GDT 5/24/22 Philadelphia Phillies (Gibson) @ Atlanta Braves (Fried)

[allentown]

On the other hand, bringing in your closer with a four-run lead says you are afraid that no combination of your remaining reliever is able to limit the opposition to scoring only 3 runs in one IP. That is the sort of loser mentality which leads to hovering around .500. Winner mentality is confident that the guys available in pen can hold a 4-run lead for one inning and looking ahead to winning the next two games as well.

I have my own Phillies-related loserism related to this situation: I've seen too many past Phillies relievers stink and seem to lack focus, when brought into non-save situations that I'd really rather go with someone other than the closer with a 4-run lead in the ninth. Knebel probably more professional than that, but in a game in which players' future rewards and status depend upon their stats, I doubt any closer is totally thrilled to miss out on a save opportunity, because he pitched with a 4-run lead, instead.

[andyb]

In Girardi's mind he probably blames it on Norwood for being terrible. I have no doubt he would have gone with Bellatti in the 9th if he had not been used to bail Norwood out. But none of that excuses the sequence that led us to not have a potential closer ready to pitch the 9th inning. I understand more if it were the 10th or 11th. Just not the 9th.

[Philsmania]

Relivers are fickle. One year, they're good, the next year, they aren't. Girardi needs to start turning to hotter hands like Nelson (although he didn't get the job done in this one) and Bellati in more high-leverage situations instead of Familia and Alvarrado. Hand and Brogdon have good ERA's but not good secondary stats. Norwood is the new David Hale, or at least he shold be (the mop-up guy in the back of the bullpen). It's somewhat mystifying why Girardi keeps turning to him.

[gmwannabe]

where's Ryan madson when you need him.

[zambonir]

We have certainly seen Knebel fail in non-save situations.

The other thing to consider here is how likely it is that there are doing to be close games, leads to protects and save situations in every three or four-day cluster. Girardi's philosophy pretty much requires us to either win or lose a blowout with some regularity. Then it doesn't matter who's available.

[andyb]

In Girardi's defense he was probably counting on Familia being good enough for 7th inning work and for Brogdon to be the Brogdon of last year. Still no excuse for not adapting and having at least one pitcher available to close last night. This comes with the territory of a bullpen full of good arms and inconsistent track records. Norwood has good stuff. Not quite Coonrod level but close. He just has never been a successful major league late inning arm (setup or closer). Neither has Nelson.

Some of this is the hand we were dealt, though the manager bears part of the blame for yesterday.

[Lucky_Beagle]

I am in the "why do you make a closure" unavailable in a 4 run game. I thought it at the time he used him Monday night.

[BostonRoss]

I can only imagine the gnashing of teeth that would have occurred had Girardi brought Knebel in last night and he blew the save.