As the Phillies look to make a push towards the playoffs, now is the time to get moving. The Phillies finally took a series from a team with a winning record. This is the first time since May that the Phillies accomplished this task.
Now, with the wildcard in their grasp, the Phillies dropped the first game of series to a bad Chicago White sox team. They then responded with a win thanks to an amazing outing by Aaron Nola and a 6-out save by Nick Pivetta. It is time to take game three and win the series.
For most of the year, the Phillies have beaten up on bad teams. They recently swept the lowly Tigers and beat up on the struggling Mets. However, the Phillies have struggled where it counts. Against the Braves and Nationals. The Phils and Braves have an even season record at 6-6, but considering since sweeping the Braves at the start of the season, the Bravos are 6-3 and possibly running away with the division.
If the Phillies want to make the playoffs, winning the series against the ChiSox is needed. They then need to follow up and win the Arizona series and then win the San Francisco series. There are no more excuses. The pieces are in play and it’s time to make it work. The quote from team President Andy MacPhail of “…if we don’t we don’t,” when speaking of the making the playoffs is unacceptable. The Phillies are the most losing organization in American Sports history. They have been in existence since 1883 and have only made the playoffs 14 times. That is embarrassing and we Philly fans deserve better.
The Hot and Cold Offense
Gabe Kapler changed the lineup up on Saturday in order to try to get a few guys going. It didn’t work as they dropped the game 5-1. Kapler decided to keep the lineup and the Phillies erupted for 10 runs. J.T Realmuto was a triple away from hitting for the cycle and Scott Kingery delivered a much needed multi-hit game.
Enter the White Sox, who must have brought a cold front in with them. In 15 innings that Phil’s bats could only manage 3 runs. After galling behind 2-0, the Phillies fought back to take the lead 3-2. It wasn’t enough as the bullpen without closer Hector Neris couldn’t close, giving up the tying run in the 9th inning.
The Phillies managed 12 hits, however, 4 of them were by the 8th and 9th hitter. Three through six in the lineup went a combined 2 for 24. The hot bats were ice cold and the Sox took advantage. In the end, the Phillies need to start hitting. The inconsistent hitting that the lineup has produced has to be fixed. We have all seen what this lineup is capable of doing on a nightly basis. Now is the time.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
