The Philadelphia Phillies have shown flashes of being the best team in baseball at times this season, while at other times, they’ve appeared quite average. Recently, they took three out of four games from the Washington Nationals and have now won four of their last five. They are set to face the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series starting Tuesday night.
With a seven-game lead over the Braves in the National League East, the Phillies have a prime opportunity to secure the division. Winning all three games in Atlanta could almost lock up the division title, though the race has become tighter than it seemed earlier in the season.
It’s puzzling why a team as talented as Philadelphia has struggled over the past two months. The pitching staff hasn’t been as strong, the lineup, typically one of the league’s best, could perform better, and the bullpen has been inconsistent.
The struggles of the starting rotation are particularly perplexing given their talent. Despite boasting one of the top rotations in baseball, their recent performance has been a concern.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report highlights these struggles as the Phillies’ “biggest red flag” that could potentially derail their season.
“The Phillies are still one of MLB’s leading World Series contenders, but the recent dip in their odds might be the real deal. A pitching staff that was rock-solid in the first half has become a liability in the second, with a 4.83 ERA among the league’s worst. They desperately need Cristopher Sánchez to find his form and Ranger Suárez to make a strong return.”
While injuries have played a role, the key will be how Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola perform on the mound. If they pitch like the ace-caliber players they are, the Phillies can almost count on two wins in a playoff series. While nothing is guaranteed, they would have a significant advantage in those games.
The return of Ranger Suárez will also be crucial. Before his injury, the left-hander was pitching like one of the best in the majors, with a 2.87 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 119 1/3 innings.
