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 Policies83882Have 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/86f7i44.html
Related articles
WATCH: Breanna Stewart saves Team USA from historic defeat with controversial buzzer
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionWATCH: Breanna Stewart saves Team USA from historic defeat with controversial buzzer-beater vs. Belg...
Read more
Capitals trade Anthony Mantha to Golden Knights in exchange for pair of draft picks
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionCapitals trade Anthony Mantha to Golden Knights in exchange for pair of draft picks Mantha al...
Read more
NHL Power Rankings: Identifying the perfect celebrity captain for each team ahead of All
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionNHL Power Rankings: Identifying the perfect celebrity captain for each team ahead of All-Star Weeken...
Read more
Top Article
- Clifford Omoruyi transfers to Alabama: Rutgers big man was one of nation's top shot
- 2024 AFC South player, coach rankings: Position
- NHL Power Rankings: Making buy or sell decisions for each team ahead of 2024 trade deadline
- Kyle Pitts injury: Status of Falcons TE uncertain for Week 1 showdown against Steelers
- WNBA trade grades: Sparks sign
- Body of St. Teresa of Avila remains miraculously 'incorrupt' since 1582: Carmelite order
Latest News
Chicago Sky to hire WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon as new head coach, per report
Blue Jackets' Patrik Laine expected to miss six weeks with fractured clavicle
Red Wings' David Perron suspended six games for cross
New York Jets lose defensive captain to foot injury vs. Titans
Caitlin Clark takes hard foul: WNBA hands out Flagrant 1 after reviewing cheap shot against Clark
DJ Lagway high school stats: Inside the Texas HS football record, highlights before Florida