The Philadelphia Phillies have seen a stark change of fortunes after starting the season as one of the best teams in Major League Baseball.
Though it still holds a strong record and sits fewer than five games out of first place in the National League East Division, the team has lost nine of its last 10 games as it free falls from dominance. Suddenly, the rotation is in question as Aaron Nola recovers with injury and Jesus Luzardo struggles with command. And the batting order has suffered considerably with Bryce Harper out.
The roster is in such dire straits that utility outfielder Weston Wilson has been forced to take the mound twice in recent games, with better results than many of the team’s highly-paid relievers.
“Now, Phillies bench bat Weston Wilson has pitched twice in six days,” Marcus Hayes wrote for The Philadelphia Inquirer as the team was swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. “He has pitched three innings and allowed no runs and no walks. It can be reasonably argued that, behind Ranger Suarez, Wilson has lately been their most effective pitcher.”
Though no serious party would earnestly suggest Wilson is a legitimate pitching option for the Phillies, the fact that the team has turned to him so often and that he has, in a sense, performed better than the likes of Luzardo, Jordan Romano and Matt Strahm in those situations is a stark sign of just how thoroughly the roster is struggling.
Luckily for Philadelphia, Zack Wheeler is set to return from the paternity list on Monday and there is no doubt he will instantly become the most effective member of the staff. But amid struggles that have impacted the bullpen, offense and rotation, the team should hope it won’t need to turn to Wilson on the mound again for the rest of the year.
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