The Philadelphia Phillies continue to struggle out of the All-Star Break despite salvaging a 7-6 win in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Out of the break, the Phillies sport a 9-13 record and have fallen to 8.5 games out of first place in the National League East division.
A large issue for Philadelphia this year has been their bullpen. Following the August 9th contest against the Blue Jays, the team holds a 4.40 ERA which ranks 23th in Major League Baseball.
It seems that outside of the Phillies' elite closer Jhoan Duran and right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, no one in the 'pen can record a clean inning.
This was extremely clear during the Blue Jays series, as the Phillies bullpen blew multiple leads throughout the three games.
Right-handed pitcher Orion Kerkering has had a tough time adjusting to high leverage situations this year, as well as low leverage. On Sunday, he gave up three runs in the 8th inning following an incredible seven inning performance from Jesús Luzardo, allowing the Blue Jays to tie the game at five.
The Phillies eventually took the win in the 12th inning, but Kerkering's 14.40 ERA in his last seven games, along with the rest of the "back-end" bullpen guys issues have given the Phillies a major problem.
Not to mention former closer José Alvarado, who sports a 5.77 ERA on the season. Alvarado and Kerkering came into the season as clear seventh or eighth inning options, but that does not seem to be the case anymore.
At the Trade Deadline, the Phillies acquired Caleb Kilian from the Giants and Brooks Raley from the Mets to solidify their bullpen, but the two new additions did not have the best first impressions.
The two pitchers have given up a combined seven earned runs in 6 1/3 innings.
Everyone in the bullpen will need to step up if the Phillies want to make a deep run into October.
Manager Don Mattingly will also need to improve on his bullpen usage, as he has struggled to find where arms should be pitching.
