The Philadelphia Phillies fell short against the New York Yankees, losing 6-5 in a Wednesday afternoon series finale, putting a stamp on their worst stretch of the season. This loss encapsulates the Phillies’ struggles, as they have lost the last five series and have only amassed four wins in their last fifteen games.
Phillies On Season-Worst Stretch Losing 9 of 12 After The All-Star Break
After becoming the first team to 60 wins with dominating pitching and situational hitting, the Phillies have dropped five straight series and have been swept at home to the Yankees as the nail in the coffin. In the series finale 6-5 loss to the Yankees, Christopher Sanchez gave up a grand slam to DJ LeMahieu, hitting far under the Mendoza line with only one homer before that swing.
Subsequently, the Phils left seven on base, most in scoring position. The Phillies’ “best player,” Bryce Harper, was 0-5 and has been completely lost at the plate with only one hit in his last 30 at-bats. Although Harper has been abysmal, his teammates have been following suit. The other two mainstays in the top three of the Phillies lineup have also gone cold during this stretch, while their cleanup hitter, Alec Bohm, has only five RBIs in July after totaling 68 in four months prior. The Phillies only hold a six-and-a-half game lead in the NL East and have the Braves inching closer with each loss.
Why Phillies Fans Should Be Worried
Win or lose, most Phillies fans are always on the edge of their seats, looking for things to nitpick. There is a case, though, to be worried with this Phillies team, and the 2023 NLCS is the only proof that you need. Phillies faithful will never forget the horrendous stretch of baseball played against the Arizona Diamondbacks from game three. It tells you all you need to know about the depths this team can reach when playing bad baseball. Without puncturing the hearts of many, the Phillies went as cold as ever and blew a 2-0 and 3-2 lead in the process.
The 2024 Phillies are playing like that team right now and have shown that they can enter these streaks from time to time. Even though the Phillies will probably make the playoffs, a stretch like the one they are on now could be a sight we see down the stretch of meaningful playoff games. The Phillies are a very infectious team; when one goes bad, they all go bad. If they get cold at the wrong time, there’s a chance of disappointment yet again.
Why Phillies Fans Should Stay Positive
Nobody can know what will happen the rest of the way for this team, nor did anybody expect them to go on this stretch after starting the first half of the season scorching. Bryce Harper will be Bryce Harper, and the rest of the Phillies lineup will tag along with him. Baseball is a long season 162 game season, and teams will go through rough stretches from time to time.
Just look at the Yankees; a few weeks ago, they were coming off a stretch where they lost sixteen of twenty-one with no end. Not shockingly, they have turned things around, winning two straight series (convincingly), beating their division rivals, and the team with the best baseball record for most of the season. They now look like world-beaters, and people have already forgotten about the hole they put themselves in.
Despite this poor play, the Phillies still lead their division and have the second-best record in Major League Baseball. They will make the playoffs, most likely the one or two-seed, with a great chance to win the World Series come October.
When it comes down to it, the Phillies stars need to step up and be the driving force for this team. Everyone knows they have it in them, and there’s still a great chance they will be parading Broad Sreet in October.
Main Image: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
