Phillips' hold on the closer role is in jeopardy after Sunday's latest blunder against the Red Sox, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while only managing to record one out via a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips was brought in to begin the ninth inning with the Dodgers leading 9-3 and allowed a single and two doubles to the first three hitters he faced. He was able to get Tyler O'Neill out on strikes before issuing back-to-back walks and getting the hook. Phillips has had a very rough stretch since the end of June, allowing nine runs on 12 hits and three walks while recording eight strikeouts over his last 7.1 innings. Prior to that, the right-hander had a 1.52 ERA, 0.97 WHIP in 23.2 innings. Manager Dave Roberts commented after Saturday's win that he was still a "long ways" from removing Phillips from the closing role and that he would give him "as much runway as he wants" to regain his previous form. His view on Phillips may have changed after Sunday's outing. Daniel Hudson picked up two saves over the weekend, and the Dodgers could also acquire another high-leverage bullpen arm at the trade deadline to address their closer situation.

Phillips wasn't used in the ninth inning with the Dodgers holding a 4-1 lead over Boston on Friday, and Daniel Hudson instead closed out the contest to earn a save.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips entered Friday having squandered his last two save opportunities and holding a 7.50 ERA over his past six appearances dating back to June 30. He's been seeing more work outside the ninth inning over the past month, though those instances have largely been in high-leverage situations in which Phillips faced the opponent's top hitters. It's important to note, however, that the right-hander has struggled against lefties this season -- they've posted a .961 OPS against him, and all four of the homers Phillips has given up have come against left-handed hitters. That likely explains Phillips' absence in the ninth Friday, as all three of Boston's batters in the frame were lefties. Phillips should still be considered the top closing option for Los Angeles, but it's becoming increasingly clear that other relievers will also get save chances for the team depending on the situation.

Phillips blew a save in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one in the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips was called upon to protect a 9-6 lead with a runner on second and no outs in the ninth inning, but he allowed the Tigers to tie the game on an RBI single and a two-run home run. The righty has struggled in July, yielding four earned runs and blowing two saves in five appearances while not always working the ninth inning. On the year, he is 14-for-16 in save chances with a 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB across 29.2 innings.

Phillips (2-0) was charged with a blown save and earned the win against Milwaukee on Saturday. He allowed one run on one hit while striking out one batter over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

With the Dodgers up 3-2 in the top of the eighth frame, manager Dave Roberts elected to call upon Phillips to face the heart of the Brewers order. The right-hander couldn't protect the lead, giving up a one-out solo homer to Christian Yelich. Phillips did get credited for the win, however, as a result of Los Angeles tallying two runs in the bottom of the frame and Alex Vesia closing things out in the ninth. This was the second time in the past two weeks that Roberts has called upon Phillips before the ninth inning in a high-leverage situation, so it's clear that the team is comfortable using him in that way. Phillips should still get the vast majority of save chances for the Dodgers, though Vesia has five saves on the campaign and is probably the leading candidate for ninth-inning duties when Phillips is either unavailable or deployed earlier in a contest.

Phillips struck out the side to earn the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to set the Brewers down in order to protect a three-run lead. It's an encouraging sign, as he had allowed a run in each of his last two outings. Phillips is up to 14 saves and one hold through 26.2 innings this season, and he's maintained a strong 2.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 30:8 K:BB.

Phillips (1-0) allowed a run on one hit and struck out one over one inning but earned the win Tuesday over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips gave up a tie-breaking solo home run to Joc Pederson in the top of the ninth inning, but the Dodgers replied with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. The homer was just the second Phillips has allowed all year, though this was the second outing in a row he's been scored on. The right-hander is at a 2.10 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB with 13 saves and a hold over 25.2 innings this season.

Phillips earned the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the White Sox, pitching a perfect inning with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips entered the ninth with a one-run lead and promptly retired the side on 14 pitches, including 10 strikes. The 29-year-old right-hander has been steady in June so far, firing a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB over nine innings with five saves. Phillips has converted 14 consecutive saves, with his last blown save coming against Seattle on Sept. 16, 2023.

Phillips earned a hold against the White Sox on Monday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning of work.

EDGE Analysis

It was somewhat surprising to see Phillips -- who is the Dodgers' primary closer -- used in the eighth frame, but there was plenty of sense behind the move given that the White Sox were bringing up the heart of their order. Phillips got through the inning unscathed despite allowing a one-out double to Luis Robert, and Alex Vesia earned his fourth save with a clean frame in the ninth. Phillips' usage Monday suggests that manager Dave Roberts isn't opposed to using him before the ninth inning in the highest-leverage situations, but the right-hander should still receive the vast majority of save chances for Los Angeles. He's been one of the most reliable closers in baseball this year with a perfect 12-for-12 mark in save opportunities along with a 1.66 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

Phillips earned a save against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Phillips cruised to the save on 11 pitches, punching out two of the three batters he faced. It was the fifth straight scoreless and hitless outing for the closer, who has allowed an earned run in only two of his 21 appearances this season. Phillips is 12-for-12 in save chances this season -- he's the only MLB closer with that many saves who remains perfect in save opportunities.

Phillips struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Tuesday's 11-9 win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Alex Vesia issued a two-out walk, and Phillips was able to strike out Hunter Goodman on five pitches to secure the save after the Dodgers' ninth-inning comeback. Aside from a three-run misstep in Pittsburgh on June 6, Phillips has pitched well since his return from a hamstring injury. He's at 11 saves with a 1.89 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 19 innings this season.