NLCS: Seranthony Dominguez Leads a Rebuilt Phillies Bullpen
It’s a shame the Phillies got swept by the St. Louis Cardinals in the Division series, but I won’t stop there. The NLDS was one of the best baseball series ever. The Cardinals went the distance last year against the Dodgers, and it was the Dodgers who went the distance in the previous two seasons. The Phillies got swept because the Cardinals have a very good pitching staff.
The Phillies were going to have to beat a team that has a good bullpen to get back into the postseason. The Cardinals bullpen has been pretty good when healthy, but the Phillies were without their ace. The Phils’ bullpen really came out to play in the Divisional series. It’s amazing how well they pitched. It was the worst bullpen in baseball. The Phillies used a lot of different relievers in the Division series, and they got them all on the mound at the same time. They made them work. They used the best bullpen in baseball to set the Divisional series up and set the tone for the series.
Seranthony Dominguez was the ace in the group of relievers the Phillies used, as he went five innings in the series. Dominguez allowed only two hits and struck out 10 in the Cardinals’ nine inning win against him. He also threw a complete-game shut out and also allowed only two hits. Dominguez did not give up a walk and was not tagged with a run. This was his first start in his new role as closer.
Dominguez was placed on the disabled list on August 25 with a sore shoulder. He was able to manage it to give him a chance to pitch in the Divisional series. He gave up a one-run home run to Kris Bryant in the third inning. He also gave up a home run to Stephen Piscotty. Dominguez did not allow another home run against him until the eighth inning. His record in the Divisional series was 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA. He did not allow a run, pitched two complete-game shutouts and struck out 10 batters.
He was placed on the disabled list with a sore shoulder on September 3 with an elbow strain. He was able to pitch in the Divisional series. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. His record in