Phillies’ plan with José Alvarado should be crystal clear for rest of 2025
Phillies Must Maximize José Alvarado’s Usage for Remainder of 2025 Season
With José Alvarado back in action, the Phillies have a unique opportunity — and they should take full advantage of it down the stretch.
The Philadelphia Phillies are rolling, coming off a dominant series sweep that showcased just how dangerous they can be. But amid the offensive fireworks and strong pitching, the biggest development in their recent 11-2 blowout of the Seattle Mariners was the return of José Alvarado. After serving an 80-game suspension for PED use, the veteran left-handed reliever made his first appearance and looked sharp, tossing a scoreless inning.
No Playoffs for Alvarado, So the Phillies Should Lean on Him Now
Due to the suspension, Alvarado is not eligible to pitch in the postseason — a disappointing blow considering his dominance when healthy. However, this situation also presents a unique advantage: the Phillies can now deploy a fresh, high-leverage arm as frequently as needed in the final weeks of the regular season. Alvarado’s presence gives the team more flexibility and allows other bullpen arms to get much-needed rest.
In his return, Alvarado came on in the eighth inning and retired the side with just 14 pitches. He made AL MVP candidate Cal Raleigh look overmatched, striking him out on a filthy breaking ball that reminded everyone of Alvarado’s elite stuff. It’s a shame he won’t be part of the postseason roster, but his contributions in September could be just as vital.
Giving Other Lefties a Breather
Relievers like Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks have carried a heavy load this year, with 49 2/3 and 54 1/3 innings respectively. Alvarado, by contrast, has logged only 21 innings. With that in mind, the Phillies can insert him into critical moments — whether it’s the sixth, seventh, or eighth innings — to get big outs and preserve their other late-inning options for October.
Despite missing half the season, Alvarado still ranks second on the team in saves with seven. Interestingly, the midseason trade for Duran might not have even occurred had Alvarado been available all year. But now, that same absence opens the door for him to help the team in another way: by taking on a heavier load and acting as a bridge to October.
