Brandon Kintzler will have major role in Phillies’ bullpen, regardless of the inning

Brandon Kintzler likes to say he has pitched in every conceivable role in 12 seasons as a major-league reliever, and for the most part, that’s true. But before Monday night, guess how often he entered a game in the fourth inning or earlier.

Six times.

In 454 career appearances.

If Kintzler is coming out of the bullpen in the fourth inning, something usually has gone very wrong. There he was, though, making his Phillies debut with one out, the bases loaded, and the New York Mets leading 2-0 in the fourth inning against starter Matt Moore, also pitching in his first game for the Phillies.

Yet a strange calm washed over manager Joe Girardi, who offered two reasons for turning to Kintzler when he did.

“A, he’s been in a lot of tough situations in his career,” Girardi said. “And B, I was looking for a ground ball.”

Everyone knows how this would’ve turned out last year. Girardi would have called on the bullpen — it wouldn’t have mattered which reliever he picked — and covered his eyes, as a two-run deficit ballooned to four, five, or six runs in a matter of a few pitches.

» READ MORE: Jacob deGrom's early exit gave the Phillies a chance for a comeback | Bob Brookover

That’s what made what happened Monday night so impressive. Not only did Kintzler get Kevin Pillar to roll his signature sinker for an inning-ending, rally-squelching double play, but he also pitched a scoreless fifth inning. Then fellow newcomer Sam Coonrod and young Connor Brogdon put up zeros in the sixth, seventh, and eighth. And then the Phillies rallied for five runs in the eighth inning against the Mets’ bullpen, and won a game they should have lost.

How’s that for flipping the 2020 script?

“It was really important because we’re going to have to win some games like this,” Girardi said. “This is a tough division. I think there’s going to be a lot of tight ballgames.”

Said Bryce Harper: “Just being able to keep us in the game, I think, is going to be the theme this year. Just keep us in it.”

Kintzler figures to be central to that pursuit.

For most of the last four seasons, his job has been largely to finish games. He recorded 28 saves for the Minnesota Twins in 2017 and finished second in the National League last year with 12 saves to help lift the upstart Miami Marlins into the postseason and even a wild-card series win over the Chicago Cubs.

But the 36-year-old former 40th-round pick out of Dixie State University in southern Utah signed a minor-league contract in February and bet on himself to win a roster spot — and a $3 million guaranteed salary — in spring training. It didn’t come easily, a testament to the more talented pool of candidates that the Phillies brought in to replace Deolis Guerra, Reggie McClain, Cole Irvin, Trevor Kelley, Austin Davis, and the rest of last year’s overmatched crew.

Of all the things Kintzler worried about for six weeks in Clearwater, Fla., his potential role in the bullpen didn’t make the list.

The pecking order became evident last weekend. With starters Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Zach Eflin lined up for the season-opening series against the Atlanta Braves, Girardi used only four late-inning relievers (Brogdon, Archie Bradley, José Alvarado, and closer Hector Néris) in a three-game sweep. Kintzler, Coonrod, David Hale, and Vince Velasquez watched from the bullpen.

But a four-man bullpen isn’t sustainable. And in the fourth game of the season, after the Phillies fell behind for the first time in 32 innings, Girardi called on Kintzler to slam the door. Just a little earlier than usual. Succeed and the Phillies would have a chance to come back. Fail and Velasquez likely would’ve entered a lopsided game.

» READ MORE: The storylines that will shape the next chapter of Phillies-Mets rivalry | Scott Lauber

“He’s used to being a closer and coming in in tough situations, and in a sense, that was the biggest situation in the game,” Girardi said of Kintzler. “You may not always think that in the fourth inning, but it turned out to probably be the biggest situation in the game.”

Kintzler may be used similarly going forward. With his experience shutting down games, Girardi could use him to shut off potentially big innings whenever they occur, especially if Neris, Alvarado, Bradley and the emerging Brogdon continue to safeguard late-inning leads.

Once a closer, Kintzler could become the fireman.

“You’ve got to be ready for that,” Kintzler said. “The situation [Monday night] called for me. Bases loaded, 2-0, you know it’s early. If it turns into 4 or 5, with [Mets ace Jacob] deGrom on the mound, the game is pretty much over. My job is to get a double play right there, or at least limit the damage.

“It was my job. It’s something I’m excited about. I love being in that situation. The game is on the line in the fourth. We’re all closers of our own innings, so you’ve got to close out that inning.”