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 Policies36664Have 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/mlrut44.html
Related articles
2024 WNBA Draft Lottery: Which team needs the No. 1 overall pick the most?
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correction2024 WNBA Draft Lottery: Which team needs the No. 1 overall pick the most? This year's lotter...
Read more
Maite Oroz: Tottenham Women sign Real Madrid and Spain midfielder
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionTottenham sign Spain midfielder Oroz from Real MadridImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Maite...
Read more
Zach Eflin trade: Orioles acquire veteran starter in MLB trade deadline move with Rays
With $172 million star struggling, Phillies might make ‘extreme’ playoff correctionZach Eflin trade: Orioles acquire veteran starter in MLB trade deadline move with Rays The Ra...
Read more
Top Article
- Sparks' Dearica Hamby files federal lawsuit against Aces for discrimination over pregnancy
- USA soccer coaching candidates ranked: Former England boss Gareth Southgate leads the way
- Ballon d'Or contenders: In weak field, could Lionel Messi give MLS first
- Tennessee Titans address position of need in recent 2025 NFL mock draft
- 2023 WNBA Finals: How Jonquel Jones used her heartache to lift Liberty to Game 3 win over Aces
- Cameron Young shoots 59 in Round 3 of Travelers Championship for first sub
Latest News
WNBA free agency: Former MVP Tina Charles signs with Dream in one of offseason's biggest surprises
England vs Australia: Liam Livingstone smashes hosts to victory in second T20
Pochettino targets World Cup win with USA
Ballon d'Or contenders: In weak field, could Lionel Messi give MLS first
John Calipari closing in on deal with Arkansas: Ex
Irish Open 2024: Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry remain in the hunt at Royal County Down