Evan Phillips RP LAD Sat 7/20/24 4:14 PM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips wasn't used in the ninth inning with the Dodgers holding a 4-1 lead over Boston on Friday, and Daniel Hudson instead closed out the contest to earn a save.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips entered Friday having squandered his last two save opportunities and holding a 7.50 ERA over his past six appearances dating back to June 30. He's been seeing more work outside the ninth inning over the past month, though those instances have largely been in high-leverage situations in which Phillips faced the opponent's top hitters. It's important to note, however, that the right-hander has struggled against lefties this season -- they've posted a .961 OPS against him, and all four of the homers Phillips has given up have come against left-handed hitters. That likely explains Phillips' absence in the ninth Friday, as all three of Boston's batters in the frame were lefties. Phillips should still be considered the top closing option for Los Angeles, but it's becoming increasingly clear that other relievers will also get save chances for the team depending on the situation.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Sat 7/13/24 4:54 PM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips blew a save in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips was called upon to protect a 9-6 lead with a runner on second and no outs in the ninth inning, but he allowed the Tigers to tie the game on an RBI single and a two-run home run. The righty has struggled in July, yielding four earned runs and blowing two saves in five appearances while not always working the ninth inning. On the year, he is 14-for-16 in save chances with a 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB across 29.2 innings.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Sun 7/7/24 10:15 AM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips (2-0) was charged with a blown save and earned the win against Milwaukee on Saturday. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out one batter over one inning.
EDGE Analysis
With the Dodgers up 3-2 in the top of the eighth frame, manager Dave Roberts elected to call upon Phillips to face the heart of the Brewers order. The right-hander couldn't protect the lead, giving up a one-out solo homer to Christian Yelich. Phillips did get credited for the win, however, as a result of Los Angeles tallying two runs in the bottom of the frame and Alex Vesia closing things out in the ninth. This was the second time in the past two weeks that Roberts has called upon Phillips before the ninth inning in a high-leverage situation, so it's clear that the team is comfortable using him in that way. Phillips should still get the vast majority of save chances for the Dodgers, though Vesia has five saves on the campaign and is probably the leading candidate for ninth-inning duties when Phillips is either unavailable or deployed earlier in a contest.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Sat 7/6/24 2:16 AM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips struck out the side to earn the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Brewers.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to set the Brewers down in order to protect a three-run lead. It's an encouraging sign, as he had allowed a run in each of his last two outings. Phillips is up to 14 saves and one hold through 26.2 innings this season, and he's maintained a strong 2.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Wed 7/3/24 2:02 AM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips (1-0) allowed a run on one hit and struck out one over one inning but earned the win Tuesday over the Diamondbacks.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips gave up a tie-breaking solo home run to Joc Pederson in the top of the ninth inning, but the Dodgers replied with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. The homer was just the second Phillips has allowed all year, though this was the second outing in a row he's been scored on. The right-hander is at a 2.10 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB with 13 saves and a hold over 25.2 innings this season.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Wed 6/26/24 12:02 AM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips earned the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the White Sox, pitching a perfect inning with one strikeout.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips entered the ninth with a one-run lead and promptly retired the side on 14 pitches, including 10 strikes. The 29-year-old right-hander has been steady in June so far, firing a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB over nine innings with five saves. Phillips has converted 14 consecutive saves, with his last blown save coming against Seattle on Sept. 16, 2023.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Tue 6/25/24 12:50 AM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips earned a hold against the White Sox on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.
EDGE Analysis
It was somewhat surprising to see Phillips -- who is the Dodgers' primary closer -- used in the eighth frame, but there was plenty of sense behind the move given that the White Sox were bringing up the heart of their order. Phillips got through the inning unscathed despite allowing a one-out double to Luis Robert, and Alex Vesia earned his fourth save with a clean frame in the ninth. Phillips' usage Monday suggests that manager Dave Roberts isn't opposed to using him before the ninth inning in the highest-leverage situations, but the right-hander should still receive the vast majority of save chances for Los Angeles. He's been one of the most reliable closers in baseball this year with a perfect 12-for-12 mark in save opportunities along with a 1.66 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Fri 6/21/24 2:13 AM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips earned a save against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips cruised to the save on 11 pitches, punching out two of the three batters he faced. It was the fifth straight scoreless and hitless outing for the closer, who has allowed an earned run in only two of his 21 appearances this season. Phillips is 12-for-12 in save chances this season -- he's the only MLB closer with that many saves who remains perfect in save opportunities.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Wed 6/19/24 1:09 AM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Tuesday's 11-9 win over the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
Alex Vesia issued a two-out walk, and Phillips was able to strike out Hunter Goodman on five pitches to secure the save after the Dodgers' ninth-inning comeback. Aside from a three-run misstep in Pittsburgh on June 6, Phillips has pitched well since his return from a hamstring injury. He's at 11 saves with a 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 19 innings this season.
Evan Phillips RP LAD Sun 6/16/24 11:02 PM
Evan Phillips
RP LAD
Phillips picked up the save Sunday against Kansas City, allowing one walk with no strikeouts across a scoreless ninth inning.
EDGE Analysis
Phillips corralled his second save since being reinstated from the 15-day IL on May 31, increasing his season total to 10 saves. The 29-year-old hasn't allowed a hit in three of his four appearances in June but was tagged for three runs in a June 6 outing against the Pirates. On the year, Phillips owns a 1.93 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 18.2 innings.