Is Don Mattingly overusing Jhoan Duran? | Jhoan Duran wants to pitch every game. And that require…

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Is Don Mattingly overusing Jhoan Duran?

Duran has gotten a lot of action. Has it been too much?

On Wednesday night, closer Jhoan Duran was called on for a third straight game to protect a 7-4 lead against the Blue Jays. He gave up two hits in the 9th inning but danced between the raindrops and secured his 17th save in 18 chances and lowered his ERA to 1.99.

Duran has given up runs in just four of his 24 appearances. The only time this year he’s allowed more than one earned run was on Tuesday night in Toronto, when he gave up two runs for his first blown save of the season. Only three relievers have more saves than Duran, his 38.6% strikeout rate is 3rd-best in MLB, and his 1.2 fWAR is 6th.

Jhoan Duran wants to pitch every game. And that requires listening to his body and a short memory.

If the Phillies closer feels good then “I want to be in the game.” Even if it meant pitching a third straight day for the first time in almost three years.

It’s a good thing for the Phillies that he does, because they have leaned on their closer a lot this season. Even though Duran was on the injured list for 17 days this year with an oblique injury in his left side, he still ranks fourth in baseball in save opportunities.

“I need to be on the mound every day,” Duran said.

But in this week’s series against the Blue Jays, the Phillies asked even more of Duran than usual, when interim manager Don Mattingly used him three nights in a row. The last time Duran had made three appearances on three consecutive nights was from July 14-16, 2023, when he was a member of the Minnesota Twins.

Decision to Trade for Star Closer Has Been an Excellent Move by Phillies

As the Philadelphia Phillies seek to win their weekend series against the Chicago White Sox, the team has to be very pleased with how they have performed of late. A major reason has been a move made at the trade deadline last year. 

Following their awful start to the season, the Phillies are now back over the .500 mark and very much in the hunt for a playoff spot in the National League early on. With a lot of games to go, the team will be seeking to try and win the division still, but they should be pleased with how they have performed over the last month and a half. 

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