Eickhoff threw 21 sliders against the Marlins on Monday and said he will use the pitch more moving forward, Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia reports. "From now on, the slider is a big pitch for me," Eickhoff said. "If I can throw that [slider] in between my fastball and my curveball, that speed difference is going to be huge."

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff has primarily relied on his dominant curveball and a fastball to this point, but hitters have adjusted. Mixing in an effective third pitch is critical for his long term success. His slider, which averages 83 mph, will give hitters another offspeed pitch to consider rather than being able to sit on his mid-70s mph curveball.