PHILADELPHIA -- The month of May certainly didn’t end the way the Phillies would have hoped.
Jesús Luzardo's unbeaten run to start his Phillies career came to an end in disastrous fashion in the club’s 17-7 loss to the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. The left-hander was knocked around for 12 runs in just 3 1/3 innings, becoming the first Phillies pitcher since Al Jurisich in 1947 to allow 12 earned runs in a game.
Luzardo’s ERA jumped from 2.15 -- which was tied with Paul Skenes for second best in the NL entering the day -- to 3.58. Perhaps the most frustrating part of an extremely frustrating day came in the fourth inning, when Luzardo appeared to have Caleb Durbin picked off first base until third-base umpire Derek Thomas called a balk.
“I’ve done this my whole career since 2019 and I’ve never been called for a balk on it,” Luzardo said. “I think they did a great job of not throwing me out, because in the heat of the moment I was a little hot-headed.”
Phillies manager Rob Thomson wasn’t as fortunate. After a lengthy discussion with Thomas, Thomson turned his attention to second-base ump Dan Iassogna until Iassogna tossed the typically mild-mannered Thomson for just his fifth career ejection.
Saturday’s drubbing aside, the Phillies (36-22) finished May tied for the best record in the National League after entering the month sitting in second place in the NL at just 17-13. So while so much went right in May (until Saturday), there are plenty of questions facing the team heading into June.
Aside from the obvious of when will Bryce Harper be back, here are a few of the biggest ones:
Who will step up in the bullpen?
The Phillies are still searching for answers in the wake of José Alvarado’s suspension.
Orion Kerkering has stepped up, turning in five straight scoreless appearances since losing Alvarado -- and allowing just one run over 10 1/3 innings in May (0.87 ERA). Jordan Romano was lights out in May aside from one hiccup vs. the A's. Matt Strahm has had a few stumbles of late.
But the Phillies are still waiting for someone from the middle-relief group of José Ruiz, Tanner Banks, Carlos Hernández and Joe Ross to take on a bigger role.
Or, perhaps it could even be Taijuan Walker.
What will happen with the rotation?
Aaron Nola likely won’t be ready to rejoin the rotation until mid-June at the earliest. Even then, it remains to be seen if he can put his early season struggles (1-7, 6.16 ERA) behind him.
Walker has held down Nola’s spot, but the Phillies have been noncommittal about Walker starting the next time through the rotation. Thomson doesn’t want to keep shuttling Walker back and forth between the rotation and bullpen, so the plan is to move him permanently to the ‘pen when Nola returns -- but it may come even sooner.
Another option in the meantime would be to promote Mick Abel, who is eligible to come back to the Majors on Tuesday. In two starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley since his incredible MLB debut, the club’s No. 8 prospect has allowed just one earned run while striking out 16 batters over 10 2/3 innings.
Abel’s most recent start came on Friday, so he could slot right into Walker’s spot and allow Walker to settle into a bullpen role if that’s the route the Phillies decide to go.
Can Realmuto get going?
J.T. Realmuto is in the midst of what would be the worst offensive season of his career. He enters June slashing just .222/.293/.361, putting him on track for career lows in average, slugging percentage and OPS (.654).
The value Realmuto provides to one of the best starting rotations in the Majors can’t be quantified, but his bat coming around would certainly lengthen the Phililes’ lineup a bit -- especially with Harper sidelined.
The Phils are confident Realmuto will come around, as they believe his struggles are due entirely to a timing issue.
“Just trying to be a little more consistent at the plate, obviously,” Realmuto said. “I haven't felt my best the last few weeks, so just grinding it out in the cage trying to figure it out.”
Can Schwarber somehow heat up even more?
This may seem like a crazy question given the fact Kyle Schwarber is on pace for 53 home runs, but nonetheless … it is time for “June Schwarber.”
Historically, Schwarber has been a bit of a slow starter in April and May before turning into one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history in June. He averages one home run every 10.67 at-bats in the month of June, third all-time behind only Shohei Ohtani (8.78) and Babe Ruth (10.64).
It’ll be interesting to see if “June Schwarber” just arrived early this year or if he can actually raise his game to yet another level.
If so, watch out.