If Phillies relievers seem more jittery than usual this weekend, you'll know why.
Red Bull sent a big ol' care package to rookie JoJo Romero and the Phillies' bullpen after Romero's hilarious Red Bull-smash entrance earlier this week.
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Hey, whatever Romero's doing to prepare, it's worked. He's been the Phillies' best reliever over the last month. He has a 2.89 ERA and 0.86 WHIP through nine appearances with 10 K's and one walk.
He's been a key member of the Phillies' bullpen with his abilities to retire lefties and pitch more than one inning. Four of his nine appearances have been longer than an inning. Lefties are just 2 for 16 against him.
Questions have arisen about whether Romero should close for this team given how poorly the Phillies' other late-inning relievers have pitched. The reality is the Phillies, with so many holes in the rotation and bullpen, will likely need him more prior to the ninth inning to bridge the gap between starter and closer.
They'll also need him for a tough lefty whenever that high-leverage spot comes up since Romero and Adam Morgan are the Phillies' only two left-handed relievers on the active roster. Garrett Cleavinger was optioned to Lehigh Valley Friday to make room for Jay Bruce.