The inconsistent starting rotation
The Phillies starting rotation has been downright inconsistent in July. After dominating baseball through the season's first three months with a 2.96 ERA, things have gone sideways for the starters more than once.
Aside from pleasant surprise Tyler Phillips and his 1.71 ERA over three magnificent outings, the Phillies rotation carried a 4.41 ERA into Cristopher Sánchez's start on Wednesday. Sánchez gave up seven runs on July 4 in Chicago and, after a run of three decent outings, was charged with six runs against the Yankees on Wednesday. He finished the month with a 5.82 ERA.
Ace Zack Wheeler looked good in three starts before the All-Star break while pitching around a stiff back, but then got lit up by the Yankees in Monday's series opener. After allowing seven runs to the Bronx Bombers, the right-hander finished the month with a 3.91 and couldn't be the stopper the Phillies needed.
Aaron Nola gets a pass. Among the rotation regulars, he was the most consistent of the bunch, tossing three quality starts and going 2-0 in July. The right-hander finished the month with a 3.45 ERA, right in line with his season 3.43 mark.
Ranger Suárez was also consistent in July, just the wrong way. The lefty made only three starts while battling back soreness before eventually landing on the 15-day IL. He struggled through each outing and finished 0-3 with a 6.61 ERA.
The starters don't need to be perfect, but they need to be consistently better to give the scuffling bats a better chance.