The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2023 season without an official closer, but Evan Phillips eventually settled into the role and continued to pitch at a high level.
The right-hander sported a 2.70 ERA at the end of April before finding a groove in May, when he allowed only one run on four hits over 11.2 innings of work.
While the Dodgers bullpen struggled with inconsistency during the first half, Phillips was one of the few constants. He posted a 2.55 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 10.7 strikeouts per nine with 12 saves in 37 games before the All-Star break.
Phillips enjoyed an even better second half as he put up a 1.38 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with 12 saves over his final 25 appearances of the 2023 season.
All-in-all, he went 2-4 with a 2.05 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 0.83 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine with 24 saves in 61.1 innings pitched (62 games). That established the former journeyman as one of the best relievers in baseball, and another success story for the Dodgers of developing pitchers.
Phillips did not post an ERA above 2.89 in any month of the 2023 season. He went on to throw 2.1 scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series.
Evan Phillips 2023 highlight
Phillips had a streak of 13.2 consecutive innings without giving up an earned run from August 9-September 13, when he struck out 14 batters against two walks in 13 appearances.
2024 outlook
Phillips was eligible for salary arbitration this offseason and reportedly settled with the Dodgers on a one-year, $4 million contract. He is under contract for two more seasons before potentially becoming a free agent after 2026.
Phillips will likely enter the 2024 season as the Dodgers full-time closer and look to pick up where he left off. After being an All-Star snub in each of the last two years, a trip to the Midsummer Classic figures to be a goal for Phillips as well.
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