Philly Leader

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies are experiencing a challenging period. Despite their confidence in rebounding, they have lost 11 of their last 15 games since sweeping the Dodgers before the All-Star break, including Wednesday’s 6-5 defeat to the Yankees at Citizens Bank Park. This marks the first time the Phillies have been swept at home since July 2022 against the Cubs.

“You don’t want to play the game this way,” Bryce Harper commented.

On June 8, the Phillies were on pace to win 113 games and had a 10-game lead in the National League East by July 5. Currently, Cleveland holds the best record in baseball, with the Dodgers close behind for the top spot in the NL and the Braves trailing by just 6.5 games in the NL East.

Despite recent struggles, there is no sense of panic within the team.

“I mean, we’re a damned good team,” Harper stated. “It’s not that hard. It’s baseball. It’s kind of the way the game works. But like I said, we don’t want to play the game that way, but we’re a really good team. We’ve got really good players in here. We’ve just got to keep going.”

Several factors contribute to their losses: The rotation has posted a 4.21 ERA over the past 15 games compared to its previous performance; meanwhile, bullpen struggles are evident with an 8.06 ERA during this span and increased walks hurting them significantly. Additionally, defensive errors and an offense batting .225 with a .699 OPS have compounded issues.

Harper himself is amid an offensive slump, hitting just 1-for-30 — his career's worst stretch and comparable only to Rhys Hoskins’ slump in June 2021.

“I thought it was way worse,” Harper admitted after going hitless in five at-bats on Wednesday.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson and his players dismissed suggestions of holding a clear-the-air team meeting as unnecessary for now.

“No, just so you guys can write about it and tell everybody we talked? No,” Trea Turner said Tuesday. “Those things are for when guys are being lazy...we work our asses off...we’re playing bad.”

Thomson mentioned he addressed his players before last weekend’s series against Cleveland: “You’ve got to get back to normal...not try to do too much...stay calm.”

The Phillies remain hopeful despite recent setbacks. Austin Hays noted near-misses on Wednesday that could have changed outcomes: “Just missing that last ball...This team is built to win games.”

The Phillies head to Seattle next for a three-city road trip starting Friday night after taking Thursday off.

“I’m excited to turn the page to August,” Harper concluded.

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