Phillies’ Tuesday night lineup displays desperation

Phillies’ latest changes to the lineup display desperation

Not even two weeks into the 2022 season, the Philadelphia Phillies look desperate.

They’re throwing everything they have at the wall, hoping something – anything – will stick.

On Tuesday night in Colorado, it’s Jean Segura in the leadoff spot and Rhys Hoskins in the two-hole. But as several Phillies faithful noted, their numbers in these respective spots in the lineup do not bode well.

This is the second time in less than a week that the Phillies have made significant lineup swaps. First, manager Joe Girardi moved Kyle Schwarber from the leadoff spot down to fifth, replacing him with J.T. Realmuto. He also shifted Bryce Harper up to second.

At the time, Harper said he was willing to do “whatever” made the team better:

“I mean, whatever helps us,” Harper said. “Whatever he wants us to do. If he thinks that’s going to make us better, then I’m all for it. Wherever he puts my name, I’ll show up and play. That’s how I feel about it.”

But Harper’s time at two didn’t last long, as he’s back hitting third for Tuesday night’s game. As a result, Girardi’s comments about shifting him up didn’t age well:

“I don’t want him to do anything different, I want him to be who he is. There’s a lot of top hitters in lineups around the league that hit second. It gets him 18 more at-bats, I think, per season, which is obviously good for us and good for him.(The No. 3 spot) used to be a glamour spot. I think it’s kind of changed.”

Schwarber is now batting sixth, Realmuto is fifth, and the Phillies have lost six of their last seven games. Something’s gotta give.

It’s understandable that the Phillies want to keep changing the lineup every time they lose a game, there’s also an argument to be made for consistency. After the lockout-impacted offseason and shortened spring, perhaps players just need a chance to find their footing.

3 Players on short leashes as Phillies’ struggles continue

On paper, the Phillies have one of the best lineups in baseball. At the plate, they look lifeless. Here are 3 players who need to step up or get sent down.