LOS ANGELES – The Philadelphia Phillies have championship aspirations, and a couple MLBbros can help with that goal.
Taijuan Walker Off To Great Start
Taijuan Walker is now in his third season with the organization, and so far, it’s been the best start he’s had in those three years. His first two starts were scoreless, and while his third start was a bit bumpy, giving up four runs in six innings versus the Giants, he bounced back in his most recent start by only giving up one run to the Marlins.
Taijuan Walker Shoulder Stiffness
In that latest start on April 19th however, he was pulled for what manager Rob Thomson says were precautionary reasons.
“His shoulder got a little bit stiff,” Thomson said postgame. “We’re gonna treat him up and get him ready for his next start, which will be the first one in Chicago.”
Fly Tai has managed a 2.29 ERA, which is one of the best starts he has had to a season at any point in his career. It’s safe to say that Walker wants to forget about 2024. Along with being injury riddled for the first half of last season, he was pretty ineffective when he was on the mound. He had only one scoreless outing in 19 starts, and the lowest his ERA got at any point last season was 4.82.
Fly Tai Rebounds From Rough 2024: Joe Ross Comes To Tighten Pen
While last season was rough, he has put in work to make sure 2025 is different story.
“He looks like he’s on a mission, and it looks like he worked extremely hard.” – Thomson said when asked about Walker when pitchers and catchers reported.
One of the Phillies weak points during last year’s playoffs was their bullpen, as they had a combined 11.37 ERA. In order to address that, they brought in veteran Joe Ross on a one-year, $4 million contract.
Last season with Milwaukee, Ross started off as a back-end starter, but when he ended up on the 60-day IL due to a low back strain, the Brewers decided to move him to the bullpen, where he became very effective.
He had a 4.98 ERA as a starter, but when he was moved to the bullpen, he had a 1.67 ERA in 15 appearances. Now that he’s with his third ball club, he knows how important it is to be as expendable as the team needs him.
“Whatever they need. Obviously I’ve started in the past…we’ve got a lot of arms…so whatever we need…I’m happy to be here, I just want to play to win, and I think that gives us a great opportunity,” Ross said during spring training.
The Phillies have a very strong chance of winning it all, meaning everyone has to do their part for their goal to be accomplished. Walker is yet to pitch for the Phillies in the postseason, and Ross has only been with the team for four months. With that being said, if given the opportunity, these melanated mound marauders can help write the team’s wrongs and can be a big reason why this season can have a different ending.
