The Philadelphia Phillies' pitching has not been good this season, but there appears to be a silver lining.
The Philadelphia Phillies managed to take two out of three from the Washington Nationals in their second series of the season, but they have gotten off to a 3-3 start, and their typically stout pitching has been subpar.
The Phillies rank second-to-last in baseball with a 5.46 ERA and are allowing an opponent's batting average of .271, which ranks toward the bottom of the league.
So, what is the issue?
Philadelphia lost Ranger Suarez to free agency, and it is still waiting on Zack Wheeler to return from thoracic outlet syndrome, so maybe depth is the problem?
Well, Evan Macy of The Philly Voice has revealed some great news for the Phillies: their pitching has just been very unlucky.
"A lot of other metrics aren't as bad," Macy wrote. "They are not walking a high number of hitters, the strikeout numbers are still good and they've only given up six home runs. That suggests bad luck, and their brutal .348 batting average on balls put in play confirms that. It's the worst number in the NL ... That number will eventually come down."
Macy added that it's not like opposing hitters are squaring and barreling balls against Philadelphia pitchers, either.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images."Even more encouraging is the fact that Phillies pitchers aren't actually giving up hard hit baseballs very often," Macy wrote. "Their average exit velocity against is 87.5 MPH, the fifth softest number of all 30 teams. And their "hard hit" rate (percentage of balls hit over 95 MPH) is just 35%, the sixth lowest."
And let's be real here: it's only been six games.
Cristopher Sanchez has been brilliant over his first two starts, and rookie Andrew Painter dazzled in his debut. Yes, Jesus Luzardo had a rough outing, but he'll surely bounce back, and Taijuan Walker won't even be in the rotation once Wheeler returns.
The bullpen has definitely been problematic, to say the least. Phillies relievers have already surrendered 18 runs this season, which is alarming. But we need to give everyone time to settle down.
We aren't even two weeks into the year yet, so there is no reason to go into panic mode. Now if Philadelphia's pitching is still giving up tons of runs in May? Then maybe we have a problem.
For now, though, patience is key.
The Phillies will open up a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies on Friday.
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