PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies came into Spring Training with a plan, having five starting pitchers lined up and hoping that nothing would change.
As the Clearwater leg of the training schedule ended, the initial plan had shifted somewhat.
A shoulder injury put Taijuan Walker on the injured list, Spencer Turnbull was no longer an emergency option, and any hopes for marketing materials featuring the starting five pitchers were dashed.
Unforeseen events are common in baseball. To prevent a disappointing start at Citizens Bank Park, the recent developments in Phillies training camp highlight the importance of the top-of-the-rotation starters.
The top starting pitchers need to lead the Phillies and prevent a rough start to the season.
The Phillies chose not to make big additions in the offseason and instead put their faith in their top pitchers: Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez, and Taijuan Walker. Despite doubts about Walker, the team values his past performance and innings pitched.
The recent signing of Jordan Montgomery by the Arizona Diamondbacks emphasized the need for reliable starting pitchers. The Phillies may need to reconsider their approach to ensure a full season with five strong starting pitchers.
Instead of making major additions, the Phillies explored various options and kept their choices open. They have a track record of developing talent and are counting on consistent production from their starting pitchers.
Dependable performance from the top starting pitchers is crucial from the beginning, which has been lacking in the past two years.
Nola had a rough start last season, but he bounced back and performed well throughout the year, despite the rocky beginning.
Wheeler had some ups and downs early in the season, while Suarez and Sanchez didn't hit their stride until later in the year.
April is typically a good month for Nola, with a 3.87 ERA and 13-9 record in 37 starts in the month, including March. However, Wheeler has his worst performance in April, with a 4.31 ERA being the only one above four, while having a consistent 3.05 ERA from July 1 on. Suarez has only pitched in four career starts before May 1, and at age 28 with 450 big league innings, it's crucial for him to transition from occasional brilliance to being a top pitcher.
As Rob Thomson and Dave Dombrowski try to solve the mystery of slow starts, they are focusing on the need for more consistent starting pitching from the beginning.
The Phillies should be in a good position this spring, as Bryce Harper is healthy, Kyle Schwarber will DH daily, and Trea Turner is settled. The bullpen is strong, and Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott are more experienced. The team's health concerns are mainly Walker's shoulder and an illness for Orion Kerkering.
Starting a season with struggles is manageable. For example, Bailey Falter started the third game of the 2023 season, and Kyle Gibson started Game 2 in 2022, but both teams still made the postseason.
The 2024 Phillies aim to do more than just host a few memorable October parties in South Philly. Their goal is to win a World Series.
The team needs to start with urgency right from the beginning.
