GDT 9/23/25 Miami Marlins (Cabrera, E) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Sánchez, C)

[kmc1019]

Certainly one of the more depressing losses of the year. Most depressing to me being that 3 relievers we are absolutely counting on to pitch well in the playoffs (Robertson, Kerkering and Duran) were the culprits of an awful night for the bullpen.

[VoteForKalas]

Phillies have lost 3 straight. Not the way to gear up for the playoffs. We need to get back on track, starting tonight.

[Philsmania]

We'll back into the bye but the NLDS will be a one and done affair.

[Philsmania]

Certainly one of the more depressing losses of the year. Most depressing to me being that 3 relievers we are absolutely counting on to pitch well in the playoffs (Robertson, Kerkering and Duran) were the culprits of an awful night for the bullpen.

Kerkering hasn't been good for several weeks. Duran has been flagging too.

[kmc1019]

Indeed, Philsmania. Kerkering ERA splits........

[Philsmania]

Indeed, Philsmania. Kerkering ERA splits........

Tired/overworked or possibly hurt? We'll find out in Clearwater.

[andyb]

Probably some general fatigue in Kerkering. I am only a little worried. Robertson may also be hitting that first fatigue wall that veterans get through in May or June. Not really too worried about Duran though location is a bit of an issue there.

Getting the bye and extra rest will probably help the entire bullpen. I am a bit worried about putting too many starters into a 12-man playoff staff. Really would prefer Trivino or Lazar to keeping both Walker and Buehler. I guess we'll see those guys one more time the rest of the way.

[zambonir]

Momentum is a myth, and none of the other teams have it either!

But a bullpen going south in October certainly isn't a myth. The only difference this year is you can more easily see it coming with the decline of Kerkering and Robertson being forced into more usage when he's suppose to be luxurious depth (and an upgrade over Romano and Ross as the 5th or the option). Whereas last year Hoffman and Strahm and Estevez all seemed fine until they weren't.

Not worried as much about Duran either. He could still lose a series for us on one pitch but so can anyone.

Nola's the guy I wouldn't put on the 12-man roster. Expecting him to eat innings in an extras game is the same thing as making him a reliever. Walker and Buehler more suited for that. But if Tai pitches in the NLDS they are already losing. I understand they they hope Buehler can be more than that, and better than Lazar or Trivino, but that's still just a hope.

[Philsmania]

Momentum is a myth, and none of the other teams have it either!

It also means that this Postseason may be wide open. I tend to think momentum heading into October is HUGE. The "hottest" team in the NL which currently qualifies for a Postseason berth is the Padres at 7-3. In the AL, both the Tigers and Blue Jays may be coughing up division titles that looked unassailable when this month began. Momentum really seems upside down this year. I will be very surprised to see a non-WC round team in either LCS.

[RolenRules]

I AM a bit worried about Duran, he has surpassed his previous high in IP at the big league level. And we will be counting on him in the postseason as well.

[zambonir]

Yeah if momentum does exist the system rewards the lesser teams. The good ones haven't had enough to play for, the bad ones are fighting for their life, and then the WC round is immediate do-or-die.

But for us, probably doesn't matter if they finish hot.

[Philsmania]

I AM a bit worried about Duran, he has surpassed his previous high in IP at the big league level. And we will be counting on him in the postseason as well.

And, coincidentally or not, he's blown two of his last three save opportunities and gotten scored upon in three of his last four outings (Romanoesque 6.75 ERA). And, two of the three HR's he's allowed all season have come in the past seven days. When your putting meatballs up there for guys to hit out, it usually means there's an issue. In hindsight, it was mildly maddening that Topper brought him in for the 8th inning on Sunday just to get him some work. More work is probably not what he needs right now.

The bullpen is springing leaks right now.

Seriously, is Robertson really an improvement over what Romano (if healthy) or Ross would have given us?

[zambonir]

Robertson definitely is. He is just not supposed to be our second best RH arm. Romano and Ross truly couldn't even be eighth.

If Duran had not pitched Sunday before the off day he could have just as easily given up a HR and people would have said he had too much rest

[Patchmk88]

Duran obviously has fantastic stuff, but a lot of the time he just throws pitches in the middle of the plate. This helps his walk rate significantly, but teams make more contact against him then they should. I'm all about trusting stuff, but sometimes you have to figure out how to command the edges of the zone.

[zambonir]

The corollary to good bullpens going bad in October is sometimes good bullpens come out of nowhere in October. We already have Walker Buehler, maybe someone else will be the equivalent of 2023 Josh Sborz (or even 2022 Eflin). It can be such a crapshoot that I really think the Phillies wanted Romano to come off the IL and pitch for a couple of weeks, just in case. Whereas they released Ross.

I reckon Duran has the luxury of weak contact and strikeouts and bases-empty situtions with two or three-run leads so often that the tighter spot can be more of a challenge.