Orion Kerkering emerged as a promising closer for the Philadelphia Phillies, recording his first career save against the Miami Marlins. Matt Strahm, a fellow reliever, expressed confidence in Kerkering's abilities on social media, hinting at many more saves to come. Despite a rocky start to the season with a 6.53 ERA, Kerkering has jettisoned concerns with a stellar performance since May, boasting a 0.53 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. However, control remains a challenge, as he has struggled with walks.

Manager Rob Thomson has hinted at the potential for Kerkering to receive more closing opportunities. With his recent success and the endorsement from teammates like Strahm, Kerkering seems poised to take on a more significant role in the Phillies' bullpen moving forward, especially given the current struggles of established closers like Jordan Romano and the suspension of Jose Alvarado.

As we approach mid-June, several players are catching the attention of fantasy baseball managers. Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds is making headlines with a home run streak that has seen him hit four consecutive homers, showcasing his impressive power. With 15 home runs and 20 steals this season, he’s a must-start in daily leagues. Meanwhile, Josh Smith from the Texas Rangers is on a seven-game hitting streak, including multiple-hit games, making him a valuable asset in fantasy rosters.

Giancarlo Stanton is expected to return from the injured list, adding a powerful option to the New York Yankees lineup, while Brady House, the Washington Nationals' top prospect, is set to make his MLB debut. The week includes critical matchups for pitchers like Jameson Taillon, who looks to extend his streak of quality starts as well as Logan Gilbert, returning from injury. This week is crucial for fantasy owners looking to capitalize on hot bats and emerging pitching talent.

The Philadelphia Phillies experienced a whirlwind Sunday, highlighted by Jose Alvarado's suspension for testing positive for PEDs, a stellar debut by prospect Mick Abel, and a series sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Amidst this, Orion Kerkering's relief appearance drew scrutiny after a shaky outing. Following criticism from Devon Kaney of 94 WIP, teammate Matt Strahm backed Kerkering with a sarcastic response on social media, challenging the need for concern about his performance. Kerkering's recent struggles have raised questions, but his previous outings suggest he may still be a valuable asset.

The Philadelphia Phillies faced yet another heartbreaking loss, marking their sixth blown save of the season, which places them at the bottom of the league for relievers' performance. After holding a 4-1 lead against the Miami Marlins, the Phillies' bullpen faltered, leading to a 7-5 extra-inning defeat. Their relievers' ERA is among the worst in the league, with only three out of eight boasting an ERA+ above 100. Manager Rob Thomson remains optimistic about the potential of his bullpen despite the early struggles, acknowledging the need for improvement.

Particular concern arises around relievers Orion Kerkering, Jordan Romano, and Joe Ross, who have struggled under high-pressure situations. Specifically, Kerkering surrendered three runs in a recent outing, while Romano's declining velocity raises red flags about his effectiveness as they navigate through this challenging stretch. The inconsistent nature of bullpens means things could turn around quickly, but urgent adjustments may be necessary for the Phillies to stay competitive in the NL East.