The Philadelphia Phillies in: The Case of the Disappearing Bats
By: Mike Reisman
Well this is strange. For the first time in two years, the Phillies are in very legitimate danger of not winning the NL and advancing to the World Series. Even more strangely is the fact that, for the first time in a long time, they are losing because of their hitting, not their pitching. The Phillies have struggled with everything from getting hits at the right times, to driving in runners, and even hitting home runs, which has been their bread and butter in years past.
The biggest problem for the Phillies has quite clearly been striking out. In just the first three games of the NLCS, the Phillies have managed a whopping 29 strikeouts, which is almost 10 per game. The worst part? It is not just like there are three guys who strikeout every at-bat. Everyone seems to be plagued by this lack of hitting. Every single starting Phillie has struck out at least once this series, and six of them have struck out at least twice in one game. Now remember these stats are over a mere three games.
Another huge problem for the Phillies is the fact that they are an awful 2-19 with runners in scoring position. Talk about inability to finish, these two hits are accounting for 4 out of the Phillies 9 runs. Let's just say the Phillies had batted even a weak .250 with RISP. They would have three more hits, and possibly one more win. The possibilities are surely there, the Phillies just need to learn to take advantage.
Finally, the Phillies "big three" of Howard, Utley, and Werth have been almost invisible. Combined they have only two RBIs in the series, both coming by way of a Jayson Werth homer. As a unit they have seven hits, which is only.78 hits per player, per game. Better yet is their incredible 9 strikeouts total, which is one a game by each. So much for a group that is supposed to be able to win games by themselves.
Now down two games to one, something needs to be done to shake up the lineup. Whether it be starting Ben Francisco (which is happening tonight), or switching around the lineup (maybe having Rollins bat lead-off). Facing rookie Madison Bumgarner may not be a walk in the park, but he is definitely no Matt Cain, and if the Phillies really want this series, they need to start hitting. Today.