Phillies: Top of the order can’t keep leaving men on base

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 24: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Miami Marlins during Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park on July 24, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 5-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Following missed opportunities, more offense from the Phillies’ top hitters will be the key to their success.

One of the top stories from the Philadelphia Phillies’ opening weekend against the Miami Marlins is missed opportunities, with too many runners left on base with the top of the order at the plate.

Sure, the back half of the order has shined at times, with Didi Gregorius hitting home runs in his first two games with the team and Phil Gosselin’s 3-for-3 and two home run performance on Saturday.

The pitching was also a big factor, from Zack Wheeler’s strong seven innings pitched and only one earned run on Saturday to Sunday’s mess of 11 earned runs off of 12 hits and four walks between five pitchers.

But, through it all, the Phillies’ heavy hitters had their chances to even the score.

Friday flop – did they really go 1-for-14?

In Friday’s opener, Andrew McCutchen, Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper, and J.T. Realmuto went 1-for-14, with two walks.

In the third inning, McCutchen struck out swinging, leaving Scott Kingery on base to end the inning. In the sixth frame, McCutchen grounded into a double play, before Harper lined out, leaving Hoskins on base.

Most notably, Realmuto had a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning, with Hoskins and Harper on base and two out. But, he grounded out, with the Phillies losing 5-2.

It was a sign of bad things to come in the opening series, but hopefully not for the season.

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