NEWSLETTER
What is the deal with reliever injuries today? They range from serious (Scott Effross Tommy John surgery) to silly (David Robertson calf strain celebrating a Bryce Harper home run), and now we’ve got one that is definitely going to tick off Astros fans.
Last week, brothers Phil and Nick Maton got the special big league experience of facing each other. Nick, a sneaky good utility man for the Phillies this year, got the best of older brother, Phil, a reliever for the Astros:
Although the Astros would go on to win the game – long after having clinched, mind you – the hit was part of a rough inning for Phil Maton, who gave up two earned runs and recorded just one out.
No big deal, though, right? You still won the game and you’re still headed to the playoffs with a bye. Just be happy for your little brother. Focus on that, rather than the tough overall outcome. Right?
Nope:
Maton, 29, was one of the Astros’ best relievers last year in their run to the World Series, so this is a meaningful loss.
It’s a really bad day to be a reliever, I guess.
