Bullpen Gets a Clear Look After Mets Series

With the Phillies taking two games out of three from the New York Mets, there were many areas of the team that got an essential reevaluation after tonight’s series finale.

An area that had the most looks has to be Rob Thomson‘s bullpen, as they came in to relieve in every scenario during the series. The Phillies saw much good and much bad in the 12 1/3 innings pitched by the bullpen. The Phillies also got good looks at experiments that may not be going on for long.

Walker Running Out of Time

Taijuan Walker, who had started the season as a starter, was moved to the bullpen earlier in the season in the hopes that he would find a comfortable position for success. This experiment, however, may be seeing its last moments, as Walker has failed to do the job, even in the bullpen.

This past series against New York is a clear example of the struggles he has gone through this season. In Friday night’s game, Walker was called in with a two-run lead in the sixth inning. Two batters into his appearance led to a tie game, as both Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil left the yard to tie Friday’s game. Walker, in that appearance, was only able to record one out before Thomson said enough.

In another appearance the next night, Walker went one inning and gave up another home run. Even though the game was out of reach before that point, this home run means a lot against Walker, as Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, who had lacked power after injury, hit his home run 452 feet.

With Walker’s velocity continuing to go down year after year, he will get away with fewer and fewer hanging breaking balls, and this series against the Mets showed the consequences.

Ross is Not Performing Well

Another bullpen piece on the chopping block with the trade deadline closer and closer is Joe Ross, who has not had a good season with Philadelphia.

Ross was given a long-relief opportunity after starter Mick Abel was only able to go three innings on Saturday night. Ross went 2 2/3 innings, which is perfect for a long-leverage situation, except for the fact that Ross gave up three runs on four hits. Ross’ ERA is now up to 5.35.

Ross’ performance against the Mets makes matters worse for him, as he cannot perform in a game where the Phillies trailed by one run.

Bullpen Pieces Improving

With the bad seen from relief pitching, there has been good in this series that has come from the bullpen. Pitchers such as Tanner Banks and Jordan Romano, though, fell under the radar and performed well during the series against New York.

First, Banks has done his job during his innings in this series. His first appearance came after Walker gave up back-to-back home runs, giving the Mets momentum as they tied the game. Not only did Banks finish two-thirds of that inning, but went another inning of relief that game without giving up a hit, which is very impressive against the offense of the New York Mets. The next night, Banks finished a third of an inning for two innings in the series.

Romano, who has had a questionable season so far, had a good series against the Mets. In Saturday’s game, Romano went an inning with no hits, no walks, and a strikeout. In Sunday night’s game, Romano finished a third of an inning in four pitches, all four for strikes.

With a roster like the New York Mets, the performance of Banks and Romano was not only important regarding the game situation, but the performances were very impressive and will get them more appearances in the future.

Throughout the series against the Mets, the most essential takeaway is the bullpen, as the good and the bad were all revealed this weekend.

---

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO