There's Simply No Way The Phillies Can Keep Putting Taijuan Walker On The Mound Heading Into The Playoffs
The Tobias Harris of the Phillies took to the mound yesterday and things went, well, kinda predictably. The Phillies lost. That's what has happened the last 8, I repeat, EIGHT Taijuan Walker starts for the team with the best record in the Major Leagues (May 22nd vs. the Rangers was the last W). Now, first we have to point out the Phillies scored 0 runs yesterday. None. Zilch. Knida tough for a pitcher to have success when that happens. And Taijuan Walker really didn't pitch as bad as his statline says. It wasn't great, obviously. Or even good. But it wasn't as piss-poor, hapless pitching performance a 10-0 blowout while giving up 6 ER and 13(!!!) hits over 6 innings would represent, as Walker himself tried to state:
I mean, what else do you really expect him to say? Yeah, I guess the weak contact and ground balls happy horseshit is somewhat of a step in the right direction (also only 1 BB thru 6), but the Phillies are in a World Series push. Not a playoff push. A Championship push. They can't be throwing an at BEST slightly above average right hander out there to "Figure it out". Nope. It has to stop and stop soon. Especially since everyone else is getting back to form. This isn't a Zach Efflin situation where he was able to come back in '22 and pitch well thru the playoffs. Taijuan wasn't even able to put it back together in his Minor League starts before returning to The Show. You can't keep putting him out there. At least Topper knows it's a conversation that has to happen sooner than later:
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I'm sure Walker is a decent dude and all, but right now it's about getting another parade down Broad St. Wheeler, Nola, Suarez, Sanchez - Those are the Four Horseman of Red October. I guess the headline of this blog is pointless cause you can't exactly go to a 4-man rotation before October, but Christ on a cracker, Taijuan. At least give this team a chance every 5th day for the rest of the season. It's time to start getting in that postseason mindset - NOW.
Braves in town for 4 playoff-like games starting tonight. Sanchez on the bump. Go Phils.