Phillies: Three prominent reasons the team has struggled in this season

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May 25, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) in a game against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

So many things are wrong with the Phillies, but a handful truly stand out

The Phillies began the year with expectations to at least sniff the .500 mark following an eight game improvement to 71 wins last year compared to 2015. But following Wednesday’s game against the Marlins, the Phillies found themselves dwelling in the cellar at 17-34.

While much has gone wrong for the team to be on pace for their worst season since the 47-win team of 1961, here are the top reasons for their poor performance.

Mar 24, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (5) reacts after he got hit by pitch during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Weak Production From Middle of Order

The addition of Michael Saunders in the offseason, combined with an extra season of experience for Maikel Franco and Odubel Herrera, looked on a paper to increase offensive production. So far, this hasn’t been the case.

Saunders has struggled much of the season, appearing to be trying to smash every ball into the upper deck. While he’s come on lately, he’s hit just .225 with six home runs and a terrible 40-to-9 strikeout to walk ratio.

May 28, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) strikes out on a pitch in the dirt during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. The Reds defeated the Phillies, 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Herrera has looked completely lost at the plate for the past month. After a decent .262 average with three home runs in April, Herrera hit a meager .181 in May, including a five-strikeout game against the Rockies on the 25th.

A drop in the lineup, a few days off, or even a stint in the Minor Leagues to get his timing back could do Herrera a lot of good.

Franco was expected to take the reins of the offense this year and begin to carry the team on his back. While hitting only .213 in April, Franco was quite productive, belting four home runs and driving in 21 runs. Like most of the club, he’s struggled in May, knocking in only seven runs and hitting .205.

Herrera and Franco are still young players and are most certainly pressing, which is likely to continue until the club begins to win some games after an anemic 6-22 in the month of May.

May 30, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

High ERAs from the Starting Pitchers

Aaron Nola, Jeremy Hellickson, Jerad Eickhoff, Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin and Clay Buchholz have all started at least a game this season. None of them have an ERA this season below four and in fact, Hellickson’s 4.45 ERA is the lowest of all starters.

All told, the starters have a combined 4.79 ERA, allowing 130 runs on 277 hits and a whopping 50 home runs, in 244 1/3 innings.

Perhaps the most disturbing part is the lack or progression and even a decline in the production of Vince Velasquez. He’s run high pitch totals in most games and has surpassed six innings in a start only three times this season.

Velasquez has victimized by the long ball 11 times this season and has seen his ERA skyrocket to 5.58, nearly a run and a half higher than last season. Now Velasquez is likely to miss time due to an injury sustained in Tuesday’s start.

Apr 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) signals for the trainer after starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (21) is injured during the third inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Injuries to Veterans Clay Buchholz and Howie Kendrick

When the Phillies acquired pitcher Clay Buchholz and outfielder/infielder Howie Kendrick this offseason, the theory was to add stability and leadership to an otherwise young team. Neither player was expected to carry the team, but what has happened was totally unexpected.