The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the best rotations in the big leagues in the 2024 season. However, Taijuan Walker isn't shining as much as his fellow Philly starters.
On Saturday, Walker struggled anew on the mound, as he gave up a total of three earned runs on six hits through 5.2 innings of duty in a 6-2 loss at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. He also issued a couple of walks and struck out four Orioles hitters on 92 pitches. For what it's worth, Walker still managed to lower his season ERA from 5.40 to 5.33.
It seems that Walker is still not confident with his splitter, which was so effective for him during his first season in a Phillies uniform back in 2023.
“I didn’t really have a feel for it, and the curveball was working really well,” Walker said after picking up his first loss in three starts this June (via Paul Hagen of NBC Sports Philadelphia). “It kind of seemed like when I had two strikes the first couple innings they were looking for the splitter. But I feel like I’ve had most of my success because of my splitter, so I definitely want to get that back.”
In 2023, Walker resorted to his splitter a lot. In fact, it was his most-used pitch that season, throwing it over 33 percent of the time. And he had plenty of success with it, as he held opposing hitters to just a .218 batting average and a .275 BABIP with that pitch. It is a different story for Walker's splitter in 2024. The frequency of his splitter is way down in large part because opponents are lighting him up when he throws it. He is only using it a little over 18 percent of the time, per Brooks Baseball. The success rate of opponents against Walker's splitter this year is underscored by a dizzying .373 batting average and a .426 BABIP.
Meanwhile, Walker was definitely right about his curveball, which has been producing great results for him. Walker's curveball has held opponents to just a .119 batting average and .108 BABIP.
“I just think the splitter is missing,” admitted Walker. “All my other pitches have been really good. It’s just the splitter that I don’t usually give up a lot of damage on. I feel like right now I’m giving up a lot of hard hits when I throw it.”
“It’s such a feel pitch. It can go away fast but it can come back fast, too. In the bullpen, it feels good. When I get into the game, for some reason, I’m leaving it up. It’s a pitch I have to find and I’m working on it,” Walker added.
Phillies look to rebound and win series vs. Orioles
The Phillies have not looked so dominant since returning from their trip to London where they split a two-game series against the New York Mets. Since crossing the pond to return to the United States, the Phillies have lost three of five games, including Saturday's defeat to Baltimore. The good news for Philadelphia is that it is still very much ahead of everyone in the National League East division with a 47-23 record.
Philadelphia will look to complete a series in Baltimore this Sunday when they give the ball to Zack Wheeler, who's been incredible this year. So far in the season, Wheeler is 8-3 with a 2.16 ERA.
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