Phillies’ bats pull disappearing act in feeble NLDS Game 3 loss

One would have thought after a hard-fought, inspirational comeback win in Game 2 of the NLDS, the Philadelphia Phillies suddenly had some new life and motivation heading into Game 3. Unfortunately, the Phillies laid a big egg as they went down feebly 7-2 to the New York Mets.

It would be easy to put the loss on the onus of their pitching. After all, the Phillies have given up at least six runs in each of the three games thus far in the series. But as much as the pitchers should deserve some blame, the disappearing act of the Phillies’ bats has actually been the most frustrating. Outside of the sudden outburst in the latter half of Game 2, they have been mostly silenced by the Mets’ stingy pitching.

Phillies’ bats pull disappearing act in feeble NLDS Game 3 loss

It was no different once again in Game 3, as the Phillies were held to just two hits over seven innings by Mets starter Sean Manaea. That was before Philadelphia mounted their little rally in the eighth inning that came too little too late. At this rate, it wouldn’t matter who was on the mound for the Phillies if they can’t even manage to score any runs. For a team whose offense was ranked among the elite across multiple offensive categories during the regular season, seeing them struggle like this has been quite baffling to say the least.

In addition, the Phillies need some of their big guns to deliver. Aside from his record-setting home run in Game 1, Kyle Schwarber has gone quiet ever since, with only one more hit in his last 11 at-bats. The recently benched Alec Bohm, who was second on the team in RBI with 97 during the regular season, is now hitting .100 with zero RBI in the postseason. In terms of the outfield combo of Johan Rojas, Brandon Marsh and Austin Hays, they have collectively produced zero runs, one hit and zero RBI in 18 at-bats. As for star catcher J.T. Realmuto, he is batting a horrific .000 with one RBI and three strikeouts over three games. That kind of production just won’t cut it in a tight playoff series.

The Phillies have less than a day to get their hitting act together as they face the Mets in a potential elimination NLDS Game 4 on Wednesday. Their bats better wake up, or else the Phillies will have the entire offseason to figure it out.