Phillies have a massive Taijuan Walker first-inning problem

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Phillies have a massive Taijuan Walker first-inning problem originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a shaky start to the 2026 MLB season. They are 6-7 after a brutal loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night, and things are only getting worse.

In the first inning of Saturday's day-game, Taijuan Walker allowed two runs in the first inning. The offense looks stagnant, but there is a big issue the Phillies have to address.

As Matt Gelb of The Athletic notes, the Phillies have a massive problem with Walker in the first inning of his starts. Just as he did against the D-Backs, Walker has been getting hit hard in the first inning.

Phillies have a massive Taijuan Walker 1st inning issue​

"Opposing batters are now hitting .526/.565/1.053 in 23 PA against Taijaun Walker in the first inning," Gelb shared. "He's allowed nine first-inning runs in three starts."

Walker has struggled a lot during his Phillies tenure. So far this season, he's posted a 9.31 ERA in two starts, allowing 10 earned runs and 17 hits through 9.2 innings of work.

Against the D-Backs in the first inning, he's already allowed two runs to score on two hits and one walk. It's been an issue this season, as the full numbers are bad.

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Walker's ERA in the first innings of games this season is a brutal 27.00 with one double, three home runs, three walks, and five strikeouts across three starts.

While Walker hasn't been good overall, he's especially struggled right at the beginning of games. So far in 2026, he's always given the Phillies an uphill battle to overcome during his starts.

This is a huge issue for the Phillies, and one that needs to be addressed in some regard going forward. Zack Wheeler returning to the rotation and bumping Walker to the bullpen would help. But they need to shake things up with Walker in the rotation.

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