The Philadelphia Phillies had a rough series over the weekend against the San Francisco Giants. Philadelphia scored only one run as it was swept in a three-game series. But following Sunday’s game, starting pitcher Jake Arrieta was more focused on the team’s defense.
Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Arrieta complained that the Phillies were “one of the worst in the league in shifts. We need some accountability all of the way around. If there isn’t, I’ll make sure there is.”
He also noted (per Nightengale) that it was “Overall, really a horse[bleep] series. Really bad. Really bad.”
It’s not surprising that Arrieta was upset after Sunday’s start. Entering the sixth inning, the Phillies were up 1-0 on the Giants. But San Francisco tied and eventually took a 2-1 lead on a series of poorly hit balls that found holes. The lead ballooned to 5-1 when Arrieta allowed a home run to Andrew McCutchen.
It’s hard to tell how much to read into these comments. Players get frustrated. Players on contending teams that just got swept are even more susceptible to it. This could be nothing more than a veteran player being frustrated after a tough game and series. If that’s the case, this should blow over in a matter of days, if it even takes that long.
But if this frustration has been brewing in Arrieta through the year, it’s potentially much more troubling for Philadelphia.
Time will tell.