Phillies Mailbag: Starters, Wood, Fastballs to Acuna

We are back once again with the 97.3 ESPN Phillies Mailbag.  Each week we take your questions and answer them on The Sports Bash with Mike Gill.  Tune in Tuesday afternoons to hear your questions answered on the air.

With the win today by Jesus Luzardo going nine innings, and the loss by the bullpen on Sunday. Do you think Don Mattingly might be more likely to leave the starters in longer, since these starting five have all been looking very good lately.
~Kevin

It's true that Jesus Luzardo delivered what was the gem of the Phillies season, and perhaps of the MLB season.  Luzardo was left to pitch a complete game shut-out, as the Phillies took a crucial game from the Atlanta Braves heading down the stretch.

But I think that whether a starter stays in a game depends mostly on his pitch count.

Luzardo threw 109 pitches total to get through all nine innings.  I think that's about the most you would like to see a starter through this day and age.

I know in the past during early parts of the season, fans have been critical of early exits for pitchers based upon their pitch counts.  But we are headed down the stretch and the Phillies need some momentum into the playoffs.

Speaking of the playoffs, the playoff atmosphere has arrived.  I think it's fair to say that the starting pitching has shown up for it, with quality starts from all four starting pitchers in the Atlanta Braves series, on the heels of a solid start from Andrew Painter.

That's a good sign.

Any chance the Phillies plug Gage Wood into the bullpen?
~Michael

Last year's first round draft pick Gage Wood was taken after three successful college seasons.  The thought was due to his age and collegiate experience, Wood could rise through the system quickly.

But there are reasons that he could make his debut and reasons why he probably not.  Let's run through them.

Wood has thrown just 92 innings this season.  They have kept his pitch count down, sometimes leaving his best starts after just four innings.  He has more innings left on his arm that he could throw in the major leagues, should the Phillies need him.

The downside?  I am not sure that results necessarily justify it.

With an 0-5 record and 4.81 earned run average, there has not been a track record of minor league success from which to draw.  A WHIP of 1.29 at Double-A Reading is higher than I would like to see.

The Phillies do have the option to add another player not on the 40-man roster to the playoff roster because there are several 60-day injured list players that they can replace.

But I would only do so if there is a desperate need.  I am talking an injury to one of the big relief arms or something that serious.

Meanwhile, how about we discuss what Andrew Painter might be able to do in the bullpen now before the playoffs begin?

Why is everyone in here blaiming Garrett Stubbs for calling those fastballs to Ronald Acuna, Jr.? That clearly came from the dugout.
~Tony

The three-run home run that sunk the Phillies on Sunday off of Ronald Acuna, Jr. was a really tough blow to the Phillies team.  After a gem of a start from Aaron Nola, the Phillies seemed headed toward victory.

Until Alex McFarlane threw seven fastballs, the last of which changed the course of the game.

But you are correct, Tony.  While the Phillies have given their catchers - particularly J.T. Realmuto - the latitude to call their own games for the most part, the Phillies work together to come up with a plan ahead of their games.

It seems - we know now for the worse - that the game plan was for the Phillies to fire off fastballs to challenge Acuna.

The problem is, eventually, Acuna will square one up sooner than later.

And he did, and the rest is history.