Philadelphia Phillies adjust their bullpen after numerous betrayals – MLB Update
Finally steps have been taken following disastrous outings by the relievers of the Philadelphia Phillies. Games they lost over the last week did not deserve being so. Only the role of their relievers took them to unfortunate ends. Jake Diekman and Raul Valdes
are in line to take over responsibilities down in the innings now.
While relief pitcher Michael Schwimer has already been sent to the Minors, Brian Sanches may be another one, who will be optioned now.
It is not to say that the existing relief pitchers are not competent. In-fact, it is an attempt to take them off the season for a while before they can restore their form.
Following the loss against the New York Mets in third game of the series, storm of criticism was gunned at the Phillies and that had prompted closed-door meetings.
Due to this, it became difficult to send those relievers on the mound, as they were constantly repeating the same mistakes.
The manager may have condoned their failure in one or two games. The fact, every time the Phillies manage to lead over the opposition, their relievers will come and ruin it, making the changes indispensable.
On their constant failures, the manager Charlie Manuel had called for change in approach and emphasised need for keeping their momentum intact until the end of the game.
For him, the sweep they were hammered by the New York Mets was not the result of players’ incompetency but inability to give their best.
“We can do things to get better in the game, as far as preparation, practicing, doing things right,” Manuel said. “We can get back to playing the game the way it should be played. If we can.”
Changes in the bullpen are meant to protect starters, who have done a fairly good job on their part. It is however being over-ambitious to expect that the relievers who have been just brought from the Minors to the Majors will be putting up desired performances
right away.
As they are going to take their time, the Phillies will confront the reality of weak bullpen for a while before they become as reliable as management is expecting them to be.
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