The Philadelphia Phillies went 5-1 during last week’s action, and an improved offensive game is the main factor.
After a dreadful stretch of baseball, the Phillies have really stepped it up over the last two weeks. The Phils started last week off strong, sweeping the Diamondbacks in Arizona to close out their West Coast road trip.
The club then finished Independence Day weekend by taking 2 of 3 from the defending World Champion Royals and the first game of their series against the Braves.
Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly published an article today about how the Fightins have led baseball in hitting over the last 13 days. The offense has been as explosive as 4th of July fireworks.
What has gotten into these guys of late? According to Salisbury’s article, catcher Cameron Rupp believes confidence in the team’s hitting abilities has been key to their offensive resurgence:
"“Confidence breeds success,” he said. “When you’re struggling, it’s hard to have confidence up there, especially going against some of the veteran pitchers we’ve seen that have been in the big leagues for a long time versus a very young lineup. I think the confidence was a little down, but now it’s through the roof.” More from That Balls Outta Here Philadelphia Phillies bullpen could still struggle greatly in 2023 season Philadelphia Phillies: Most impactful transactions in 2022 How will Rob Thomson manage the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in 2023? How Phillies’ Ranger Suárez is set to build on 2022 postseason dominance What can Philadelphia Phillies expect from Bryson Stott in 2023?"
This team has been oozing confidence of late. Rupp himself is carrying a 10-game hitting streak, the best on the team aside from Peter Bourjos, who has a 13-game streak going right now.
The improved offensive production is the primary reason that the team has begun to slowly dig its way out of the hole into which they were beginning to become buried. The Phillies have moved within eight games of the .500 mark, the closest they have been in three and a half weeks.
It’s not just Rupp, but also left fielder Cody Asche, who has moved into the 3-hole in the batting order of late, 2nd baseman Cesar Hernandez, and of course, Odubel Herrera continues in what should be his first NL All-Star season.
Let’s take a closer look at who has been surging and who has been struggling during this fun stretch of Phillies baseball.
Next: PHILLIES SURGING BATS