What's going on with the bullpen? The Phillies' most trusted backups are in big trouble

What's going on with the bullpen? The Phillies' most trusted relievers, who struggled mightily, originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Without the contributions of a bullpen that was money on the bench for most of this season, the Phillies probably wouldn't be where they are today – in the playoffs for the third straight year, with their sights firmly set on another World Series trophy .

Perhaps no manager in baseball has as many arrows in his quiver as Rob Thomson. In high-leverage situations, he could go with Jeff Hoffman or Matt Strahm or Carlos Estevez or Orion Kerkering or Jose Alvarez or Jose Ruiz and usually feel good about it.

After I said that. . .

The Phillies likely won't be in the playoffs long enough to compete for the big shiny piece of metal unless the bullpen gets its act together soon.

The Phillies evened their best-of-five National League Division Series game against the Mets with a heartbreaking 7-6 walk-off win Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.

They did it because a hitherto largely sluggish offense came to life after Bryce Harper hit a two-run high from the ivy-covered batter's eye to center in the sixth and Nick Castellanos followed with a solo shot to tie it equalize the score.

Except Ruiz couldn't pitch a shutdown inning in the seventh inning, giving up a home run to Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo.

The Phillies took the lead for the first time on a two-run triple by Bryson Stott in the eighth. However, the Mets tied it again in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run home run by New York third baseman Mark Vientos (who drove in four runs with a double and two homers) off Strahm.

The Phillies finally won when Mets reliever Tyler Megill struck out Trea Turner and Bryce Harper with one out. Turner scored easily on Castellanos' base hit to left, and the Phillies celebrated and thanked their lucky stars that Abner Doubleday had decided that the games should only last nine innings instead of ten.

“Clutch, man,” Harper said. “Came back and won the game. Simply huge. Rocky would be proud.”

In the first two games of this series, Phillies starters Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez combined to allow two runs in 12 innings, for a 1.50 earned run average.

In contrast, relievers were tagged for 10 runs in 9 innings: an ERA of 10.00. Yes, it's a small, generous size. But the pen has been hit in 8 of the last 13 games, yielding an ERA of 4.93. But that doesn't mean they can't fix themselves. That's exactly what they have to do. And quickly.

The second guessing corner

Rob Thomson brought in left-hander Matt Strahm to secure a 2-run lead in the ninth, although two of the Mets' first three scheduled hitters were right-handed (along with switch-hitter Francsico Lindor) and Jesse Winker was the only left-hander, who wasn't on the bench for Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

Orion Kerkering and Carlos Estévez had already played, but Jeff Hoffman was still available.

“It just worked out that way,” Thomson explained after New York equalized against Strahm. “Those were the pockets we set up for all those guys before the game.”

Strahm said he wasn't surprised to come into play in this situation. “I think I can get righties out just as well as lefties. That’s what I’ve done my entire career,” he said. “So it doesn’t surprise me, I’m ready whenever they give me the ball. I’m a relief pitcher, not the manager.”

FOR A START

Cristopher Sánchez has been an All-Star this season, so it was no surprise that he held the Mets to two runs in five innings in Game 2 on Sunday night. However, what was particularly impressive was his command, considering he played with 11 days rest.

In the first inning, 12 of his 14 pitches were strikes. For the game it was 66 out of 88. “We just kept working,” he said through translator Diego D'Aniello when asked how he managed to remain so sharp. “I threw a few bullpen sessions, one that I really enjoyed. I just went out and had fun, and I think that was the key.”

The Phillies will practice at Citi Field on Monday. RHP Aaron Nola (14-8, 3.57) will face LHP Sean Manaea (12-6, 3.47) in Game 3 starting Tuesday at 5:08 p.m.

RUN, RUN, RUN

Manager Rob Thomson tried to jump start the game with four stolen bases attempts in the first four innings, three of which were successful.

The tone was set early when Trea Turner stole both second and third in the first round. It didn't result in any runs, but the Phillies had to do something to get the lineup going. It also made sense because Mets starter Luis Severino is intentional at the plate and catcher Francisco Alavarez has only thrown out 18 percent of runners this season.