Phillies offense is the key to making a playoff appearance
The 2019 Phillies have struggled on both sides of the ball, but it is the offense that will help them surge towards the playoffs this season.
The Phillies haven’t quite lived up to the hype that engulfed them through spring training and into the early months of the season. That hype train has quietly come to a stop, and this year’s Phillies have been written off, with the frequent calling card of “there’s always next year.”
After injury upon injury and with a roster full of stopgap pieces playing significant roles, the Phils find themselves only two games back of a Wild Card spot with 20 games left to play.
Bryce Harper was getting called a bust throughout the first half of the season, and rightfully so. The 330-million-dollar man wasn’t playing up to his contract, and the boos reigned down upon him.
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With time and unconditional support from the front office, Bryce has seemingly found his way in the latter half of the year and has picked up some slack while other core pieces like Rhys Hoskins struggle through the dog days of the season. Hitting .280 in his past 30 games, Harper looks poised to continue his successes and is en route to a 30-homer, 100-RBI season. He will be relied upon the most to lead the offense in crunch time.
While the trio of J.T Realmuto, Jean Segura, and Cesar Hernandez remain solid, young core pieces like Scott Kingery, Rhys Hoskins, and Adam Haseley will need to contribute heavily. Kingery is still a mystery for as to what his ceiling and floor potential genuinely are, but as of now, he remains the starting third basemen as a result of severe underproduction from Maikel Franco.
After a multi-hit performance from Hoskins against the Pirates on Wednesday night, it appears he may be finally breaking the horrendous slump that has plagued him in August. A productive Hoskins makes the Phillies offense run and runs efficiently. Haseley will likely be relegated to a bench role upon the return of Jay Bruce, but his hitting ability at the Major League level will keep him in the mix for a starting spot next year.
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The stopgap pieces that Philadelphia has needed as a result of injuries and a domestic violence charge levied against Odubel Herrera will also need to play above expectations in the event of a playoff run. Corey Dickerson looks solid at a corner outfield position and with all his hitting may remain a starter even with Bruce coming back, and even with his issues, Sean Rodriguez can still be an exciting choice as a pinch hitter.
Why is the offense so important? Simply because the pitching has not been there all season for the Phils. Jason Vargas is in the starting rotation, so that should tell you enough. While Aaron Nola remains an ace and Zach Eflin continues to develop into a rotation piece, nothing is sure behind that.
Nick Pivetta is not a big-league starting pitcher, nor is Vince Velasquez at this point. Adding on to failures from young arms, the injury bug has slammed the Phillies, resulting in veteran signings such as Jared Hughes, Blake Parker, Drew Smyly, etc.
Next. Phillies sending 6 prospects to Fall League. dark
While the makeshift pitching staff put together by general manager Matt Klentak is keeping the ship afloat, the Phillies are going to need significant production from their lineup to win a playoff series. I do not doubt that they can do it, it’s just a matter of the right guys getting hot at the right time.