turnbull keeps doing amazing in the rotation, they (Rob Thompson) should have no reason to keep him in the rotation and demote Walker to the bullpen.