Nationals Outlast Slumping Phillies in Another Offensive Letdown
Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images
The Phillies are officially scuffling. After a series loss in Cincinnati, winning the first game of this series was important. Important for the confidence of the team as well as for the confidence of the fans and importantly for the standings. The last thing they needed was another night in Cincinnati, but their plans of leaving last night were disrupted when the team plane had mechanical issues and they didn’t arrive in the nation’s capital until 2:30 today. They came into tonight with an offense that has been straining, and I’m sure not going through their pre-game routine and was difficult for many guys who need all of the reps they can get. Confidence is also important for Jesus Luzardo who has been inconsistent for a while.
Luzardo threw 6 great innings, he was in control and short of a Paul DeJong home run in the 4th inning, he was getting many swing and misses. This is the important thing about Luzardo, when he misses bats, he’s one of the best lefty starters in baseball, and tonight that stuff was there for 6 innings, as was obvious by the 17 swing and misses. But unless you play in Williamsport for the Little League World Series, baseball is 9 innings. In the 7th inning there was a noticable change and his command wasn’t as sharp, and the sweeper didn’t have the same bite.
After walking Pul DeJong, Giving up a double to Riley Adams and walking Daylen Lile, he left with a 2-1 lead, but also with the bases loaded. Orion Kerkering came in and gave up a 2 run single to Jose Tena. and just like that the score and the momentum both went to the Nationals. This was how the game ended 3-2, and Luzardo will get the loss, but he pitched better tonight in quite a few of his wins.
The Phillies Offense Seems to Have Been Left in Texas
The Phillies have now lost 3 games in a row. This is the 5th time this season they have lost 3 straight, and almost every time there is a losing streak, the offense isn’t showing up. This should be a huge cause for concern for manager Rob Thomson who is likely not making fishing plans for October, because he hopes to be busy with the post season. The uninspired offense that we have seen over the past 4 games, is the same type offense that we have seen in those other losing streaks this season. This offense has been built to not go into prolonged draughts like they have done consistently in these streaks.
There are too many incredible bats in this lineup to have this consistently be coming up. Tonight there were only 2 extra base hits, a double by Kyle Schwarber and double by Bryson Stott. Granted, there were 10 hits in the game for the Phils, but stringing those together is a monumental task for this team right now. In a previous game in the 4th 3-game losing skid, I called the offense anaemic, which we can’t even say that anymore, we have to call it what it is, pathetic. Pathetic given we have the National League leader in home runs and RBI hitting in the middle of the lineup for the Phils. Schwarber did have an RBI double tonight, but he also struck out three times. Bryce Harper, had an RBI on a force out, and was 1-4 with a very promising hit, but to get back on track, he’ll need to start stringing together hits. Nick Castellanos is 1 for his last 29 in his last 7 games, and he has truly struggled since the all-star break. The only truly consistent hitter for the Phils, has been Trea Turner who collected 3 hits tonight.
At some point, we have to stop complimenting the opponents pitching and call it like it is, this offense loses it’s way far too often for a team that’s this good. The series in Texas was truly something to behold. The offense was a well oiled machine, not pressing to hit the ball out of the ballpark with every swing. They also had an incredible 2-strike approach and used the whole field. They weren’t striking out, at an extreme pace, and they weren’t 1-6 with runners in scoring position. They looked relaxed at the plate, which hasn’t been the case in Cincinnati and now tonight again in Washington. A sentiment which was echoed by Thompson in his post game interview, when he said that the Phils are trying to do too much.
Trying to relax is a paradox, I realize this. In baseball relaxing, especially at the plate, is done through preparation, repetition and confidence. The more that there is a lapse of scoring, the more likely is is that guys will start pressing, and trying to hit everything into the stratosphere. These guys are professionals, and I am sure they are preparing and practicing well, but the confidence is missing. Looking at the body language at the plate for almost all of the Phillies hitters doesn’t show they are a confident bunch, Turner withstanding. Whatever they have to do to get back to the form they were in Texas, is sorely needed.
Topper said in his post game interview that there “Are a lot of guys in the batting cages right now.” which answers one of my questions, we can only hope that this preparation leads to some confidence for the hitters who are struggling so hard right now. Getting into the Nationals’ bullpen is important for the Phils tomorrow. At least there won’t be plane related issues tomorrow.
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