Someone Check the Float Tires- Phillies Losing Streak Hits 9
It’s hard to call anything in late April “must-win,” but this upcoming series against the division-leading Atlanta Braves is about as close as it gets.
During this nine-game skid, the Philadelphia Phillies have been flat-out awful—a nonexistent offense incapable of timely hitting, poor pitching, and a team that’s looked completely lifeless. J. T. Realmuto has hit the IL, and closer Jhoan Duran is unavailable… not that it’s mattered much when you haven’t had a save situation in days.
And honestly, nine straight losses is hard to comprehend for a team with this kind of payroll.
It’s hard to find any hope right now, but there was at least a flicker of light cutting through this abysmal April black hole. In yesterday’s loss to the Chicago Cubs, the Philadelphia Phillies actually showed some fight. They clawed back, forced extra innings, and—despite another loss—looked like a team with a pulse for the first time in what feels like forever.
Still, it’s tough to shake the sinking feeling when your ace, Cristopher Sánchez, gets lit up for 12 hits, 2 walks, and 6 earned runs in just over 5 innings. That’s a brutal line under any circumstances, but even more so when you know the margin for error is basically zero.
Let's face it, when the starting rotation takes the mound they pretty much know they need to be near perfect because the run support has been non-existent. The offense has been brutal, and when your top four hitters go 1-for-16, you don’t stand a chance.
But for the first time in a long time, they at least battled back and showed some fight. There are no moral victories in Major League Baseball, but when you’re playing as badly as these Phillies have, you take whatever signs of life you can get.
Another bright spot has been Brandon Marsh. He’s swinging a hot bat, launched two long balls yesterday, and has pushed his slugging percentage to .500 with his average up to .300.
At some point, if this team is going to make a run, the big bats have to follow his lead. Odds are guys like Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner will get it going—and Bryce Harper has been solid overall to start the year.
But right now, Brandon Marsh is the one setting the tone… and it’s only a matter of time before the big contracts break out the bats.
The final two bright spots? The return of Zack Wheeler, and the exit of Taijuan Walker.
Even if Wheeler is operating at 80%, that’s a massive upgrade from what this fan base had to endure every time Taijuan Walker took the mound. Walker should have been gone last season, but they kept rolling him out there- partly because of the money, and partly because he was well-liked in the clubhouse.
Wheeler’s return this Saturday couldn’t come at a better time- it should stabilize the rotation and give this team the confidence boost it desperately needs.
The Phillies' backs are against the wall. They're the worst team in baseball and they have six days to fix this, or the next move is obvious: Rob Thomson is out.
