In Connie Mack's Home Town

The iconic Philadelphian Connie Mack is credited with coining the expression, "Baseball is 75 percent pitching." Other sages have raised that percentage as high as 90. 

Whichever number you choose, one thing is clear: when one team's pitching dominates their opponent, the one's are almost assured of winning.

This past weekend, the Phillies were the living embodiment of those words. Three dominating efforts by starting pitchers Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler -- seven innings of one-hit shutout ball with 10 strikeouts -- and Zach Eflin, backed by similar excellence from the bullpen. Yes, the bullpen that was historically awful in 2020, protected Phillies leads in a three-game series sweep.

Actually, not the same bullpen -- two of the four Philadelphia relievers, Archie Bradley and Jose Alvarado are new to the team, while the returning Hector Neris and Connor Brogdon also pitched scoreless ball. That foursome kept the defending division champs off the boards, while the Phils offense did just enough to come out on top 3-2, 4-0 and 2-1.

OF COURSE IT'S EARLY. But, after a 60-game season where a call to the bullpen was to often followed by an opponents' rally, manager Joe Girardi has to be sleeping soundly, in part because of the moves made by team President Dave Dombrowski.