Biggest July Storylines for the Phillies

The most important month of the baseball season is officially underway…

With the trade deadline at the end of July, we will see which teams are buyers and which teams are sellers. It will be the last chance for teams to figure out what they should do for the rest of the season.

July also brings the All-Star Game and break, as well as the MLB Draft.

Let’s talk about some of the key storylines for the Phillies this month…

The Return of Didi Gregorius and Jean Segura, and the Phillies Lineup overall

Jean Segura returned from a short IL stint on June 29 for the Marlins series, with Didi Gregorius following later in the week.

Before their respective injuries, the last time Gregorius and Segura were in the lineup together was May 12 against the Nationals:

• Andrew McCutchen LF
• Jean Segura 2B
• Bryce Harper RF
• Rhys Hoskins 1B
• Alec Bohm 3B
• Didi Gregorius SS
• Andrew Knapp C
• Odubel Herrera CF
• Zack Wheeler P

For better or worse, the lineup has changed since then. Herrera is now the everyday leadoff hitter, despite his 88 OPS+ and his .288 OBP. Bryce Harper, their best hitter, has been hitting in the cleanup spot, and McCutchen is lower in the lineup.

If I’m Girardi, I revamp the entire lineup. Gregorius should be in the heart of the order, with Segura higher up.

There are a few candidates for the leadoff spot who could do better than Herrera. J.T. Realmuto and Segura each have +.350 OBP,  and are two of the best hitters on the team, though Segura is probably better hitting in the two-spot. Harper has a .371 OBP, but In has excelled batting third or cleanup throughout his career.

My ideal lineup:

• JT Realmuto C
• Jean Segura 2B
• Bryce Harper RF
• Andrew McCutchen LF
• Rhys Hoskins 1B
• Didi Gregorius SS
• Alec Bohm 3B
• Odubel Herrera CF
• Pitchers Spot