The Philadelphia Phillies could have an unexpected answer to their bullpen woes.
The Philadelphia Phillies managed to defeat the Atlanta Braves, 9-4, on Sunday afternoon thanks to a seven-run outburst in the eighth inning, but prior to that, the Phillies' bullpen coughed up a lead once again.
This time, it was Jose Alvarado giving up a run on three hits in the seventh. Then, with Philadelphia already up 9-2 in the ninth, Tanner Banks surrendered a two-run home run to Matt Olson.
The blow from Olson was generally meaningless within the frame of the individual game, but in a broader context, it was scary.
The Phillies' bullpen is running out of bullets. Brad Keller, one of their top offseason additions, is out for the year. Trade deadline acquisition Caleb Kilian has been sidelined with an oblique injury. Fellow Aug. 3 pickup Brooks Raley has been awful.
Yes, Alex McFarlane has looked good, but he has been about the only bright spot in a Philadelphia relief staff that entered Sunday's action with a 5.76 ERA in September ... and that number has obviously increased since.
So, where could Philadelphia turn?
Well, what about Andrew Painter?
After getting shelled in his previous outing, Painter put forth a gritty start against the Braves on Sunday, going five innings and allowing just one run in spite of giving up six hits while walking three.
Painter lowered his ERA — which was at 7.06 at one point earlier this season before being demoted — to 5.54, and since being recalled from Triple-A in late July, he owns a very solid 3.58 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across nine starts.
The Phillies will be rolling with Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and Zack Wheeler as their top three starters in the playoffs. Aaron Nola, who has enjoyed quite the resurgence lately, will be the No. 4.
You generally don't roll with five starters even in a seven-game playoff series, which would mean Painter would be in the bullpen come October. Assuming Philadelphia makes it there, of course.
Painter has the stuff you would want out of a reliever, and you kind of get the feeling that he would register more strikeouts in a shorter role. That's especially considering the right-hander was a strikeout artist in the minors, so he has putaway ability.
Given how volatile the Phillies' bullpen has been, particularly in recent weeks, Painter could become quite the weapon for the club in a couple of weeks. And to be honest, he might not have much of a choice.
Philadelphia's late-inning options are very limited to the point where even Jhoan Duran has looked mortal.
Enter Painter, who could get baptized by fire with some high-leverage moments this postseason. And that might be exactly what he needs.
