Having lost five of their last seven games, the Philadelphia Phillies are struggling to get consistency out of their starting lineup. Over the past seven games, they have combined to bat .197 while scoring 19 runs.
Starting at the bottom
It is no secret that the bottom of the lineup has not produced. Brandon Marsh has gotten a lot of attention in the past few days. Marsh, currently on an 0-for-26 streak at the plate, was given the day off Monday.
Manager Rob Thomson had intended to give Marsh multiple days of rest. Marsh, however, made it clear he was feeling good after Monday. Thomson put Marsh back into the lineup on Tuesday against San Francisco Giants’ right-hander Justin Verlander.
“You get a day away from the game where you just don’t even think about it and do some hitting, it will clear your head pretty quick,” Thomson told reporters prior to Tuesday’s game.
Johan Rojas has not done much better as of late for the Phillies, as he is currently on an 0-for-10 streak.
The nine-hole as a whole for the Phillies has not contributed much this season, hitting .140 with only seven hits on the season.
Issues higher in the order
Alec Bohm’s slump to start the year has hurt the Phillies in the heart of the order. The cleanup position is batting the second-lowest on the team at .167 on the season. Bohm, in the eight-hole on Tuesday, will take a break from the slot as Kyle Schwarber takes duties in the cleanup behind Bryce Harper.
Also batting under the fabled Mendoza line is the leadoff position, hitting a paltry .194 thus far. There have been four home runs, all from Schwarber. Stott, who will make his fourth start at leadoff on Tuesday, is bringing that average down. having gone 2-for-13 in the position.
Early bright spot
Nick Castellanos has been an early spot so far for the Phillies, hitting a strong .478 in the five-hole, where he has batted in six games. On the season, Castellanos has hit three home runs, driving in 11 runs.
“He’s staying in the zone much more so than he has in the past and he’s barreling up balls that are in his happy zone,” said Thomson.
A need for the Phillies to start scoring runs
Collectively, the Phillies have scored two runs or less in five of their seven losses. Meanwhile, they are 9-2 in games that they have scored three runs or more.
From top to bottom, the Phillies will be looking for more consistency as the season presses on and the temperature heats up at Citizens Bank Park.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
