• March 28, 2024

Is Phils’ Pitching Coach Rich Dubee Underrated?

In theory, anybody could look good as a pitching coach when the starting rotation includes, Hamels, Halladay, Oswalt, and Lee. The “Four Aces” make Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee look expendable but the truth is the Phillies have more than four pitchers capable of pitching lights out. The Phillies are first in the majors in ERA, most fans would credit that to the “Four Aces” but three young Phillies pitchers are proof that Dubee is worth his weight in gold.

Phillies left handed reliever and interim closer Antonio Bastardo has been lights out. Bastardo leads the major leagues in opponent’s batting average (.109) ,ranks second in the majors among relievers in ERA (0.87) and third in WHIP (0.81). Since becoming closer, Bastardo has 5 saves on 5 chances.

Phillies rookie starting pitcher Vance Worley is 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA this season. Worley has only allowed 2 earned runs in his last 25 innings of work. The Phillies are 6-2 in games Worley has started.

Phillies rookie reliever Michael Stutes has become a reliable set up man in the 8th inning. Stutes is 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA including 6 holds in 27 and a third innings this season.

Another impressive pitching statistic not involving the “Four Aces” is a major league leading 93 percent save percentage. The Major League average is 68 percent.

If there was an award for pitching coach of the year Dubee would have to be the front runner. His bullpen suffered injuries to its first three options at closer, (Lidge, Contreras, Madson) their main left hander was cut, (J.C. Romero) and two of the five starters in the rotation have spent extended time on the DL. (Blanton, Oswalt) Despite all of the injuries the Phillies pitching staff still lead major league baseball in ERA and save percentage. If Dubee demands more money at contract time, he deserves it.

Jerry Brennan

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paulman
paulman
July 7, 2011 10:14 am

Dubee has done a great job and especially with the young Pitchers who have progressed really well and have been the suprise and unsung hero’s of this 2011 Phillie Team in my opinion.. It’s a great situation for there are a lot of veteran Pitchers to watch and get advice who don’t mind helping out with the younger Pitchers so it’s a good situation all the way around for the Veterans and Youngsters on the Staff..
Wonder if Dubee can tackle the “Hitting Coach” Position too..

DDCar
DDCar
July 7, 2011 6:36 pm

Dubee is overrated, not underrated.
Although Dubee has done a admirable job, since being here, you can prop up a crash test dummy, in the dugout with this starting staff. Dubee & Manual’s handling of this staff is not very good. Starters pitch too long or taken out too early. Bullpen sucks. But, that part is Amaro’s fault.
All of the credit has to go to “Chooch”, not Dubee. He’s one of the top signal callers in MLB.