Sunday, July 28, 2024

Game 104 - Phillips Tosses CG Shutout; Bullpen Adds Estevez

2024 Topps Now #479
Phillies 8
Guardians 0
Game 104 - Saturday Night, July 27th in Philadelphia
Record - 65-39, 1st Place, 9 1/2 games ahead of the Braves

One Sentence Summary:  Tyler Phillips improved to 3-0 with a four-hit, complete game shutout as the Phillies offense mashed four home runs to support the rookie.

What It Means:  Phillips is the first Phillies rookie to throw a shutout since current Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin threw one in 2016.

What Happened:  The Phillies rode Phillips' pitching and a seven-run fourth inning to this win.  Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber all homered in the fourth, with Harper's blast his 100th launched at Citizens Bank Park.  Nick Castellanos added a solo home run in the sixth inning.  Phillips gave up four singles, walked a batter and struck out four.

Featured Card:  I typically wouldn't do this, but given I have zero Phillips Phillies cards in my collection and Topps produced this fantastic Topps Now card to celebrate his gem, I'm featuring a card I don't yet have in hand.

Transaction:  Prior to the game, the Phillies landed their bullpen help, acquiring Carlos Estevez (rhp) from the Los Angeles Angles for pitching prospects George Klassen (rhp) and Samuel Aldegheri (lhp).  Estevez has emerged as one of the best closers in the game, saving 31 games last year in an All-Star season, and saving 20 games so far this year.  He spent the first six seasons of his big league career with the Rockies.  He has a 2.38 ERA in 34 innings pitched this season.

Klassen was 3-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 14 starts between Jersey Shore and Clearwater this season, and Aldegheri was 6-7 with a 3.23 ERA in 15 starts between Reading and Jersey Shore.  It was a steep price to pay for a rental player, as Estevez is a free agent following the season, but the hope is that his addition makes the bullpen stronger during a long postseason run.

Additionally, Ranger Suarez (lhp) landed on the Injured List with a bad back and Kolby Allard (lhp) was recalled to take his spot on the roster and the rotation.  Here's hoping Suarez isn't out too long, and that this additional rest gets him back to his early season form.

2024 Topps Heritage #498
2024 Choice Clearwater Threshers #15
2024 Choice Jersey Shore BlueClaws #1

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