After A Slow Start, Orion Kerkering Has Become The Most Trusted Reliever In Philadelphia Phillies' Bullpen

CBS Philadelphia

June 16, 2025

Orion Kerkering stared down the heart of the Blue Jays lineup without his best weapon on the mound. Kerkering threw his first pitch to Bo Bichette and immediately knew he didn't have it working like normal. His sweeper wasn't up to standard.

A younger Kerkering would wane on not having the pitch that got him to the major leagues. Now, 24, Kerkering is still a youngin' in major league terms — but wise beyond his years.

"(I'm) not dwindling on 'Oh [expletive], I don't have it,'" Kerkering said. "I'm not going into panic mode where it's like, '[expletive], [expletive], [expletive], I don't have my pitch' kind of thing. Now, it's more of 'OK, it's not there today. What can I do to get off hitters?"

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