Phillies need a lineup shakeup to spark the offense

PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 06: Manager Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the top step of the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Chase Field on August 6, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 06: Manager Gabe Kapler #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the top step of the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Chase Field on August 6, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA – AUGUST 10: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies holds onto his helmet as he takes a strike during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on August 10, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Addressing Odubel Herrera and Carlos Santana

I really thought this was the year of Odubel. He got off to a record start, extending a large on-base streak and batting in the .350’s. Yet it has all been downhill from there.

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Since May the highest average Herrera has posted in a single month was .253. He is batting .184 in August while posting an OBP of .200. At the moment, Herrera is swinging a cold bat and perhaps some time off the bench could help him make the minor adjustments that would get him back to the electric El Torito we all know and love.

Let’s look at Santana’s 2018. The good is his OBP, walks and RBI all top three on the team. But that is just about it. Santana has battled an average in the .210’s all season long. May was the lone month he batted above .250 and has batted below .200 in a month three times. I have yet to hop on the “signing Santana was a mistake” wagon just yet, but it looks that way more and more each day.

Hopefully, he saved that electric stretch for the end of the season.

Once again this is not the lineup I would use come September 10th. It is just a thought for how to spark a struggling lineup as the playoff stretch nears. The Phillies need a lot more than three runs a game to win the East and I believe this is a line up that would put the Phillies in the best spot to amp that number up come September.

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