Phillies’ biggest issue is coming with runners in scoring position
Philadelphia Phillies' Nick Castellanos, left, congratulates Bryce Harper for scoring against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
The Phillies have been playing bad baseball since the All-Star break. They have lost three straight, won eight of their last 25 games, and have won one series since the All-Star break.
They have a run differential of -20 since the break. The blame for that can be pointed out in multiple ways. The pitching, the offense, both.
The pitching has not been fantastic. The rotation, which was one of the best in baseball, has gone downhill in the second half of the season, and the bullpen has been worse. They have a team ERA of 5.07 since the break, allowing 115 runs and 31 homers. It has been a real dip in July and August.
With Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker, and Spencer Turnbull on the injured list, the Phillies were turning to Tyler Phillips and Kolby Allard every fourth and fifth day recently. Phillips got off to an incredible start but faltered after a complete-game shutout in his second start. Allard was fine, but not ideal. He was optioned back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last Friday.
And the bullpen went from dominant in the first half to abominable in the second. The Phillies’ two All-Stars from the ‘pen have stuttered immensely. Jeff Hoffman has an ERA of 6.23 and Matt Strahm‘s ERA is 5.19 since the break. Jose Alvarado, who has been so big for the Phils over the past two seasons, has an ERA of 7.27 since the break.
However, we should have known the pitching was not going to hold up and be as dominant as it has been all season. That is just not realistic. Is this a major drop-off? Oh yeah. It is a problem. But my bigger issue comes on the offensive side of the ball.
The Phillies’ slash lines (AVG/OBP/SLUG) since the All-Star Break are not pretty:
Kyle Schwarber: .288/.433/.650
Trea Turner: .179/.219/.264
Bryce Harper: .207/.255/.415
Alec Bohm: .307/.358/.477
J.T. Realmuto: .193/.281/.281
Brandon Marsh: .149/.216/.269
Nick Castellanos: .300/.356/.513
Bryson Stott: .222/.234/.333
Austin Hays: .263/.282/.395
Johan Rojas: .281/.343/.313
Schwarber, Bohm, and Castellanos have been heavily carrying the load the past few weeks. Very little Turner, Harper, Realmuto, and nearly nothing from Marsh and Stott.
Marsh got off to a great start this season. He hit .276 with 24 hits, five homers, 15 RBIs, and nine runs scored in 26 games in April. In August, however, Marsh is hitting .129 BA, is four-for-31, has struck out 14 times, has no homers, three RBIs, and a measly .444 OPS.
Stott has been a concern all season. He has a .235 average through 108 games, which is a major dip from where he stood last season. But in August, it has been straight-up ugly. He has a .067 average, is two-for-30, has one home run, just two RBIs, and a horrendous .233 OPS.
These two have been a problem. When they are up with runners on they are unable to get anyone across. And with the bases loaded? Oh man, forget it. We may have to have to have a conversation about these two come 2025.
My biggest issue, of all the issues this team has right now, is the inability to score runs with runners in scoring position.
The Phillies are 41-177 with RISP since the All-Star Break. That is a .231 average.
Ding, ding, ding, I found the problem.
How does one expect to win games while leaving 136 guys at second and/or third over the past 22 games? It just cannot happen.
Should the Phillies’ have made a move at the trade deadline for a guy who can drive in runs? Maybe. Do the stars like Turner, Harper, and others need to step up and come through? Yes. The deadline has come and gone. It is on these guys now to, well, score runs.
The Phils are 69-49. They have a 7.5-game lead in the NL East. They are tied for the best record in the NL with the Dodgers, who have won their last three. They have a 1.5-game lead on the Brewers, who are in third in the NL. If the Phillies want a bye in the postseason, they need to be a top-two seed.
The Phillies may be sitting pretty in the standings, but it does not excuse their extremely poor play in every aspect of the game. This funk, struggle, and inconsistency have gone on too long. It is time to turn it around, and it starts with scoring runners in scoring position.
They can start it Tuesday as the Phillies host the Marlins for a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
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