Kerkering’s Milestone Moment: First Career Save
Philadelphia Phillies fans have a new bullpen hero, and his name is
Orion Kerkering. The 24-year-old right-hander notched his
first career save in Monday night’s 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins, capping off a remarkable run of dominance that’s turned heads across Major League Baseball.
Manager Rob Thomson admitted he was “shocked” to learn it was Kerkering’s first save, praising the young pitcher’s poise and performance. Kerkering himself kept it simple: “It feels great. Just to be able to continue the stretch I’m on right now [since] the beginning of May, and just kind of keep it rolling and not overthink the situation. I think that’s what’s most important.”
Phillies Bullpen in Crisis—Kerkering Steps Up
The Phillies’ bullpen has been in desperate need of stability this season, especially after star reliever José Alvarado was suspended for 80 games due to a PED violation in May. With veteran Jordan Romano struggling to find consistency, Kerkering has become the club’s most reliable right-handed option.
Since Alvarado’s suspension, Kerkering has thrown
12 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run. In fact, he’s riding a streak of
17 consecutive scoreless appearances dating back to May 9, racking up seven holds and two wins along the way. His 1-2-3 ninth inning against Miami was a masterclass in efficiency, needing just 12 pitches to close out the game.
Kerkering’s Numbers: Quietly Elite, Room to Grow
Kerkering now boasts a
2.36 ERA over 100 career appearances, a remarkable achievement for a pitcher who debuted late in 2023. While he was expected to be the fourth option behind Alvarado, Strahm, and Romano, circumstances have thrust him into a starring role.
However, there’s still room for improvement. Kerkering has allowed
eight of 21 inherited runners (38.1%) to score this season, including three of his last five. He’s also let at least one inherited runner score in more than half of his outings with runners on base. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) sits at 1.36, which isn’t elite for a high-leverage reliever, but his ability to prevent runs has been invaluable for the Phillies.
High Stakes and High Drama: Kerkering’s Error in NLCS
Not all recent headlines have been positive. Kerkering’s season ended on a sour note when a costly error helped the Dodgers escape the Phillies in extra innings during the National League Championship Series. The blunder proved pivotal, as the Dodgers eliminated the Phillies and advanced to the World Series.
What’s Next for Kerkering and the Phillies?
With the trade deadline looming, the Phillies are expected to seek additional bullpen help. But Kerkering’s emergence gives the team a solid foundation to build on. If he continues his current form, he could cement himself as one of the league’s top relievers—and perhaps earn a shot at closing games in the future.
For now, Kerkering’s journey from late-round draft pick to bullpen anchor is one of the season’s most compelling stories. Phillies fans will be watching closely to see if he can keep his streak alive and help the team bounce back from postseason heartbreak.
Sources
1. Orion Kerkering's error helps Dodgers escape Phillies in ... - YouTube
2. Orion Kerkering records first career save
3. Orion Kerkering #50 - Philadelphia Phillies
4. Ranking the Best Managerial Job Openings of the MLB ...
