Without Matt Strahm, the Phillies‘ 2023 season might’ve looked a whole lot different.
Nothing felt like it was going in the right direction for the Phillies in early 2023. Rhys Hoskins tore his ACL with a week left of Spring Training. Ranger Suarez was not ready and wouldn’t start his first game until May 13th. Darick Hall, Rhy’s replacement, injured his finger in the 2nd series of the season. Above all, the Phillies started the season on a 4-game losing streak.
A slight panic had already set in for Phillies fans all before the home opener.
The Phillies find solace in Matt Strahm
Somebody had to stop the bleeding. Enter Matt Strahm. Matt Strahm was a low-key signing in an offseason where the Phillies landed star shortstop Trea Turner. The Phillies had stretched him out in the spring to start for the Phillies with Suarez out of action.
He had started just 1 game since 2020.
That didn’t matter as Strahm shutout the Yankees over 4 innings to get the Phillies their first win of the season. He became a stabilizing force in April, starting 5 games and posting a 2.42 ERA in 22.1 IP.
Once summer rolled around, Strahm became one of the Phillies’ most trusted relievers. From June 24th onward, Strahm had a 2.25 ERA in 40 IP with 48 strikeouts.
He threw 87.2 IP for the Phillies in 2023, his most innings since 2019. Some discourse in Philly media circled around whether the Phillies had overused Strahm and worried about what he had left in the tank. Strahm proved he had plenty, posting 5.1 scoreless innings in postseason play. That included closing the door on the Braves in the NLDS.
How Matt Strahm became such a beloved player
Now in 2024, Matt Strahm has signed an extension with the Phillies that could keep him in the city through 2026. As Strahm said just hours after inking the deal, “I just fit in Philly.”
Not only has he been a skilled asset for the Phillies, but his personality has shown through to the fans. He collects baseball cards of every player that has homered off of him. When uproar about the new jerseys was fresh, Matt Strahm provided one of the best quotes.
“It’s a billion-dollar industry. And they treat it like Dollar General.”
The long-haired lefty has even given Brandon Marsh hair care tips.
Strahm loves the Phillies clubhouse and loves the city and now he’s here to stay for at least a couple more seasons.
Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)
