Phillies' Matt Strahm: Secures first postseason save
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Strahm pitched a scoreless inning to close out the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over Atlanta in Game 4 of the NLDS. He struck out one.
Strahm was called into the game in an nontraditional spot -- the team has been relying on Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning during the postseason, but Kimbrel was needed earlier in the game against Atlanta's key right-handers. Strahm took over for Gregory Soto with runners on first and third, but the added pressure was no issue, as Strahm put away the side to earn his first career save in the postseason. For his playoff career, the southpaw has a 5.79 ERA and 2.57 WHIP with three strikeouts across 4.2 innings. He will once again be a key part of the bullpen against the Diamondbacks in the NLCS next week.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Operating as opener Sunday
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Strahm will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Strahm will likely be asked to work the first inning or two before making way for Nick Nelson, who is expected to serve as a bulk reliever. After gathering three holds and a save over a stretch of seven appearances in which he didn't allow an earned run, Strahm surrendered two runs on three hits over one inning in his most recent relief outing Thursday against the Pirates.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Turns in another forgettable outing
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Strahm didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 9-8 loss to the Diamondbacks after striking out one and allowing three runs on four hits and one walk over 2.2 innings.
Strahm has had a rough last couple of appearances, as he's given up six runs over his last 3.2 innings. The Phillies have used the southpaw as both a starter and reliever this year, yielding mixed results. On a positive note, his 1.09 WHIP is his lowest mark since 2020.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Two scoreless innings as opener
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Strahm did not factor into the decision during Saturday's win over the Phillies, tossing two scoreless innings in which he didn't allow a hit or walk and struck out one.
Strahm operated as the opener behind Dylan Covey, and the former outperformed the latter. In his first season with Philadelphia, Strahm has made 16 appearances (eight starts) and sports a 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 53:11 K:BB across 41.1 innings. The left-hander has been elite since moving to the bullpen full time, allowing just four runs over his last nine games (14.2 innings) while boasting a 16:3 K:BB. He may continue handling the opener role, but Strahm shouldn't be considered a starter anymore, as he hasn't completed more than two innings since May 2.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Working as opener Saturday
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Strahm will work as an opener for Saturday's game against the Nationals, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Seidman notes that Strahm could work two innings before giving way to the bullpen. Dylan Covey was originally penciled in as Saturday's start against Washington, and it seems possible that he could work as a bulk reliever after Strahm exits.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Will work as opener Tuesday
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Strahm will work as an opener in Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Strahm has been used in a variety of roles of late, and he will work in another one Tuesday, as he has not opened a game on the mound since being removed from the rotation earlier this month. Dylan Covey is expected to enter the game right after Strahm, who has not thrown more than 40 pitches in an outing since being sent to the bullpen.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Notches fourth win
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Strahm (4-3) earned the win Sunday against the Cubs. He allowed a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning.
It's Strahm's second win since he was moved to the bullpen. The 31-year-old southpaw lowered his ERA to 2.73 with an impressive 0.97 WHIP and 47:10 K:BB through 33 innings. Strahm has earned a high-leverage role with the Phillies, though he's still behind Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto in the save hierarchy while Jose Alvarado (elbow) is sidelined.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Earns first save
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Strahm picked up the save in Sunday's 6-1 win over Boston. He allowed one hit while striking out three over two scoreless innings.
Strahm was moved to the bullpen, with Ranger Suarez (elbow) returning to the Phillies' rotation this week. The left-handed Strahm immediately picked up his first save, pitching two scoreless innings to close out a 6-1 victory over the Red Sox after Jose Alvarado pitched in the seventh. While Strahm could earn a back-end bullpen role, he's not likely to see regular save chances behind Alvarado and Craig Kimbrel. Strahm is 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB through 28.2 innings this season.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Set for move to bullpen
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Wednesday that Strahm will move into the bullpen when Ranger Suarez (elbow) is likely activated from the 15-day injured list next week, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Even though Strahm (3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 37:8 K:BB in 26.2 innings) has handily outperformed rotation mates Bailey Falter and Taijuan Walker this season, the Phillies aren't keen on having the southpaw serve as a full-time starter after he hadn't pitched more than 50 innings in any of the last three years while working almost exclusively as a reliever. Strahm could still be an option for spot starts down the road, but swapping him out of the rotation for Suarez will at least allow the Phillies to better manage the former's workload. With Jose Alvarado excelling as the Phillies' preferred option at closer for the time being, Strahm doesn't look as though he'll be in the mix for saves upon moving to the bullpen, so his fantasy value looks primed to take a major hit now that he's no longer starting. After having made his most recent start Tuesday, Strahm should be available out of the bullpen as soon as Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Takes third loss
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Strahm (2-3) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over 3.1 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers.
Strahm was tagged for three runs over the first two innings and left with two on and one out in the fourth frame. Connor Brogdon allowed an inherited runner to score, and the Phillies' offense struggled to get anything going against Julio Urias. Strahm has lost three of his last four outings and now owns a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 37:8 K:BB through 26.2 innings over seven appearances (six starts). With Ranger Suarez needing at least one more rehab game, Strahm is likely to remain in the rotation for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Stymies Seattle
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Strahm (2-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing no runs on two hits over 5.1 innings against the Mariners. He struck out five.
The Mariners couldn't get anything going against Strahm, mustering just two hits, as the Phillies picked up a 1-0 win. It's already the third scoreless outing for Strahm this season as he lowers his ERA to 2.31 with a 0.81 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB in 23.1 innings this season. The 31-year-old left-hander has done an impressive job stabilizing the back of Philadelphia's rotation early this year. Strahm tentatively lines up to face the Dodgers on the road in his next start.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Fans 11 in loss
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Strahm (1-2) took the loss against Colorado on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters over 5.1 innings.
C.J. Cron tagged Strahm for a two-run homer in the first inning, but the left-handed hurler was otherwise quite impressive. He struck out a career-high 11 batters and induced 14 swinging strikes in his longest outing of the campaign. Strahm is just 1-2 on the season, but he has compiled a solid 3.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB over 18 innings.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: In clear for Thursday's start
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Strahm (thumb) is listed as the Phillies' probable starter for Thursday's game against the Rockies.
Strahm sliced his left thumb on the seam of the ball while throwing a warmup pitch prior to the third inning of his last start Saturday in Cincinnati, but after receiving some treatment from a trainer, he was able to stay in the game. However, Strahm labored through the third inning, needing 26 pitches to record two outs before manager Rob Thomson pulled him from the contest. The southpaw appears to be feeling better following his normal four days' rest, so Strahm isn't expected to be facing any restrictions when he returns to the mound Thursday for his fourth start of the season.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Gets pulled after cutting thumb
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Strahm (1-1) took the loss Saturday, allowing three runs on two hits and three walks over 2.2 innings against the Reds. He struck out six.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Strahm cut his thumb on his third warmup pitch going into the third inning, which is why he pulled him after just 67 pitches. This was the southpaw's first mediocre outing of the season, as he had not allowed a run in his previous four appearances (10 total innings pitched). However, Thomson didn't sound overly concerned, saying "I didn't want to take a chance" postgame, per the Associated Press. Expect Strahm to be back on the mound within the next few days.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Cruises to easy win
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Strahm (1-0) allowed four hits and a walk over five shutout innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over Miami.
Strahm received plenty of run support and worked through five innings while dealing with only a few threats. He's fired 10 scoreless frames with a 10:2 K:BB to begin his 2023 campaign. The 31-year-old southpaw forced nine whiffs, including four with the sinker. Strahm is lined up to start in Cincinnati this weekend.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Sharp in no-decision
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Strahm didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Yankees, giving up one hit and one walk over four scoreless innings while striking out three.
The southpaw didn't last long enough to qualify for the win, but Strahm pitched more than well enough to earn one, tossing 42 of 61 pitches for strikes before exiting. The 31-year-old is temporarily filling a rotation spot while Ranger Suarez (forearm) gets healthy, but with Suarez still at least a couple weeks away from joining the team, Strahm should get another couple turns and a chance to stretch out more. He could be an enticing streaming option next week, lining up for a potential two-step that includes a home start against the Marlins.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Confirmed as rotation member
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Strahm will start the Phillies' fifth game of the regular season April 4 versus the Yankees in New York, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
As anticipated, Strahm will get the opportunity to open the season as a member of the Philadelphia rotation while Ranger Suarez (forearm) is on the shelf. Considering that Suarez has yet to resume throwing bullpen sessions, he could spend more than the 15-day minimum on the injured list, setting Strahm up for multiple turns through the rotation. Strahm hasn't been a regular starter in the big leagues since 2019, but he prepared for the appointment to the rotation by covering two-plus innings in each of his most recent three spring outings. Thomson said he expects Strahm to cover around 65-to-70 pitches in his first start of the regular season before upping his pitch count in his subsequent starts.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Could open season in rotation
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Strahm could begin the season as the fifth starter or bulk reliever for the Phillies, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Strahm has been getting stretched out this spring in preparation for a multi-inning relief role, so the southpaw shouldn't be too taxed if he's called upon to make starts or serve as a primary pitcher to begin the regular season after manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Ranger Suarez likely won't be ready for Opening Day while contending with forearm inflammation. If Strahm is given the opportunity to make starts early on, he's unlikely to work deep enough into games to qualify for wins whenever his turn in the rotation comes up.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Multi-inning role planned
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Strahm would be stretched into a multi-inning reliever, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Strahm initially figured to slide into a setup role after he signed with the Phillies during the offseason, but now he appears in line to give the team multiple innings out of the bullpen. He has experience as a starter, making up to 16 starts for the Padres in 2019, so he's certainly up to the task of going multiple innings in relief. It now is just a matter of getting him re-acclimated to doing so.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Joins Philadelphia
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Strahm agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Phillies on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The left-hander spent 2022 with Boston on a one-year, $3 million deal, and he's now cashing in with Philadelphia after he posted a 3.83 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB across 44.2 innings. Strahm had four saves and 12 holds last season but is unlikely to be a significant factor during the ninth inning for the Phillies.
