The Phillies began last week with a sweep of the Padres, but struggled against Arizona. The Diamondbacks had back-to-back 13-run games to give the Phillies just their second series loss since the All-Star break. Philadelphia finished 4-2 on the field last week, but let’s analyze the calls from the dugout steps and manage Mackanin.
Utley Leading Off: Upon Chase Utley’s return from injury, Mackanin immediately slotted him into the lineup in the leadoff spot, a place he is far from familiar with. Before last week, Utley led off in just two of his 1,544 career games. As the leadoff hitter of any inning, Utley has slashed .257/.329/.458 with 47 homeruns in 1,047 career at-bats. In the four games Utley started last week, he led off and went 6-16 with an RBI.
Giles Saves Four: In each of the Phillies’ four victories last week, Giles was credited with a save, including three straight games from Friday-Sunday and one of the four-out variety on Wednesday. Since Giles has taken over the closer role left vacant by Jonathan Papelbon just 15 games ago, he has been successful in each of his already seven save opportunities and has allowed just a single run.
Relying on the Bullpen: Mackanin had a short leash with his pitchers last week, and often justifiably. Jerome Williams was the only starter to go deeper than six innings into a game, but David Buchanan couldn’t even last two. The bullpen had to average a full four innings pitched per game.
In last week’s six games, the starting pitchers gave up 28 earned runs in 31 innings (8.13 ERA) while allowing 49 hits and 7 walks (1.806 WHIP). The bullpen allowed 16 earned runs in 24 total innings (6.00 ERA) and were victim to 26 hits and 4 walks (1.250 WHIP).
Buchanan and Aaron Harang did not help the starters’ case. The two combined to allow 19 earned runs in just seven innings pitched (24.43 ERA) and allowed 23 hits and three walks (3.714 WHIP) in their outings.
Mackanin utilized his bullpen at a high rate last week, resulting in the Phillies debut of Adam Loewen. Mackanin gave Loewen, who hadn’t pitched at the Major League level since 2008, his chance to prove himself in the Harang and Buchanan losses. In the team’s four wins, the bullpen managed not to blow any lead.
