The Phillies have placed a priority on their bullpen this season. That became clear when they spent $34.2 million on free-agent relievers Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek during the offseason. They are expected to carry eight relievers on the major-league roster this year, with manager Gabe Kapler leaving the possibility open for nine to be carried.
Kapler is expected to bring over the Dodgers’ mindset from last season. Their starters pitched the second-fewest innings of any playoff team last year, but that was by design. They called on their bullpen early and often, and that strategy got them to the World Series.