Much to their relief, Phillies bullpen rises to the occasion
Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN Sports) – After the Phillies 2010 season ended abruptly at the hands of the San Francisco Giants, general manager Ruben Amaro indicated that the team would bolster the bullpen during his post-season press conference.
Well, after the Phillies surprised the baseball world by signing prized free agent Cliff Lee for $120 million, the free agent reliever possibilities went out the window. It appeared that the Phillies four aces would be followed by a pedestrian pen.
“I still think this bullpen has the chance to become something special,” closer Brad Lidge said during spring training.
Well, then Lidge went down in Clearwater with a right shoulder sprain and may not be back until the All-Star break. Set up man Jose Contreras inherited Lidge’s role and recorded five saves without giving up a run and then he hit the disabled list with a flexor pronator strain in the right elbow and is in the middle of missing a month.
J.C. Romero was on the DL for 15 days and after a number of terrible appearances, David Herndon was sent to the minors.
Sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, the Phillies bullpen has been rock solid. The team has converted each of its twelve save opportunities.
Ryan Madson, who has six saves and a tiny 0.56 ERA, has been phenomenal so far, in his contract year.
“I think some people didn’t give the bullpen enough credit,” Madson said. “Sure it’s easy to do that (dismiss the pen) when you compare it with out starting rotation but we have a really good group here. I think we’ve done a really good job considering the injuries. Everybody has stepped up.”
Antonio Bastardo, who was a question mark coming into camp, has been very good. Bastardo, who has a save and a 1.26 ERA, struck out six Braves in a row during an April game. Kyle Kendrick has a 1.83 ERA, primarily pitching out of the pen.
Rookie Michael Stutes has impressed. Stutes struck out Dan Uggla with the bases loaded, a key to Friday night’s 5-4 win over the Braves. Vance Worley has done the job in every role, starter, long reliever and set-up man.
“Our bullpen has helped win us some games,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “We wouldn’t have the record we have without them.”
The collective effort in the pen is a big reason the Phillies pitching staff has the second best ERA in the National League (the Braves are tops).
“It’s great to be able to come in here and help,” Stutes said. “There are so many great pitchers here and they do the job. I guess it all just rubs off.”
It’s a long season but if the Phillies goal is 100 wins, they’re already a quarter of the way there and it’s only mid-May. “We’ve played real good so far,” Manuel said. We’ve dealt with some injuries, particularly in the bullpen. But the guys that have been out there this year have done the job. We wouldn’t be where we are without them.”
View full post on All Stories
