Neither Vince Velasquez nor Howard was spectacular during the Phillies' doubleheader loss to Atlanta Sunday, but it is clear they both belong on a pitching staff that needs bullpen help.
Neither Vince Velasquez nor Howard was spectacular during the Phillies' doubleheader loss to Atlanta Sunday, but it is clear they both belong on a pitching staff that needs bullpen help.
Andrew McCutchen, Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery, in particular, have gotten off to poor starts, while more than half of the Phillies' runs have come via homers.
Andrew McCutchen, Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery, in particular, have gotten off to poor starts, while more than half of the Phillies' runs have come via homers.
Arrieta threw 89 pitches and generated six swings-and-misses. It was Arrieta’s first scoreless start since 2018 and he looked sharper on Saturday night than he did anytime last season.
It was clear the Phillies needed bullpen help long before this season started. Now, they must hope that David Robertson can return and be the pitcher he was for manager Joe Girardi in New York.
The coronavirus first took a toll on Kingery’s health, then it challenged his timing before Miami’s COVID-19 outbreak cost the Phillies a week’s worth of games.
The Phillies were postponed Friday night for the ninth time this season and they’ll make it up on Sunday by adding yet another seven-inning doubleheader to their schedule.
The Phandemic Krew — a group of diehards who have stood this season on 10th Street outside the gates to Ashburn Alley — was blaring an air horn just as the Yankees were throwing their pitches.
