2 ideal Phillies lineups that will help maintain their lead down the stretch

The Philadelphia Phillies' standing as the National League’s best team during the first half of the season is shrinking rapidly. The club has struggled over the last several weeks but has a lead of 7.5 games over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.

Philadelphia still has a narrow lead as the NL's top team over the Milwaukee Brewers but is now tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, if Philly does not begin winning series regularly soon, one or both Los Angeles and Milwaukee could overtake them as the best team in the NL. The Brewers are only 1.5 games back.

2 ideal Phillies lineups that will help maintain their lead down the stretch

How can the Phillies turn their fortunes around? What lineups can manager Rob Thomson put together versus right- and left-handed pitching to ensure their success? Here are two ideal Philadelphia lineups to help maintain their lead down the stretch.

The Phillies need more production from the middle and bottom portions of their lineup.

Besides the hamstring injury to outfielder Austin Hays, the Phillies have a healthy position group. The top of the lineup did not do well in July during the team's struggles. Recently, they have lacked consistent production between the number five through nine spots in their batting order.

The Phillies have not done well with runners in scoring position. They went 0-for-12 during the Aug. 9 and 10 contests and 3-for-7 on Sunday versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Here is the lineup Thomson can put together against right-handed starting pitching:

Phillies lineup versus RHP

1. Kyle Schwarber, DH
2. Trea Turner, SS
3. Bryce Harper, 1B
4. Alec Bohm, 3B
5. J.T. Realmuto, C
6. Bryson Stott, 2B
7. Nick Castellanos, RF
8. Brandon Marsh, CF
9. Austin Hays, LF

Outfielder Brandon Marsh made the case to play full-time with his offensive production in May and June. Following the release of Whit Merrifield and the trade of Cristian Pache, the Phillies manager has played the Buford, Georgia native more often.

However, Marsh has struggled since July. He finished the month with a slash line of .182/.236/.409. In August, he has a .152/.263/.212 line in 10 games. In comparison, Johan Rojas is not playing that poorly to where he should be a bench player more regularly as he was before Hays' injury. How is the young outfielder expected to improve at the major league level if he does not receive consistent playing time?

Marsh and Rojas should split time in center field if Thomson wants to play Hays often in left. Philadelphia's manager has insisted on playing Castellanos every day. The argument can be made that the right fielder should receive a day off on occasion.

The 2016 draft pick of the Los Angeles Angels is not playing well enough currently and looks to be more suitable to play part-time. The lack of production throughout the outfield position group the Phillies have had since the early part of the season continues to be a concern with the playoffs less than two months away.

Here is the lineup Thomson should start versus left-handed pitching:

Phillies lineup versus LHP

1. Kyle Schwarber, DH
2. Trea Turner, SS
3. Bryce Harper, 1B
4. Alec Bohm, 3B
5. J.T. Realmuto, C
6. Nick Castellanos, RF
7. Austin Hays, LF
8. Edmundo Sosa, 2B
9. Johan Rojas, CF

Stott has not done as well this year offensively as he did in 2023. He has a terrible slash line of .097/.097/.226 in eight contests so far during August. Thomson has not played him as much versus left-handed pitching this year. Sosa has done well this year going back to June when he played often when Turner was on the IL with a hamstring injury.

Sosa should be featured in the lineup with the inconsistencies of Philadelphia's everyday second baseman. While he may be suitable as a reserve player, he has better offensive numbers than Stott. The 28-year-old has a .276/.329/.459 slash line in 67 games.

The Phillies' lineup has the potential to be very good despite the inconsistencies it has shown over the past few weeks. They have to battle through the struggles they have exhibited since July and put some momentum together with just under seven weeks remaining in the regular season.