Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Tanner Banks has gained trust over the course of the 2025 season. While José Alvarado was serving his suspension, Banks stepped up in a big way. Banks along with Matt Strahm were the lone left-handed pitchers in the Phillies bullpen during that stretch. This also meant Banks getting more high-leverage opportunities than he would have otherwise gotten. Additionally, Banks did make one spot start earlier this season. Mick Abel was originally supposed to start that game before a rain delay led to a change in plans. The Phillies had Banks open and pitch two innings before handing things off to Taijuan Walker and Alan Rangel. Walker followed Banks with Rangel recording a five-inning save in that game.
Phillies Reliever Gaining Trust
This season, Banks has a 5-2 record with a 2.88 ERA and one save in 56 outings. Banks has a 3.33 FIP to go along with a career best 5.89 K/BB rate and a career best 0.94 WHIP this year. To add to that, Banks has a 1.12 HR/9 allowed rate this season as well as a 78.7% left-on-base rate, which is a career best. Banks has a 24.3% strikeout rate and a career best 4.1% walk rate this season. Since the All-Star break, Banks has a 1.76 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP in 16 outings. Banks has a 3.00 K/BB rate along with a 98.0% left-on-base rate in that span. To add to that, since July 1, Banks has a 1.86 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in 21 games. Banks has a 4.30 K/BB rate and a 91.5% left-on-base rate during that stretch. It is worth noting that Banks is under team control through 2028.
Phillies Reliever Gaining Trust
Chance For More High Leverage Opportunities In The Postseason
Alvarado is ineligible to pitch in the postseason, meaning Banks will get opportunities to pitch in high-leverage spots. While either Ranger Suárez or Jesús Luzardo may pitch out of the bullpen, Banks is the secondary left-handed option after Strahm. The news that Zack Wheeler is out for the season complicates arranging a hypothetical Phillies postseason rotation. Both Suárez and Luzardo may end up in the postseason rotation now. However, it is worth noting that in 2022, Suárez pitched out of the bullpen and made starts during the postseason that year. It is a possibility that the Phillies would consider doing this, given that the NLDS schedule would lead to teams needing three starting pitchers instead of four starting pitchers in that particular round.
Role Going Forward: The Rest Of The Regular Season
With Alvarado back from suspension for the rest of the regular season, Banks will see reduced high-leverage work. Banks will still get chances to pitch in those situations, but they will be less frequent. Alvarado being ineligible for the postseason should lead to increased usage. This will allow the Phillies to preserve innings from other pitchers for the postseason. Banks and Strahm will have a heavier postseason workload than in past years because of Alvarado being ineligible to pitch. In addition, Banks has pitched nearly 60 innings this season, and it is not September yet. For comparison, Strahm has pitched slightly over 50 innings so far this season. With Alvarado able to pitch the remainder of the regular season, the Phillies have more flexibility in left-on-left matchups.
Main Photo Credits: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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