Phillies-Giants: Five things to watch for during the series

Jun 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia Phillies stretch on the field during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The Philadelphia Phillies stretch on the field during warm ups before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) leaps and watches as a home run ball hit by Cincinnati Reds right fielder Scott Schebler (not shown) during the second inning of the game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) leaps and watches as a home run ball hit by Cincinnati Reds right fielder Scott Schebler (not shown) during the second inning of the game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Odubel Herrera has been unable to find himself at the plate this season as his batting average continues to plummet this season. With 50 games under his belt, Herrera has a .218/.262/.326 slash line. He has no plate discipline and just isn’t the same player the team signed a five-year extension with during the offseason.

Manager Pete Mackanin benched Herrera for two games during the Marlins series to ease his mind and think over his struggles. The hope is that this benching will help him turn his performance at the plate around.

Herrera pinch-hit in the second game of the series and hit a sacrifice fly. He was back in the lineup Wednesday hitting seventh. He went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in the team’s 10-2 loss.

Herrera will likely be in the lineup for all three games when the Giants come into town this weekend and we will really get to see if this benching is what Herrera needed to get back on track.