SAN FRANCISCO —
Evan Phillips has seen this movie before, and the reason it looks so familiar is because the Dodgers closer starred in it himself.
The script goes like this: Struggling reliever is cast off by one and often multiple teams. Reliever is acquired by Dodgers, who suggest mechanical tweaks to his delivery, a new pitch, a different grip, a change in pitch sequencing and perhaps a new mental approach. Reliever becomes a high-functioning member of the Dodgers bullpen.
Phillips was that reliever in 2021 when, with an ERA of 7.