The Phillies Fifth Starter Conundrum

It’s no secret. The Phillies are in dire need of a fifth starter. Frankly, they could just even use someone who can throw 3-4 competent innings every five days as part of a bullpen game.

The Phillies lost their latest bullpen game on Monday in Arizona after five pitchers combined to allow 9 runs on 13 hits to the Diamondbacks. The only pitcher to not allow a run was Jeff Hoffman who pitched a clean ninth inning.

Matt Strahm has struggled after saving the team early on. Strahm stepped from the bullpen into the rotation out of necessity and pitched to a 2.31 ERA in 23.1 IP across five starts and one bullpen appearance in March/April. But in 12 games since including four starts, Strahm has a…