Jose Alvarado was Liverpool F.C. on Tuesday night because you’ll never walk alone. You’ll walk four batters in one inning so that they can all join each other on the base paths. Rob Thomson was asked why he didn’t pull his reliever sooner:

Topper: “We’ll I’m trying to get him through at one, and I think it’s a tough spot to put (Max) Lazar in. I’m trying to get as much confidence into Alvy as I possibly can. I don’t know whether… I’m just hoping he makes an out… He’s gotta throw strikes and that’s not happening right now. The stuff is there. He’s gotta power through it on his own, he’s gotta believe in his stuff and attack hitters.” 

The Phillies are not the 2001 Colts, but part of that quote sounds Jim Mora esque. Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game! Or, in this case, “I’m just hoping he makes an out.” The hardcore portion of the fan base will say that Topper prioritizes rest and confidence when there’s a damn division to win here.

Alvarado has been all over the place and does not appear to have it this year. Looks like a shell of the guy we saw in 2022 and 2023. But the Phillies lost on Tuesday night because they couldn’t hit the ball. Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper went 0-12, Johan Rojas struck out with bases loaded, and Brandon Marsh only hit two things – jack and shit. If the Phillies can’t take out an injury-wracked Braves team that’s rolling out Whit Merrifield and Gio Urshela, then what are they gonna do in the playoffs? Let’s figure it out boys.