Phillies' Bullpen Energized by Jhoan Duran's Arrival
With the arrival of Jhoan Duran, the atmosphere in the Phillies' bullpen shifted dramatically. Teammates buzzed with anticipation, eager to witness the impact of their new closer.
Duran, dressed sharply in an all-black ensemble, wasted no time diving into his role on Friday. The video board lit up with graphics showcasing his name, accompanied by fiery visuals that made his presence unmistakable.
"You know, the guy's gross," Orion Kerkering remarked, a broad smile on his face. "He's been doing it for years. We're going to roll with it."
This season, the Phillies' bullpen has faced its share of scrutiny, currently sitting 24th in Major League Baseball for ERA at 4.48 and allowing a .251 batting average against. While July saw slight improvements—18th in ERA (4.25) and 14th in batting average against (.232)—the ninth inning remained a concern, ranking 21st in batting average against (.241) and 23rd in ERA (4.52).
With Duran now in the mix, Kerkering and Matt Strahm have solidified their roles as set-up pitchers for the seventh and eighth innings, depending on matchups. The bullpen's structure becomes more defined as games progress into the later innings, allowing Strahm and Kerkering to understand their positions within the framework.
"It's just more of a set rotation now, where it's more seventh or eighth inning," Kerkering explained. "Just got to be ready for those killer innings and getting ready for Duran back there."
Duran expressed enthusiasm about joining a talented group of pitchers who have performed better than their statistics suggest. Strahm went through July without allowing an earned run, while Kerkering boasts a 1.59 ERA since May 1.
The combination of Strahm, Kerkering, and Duran at the backend of the bullpen positions the Phillies as formidable opponents in late-game situations. Duran's excitement about being in Philadelphia is palpable.
"I feel so excited right now, I don't know if I can speak," Duran shared. "I feel great. It's an honor to be part of this team. I see my dream came true. I feel really, really good to be here. I know here I have a chance to win a World Series."
As a young pitcher himself, Kerkering is eager to absorb knowledge from Duran. This eagerness adds to the collective excitement surrounding Duran's presence in a Phillies uniform. Both players are poised to anchor this bullpen for years to come.
"Just his mentality, what goes on (in his head)," Kerkering noted about learning from Duran. "What he has experienced in his big league career. We're gonna enjoy the ride."
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