In a gripping late-inning comeback, the Philadelphia Phillies etched their name in the MLB record books by becoming the first team to reach the coveted 20-win mark this season. Their dramatic 7-5 victory over their opponents not only showcased their resilience but also underscored their determination to avoid the slow starts that had plagued them in recent years.
After a lackluster offensive showing early on, the Phillies found themselves trailing late in the game.
The 2023 season has been a struggle for Seranthony Dominguez and the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen. The hard-throwing 29-year-old right-hander entered the year expected to be a key late-inning reliever, but he’s pitched his way out of high-leverage situations with an alarming lack of control and effectiveness.
Dominguez’s latest meltdown came Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds. With the Phillies leading 3-1 in the 6th inning after a strong start from Spencer Turnbull, manager Rob Thomson turned to Dominguez to keep the lead.
In a move that may have caught some fantasy baseball owners off guard, the Philadelphia Phillies opted to rest their starting catcher J.T. Realmuto for Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 31-year-old Realmuto has been one of the most durable catchers in Major League Baseball over the last few seasons. However, he exited Friday night’s contest early, leading to speculation that he may have been dealing with a minor injury or just needed a routine day off.
In a surprising move, the Pittsburgh Pirates left slugger Rowdy Tellez out of their starting lineup for Thursday’s clash against the Philadelphia Phillies. The power-hitting first baseman has been a key cog in the Pirates’ offensive machinery this season, making his absence from the leadoff spot a perplexing decision.
Tellez, who has blasted 14 home runs and driven in 38 runs so far, will have to watch from the dugout as Connor Joe takes over at first base and leadoff duties against the Phillies.
