The Philadelphia Phillies went into the MLB trade deadline with a clear priority: fix the bullpen.
That was the spot that needed help most, even with elite closer Jhoan Duran in place. The issue has never been the ninth inning alone - it’s been everything leading up to it, especially when October arrives and the relief staff has to hold up under pressure.
Instead of one move, the Phillies added two arms: right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian and second baseman Luis Arraez from the San Francisco Giants, plus left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley from the New York Mets.
Kilian’s stint has already gone sideways, landing on the injured list after being used four times in six days. Raley, meanwhile, was supposed to give Philadelphia a much-needed lift from the left side, but that hasn’t happened either.
The contrast with what he brought from New York is stark. Raley was excellent with the Mets, posting a 1.96 ERA in 45 appearances and 41.1 innings.
He gave up just two home runs and piled up 1.5 bWAR. Since arriving in Philadelphia, though, that version of him has barely shown up.
In 13 appearances with the Phillies, Raley has blown three saves. He had only one with the Mets.
He’s also already allowed three home runs, and his ERA has climbed to 4.66. Things got worse in Game 2 against the Atlanta Braves.
That outing turned into a bullpen game after Jesus Luzardo was scratched because of stiffness in his left shoulder. Tim Mayza handled the opening duties and gave Philadelphia three shutout innings. Once Raley took over, the night unraveled.
He got only two outs, gave up one of his four home runs as a Phillie, and allowed two other hits. A walk added to the damage, and three earned runs were charged to him. He also struck out two and took his second loss with the team.
For the Phillies, that is nowhere near the return they were hoping for when they brought in the veteran lefty. He was supposed to steady the bullpen and give them dependable work from the left side. Instead, the relief corps remains a problem for interim manager Don Mattingly as the regular season winds down.
And the consequences could be real. The bullpen’s inconsistency could wind up costing Philadelphia the No. 1 Wild Card spot in the National League.
There’s also no easy answer on the left-handed depth chart. Raley has struggled badly, and Jose Alvarado has not established himself as a consistent, reliable option all season.
In Other News...
Phillies Face A Crucial October Debate As Mattingly Weighs Final Tweaks
With the calendar turning toward October, the Phillies are already treating their upcoming series against the Braves like something more than just another late-season checkpoint. The roster has been expanded to 28 in September, giving the club a little extra flexibility after reinstating catcher Rafael Marchn and adding reliever Grant Holman, and those moves have reopened the conversation about how the group should look when the games matter most.
The real intrigue now is less about who is here than who might not stay once the playoff roster picture sharpens. Philadelphia has to sort through lineup combinations, bench depth and bullpen balance while knowing two players eventually need to be optioned back to the minors before the postseason, a decision that can shape how the club handles tight games in October. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Get A Bullpen Boost Just In Time For The Stretch Run
The Phillies got a needed bullpen addition back on the active roster Monday, reinstating left-hander Tanner Banks from the 60-day injured list as the club pushes through the final stretch of the regular season. Banks had been sidelined by a forearm strain, and his return gives Philadelphia another left-handed option as the games tighten up and every arm in the bullpen starts to matter a little more.
Christian Cairo was designated for assignment in the corresponding move, while right-hander Grant Holman was sent to Triple-A to clear space. For the Phillies, the timing matters just as much as the transaction itself: Banks is expected to be available for the final two weeks, giving the bullpen a fresh piece at a point in the schedule when there is little margin left for error. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Just Saw A Phillies Rookie Become A Bigger Problem
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He did not get the win, but the bigger takeaway for Philadelphia was the stability he provided in a game that mattered in the National League Wild Card race. The Phillies have stayed in strong position, and Painters ability to turn in a competent, composed start gives them another arm that can help them hold that spot. For a rookie who has already been through a demotion and a reset, the encouraging part is not just the result against Atlanta, but the sense that he may be becoming a tougher problem for opponents to solve. [Read more 🡒]