Last night was a rollercoaster of a game for the Phillies who were looking to win 6-straight games and finish a sweep of the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies were under the national spotlight on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Jake Arrieta was on the mound and yet again, was absolutely horrendous.

In 1.1 innings of work, Arrieta let up 6 hits, 7 earned runs, and walked three batters and the Braves scored 10 runs in the second inning. The Phillies were down 10-0 and the second inning wasn’t even over yet.

However all was not lost. The Phillies got a run back in the bottom of the 2nd thanks to a solo shot from Didi Gregorius. That would begin an almost unrealistic comeback from the Phillies as McCutchen knocked a run in, red-hot Rhys Hoskins hit a 2-run bomb to left field, Didi scored two with a triple, and Phil Gosselin knocked in another to make the game watchable again in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Just like that, the game was 10-7.

Keep chippin’. #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/etr9Eg6EBQ

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 31, 2020

The Phillies never could recover from Arrieta and ended up losing the game 12-10.

No team has ever came back to win a game in which they were trailing by 10+ runs in 2 innings of work. The Phillies almost made it happen. So let’s take a second and forget about Arrieta and remember that the Phillies scored 10-runs and the bullpen held their own in nearly 8 innings of work.

After the game, Jake Arrieta actually said that he doesn’t believe the Phillies need any help before today’s 4pm trade deadline. How could anyone possibly think that?

At this point, if you don’t think we need help in the bullpen, you shouldn’t be a part of this team. Here’s where our bullpen currently ranks across the league:

• ERA – 6.80 | LAST
• WHIP – 1.87 | LAST
• OPP. BA – .333 | LAST
• OPP. OPS – .962 | LAST
• K RATE – 22% | LAST
• HR RATE – 4% | LAST
• BASERUNNERS / 9IP – 17.8 | LAST

If any moves are made today, getting some additional help in the bullpen will be top priority for the Phillies. The offense is not the problem. Entering Sunday, the Phillies were averaging 5.36 runs per game, which ranks 3rd in baseball. On-base percentage entered yesterday at 3.44, which is good for 2nd in baseball. Their .451 slugging percentage is 5th in baseball.

Over the last 6 games, Rhys Hoskins, Andrew McCutchen, and Roman Quinn have found their groove at the plate. They have scored 19 of the Phillies 37 runs during the 6 game stretch and all have batting averages north of .350. The rotation hasn’t been bad either. Nola and Wheeler have been fantastic and Zach Eflin has pitched well.

ROME! #RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/GGFo2lPKS8

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 31, 2020 

The Phillies should be a postseason team in an 8-team field regardless of any moves that happen before the deadline. If the season ended today, at 14-15 the Phillies would get the 7th seed in the playoffs.

 Spencer Howard will be on the mound against the Nationals as the Phillies look to get back to .500 baseball. Howard is making his first start since August 20th after being bounced from the regular rotation due to a postponed game last Thursday. The Phillies’ top prospect will face Erick Fedde, who is 1-2 with a 3.57 ERA. Fedde got lit up on the 25th against the Phillies, allowing 4 hits, 7 runs, and a single strikeout in the loss.

Ring that bell, baby.