The Phillies Stay on Top of MLB, Take First Series vs. Mets
Adam Hunger/AP Photo
Death, taxes, and the Phillies owning the Mets! For the first time this season (and hopefully not the last), the Phillies got to celebrate beating their notoriously tough division rivals, taking three out of four and extending their lead in the division.
Ring. The. Bell.
The Phillies offense put up good numbers in all four games especially, but game three was a different beast. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm both put up good numbers throughout the series, and Bryce Harper stole the show in game three, going 3-5 with a home run and three RBI. The Phillies still rank second in all of MLB in terms of total runs scored, and their bats are only getting better.
The only stain so far on this amazing offense has been offseason pickup Whit Merrifield. A slow start became a slump, which became a rough stretch, and it might be time we say he might not be good. The Utility man still sits at just a .188 AVG with two home runs and four RBI in 85 at-bats.
The Suarez Show Goes On
Ranger Suarez was a hot candidate to have a breakout season, but here he is possibly gearing himself up for a CY Young run! He put up another good line in the third game of the series, going five innings and allowing no runs.
Past Suarez, the rest of the rotation couldn’t be better. Aaron Nola pitched a complete game shutout for the first time since 2022! Zack Wheeler, as well, continues to make his case for a CY Young as his season ERA is down to 2.53
Not all news was good news, though, as Taijuan Walker did sustain an injury on a comebacker in the fourth and final game of the set. He is currently listed as day-to-day, and this won’t help given he’s already had struggles this season with his ERA sitting at 4.91.
What’s Ahead?
Currently, the Phillies remain atop the NL East with 31-14 record, 2.5 games above the Atlanta Braves. Their next two series, however, will be interesting.
They will start their three-game series vs. the Nationals tonight, and they’re an interesting squad. Their rebuild seems to be just now bearing the fruits of their labor as this team is starting to form an identity. The Phillies should be able to win the series but will have to slow down rising star C.J. Abrams in order to do so.
Then, they host the defending-champion Texas Rangers. The Rangers no doubt are one of the most talented teams in baseball, but they aren’t playing like it at all. The team is in a nasty skid, as they just broke a five-game losing streak yesterday. Ideally, the Phillies will be able to capitalize off of the slumping Rangers in their three-game series next week.
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