Phillies can't live in fear of another playoff bullpen debacle

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Phillies can't live in fear of another playoff bullpen debacle

Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Thu, Sep 17, 2026 ·

7 min read

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WASHINGTON — There are 12 former All-Stars and at least two future Hall of Famers occupying the Philadelphia Phillies clubhouse on a given day. This collection of well-paid, salty, accomplished stars will command most of the attention as the Phillies attempt, for the fifth consecutive year, to bring a World Series title home to Philly.

Then there is Jonathan Bowlan , an easygoing dude from Memphis, quiet and forthright, making his way through his first full season in the big leagues. Bowlan might not realize it yet, but he may have more to do with whether the Phillies raise a trophy in October than any of the superstars.

Bowlan, 26, has emerged as the Phillies' primary set-up man, aiming, along with 25-year-old Orion Kerkering , to form a bridge between the club's quartet of ace starting pitchers and their dominant closer, Jhoan Duran .

It is thankless work, and the sixth through 10th innings are exactly where the Phillies' prior championship quests have gone awry. Lately, they've been trouble spots as the club staggers down the stretch to finalize a National League wild-card berth.

Bowlan has given up a run in five consecutive appearances entering Wednesday, Sept. 16, including late-game homers in three of those; Kerkering gave up runs in four of his last five games, including multiple-run outings in Phillies losses.

"Those innings," says interim manager Don Mattingly, "are always the stressful innings.

"And you'd like to be able to lock down that end of the game when you get a lead or you're in a close game."

Jonathan Bowlan has emerged as the Philadelphia Phillies' set-up man in his first season after a trade from the Kansas City Royals.

Mattingly was speaking after Bowlan gave up a first-pitch, three-run, pinch-hit homer to Daylen Lile in the seventh inning of a 6-3 loss to Washington, the latest setback that imperiled the club's wild-card standing. Oh, the team's still on fairly firm ground, with a 95% chance to reach the playoffs, according to FanGraphs.

It's just that the Phillies keep slipping down the pecking order and, with a rough combo of a flailing lineup and slumping bullpen, inspiring little confidence in their postseason chances.

For Bowlan, learning to cope has come before having to face the bright lights of the postseason. He's found that in reflecting on failure, there's a fine line between quickly moving on and interrogating what went wrong.

"There's definitely times I lose some sleep at night, for sure," Bowlan tells USA TODAY Sports. "But as soon as you wake up the next morning, it's a new day. It's a blessing. God woke me up to continue on. And you can't live in the past. Because you can learn from your experiences, for sure. And that's what I continue to try and do.

"It's taken some time to learn that, about the short memory. But I've gotten to the point where, 'Yeah, you can think about it a little bit.' And there's times where it was a tough thing to happen in that situation.

"But you live and you learn. All you can do is just keep chugging along. Keep moving."

The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
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Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
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Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
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Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.

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April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates' Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder's hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
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April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
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April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk-off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5-4 win at Tropicana Field.
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The Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team's all-time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
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A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
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A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3-0, to complete a three-game sweep of the Blue Jays.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates' Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major-league debut in a 5-4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.

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A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox's home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
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Cleveland Guardians players warm up as the launch of NASA's Artemis II is shown on the center-field video board at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2026.

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Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
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Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
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Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
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The Toronto Blue Jays' Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
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The Cincinnati Reds' Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
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The St. Louis Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk-off two-run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
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Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
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Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.

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Red-faced October

That ethos certainly applies to the Phillies, who won't glean any sympathy from rival fanbases, given their four-year run of success powered by an aggressive ownership group bent on winning their first World Series since 2008.

Yet every bite at the apple ends rottenly for all but one team every year. And October's late innings have been a long-running soap opera in Philly.

In 2022, it was Jose Alvarado , relieving ace Zack Wheeler in the sixth inning of World Series Game 6, the Phillies leading 1-0, only to give up a left-on-left three-run blast to Yordan Alvarez , enabling the Houston Astros to nail down the championship.

A year later, it was the rookie Kerkering – with just eight major league appearances under his belt – summoned to protect a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning of NLCS Game 3, the Phillies nine outs from seizing a 3-0 lead on the ostensibly overmatched Arizona Diamondbacks .

Instead, Kerkering gave up three consecutive hits, including Lourdes Gurriel's RBI double, to tie the game and set the stage for closer Craig Kimbrel yielding a walk-off hit, one of Kimbrel's many failings in that series. The Diamondbacks won in seven games.

In 2024, the goats were numerous – from Alvarado to Carlos Estevez to Jeff Hoffman , who yielded six earned runs and recorded four outs across three games – as the Mets pulled off a stunning NLDS upset.

And last year, it was Kerkering, aiming to keep the Phillies alive in the 11th inning of NLDS Game 4 at Los Angeles , but infamously fielding Andy Pages ' two-out ground ball and throwing home instead of taking an easy out at first.

He was left to face the music .

Now, Kerkering realizes that staying true to himself is just as important in the aftermath as breaking down pitches that backfired or physical errors. And even his recent struggles have provided teachable moments.

"You look at some of those struggles you've gone through the last couple years and just try to learn a lot more," says Kerkering, "since I came up through the system so fast and wasn't able to really go through those downs. I think going through them now a little bit has been super-helpful. You'll go on some great runs and some not-so-fun runs. But that's what baseball is. It's a game of failure.

"You just try to make sure you get back on who you're supposed to be as a person."

1 /10

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

No. 10. T-Mobile Park, Seattle: This ballpark fits perfectly in the Northwest with the nearby mountains, skyline and water. It features an “umbrella-style" retractable roof that doesn’t enclose the park, only stopping the rain, while enabling fans to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

(Joe Nicholson, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No. 9. Camden Yards, Baltimore: Meet the godfather, with its famous B&O Warehouse. This is the original retro-classic ballpark that not only dramatically influenced the look of new stadiums, but changed the fabric of some major cities. Denver, Cleveland, San Francisco and San Diego followed its lead and built downtown ballparks that completely invigorated growth.

(James A. Pittman, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No. 8. Coors Field, Denver: The team may stink but the ballpark is so beautiful and the vibe is so cool that it’s become a destination on its own. There’s a purple row of seats signifying the mile-high altitude, and the bullpen could be mistaken for a forest with its trees and running stream. The right-field upper-deck is the hottest bar in Denver.
(Isaiah J. Downing, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No. 7. Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles: This is the most serene setting in baseball, nestled into the hillside of Chavez Ravine. It has a view of the San Gabriel Mountains beyond the outfield, and downtown Los Angeles behind home plate. It’s hard to believe it was built in 1962 and even though it holds 56,000 fans, it still feels intimate.
(William Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No. 6. Oracle Park, San Francisco: This ballpark has the second-best view in baseball behind PNC Park with its bay backdrop and splash-down hits in McCovey Cove, but only if you happen to sit in the upper deck. The park is already showing its age and its concourses are narrow and cramped, making it difficult to move around, with the Giants already out-growing the place and badly needing more space.
(Scott Marshall, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No. 5. Petco Park, San Diego: This gorgeous park doesn’t quite have the stunning views as Pittsburgh or San Francisco, but it’s pretty darn close. The architecture is beautiful and the old Western Metal Company warehouse in left-field gives it a retro look. It also happens to be located in the heart of the lively Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego.
(Orlando Ramirez, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

No. 4. Target Field, Minneapolis: This may be the most impressive urban design in baseball on its downtown eight-acre site with freeways and trains outside the park, and warehouses to the left. It also has an ultra-modern look inside, with a 360-degree open concourse, that celebrates the club's glorious history. Its nod to the retro look is the iconic neon Minnie and Paul home-run sign featuring two ballplayers shaking hands over the Mississippi River representing the Twin Cities.
(Jeffrey Becker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No 3. PNC Park, Pittsburgh: The most gorgeous ballpark in America. Forget the game on the field. You want to be sitting in the upper deck taking in the view of the Clemente Bridge, the Pittsburgh skyline and the Allegheny River. It’s magnificent.
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No. 2. Wrigley Field, Chicago: There’s not a more beautiful sight than walking into the ballpark and taking your first look at that beautiful green grass, the ivy on the walls and the iconic scoreboard in center field. Taking in a Friday afternoon game, hitting Murphy Bleachers afterward, and enjoying the Chicago nightlife is utopia for any baseball fan.

(Patrick Gorski, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

No. 1 Fenway Park, Boston: No ballpark in America has the romantic feel or the unique quirks of Fenway Park, from the Green Monster to Pesky's Pole. It’s not a baseball game, but a religious experience watching games at Fenway.

(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

A 'whoa' moment

Bowlan's recent struggles have overshadowed his excellent work most of this season. He's blown five saves but also has a 1.04 WHIP and struck out 71 in 55 innings.

It's been a startling rise for Bowlan, who admitted he was a bit stunned – "Kind of a whoa moment," he says – when the Phillies acquired him over the winter for longtime lefty reliever Matt Strahm . The Phillies' suggestion he lean more heavily on his four-seam fastball – its usage has risen from 33.6% to 48% - has paid significant dividends.

That will be his best friend come the postseason, waters he's looking forward to navigating.

"I've heard that being in the playoffs is one of the best experiences you can have in this game," says Bowlan. "Being in that situation, from what I've learned, you've got to just slow things down. You can't let things overwhelm you. These guys have been through it. They've been through big situations.

"I'm just trying to learn from them to the best of my ability."

Guess what? The Dodgers don't have MLB's highest payroll !

Due to the team's heavy use use of deferred contracts, MLB's Labor Relations Department's present-day salary calculations has the Mets at No. 1.

***(Payrolls entering opening day)***

(Brad Penner, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**30) Cleveland Guardians**— $69,984,029

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**29) Miami Marlins**— $79,429,030

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**28) Chicago White Sox**— $83,892,150

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**27) Washington Nationals**— $87,955,033

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**26) Tampa Bay Rays**— $89,632,420

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**25) Athletics**— $91,849,688

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**24) Minnesota Twins**— $96,726,784

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**23) St. Louis Cardinals**— $98,115,902

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**22) Pittsburgh Pirates**— $102,058,886

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**21) Colorado Rockies**— $118,302,854

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**20) Cincinnati Reds**— $124,308,099

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**19) Milwaukee Brewers**— $125,467,605

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**18) Kansas City Royals**— $141,244,816

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**17) Seattle Mariners**— $160,726,794

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**16) Baltimore Orioles**— $170,369,743

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**15) Los Angeles Angels**— $179,002,696

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**14) Arizona Diamondbacks**— $183,460,266

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**13) Texas Rangers**— $183,539,230

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**12) Boston Red Sox**— $198,883,374

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**11) San Francisco Giants**— $200,800,003

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**10) Detroit Tigers**— $209,415,401

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**9) Chicago Cubs**— $220,693,350

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**8) San Diego Padres**— $224,833,896

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**7) Houston Astros**— $246,519,331

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**6) Atlanta Braves**— $252,141,372

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**5) Toronto Blue Jays**— $278,989,858

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**4) Philadelphia Phillies**— $283,686,918

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**3) New York Yankees**— $301,064,810

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**2) Los Angeles Dodgers**— $322,385,057

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

**1) New York Mets**— $357,626,125

(Imagn Images via Reuters Connect)

Both Bowlan and Kerkering are operating a rung higher than the Phillies anticipated this season. They signed right-hander Brad Keller to a two-year, $22 million deal over the winter after his stellar 2025 with the Chicago Cubs . But Keller struggled into June, missed a month with forearm tendinitis and then tore the UCL in his throwing elbow in July.

Veteran lefties Alvarado, Brooks Raley and Tim Mayza balance out the bullpen, but aren't necessarily built for one-inning, high-leverage situations.

That's just one reason why Bowlan and Kerkering will be front and center this postseason.

Kerkering is now in his third full major league season, yet maintains he's "still the pup" on a club with 10-year vets like Bryce Harper , Kyle Schwarber , Trea Turner and Zack Wheeler. He has been through the postseason fire, for better or worse, and knows what he'll tell Bowlan before his October indoctrination.

"Think of it like you're playing the Dodgers , you're playing the Braves' series – (multiply) that by five," says Kerkering. "The intensity, how much people care, how much louder and the passion.

"But you still have to make your pitches. It's a big moment for the pitcher, a big moment for the hitters. It doesn't matter how long they've been there. You're battling each other out and there's very few teams left.

"You're highlighted, basically."

And the spotlight is about to get a lot brighter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phillies can't live in fear of another playoff bullpen debacle

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Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season

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Red-faced October

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

Visit the 10 best MLB stadiums, ranked by baseball insider

A 'whoa' moment

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