Present position:With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correction >>Text
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correction
Credit Card Protection Policies47Have read
About With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionPeter Chawaga ...
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correction
The Philadelphia Phillies have very little to worry about heading into the playoffs.
They have surged to the most wins in baseball this year thanks largely to one of the deepest rotations in the majors. But growing struggles from franchise veteran Aaron Nola, who has pitched for a 7.20 ERA so far in September, raise a surprising question for the postseason rotation.
After ace Zack Wheeler, Nola has been the team’s presumptive number-two starter, particularly after the lucrative long-term contract he signed over the offseason. But amid Nola’s struggles, first-time All-Star Cristopher Sánchez has maintained a 2.11 ERA at home, making a strong case to take Nola’s role if the Phillies earn a first-round playoff bye.
“It’s compelling enough to make the Phillies think,” Matt Gelb wrote of a potential playoff rotation shuffle for The Athletic. “Slotting Sánchez in Game 2 would enable him to pitch at home. It would also separate the righties and lefties in the Phillies’ rotation. But that might be too extreme a correction. Nola is in the first year of a $172 million contract. He’s the club’s longest-tenured player.”
On paper, there is a compelling case to anoint Sánchez as the team’s second playoff starter after Wheeler, particularly if Nola is unable to demonstrate a bounce back in his remaining starts of the regular season. However, such moves have been known to shake pitchers’ confidence. And Nola, in addition to being highly paid and highly experienced, made all of his postseason starts at home last year.
Ultimately, Wheeler, Nola, Sánchez and Ranger Suárez, make for one of Major League Baseball’s strongest postseason rotations, no matter how they are slotted.
“They know their four postseason starters,” Gelb added. “All four of them have been dominant for certain stretches this season. Most teams heading to October cannot boast the same situation.”
But as the Phillies seek to make good on World Series championship aspirations, no detail will be too small to consider as the regular season wraps up. Nola can still reassert himself as the team’s Game 2 starter before then, but further struggles will force the Phillies to consider what would have once seemed like an extreme correction.
More MLB: Cubs could sign projected $140 million All-Star in blockbuster move
Tags:
Reprinted :Welcome friends to share to the network, but please explain the source of the article“Credit Card Protection Policies”。http://aqntz.feilaokan.com/7zn7b44.html
Related articles
Historic House case settlement has college basketball
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionHistoric House case settlement has college basketball -- not college football -- to thank for saving...
Read more
Angels unsure if Mike Trout will play again this season after injury setback during rehab
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionAngels unsure if Mike Trout will play again this season after injury setback during rehab Tro...
Read more
Vanderbilt hires Mark Byington: James Madison coach led Dukes to 32
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionVanderbilt hires Mark Byington: James Madison coach led Dukes to 32-4 record in 2023-24 season...
Read more
Top Article
- WNBA's Atlanta Dream to move two games against Indiana Fever to NBA Hawks' arena
- 2024 NCAA championship game: UConn vs. Purdue is 10th time No. 1 seeds meet with title on the line
- Kentucky to hire Mark Pope: Five things to know about BYU coach with deep Wildcats ties
- Arch Manning stats today: Texas QB wows in relief vs. UTSA after Quinn Ewers' injury
- Caitlin Clark, 2024 WNBA rookie class aiming to bring college fans, business viability to league
- NBA free agency: Knicks agree to one
Latest News
God of War Ragnarok Finally Adding Option to Tone Down Puzzle Hints, But Only on PC for Now
LOOK: Team USA caddies rip their shirts off after Alison Lee holes out at Solheim Cup
Russell Westbrook might address a few of Denver's needs, but he exacerbates their biggest weakness
2024 March Madness live stream: NCAA Tournament TV schedule, watch Sweet 16 streaming online Friday
Caitlin Clark told her coach Team USA 'woke a monster' by not picking her for Olympic team
NBA free agency: Jazz sign veteran point guard Patty Mills to one