The Phillies currently are on a five-game win streak and climbed their way to within a game of Atlanta. Also with a 76-72 record, they are 2.5 games behind in the second Wildcard spot. Regardless of these niceties, the Phillies need to keep up the pace but better.
In both games the Phillies won against the Mets this series, their bullpen still almost cost them the games. Last night, for instance, Nola gave up one run during his 5.2 innings of work to be supplied with two more runs given up by Coonrod and Neris.
If the Phillies want to make the playoffs as the division winner or even the wildcard, they need to prevent more of the same pitching location mistakes that batters are feasting on them for!
Locked In Bullpen
The Phillies bullpen, in recent years, is abysmal, to say the least. There were multiple chances to create opportunities and make changes, but still, not everything has come to fruition for this franchises’ late-game relief.
Currently, the Phillies are carrying 9 or 10 relief pitchers, which is a lot to have for a team with a function bullpen. The problem is that the Phillies games can go sideways quickly because of any of these 9-10 pitchers. It is a bold move, but is it going to pan out?
The closing job is still for Ian Kennedy and there is no reason to take him out of it. He has done better than anyone else this season, except when Ranger Suarez was in the bullpen, but Kennedy deserves the spot. The Phils traded for him for a reason and he is shutting down games better than anyone else could.
The answer…just better choices and plans need to be made by the pitchers, coaches, and catchers. They need to attack each batter for the rest of the season like their job depended on it. Which it very well might!
The Over-Offensive
Something that I always heard growing up is the need to over-study and do more if you want more. This notion applies to any skill, activity, or goal a person could ever want. If the pitching is lacking, then get some lumber and score more runs.
There was a stretch of games the Phillies were scoring 6+ runs a game and that might be the confidence booster the team as a whole can use to push forward through the mediocrity. It is incredible the amount of talent on this roster and the terrible performances that keep rolling on.
Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, and Jean Segura are holding this team together more or less. They are not alone with this final fight despite the injuries this ball club has faced this season.
Pushing Through Adversity
The Phightin’s need to keep Phightin’. There are no ands, ifs, or buts about it! This team cannot be let down because of Rhys Hoskins. The players, who could not perform up to snuff or had season-ending injuries, will make a comeback and have other chances.
However, at this point in time, the Phillies can run away with the division and clinch a playoff birth for the first time in a decade.
The Phillies are a great ballclub that deserves to be consistently in the playoffs, but we will see if this week is the hot, and next week they implode. This is the current pattern in this series of unfortunate events season for the Phils.
What Now?
Have Phaith! Phans of all ages know and love the red-pinstripe boys from South Philly enough to never lose hope. This organization has taken this city down to the wire too many times and come out on top for the Phans to stop believing in them.
All I can say is be patient, and see how it all pans out. There is plenty of baseball left for success, so let the boys play!
Also, Go Phils! And Go Birds!
Photo: Mike Stobe/Getty Images
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