The Phillies have a significant stretch of home games in the coming weeks. They need to take full advantage of it to gain ground on the Braves.
The last few weeks have been a massive struggle for the Phillies. They haven’t won a series since a four-game sweep of the Marlins to start August. They are 11-12 this month with a 6-11 record since Aug. 8.
During the last 17 games, just six of them have been at Citizens Bank Park. They have thrived in games there this season, going 41-22 in home games. Technically, they are really 41-21 in home games since they were the home team for the Little League Classic, but that’s just semantics.
The Phils have the opportunity to turn things around the next three-plus weeks. From now through Sept. 19, 15 of Philadelphia’s 21 games will be at home. They play the Nationals twice, and the Cubs, Marlins, & Mets all once at home. A short road trip against the 53-79 Marlins and 58-72 Mets breaks up the long span of home games.
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During this same stretch, the Braves have to face the red-hot Rays, make up one game with the Cubs, then face the Pirates, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Giants, Nationals, and Cardinals. The Pirates and Giants are the only teams below .500 in this group, sitting at 64-67 and 65-67, respectively. Atlanta’s upcoming schedule before they square off with the Phils is far more intimidating.
Philadelphia desperately needs to win most, if not all, of their home series during this stretch. Thankfully, they have handled their business at home this season. They have lost just five series and have never been swept at home this year. Their two road series are against two poor teams, but they can’t play down to their level like they have been.
As expected by their record, the Phils simply perform better at home. They have a .241/.317/.419 line with 85 home runs and 299 runs scored in 63 home games, but a .236/.316/.379 line with 69 home runs and 264 runs scored in 67 road games. The team also has a 3.64 ERA, 3.51 fielding-independent pitching, 1.21 WHIP, and 3.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio at home, but a 4.18 ERA, 3.98 FIP, 1.31 WHIP, and 2.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio on the road.
With three games separating Philadelphia and Atlanta & an easier upcoming schedule almost all at home, the Phils desperately need to take advantage of the coming home games to get back into the division.