From July 1st to August 4th, whether it felt like it or not, the Phillies were rolling. In that span, they went 17-9 and only dropped a single series, a 2-game affair in the Bronx. In those 26 games, the Phillies averaged 5.7 runs a game.
One of the main reasons for the offensive outburst was catching Rhys Lightning in a bottle. In that span, the Phillies’ first baseman slashed .318/.438/.718. Hoskins had 20 extra-base hits: 13 doubles and 7 homers.
In the last 10 games of that stretch, Hoskins was even hotter. He was hitting .394 with a. .818 slugging percentage. It wasn’t soon after that Hoskins would aggravate his groin and have to sit out.
The Phillies’ home run leader (24) has been relegated to the bench since where he’s provided us with some wonderful moments.
But moments made on the bench are not what the Phillies need right now. Even without Rhys in the Mets series, the Phillies were able to average 4 runs a game and sweep. It’s gotten significantly worse since.
The Phillies have averaged 2.1 runs per game in their last 7 games. They’ve scored over 5 runs just once. A huge factor to that is Rhys isn’t in the lineup to hit behind Bryce Harper.
In the last 7 games, Harper has a .448 OBP and .632 slugging %, making a 1.080 OPS. That sounds fine and dandy, but he’s hit just .211. Pitchers have no longer found a need to through a quality strike to Harper without Rhys behind him. He’s been walked 9 times in 7 games.
Everyone besides Bryce has felt ice cold. Jean Segura has just a single hit in his last 21 at bats. JT Realmuto has a .158 batting average in his last 7 games. In that same 7-game span, Odubel Herrera has a .522 OPS. Andrew McCutchen is hitting just .091 since returning from injury on August 11th.
Rhys Hoskins’ replacement, Brad Miller, is hitting .095 with a .317 OPS in these 7 games.
Hoskins was the cornerstone of the Phillies’ lineup. Without him, every other piece has fallen. May the law of averages have mercy on the Phillies’ souls and may Hoskins return to the lineup soon.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
