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Pitching Prevails

The Phillies starting pitching has been carrying the team for the better part of a month now. With the offense putting up 4 runs or less in 19 of the past 30 games, the Phillies have needed their starting pitching to hold things down and keep games close, in order to have a change to stay on top of the National League East.

In those past 30 games, the Phillies' starting pitchers have performed exceptionally. Over those 30 games, starting pitchers have failed to throw at least 6 innings only 7 times. A few of those were rain shortened outings, and a couple others were injury related. In the 23 games when the starter did throw a minimum of 6 innings, the Phillies won 15 times (a .652 winning percentage).

Overall, in those 23 games, Phillies starters are 14-4 with 5 no decisions and their combined ERA is 2.43. In just the 14 wins, the starters' total ERA is 1.50.

The only pitcher to lose twice in the most recent 23 games, where the starters have gone at least 6 innings, was "Jay" Happ. He lost a complete game at Pittsburgh on 8/27 and lost the Brad Penny debut gem to SF on 9/2. Cole Hamels also lost one of those games, against the Astros, and Jamie Moyer took the 4th loss on Tuesday night in Florida.

The 1-4 team win-loss record in the 5 no decisions simply displays another obstacle the Phillies have been dealing with...their bullpen. They can't hold games close or hold leads. The starters' ERA in the 5 no decisions was 3.54...certainly a solid enough job to keep the team in games.

Phillies phans, your team MVP for the last month has been the starting rotation. If the pitching keeps it up at this pace, we could be looking at another very enjoyable October, in spite of a roller coaster offense and those questionable relievers.

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Comments

OBC said…
Go, pitchers!

Moyer has been the biggest surprise...how he's held it together and performed after the demotion.

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