Final Score: Marlins 10, Phillies 1
Finding a No. 5 starter is a temporary problem, but one the Phillies must solve soon.
Playoff teams only need three — maybe four — really good starters to be a threat in October. But to get there, teams can’t afford to waive a white flag every fifth day.
The Phillies, barring an incredible collapse, will make the postseason for a third straight year. They have a pretty good hold on the division. What’s not a given, however, is a bye to the division round and it’s why the Phillies need a better solution for the last spot in the rotation.
In his major league debut, Seth Johnson, acquired alongside Moisés Chace from Baltimore in exchange for Gregory Soto, allowed nine earned runs in only 2 1/3 innings pitched in a 10-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. Johnson, who allowed four earned runs combined in six minor league starts since the trade, struggled to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate and fell behind too many hitters.
Next up in the Phillies’ rotation carousel is likely Kolby Allard. He is eligible to be recalled from Lehigh Valley on Sept. 10. He could start as early as Tuesday’s game against the Rays. The Phillies could use that day to give both Ranger Suárez and Zack Wheeler one and two extra days of rest respectively. It also means Wheeler would pitch the first game against the Mets on Friday and the last game against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Or the Phillies could stay in order and start Allard on Sept. 14 against the Mets.
As Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice pointed out, Phillies starters in the No. 5 spot have combined to allow 21 earned runs since Allard’s demotion on Aug. 26. In four big league outings this season, Allard has a 3.50 ERA.
At the plate, the Phillies struggled against Marlins starter Edward Cabrera. Give Cabrera credit. That was probably the best he has ever looked against the Phillies. After allowing six earned runs against the Phillies on Aug. 14, Cabrera struck out six and allowed only three hits through seven. He had a no-hitter going through five. A Brandon Marsh single in the sixth broke it up.
The Phillies are 85-58.
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Well with all the injuries, if the Phillies limp into the World Series I will be the first to be crazy surprised.
I blame the pitching Collapse on Dombrowski
1. Screwed with Turnbull when Walker came back. He knew Walker was bad last year and he relegated Turnbull to the Pen where he got hurt. Should of at least had a 6 man rotation
2. Failed to get a Major league starter at the deadline knowing that Walker was bad and getting worse
3. Messed up by sending Allard down, Allard was proven to be the best of the worst AAA starting pitchers
4. Sold Buchannon to the Twins without giving the most experienced major league starter we had a chance after knowing that none of the other AAA pitchers can get anyone out
If we fail to make the WS (don't see how we can win it) it should be laid completely at Dombrowski's feet.
Dombrowski failed us by not getting a ML pitcher at the deadline