Monday night’s series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers was just another chapter in the Philadelphia Phillies’ troubling story. They squandered an early 2-0 lead and ultimately fell to the Dodgers, marking their 12th loss in 16 games since the All-Star break.
Once leading the NL East and boasting the best record in baseball, the Phillies now sit at 66-46, with their lead in the division reduced to 5.5 games, and three teams holding better records overall.
The timing of their collapse is particularly puzzling. Key players like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto, who were sidelined in the first half, are now healthy. They also bolstered their bullpen with Carlos Estevez. Despite having a roster that looks impressive on paper, they’ve lost seven of their last eight games and have consistently struggled.
In Rob Thomson’s defense, it is indeed unusual to see a team with so much star power underperform so dramatically. Bryce Harper, who was a strong NL MVP candidate earlier, is mired in a 1-for-34 slump with 13 strikeouts. Trea Turner, considered one of the top shortstops, is hitting just 4-for-39. J.T. Realmuto has only eight singles in 38 at-bats since returning from the IL.
On the pitching side, the situation is equally troubling. Jeff Hoffman, who had been solid all season, gave up four runs in one inning, allowing the Mariners to overcome a five-run deficit. Jose Alvarado, struggling with a 6.35 ERA in the second half, lost his closer role. Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sanchez have also struggled in their recent starts.
These key players are all underperforming simultaneously, which explains the Phillies’ recent difficulties.
With the Braves closing in, the pressure is mounting. The Phillies are still in decent shape, but continued losses could jeopardize their NL-best record and further intensify the pressure.
It may be time for Rob Thomson to make some changes. Moving Nick Castellanos, who has been one of their top hitters recently, up the order and adjusting the lineup could be a step in the right direction. The strategies that worked in the first half are no longer effective, and immediate adjustments are crucial for the team to regain its momentum.
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