Four former Phillies who were part of the 2021 team may earn World Series rings with the Texas Rangers…
One of them, Travis Jankowski, had an exceptional performance in his inaugural postseason start. Hailing from Lancaster, PA, Jankowski stepped in for the injured Adolis Garcia in the Rangers’ lineup, batting ninth.
He came through with two crucial hits, a single in the second inning and a two-run double in the third, contributing to a 10-run total for Texas over those two innings. In the end, Jankowski went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in an 11-7 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 4 of the World Series.
Following Jankowski’s at-bats, Marcus Semien also delivered with extra-base hits, tripling in the second inning and hitting a three-run home run in the third to make it 10-0. Corey Seager added to the onslaught with a two-run home run following Semien’s triple.
This performance serves as a stark reminder to the Phillies of the significance of bottom-of-the-order production in the playoffs, especially when you have power hitters at the top of the lineup. It’s why the Phillies are hesitant to designate Johan Rojas as the team’s Opening Day center fielder.
While Jankowski is celebrated as a cult hero in Texas, he isn’t the sole former 2021 Phillie in line to receive a World Series ring with the Texas Rangers if they secure the championship.
Brad Miller, who played for the Phillies in 2019 and 2021, may not be on the Rangers’ World Series roster but remains a presence in the dugout. Miller’s Rangers stint was limited to 27 games due to a hamstring injury, and he signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Rangers ahead of 2022.
Ian Kennedy, who was acquired by the Phillies, along with Kyle Gibson, from the Rangers at the 2021 trade deadline, made 16 appearances for Texas in 2023 before landing on the 60-day injured list with a right rotator cuff strain in September.
Spencer Howard, the Phillies’ key trade asset in the 2021 deal with the Rangers, played in three games for the Rangers in 2023 before being traded to the Yankees for cash considerations at the deadline. He was subsequently released at the end of August and signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in September.
The Rangers currently hold a 3-1 series lead over the Diamondbacks and have a chance to clinch the championship in Game 5 in Phoenix.
Phillies Linked to Superstar Reliever…
The Philadelphia Phillies boasted one of the most formidable bullpens in Major League Baseball throughout the regular season. They ranked seventh in ERA with a 3.58, and during the playoffs, they maintained a stellar 2.23 ERA over 13 games.
However, despite their impressive performance, the bullpen had its share of struggles that ultimately cost them a chance at the World Series during the National League Championship Series.
With the postseason unraveling for Craig Kimbrel and his impending free agency, the Phillies are expected to seek a high-impact relief pitcher to fortify their bullpen.
Jim Bowden, writing for The Athletic, has connected the Phillies to star closer Josh Hader in the upcoming offseason. Hader is undoubtedly the most sought-after reliever on the market after a remarkable resurgence in the previous season, bouncing back from a challenging 2022 campaign.
The exceptional left-hander posted a remarkable 1.28 ERA across 61 games, striking out 85 batters in 56 1/3 innings. Bowden speculates that Hader is poised to become the highest-paid closer in the sport by average annual value when he inks his next contract in the winter.
Hader’s statistical performance places him in the 100th percentile in expected batting average (xBA) and the 99th percentile in both expected earned run average (xERA) and strikeout percentage.
His two-seam fastball was particularly stifling, with opposing batters managing only a .190 batting average against it, while his slider proved even more daunting, with a mere .100 batting average against it.
Hader’s dominant presence in the league would create a formidable one-two punch alongside Jose Alvarado for the Phillies. Bowden estimates that Hader’s contract could be in the vicinity of $67 million over a three-year period.
While Philadelphia’s primary focus this offseason is starting pitching, they recognize the need for improvements in their bullpen. Should they decide to make another aggressive financial commitment, Josh Hader emerges as the top option to elevate their bullpen to a higher level.
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