Phillies’ Brad Keller recalls the ‘cool moments’ with the Cubs
CHICAGO — Brad Keller solely spent one season with the Cubs, however that season modified the course of his profession.
Formerly a journeyman starter, Keller latched onto the Cubs with a minor league deal in 2025. He did not have a transparent path to a rotation spot and anticipated to wind up in triple A, till the crew approached him about making an attempt out the bullpen.
Keller agreed, and took it instantly. The right-hander’s velocity spiked over 3 miles per hour, and he posted a 2.07 ERA, main the Phillies to supply him a two-year, $22 million contract to bolster their bullpen this offseason.
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This week, with the Phillies at Wrigley Field, Keller, 30, is again at the place that helped change all the things.
“Had a lot of cool moments over here, pitching in the playoffs for the first time — going to the playoffs for the first time — just some really cool experiences with my time here,” Keller said. “My entire career, I’ve always been a starter. So I’m super grateful for that move. And I don’t know where I’d be if I stayed as a starter and was in triple A for them last year, do you know?”
He already saw many of his former teammates last week, when the Cubs visited Citizens Bank Park and took two of three from the Phillies. Ahead of Monday’s series opener in Chicago, Keller spent some time catching up with old friends in the outfield.
“It’s weird being on this side, just because I’ve only been over here once,” he mentioned.
Keller returns to Wrigley in a role that recently increased in importance. The Phillies signed Keller with the intention for him to be a primary setup option for closer Jhoan Duran. Keller had a 4.15 ERA in 8⅔ innings entering Tuesday, although his peripheral stats are better, with a 2.49 expected ERA and a 62.5% ground ball rate.
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But with Duran now on the 15-day injured list with a strained left obliquePhillies supervisor Rob Thomson He mentioned he expects Keller to get the bulk of the save alternatives till their nearer returns. The bullpen has taken a number of hits over the previous few weeks, with Zach Pop (proper calf pressure) and Jonathan Bowlan (right groin strain) additionally on the injured checklist. All three of the injured relievers are additionally right-handed.
Of course, the Phillies offense will need to pick things up for Keller’s services to be required. A Phillies pitcher hasn’t posted a save since Duran on April 11, before his injury.
But Keller will be ready whenever that is. I have learned with the Cubs last season that there’s nothing he likes more than the adrenaline spike when the bullpen phone rings, and a high-leverage situation only heightens that. I’ve posted five saves for Chicago, including two in the postseason.
“I’m excited to get the opportunity,” Keller said. “Those final three outs are superior. When you are feeling the vitality of a crowd, it is numerous enjoyable. So I’m simply making an attempt to make the most of the alternative that I’ve till Duran comes again.”
Extra bases
J.T. Realmuto was out of Monday’s lineup with lower back tightness, although he was available in an emergency situation. Thomson said he is feeling better and it is possible he could be back in the lineup on Tuesday. … Zack Wheeler (thoracic outlet decompression surgical procedure) traveled with the Phillies to Chicago following his rehab outing for double-A Reading on Sunday. Thomson will make an announcement concerning Wheeler’s subsequent steps on Tuesday. … Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 7.94 ERA) is scheduled to begin Tuesday towards Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (1-1, 2.45). Imanaga held the Phillies to at least one run over six innings at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.
