In the ever-evolving landscape of baseball, a rock-solid bullpen can be the secret sauce to postseason success. The Philadelphia Phillies have taken this lesson to heart, aiming to fortify their bullpen and finally break through after several postseason stumbles.
This offseason, the Phillies made some savvy moves, including signing Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million deal. In a strategic shift, they traded Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals, opening up opportunities for new talent to shine. One such talent is Kyle Backhus, an under-the-radar lefty who could become a key player in their relief strategy.
Backhus brings a unique flair to the mound with his distinctive arm angle. Last season, he boasted the fourth-lowest arm angle in MLB at nine degrees, making him a perfect complement to the higher arm angles of fellow lefties Jose Alvarado and Tanner Banks. This variation can be a nightmare for batters and a dream for the Phillies’ bullpen strategy.
As the 2026 season looms, the Phillies' bullpen looks poised for a standout year. Jhoan Duran, with his blistering 100+ mph pitches, is locked in as the closer. Meanwhile, Keller, Alvarado, Banks, Orion Kerkering, Jonathan Bowlan (acquired in the Strahm trade), and Backhus are all expected to contribute significantly.
Kerkering, in particular, is eager to rebound after a tough end to his 2025 campaign. With this revamped bullpen lineup, the Phillies are hoping to finally turn their postseason dreams into reality.