Phillies drop 3 of 4 in crucial series against D-Backs
Aug 9, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Bryce Harper (3) reacts after a high pitch in the ninth inning during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
The entire NL is a lot closer than you think. The Phillies, Dodgers, Brewers, Diamondbacks, and Padres are all within 4 games of each other at the top. So this series was a must-win, or at least split as the stumbling Phillies try to stay on top of the NL.
Safe to say that didn’t happen as the Phillies’ once comfortable lead on the NL shrinks by the day.
A frustrating offense
The offense on paper had an alright day, they even put up 2 in the first inning. And then proceeded to be held off the board until it was too late and the D-Backs lead by 7.
Obviously, the offense isn’t the reason that we lost today, but against Merrill Kelly, who is very talented but hasn’t pitched since April, 2 runs in 5 innings felt underwhelming.
Hopefully, the bats will get it together against the Marlins because if not we might have an even bigger problem on our hands.
Best to forget this one Sanchez
I’d like to start this out by giving Cristopher Sanchez his flowers for how good he’s been this year. He earned that extension, and I love him on this team.
With that being said, this was one of, if not his worst performance as a Phillie. 7 runs in 4.2 IP speaks for itself.
I have faith that this is a one-off flukey bad performance for him, but nonetheless, this was unacceptable with a chance to split the series.
The bullpen wasn’t much better either. Tanner Banks gave up one, Jose Alvarado added to his trainwreck of a season by allowing 3 runs, and Orion Kerkering let one cross the plate.
Put up or shut up time for the Phils
The NL’s top seed may come down to the last day of the season, that’s how close it is. The Phillies’ schedule isn’t getting any easier after the next 2 series against the Marlins and Nationals. After that we have Atlanta twice, the Royals, the Astros, the Mets twice, and the Brewers.
If the Phillies keep this up they won’t win any of those series.
The schedules for the Dodgers, D-Backs, Padres, and Brewers are all relatively balanced throughout the rest of the season, the difference though. They are heating up and the Phillies are slowing down.
The Padres are 8-2 in their last 10, so are the Diamondbacks, the Brewers are 8-5 in their last 13, and the Dodgers 12-8 in their last 20.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are 7-14 since the All-Star Break.
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